Dr Louvina Elizabeth Van der Laan

Dr. van der Laan is a senior clinical researcher with a strong background in pharmacometric modelling and paediatric infectious diseases therapeutic research. Serving as a medical doctor at the Desmond Tutu TB Centre (DTTC), Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Stellenbosch University, South Africa since 2014, she brings clinical expertise in pharmacokinetic studies that advance our understanding of antituberculosis agents' pharmacology. 

As a principal and sub-investigator in numerous pharmacokinetic trials, Dr. van der Laan has collaborated with esteemed institutions globally, impacting international paediatric dosing guidelines. She played a pivotal role in phase 1-2 studies on novel drugs for drug-resistant TB in children, where she contributed to WHO policy, and has led ground-breaking pharmacokinetic studies where she explored the impact of weight and maturation on first-line TB drugs being used in infants. 

Dr. van der Laan has a Diploma in Child Health (2013), a Master's degree with distinction in pharmacology and pharmacometrics (2017) and completed her PhD in clinical pharmacology at the University of Cape Town in 2024. Her specialized focus on TB and HIV paediatric pharmacokinetic studies and population modelling reflects a rare combination of medical and mathematical modelling expertise.  

As the first formally qualified Clinical Pharmacometrician at Stellenbosch University and the University of Cape Town, Dr. van der Laan aims to enhance pharmacometrics capacity, bringing her unique skills to bridge medicine and mathematical modelling. Her successful implementation of research projects, international collaborations, and contributions to WHO's expert consultations highlight her commitment to advancing paediatric TB research and mentoring the next generation of researchers in South Africa.