invites you to their 52nd annual conference
Dear parasitologists and colleagues,
On behalf of the Parasitological Society of Southern Africa it is my great pleasure to invite all of you to attend the 52nd Annual PARSA Conference to be held at Villa Paradiso Country Manor in Hartbeespoort from 6-8 October 2024.
The conference will be held under the theme: Stronger Together: Advancing Parasitology with Collaboration.
This is the official annual academic event of the Parasitological Society of Southern Africa (PARSA) and one of the biggest highlights in parasitology where we can meet friends and colleagues, seek scientific collaboration, and get inspired and motivated to continue our research and practice in parasitology and parasitic diseases.
We will endeavour for an exciting and high-quality scientific programme, diversity and inclusion, and transparency and professionalism in the organizing of the conference.
I am looking forward to a productive and interactive Conference and your participation, your research paper presentation, and your support to inspire your colleagues and students to join as at PARSA 2024.
I look forward to welcoming you to the conference in October 2024!
Prof Kerry Hadfield Malherbe
PARSA President
KINDLY NOTE IMPORTANT DATES
- Abstract Submission Opens – 14 June 2024
- Registration Opens –14 June 2024
- Abstract Submission Closes – 16 August 2024 (CLOSED)
- Abstract Acceptance Notices –30 August 2024
- Early Registration Closes – 13 September 2024 (CLOSED)
- Regular Registration Closes – 30 September 2024
- Late Registration Closes – 04 October 2024
REGISTRATION IS CLOSED
- Early Registration – closes 13 September (CLOSED)
- Regular Registration – closes 30 September (CLOSED)
- Late Registration – closes 04 October (CLOSED)
| Member | |
| Full Early | R 4,250.00 |
| Full Regular | R 4,650.00 |
| Full Late | R 4,950.00 |
| Day Early | R 2,300.00 |
| Day Regular | R 2,450.00 |
| Day Late | R 2,600.00 |
| Non-Member | |
| Full Early | R 5,000.00 |
| Full Regular | R 5,750.00 |
| Full Late | R 6,050.00 |
| Day Early | R 2,650.00 |
| Day Regular | R 3,100.00 |
| Day Late | R 3,250.00 |
| Student Member (not subsidized) | |
| Full Early | R 1,800.00 |
| Full Regular | R 2,500.00 |
| Full Late | R 2,650.00 |
| Day Early | R 1,250.00 |
| Day Regular | R 1,350.00 |
| Day Late | R 1,450.00 |
| Student Non-Member | |
| Full Early | R 2,500.00 |
| Full Regular | R 2,800.00 |
| Full Late | R 2,950.00 |
| Day Early | R 1,350.00 |
| Day Regular | R 1,450.00 |
| Day Late | R 1,550.00 |
| Accompanying Persons – Full congress | R 1,850.00 |
| Welcome Reception – Accompanying persons | R 300.00 |
| Conference Dinner – All delegates | R 450.00 |
| Buffs | R 80.00 |
ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS HAVE CLOSED.
The conference will be held under the theme: Stronger Together: Advancing Parasitology with Collaboration.
PARSA will be accepting abstracts for presentations under two categories: Oral or Poster.
- Maximum number of words in abstract is 350.
- Oral presentations will be allocated 10 minutes plus 5 minutes for discussion and should clearly outline the objectives of the study, and the results/findings.
- Poster sessions form an integral part of the conference, and posters will be displayed on poster boards for the duration of the conference. Delegates are responsible for the production of their posters as well as to stand at their posters during tea breaks. Posters must be A1 and portrait.
- Please ensure that the email addresses as submitted are correct as these addresses will be used in all correspondence and acceptance notifications.
- Late submissions will not be considered.
- You are welcome to submit more than one abstract for the programme.
CONFIRMED KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Prof. Dennis Grab – Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
My career of over 50 years spans topics from parasitology, to infectious diseases, and cell biology, and has produced some 100 peer-reviewed publications, and numerous presentations at scientific meetings worldwide. For the past 25 years my research interests have focused on understanding the pathophysiology of vascular barrier dysfunction/leakage in the context of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) and other microbial diseases. As Keynote speaker, I will review progress on delineating the cellular and molecular mechanisms that African trypanosomes use to compromise homeostasis of the blood-brain barrier and neurovascular unit that lead to central nervous system disease. There is great hope that this research endeavor will lead to better diagnostics and therapies for HAT and will open new doors for our study of neurological diseases caused by other microbes or other etiologies.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and are not necessarily representative of those of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, the Department of Defense, or the United States Army, Navy, or Air Force.
