Four UCT academics ranked among top 1% of most-cited researchers

Recognising individuals who have demonstrated significant and widespread influence in their fields of research is the Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researchers list for 2024. With an improvement of one more researcher being added, four University of Cape Town (UCT) researchers have been named.
 

Emerita Professor Estelle (Vicki) Lambert, Honorary Professor Crick Lund, Professor Dan Stein as well as Associate Professor Darren Martin have been recognised for publishing multiple Highly Cited Papers. This places them among the top 1% of most-cited researchers in their fields over the past decade, according to Web of Science.

“The recognition of these four outstanding researchers magnifies UCT’s role as Africa’s leading university and a hub of global knowledge production.”

However, citation counts alone do not determine selection. Clarivate is the data analytics company behind the list. They refine the rankings through further qualitative analysis and expert evaluation considering broader recognition from a diverse international network of citing authors.

Among the global scientific and social science community, only one in 1 000 researchers achieve Highly Cited Researcher status. Meanwhile, a 2021 UNESCO Science Report states that Africa produces only 1.1% of global scientific publications.

According to Clarivate’s analysis, this year’s Highly Cited Researchers represent 59 countries and regions. However, a striking 85.4% are based in just 10 of them, with nearly three-quarters (74.4%) concentrated in the top five. This underscores the significant global concentration of top research talent, with the United States and Mainland China leading in first and second place, respectively.

“The recognition of these four outstanding researchers magnifies UCT’s role as Africa’s leading university and a hub of global knowledge production,” said acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Internationalisation, Professor Jeff Murugan.

“At a time when Africa contributes just over 1% of global scientific publications, these researcher’s  work exemplifies the continent’s increasing influence in the global research landscape. Their achievements not only advance their respective fields but also reinforce UCT’s commitment to driving research excellence and innovation on the continent. This recognition affirms our strategic position towards shaping Africa’s scientific future and inspiring the next generation of scholars to push the boundaries of discovery,” Professor Murugan added.

UCT’s Faculty of Health Sciences’ highly cited researchers

Emerita Professor and Senior Scholar, Estelle (Vicki) Lambert, Department of Human Biology

Her research explores the relationship between physical activity and health, the interplay of the built environment with physical activity security, and the connections between obesity, diet and food security. Viewed primarily through a Global South and equity lens, Emerita Professor Lambert’s work also encompasses community-based and socio-environmental interventions as well as the implementation of citizen science across all life stages.

In 2024, she was presented with the Platinum Award for Lifetime Achievement by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and was elected as a fellow of the International Society for Physical Activity and Health. This is the fifth consecutive year that Lambert has been recognised as a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher either in the Cross-field or Social Sciences categories.

Honorary Professor Crick Lund, Neuroscience Institute

Making his debut as a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher, Honorary Professor Lund conducts research on mental health policy, services and the social determinants of mental health in low and middle-income countries. He is particularly interested in the causal mechanisms that maintain the cycle of poverty and mental illness, and in the development and evaluation of interventions that can break this cycle.

His current research focuses on interventions that combine cash transfers, financial education and self-regulation skills to prevent depression and anxiety among adolescents living in urban poverty.

Professor Dan Stein, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health

Professor Stein’s research is focused on anxiety and related disorders, including obsessive-compulsive spectrum conditions and post-traumatic stress disorder. Stein’s approach is integrative, moving between laboratory neuroscience, clinical research and public health, and including work on philosophy of psychiatry.

He has influenced the field by establishing collaborations across the globe and mentoring individuals who are now recognised as experts in a range of fields and through his widely-cited publications. This is the fourth time that Stein has been named a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher.

Associate Professor Darren Martin, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences

A key area of Associate Professor Martin’s research is the study of genetic recombination in virus evolution. This includes understanding how viruses evolve to become more pathogenic, develop drug resistance and evade vaccines. The work of his team combines computer-based analysis with practical lab experiments to explore how viruses maintain their genetic integrity while adapting and evolving.

This research is crucial in designing vaccines and drugs that are more effective against rapidly evolving viruses. Martin’s contributions are not just in research, but also in nurturing future scientists through high-quality bioinformatics education and training. This is the third time that he has been a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher.

A rigorous selection process

Researchers who make it to the Highly Cited Researchers list are selected through a rigorous process that recognises those with broad influence across their scientific communities.

To ensure fairness and credibility, Clarivate’s selection process includes safeguards against issues like excessive self-citation, unusual citation patterns and hyper-authorship. This helps maintain high standards for recognition. Analysing this global network of top researchers returns valuable insights into research and innovation trends.

In 2024, Clarivate awarded 6 886 Highly Cited researcher designations to 6 636 individuals, with some being recognised in multiple Essential Science Indicators (ESI) fields. The distribution of these designations across countries and institutions reflects the widespread influence of these researchers in their respective disciplines.