Prof Sandra Van Vuuren

Sandra Van Vuuren is a South African pharmaceutical scientist and professor in the School of Therapeutic Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand. Her work integrates ethnopharmacology, microbiology, and natural product chemistry, with a strong focus on antimicrobial resistance and the validation of traditional African medicinal plants. She is widely recognized for advancing evidence-based research on essential oils and plant-derived therapeutics.

Her publications highlight key themes including synergistic combinations of essential oils with conventional antibiotics, antimicrobial activity against priority pathogens, and the safety profiling of traditional remedies. She has explored plant–microbe interactions in gastric, dermatological, and respiratory infections, as well as the toxicity and mutagenicity of herbal medicines used in community settings.

Recent studies extend to climate change impacts on medicinal plant bioactivity, nanoemulsion formulations, propolis chemistry, and innovative antimicrobial strategies. Strengths include rigorous in vitro methodologies, synergy modeling, and translational relevance for public health. Her contributions support safer integration of traditional medicine with modern antimicrobial therapy.