Monique Zaahl

Monique Glenda Zaahl (born 4 November 1975) is a South African geneticist. She was formerly a professor of genetics at Stellenbosch University, where she conducted influential research into iron overload. She is now the managing director of Gene Diagnostics, a private genetic testing company.

Education Zaahl completed her undergraduate degree at Stellenbosch University, where she became interested in human genetics as a result of the influence of Professor Louise Warnich. She obtained her PhD at Stellenboch in 2003; she received the 2001 Commonwealth Split-Site Scholarship to complete part of her doctoral research at Oxford University under the supervision of Kathryn Robson.

Career In 2004, she joined the Stellenbosch faculty as a lecturer. Her research at Stellenbosch focused on iron-related causes of disease, particularly via investigation of the genetic mechanisms of iron metabolism and iron overload.

Honours and awards At the 2006 National Women in Science Awards, Zaahl was named the Best Emerging Young Scientist. In April 2010, President Jacob Zuma admitted her to the Order of Mapungubwe, granting her the award in Bronze "For her outstanding contribution to the field of genetics and research into disorders resulting from iron overload."