Quality Control Technologist, National Health Laboratory Service South Africa
Nozuko Blasich is a Clinical Pathology Medical Technologist specializing in laboratory diagnostics, quality control, and biomedical research. She holds a Master of Science in Biomedical Technology and is currently pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Science, focusing on fungal pathogens and their public health impact. Her research on cryptococcal meningitis has influenced World Health Organization (WHO) policies. She has published in high-impact journals, presented at international conferences, and serves as a peer reviewer. Passionate about improving diagnostic accuracy, she explores point-of-care tests for infectious diseases.
Profile
Orcid
Education š
Nozuko Blasich earned her Master of Science in Biomedical Technology, with research focusing on cryptococcal meningitis, significantly contributing to global health policies. She is currently a PhD candidate in Biomedical Science, investigating fungal pathogens and their environmental prevalence. Her academic journey emphasizes microbiology, clinical diagnostics, and public health.
Experience š§āš«
She serves as a Quality Control Technologist at the National Health Laboratory Service, ensuring diagnostic accuracy and laboratory efficiency. With expertise in mycology, she has worked extensively on cryptococcal antigen screening and HIV diagnostics.
Ā Awards & Honors š
She has received recognition for her contributions to medical mycology, including best researcher awards and grants for her impactful studies on fungal pathogens and diagnostic advancements.
Research Interests š¬
Her research explores fungal infections, laboratory diagnostics, and point-of-care testing to enhance public health interventions. She investigates diagnostic methodologies, antimicrobial resistance, and epidemiology to improve early detection and treatment outcomes.
Publications š
- Evaluating the Accuracy of Multiple Rapid Diagnostic Tests for HIV Detection in Serum Samples Analysed During Point-of-Care Proficiency Testing Assessments (2025) ā Nozuko P. Blasich, Jerom Okot, Artur Ramos, Mduduzi B. Buthelezi, Dumisani F. Shabangu, Mahlatse M. Maleka, Sarvashni Moodliar, Nqobile Ngoma, Tendesayi Kufa
- Retrospective Assessment of a National Reflex Cryptococcal Antigen Screening Program in South Africa Through Interlaboratory Comparison of Lateral Flow Assay Results (2022) ā Nozuko P. Blasich, Lindi M. Coetzee, Charlotte Sriruttan, Daniel DeSanto, Gregory S. Greene, Deborah K. Glencross, Nelesh P. Govender
- Association of Semi-Quantitative Cryptococcal Antigen Results in Plasma with Subclinical Cryptococcal Meningitis and Mortality Among Patients with Advanced HIV Disease (2021) ā Nozuko P. Blasich, Rachel M. Wake, Ivy Rukasha, Yvonne Prince, Nelesh P. Govender
- Cryptococcus neoformans: Diagnostic Dilemmas, Electron Microscopy and Capsular Variants (2018) ā Nozuko P. Blasich, Monica Birkhead, Serisha D. Naicker, Ivy Rukasha, Juno Thomas, Charlotte Sriruttan, Shareef Abrahams, Grisselda S. Mavuso, Nelesh P. Govender