Novel Njweipi Chegou

Novel Njweipi Chegou is a Cameroonian molecular biologist who is a professor at the Stellenbosch University Immunology Research Group. His research considers pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis. He leads the Diagnostics Research Laboratory. He was awarded the Royal Society Africa Prize in 2022.

Early life and education
Chegou is from the Anglophone region of Cameroon. He studied medical sciences at the University of Buea and then started a degree in health sciences at Stellenbosch University. His master's research considered the immunology of tuberculosis, and he continued in the field for his doctoral research. His doctoral research identified and patented a QuantiFERON supernatant biosignature that can differentiate between active and latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Research and career
Chegou looks to develop a testing platform for tuberculosis. He has investigated different biomarkers of tuberculosis, and developed a strategy to identify tuberculosis meningitis in children and in places with limited access to resources, such as rural areas.

Awards and honours

 * 2015 Stellenbosch University Rector's Award
 * 2015 UNESCO-MARS award
 * 2019 South African Medical Research Council Silver award
 * 2019 NSTF-South32 Awards
 * 2022 Royal Society Africa Prize