Dr Aayesha Kholvadia is a senior lecturer and researcher whose extensive work in chronic diseases, osteoarthritis, and inter-professional treatment outcomes underscores her dedication to advancing physical rehabilitation. Her doctoral research, completed in December 2019, focused on "Exercise Training and Low-Level Laser Therapy as a Modulate to Pain Relief and Functional Changes in Knee Osteoarthritis." This significant research has led to numerous publications and conference presentations, solidifying her expertise in physical activity for public health and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) related to physical activity.
In her current role, Dr Kholvadia teaches a range of courses including exercise physiology, human growth and development, physical activity for public health, and modules on NCDs for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Her role extends to leading a working group focused on rehabilitation and public health, in line with National Health Insurance (NHI) discussions. Additionally, she lectures in the children in sport and exercise module, promoting positive physical activity and lifestyle habits among children and their custodians. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes communication and interpersonal skills, creating an inclusive and engaging learning environment. She has supervised numerous Master's and PhD students, fostering their academic and professional growth, and has successfully acquired various grants, including the NRF Thutuka grants for 2021-2023 and 2024-2026.
Recognized for her contributions to physical activity for public health, Dr Kholvadia received the ASAIPA healthcare leadership award in 2023. Her additional strengths include mentoring junior staff, collaborating in multidisciplinary environments, and translating research into practical applications. Her innovative and interactive teaching approaches aim to make learning engaging and effective. Dr Kholvadia’s research focuses on physiology, chronic diseases, and innovative treatment outcomes, with a strong emphasis on NCDs and health and wellness promotion.
Designation:
Lecturer
Email:
aayesha.kholvadia@mandela.ac.za
Contact Number:
0415044870
Faculty:
Health Sciences
Department:
Human Movement Science
Qualifications:
PhD, MA HMS, BA HMS Hon, BA HMS
Professional Memberships:
Biokinetic association of South Africa and the Health Professionals Council of South Africa
Orcid ID:
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1650-6116
NRF Rating:
N/A
Research Interests:
My current research is anchored in the intersection of physiology, chronic diseases, and innovative treatment outcomes, with a primary emphasis on NCD’s, health and wellness promotion. The central theme of my work revolves around improving behavioural and lifestyle health outcomes. My research focus area has culminated in a series of impactful publications and presentations, contributing significantly to the understanding of non-invasive interventions for chronic conditions.
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NCD’s and Inter-professional Treatment Outcomes: Investigating the interplay of NCD’s with a focus on lifestyle and behavioural challenges.
My research area further includes exploring collaborative, interprofessional approaches to enhancing preventative and rehabilitative treatment outcomes.
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Health and Wellness Promotion: Studying the promotion of health and wellness through targeted interventions.
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Designing strategies for disseminating health-related information within diverse communities, with a specific interest on Biokinetics in public health.
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Advanced Treatment Modalities: Investigating emerging treatment modalities for chronic diseases in communities not able to access mainstream treatment modalities; and exploring the integration of technology such as photobiomodulation therapy (PMBT) and patient-centred holistic treatment strategies.
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Public Health and National Health Insurance (NHI): Expanding research initiatives in alignment with national health priorities, particularly focusing on NHI conversations, and assessing the impact of physical activity rehabilitation programs on public health outcomes.
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Educational Research in Health Sciences: Investigating innovative pedagogical methods for teaching health sciences to undergraduate and postgraduate students; and exploring the effectiveness of interdisciplinary education in producing well-rounded healthcare professionals.
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Establishing Norms in Paediatric Populations: Continuing involvement in a national study to establish South African and African blood pressure norms for paediatric populations; and extending research to encompass broader aspects of paediatric health and well-being.
Current non-degree Research Projects:
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Childhood hypertension consortium of South Africa and Biokinetics in the Public health sector.
Current Final Year Undergraduate/Honours Research Projects:
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A group of 3 students working on a study that aims to explore and describe the perception of biokinetics among GQ community members.
Number of currently supervised Masters and PhD candidates (2023 to 2024):
Research Output 2023 to 2024:
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Gilchrist R, Kholvadia A. Team approach to osteoarthritis management: Viewpoints of biokineticists and physiotherapists in South Africa. S Afr J Sports Med. 2023 May 9;35(1):v35i1a15260. doi: 10.17159/2078-516X/2023/v35i1a15260.
Current Research Collaborations within your Department or Discipline:
Research collaboration within the department and discipline where I am working on childhood hypertension as well as progressing on research in biokinetics and the public health sector.
Current Inter-Disciplinary/Multi-Disciplinary/Trans-Disciplinary Research Collaborations:
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Interdisciplinary - work with other department of HMS and biokinetics on research related to biokinetics in the public health sector and NCD's.
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Multi-disciplanary - work with psychology on the relationship between cognitive and physical abilities, work with nutrition and diatetics on nutrition physical activity and health and work with physiology on the relationship between physiological concepts during physical activity and performance enhancement.
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Trans-disciplinary - work with stakeholder nationally on establishing paediatic blood pressure norms and work with stakeholders nationally and internationally on the use of photobiomodulation therapy in rehabilitation medicine.