The APRI Team
Tory Madden
Director
A/Prof Victoria J Madden (Tory) believes that better targeting of pain treatments could diminish, and even prevent, persistent pain. Her work aims to identify the contributors that our treatments should address.
Tory also believes that the best research happens when people feel supported and connected. She strives to create an environment where APRI members can flourish.
+27 21 650 8637
Gill Bedwell
PhD candidate
Gill has fallen head-over-heels for the psychoneuroimmunology perspective on pain, because it captures her interest in 'hard' measurements as well as the complexity of psychosocial influences.
Gill also led APRI's largest systematic review so far, and she has undertaken important work on the burden of pain in hospitals in Africa. After hours, she can be found with her beloved cats or camping in the bush.
Gwen Arendse
Data-focused research assistant
Gwen works magic in tidying, managing, and analysing APRI's data. With her MPH in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, she is our go-to person for complex coding questions.
Gwen loves working at APRI because it's a safe space to grow, where quality research is guaranteed.
We have yet to convince her to try out any of the Cape Town hiking routes, although she has lived here 8 years! Gwen, we are coming for you...
Luyanduthando Mqadi
Research assistant
Lu Mqadi is dedicated to making sure that research reaches the people who need it most. After several years in APRI's postgraduate training programme, Lu is spending time with an another team to gain experience in public engagement and broaden her skills.
Lu aspires to undertake a PhD that integrates work in APRI's behavioural lab with translation and dissemination. After hours, Lu is happiest with a paintbrush in hand, working up a sweat outdoors with some friends, or finding sunflowers.
Sarah Harding
Masters candidate
Sarah wants her work to inform better pain management strategies. Her MSc (Pain Neuroscience) asks whether social support influences pain by dampening pain-related neural signalling.
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Sarah loves exploring the beautiful beaches around South Africa - the more remote, the better!
Romy Parker
Head of Pain Management at UCT
Professor Romy Parker's vision is for every South African to have access to a healthcare clinician who understands pain. She has dedicated her career to this by conducting research and providing mentorship and training across healthcare settings and disciplines within South Africa.
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Romy is also a world champion canoeist! She recharges by spending time in the wild of nature.