—
Prof. Nico Smit – North-West University
Nico Smit is a Professor in Ecology at cofounder of the Water Research Group at the North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, South Africa, with more than 25 years’ experience in Aquatic Parasitology, focusing primarily on Fish Parasites. Nico’s research on fish parasites includes extensive studies on the biodiversity, taxonomy and ecology of parasitic Crustacea and blood protozoa of marine and freshwater fishes, and he has authored and co-authored more than 200 scientific papers and three books on these and other related topics with 3 996 citations and an h-index of 33 (Google Scholar, September 2022). To date 24 PhD and 34 MSc students have graduated under his supervision. He has acted as project leader for multimillion-rand projects on the conservation of southern Africa’s iconic tiger fish, the assessment of aquatic ecotoxicology of PGE in aquatic ecosystems in South Africa, the conservation of fish and associated parasite species, as well as projects on the Phongolo River and its flood plains. Nico has contributed to the management of national and international academic societies as president of the Parasitological Society of Southern Africa (PARSA), president of the South African Society of Aquatic Scientists (SASAqS), and committee member of the International Symposium on Fish Parasites (ISFP). He has been a Keynote speaker at the annual conferences of both the Australian and British Societies for Parasitology and received honouree appointments as Visiting Research Professor from The University of Queensland, Australia, and the INNOLEC Visiting Chair from Masaryk University, Czech Republic. During the past 8 years he has refereed papers for 17 international journals, served as associate editor of two international journals and was guest editor for two special issues of the International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife. In 2017 he become the first South African aquatic parasitologist to be rated by the South African National Research Foundation (NRF) as an internationally acclaimed scientist (B3 rating) and during his most recent evaluation by the NRF in 2022 he was upgraded to a B1 rating that indicates that all the reviewers are firmly convinced that he enjoys considerable international recognition for the high quality and impact of his recent research outputs, with some of them also indicating that he is a leading international scholar in the field of fish parasitology. Nico has also been awarded the Elsdon-Dew Medal by PARSA in 2022 for his contribution to parasitology in Africa.
PROPOSED PROGRAMME OUTLINE
Sunday, 6 October
15h00 – Registration Opens
15h00 – Poster setup
17h30 – Drinks & Networking
Monday, 7 October
08h00 – Registration / Arrival coffee & tea
08h30 – Welcome & Opening
08h45 – Keynote Presentation
09h15 – Abstract Sessions
10h00 – Mid-morning refreshments
10h30 – Abstract Sessions
12h30 – Poster Session 1
13h00 – Lunch
14h00 – Abstract Sessions
15h00 – Mid-afternoon refreshments
15h30 – Abstract Sessions
17h00 – PARSA AGM
18h30 – Welcome Reception
Tuesday, 8 October
06h30 – Sunrise Yoga
08h30 – Keynote Presentation
09h30 – Abstract Sessions
10h15 – Mid-morning refreshments
10h45 – Abstract Sessions
12h15 – Poster Session 2
12h45 – Lunch
13h45 – Abstract Sessions
15h00 – Mid-afternoon refreshments
15h30 – Abstract Sessions
17h00 – Close of Conference
19h00 – Conference Dinner & Awards
Wednesday, 9 October
10h00 – Overnight guests to check out.
Villa Paradiso Country Manor
Your Home Away From Home!
Nestled on the foothills of the Magalies Mountain range. Come and enjoy. Unique dinning experience.
ACCOMMODATION
The stunning hotel offers 53 double rooms, each equipped with a television offering a selection of DSTV channels, tea/coffee making facilities, and some featuring private balconies with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Ground-level rooms open up onto beautiful landscaped gardens, providing a tranquil retreat for our guests.
Located in the heart of Hartbeespoort, the hotel is the perfect base for exploring the area’s many attractions. Take a leisurely stroll through the nearby Hartbeespoort Dam Snake and Animal Park or visit the beautiful Hartbeespoort Dam, where you can enjoy water sports, boat cruises and scenic drives. For thrill-seekers, there’s the Aerial Cableway, offering breathtaking views of the Magaliesberg and surrounding areas.
After a day of adventure, retreat to the comfort of your room and wake up to a delicious full breakfast/
RATES
– Single accommodation – R1,055 per person, bed & breakfast.
– Sharing accommodation – R1,160 per room, bed & breakfast or R580 per person sharing bed & breakfast.
Accommodation can be booked on the registration system and will only be confirmed once payment for accommodation has been received.
SPONSORSHIP & EXHIBITION
Why Participate?
The PARSA conference will act as platform to discuss and develop activities that will ensure capacity building in the field of parasitology in South Africa and Africa. The conference will offer a variety of engagement opportunities suitable for large as well as small organisations. We expect 60-80 participants from the region. Please use this unique opportunity to participate in this event by selecting from the options in this prospectus
- Promotes cutting-edge scientific research
- Contributes to the advancement of Parasitology for Southern Africa
- Offers a unique opportunity to exchange ideas with renowned professionals from across the region
- Provides an ideal networking forum paving the way for meaningful collaborations and partnerships
- Enhance your brand’s visibility and recognition among a targeted audience of professionals, researchers, and industry experts
Sponsorship/Exhibition Packages
We offer a range of tailored sponsorship and exhibition packages designed to meet your company’s objectives and budget. Whether you aim to elevate your brand’s visibility, launch new products, or establish industry connections, our packages offer various benefits that will align with your goals.
SAVETCON Event Management
Corné Engelbrecht
Tel: +27(0)71 587 2950
Email: corne@savetcon.co.za
52nd Annual PARSA Conference Organisers
SAVETCON Event Management
Corné Engelbrecht
corne@savetcon.co.za
+27(0)71 587 2950
