Professor Stefan Du Plessis
Professor Stefan du Plessis is the Dean of Research and Graduate Studies and a Professor of Physiology at the College of medicine (MBRU). He completed his tertiary education at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. He remained as Faculty where he rose through the ranks to full Professor and served 3 terms as Head of the Division of Medical Physiology in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. His research interests are in the field of male reproductive physiology, resulting in more than 98 peer-reviewed articles and nearly 5500 citations. He also has to his credit 27 book chapters and 4 books and has supervised numerous Doctoral and Master’s students. He serves on the editorial board of two international journals and acts as an ad hoc reviewer for various funding bodies and scientific journals. Prof du Plessis has recently been elected as member of the Mohammed bin Rashed Academy of Scientists (MBRAS), is a National Research Foundation B-rated researcher and the recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship as well as several other research and teaching awards.
Discovery is fundamental to a successful academic healthcare system, and we aim to provide a comprehensive ecosystem to support our researchers and to prepare the next generation of scientists and thought leaders in biomedical sciences.”
Message from the Dean of Research and Graduate Studies
Creativity, innovation, and discovery are hallmarks of our Deanship of Research and Graduate Studies. These attributes characterize the scientific research work at MBRU where we strive to develop talent who will assist the nation in its mission for economic diversification via knowledge and innovation-driven growth. Research, science, and technology are key pillars in this rapidly evolving knowledge-based and competitive economy and the goal of addressing major health challenges ranks high on the UAE’s National Advanced Sciences Agenda 2031. This makes it a duty of the UAE’s academic and scientific ecosystem to explore fundamental scientific principles to advance healthcare in the UAE. At MBRU, we embrace this responsibility and are using our innovative research facilities and capabilities to build the national and regional scientific force that can help deliver these goals.
We have our own goals at MBRU, which are tightly aligned to the UAE and Dubai governments’ ambitions. We seek to become a research-focused medical academic institution and the Deanship of Research and Graduate Studies will continue to ensure that the necessary policies, infrastructure, and resources are available to support our researchers. We will also continue to create and deliver research-relevant graduate programs that have currency within national development and global healthcare aims.
The Deanship of Research and Graduate Studies is highly focused on delivering tomorrow’s research capabilities through local, regional, and international collaboration, to provide our students with all the support and resources needed to maximize their potential and achieve optimum results.
Science students looking for a career in medical research should be enthused by the opportunity they will have to truly make a difference in their communities, and society at large. Researchers have a vital role to play in transforming healthcare delivery. This is a career for innovators, enquirers, and academics who are infused with a desire to better the lives of others through the work they choose to do. If you recognize yourself within that description, we would love to meet you – I think you will find we have much in common.
Best Regards,
Professor Stefan Du Plessis
