Dr Angélique Lewies (PhD Pharmaceutics, MSc Biochemistry) is a Senior Lecturer and Division Head of Tissue Engineering and Cell Biology within the Robert WM Frater Cardiovascular Research Centre, in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of the Free State (UFS). She leads the Advanced Cell Culture Systems (ACCS) research group at the Frater Centre, where she supervises multiple postgraduate students across Honours, MSc, MMedSc, and PhD levels.

Recognised as a Y2-rated researcher by the National Research Foundation (NRF) since 2024, Dr Lewies’ research is anchored in the development of advanced 3D in vitro models, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technologies, and tissue engineering platforms to address cardiovascular disease and drug safety challenges.

A major focus of her work is the mitigation of cardiotoxicity caused by approved chemotherapy drugs. Her team uses 3D cell-based systems, nanoparticle formulations, network pharmacology, and molecular docking to identify cardioprotective interventions while preserving anticancer efficacy. In parallel, they investigate the cardiotoxic and cardioprotective effects of phyto- and mycochemicals.

In the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, Dr Lewies’ group are working towards developing xenograft (non-human) tissues with reduced immunogenicity that support cell infiltration, remodelling, and regeneration, with translational potential in cardiac surgery. A current line of inquiry includes integrating recipient-derived iPSCs with decellularised scaffolds to create patient-specific grafts.

Dr Lewies is a member of the Executive Committee of the South African Society for Cardiovascular Research (SASCAR).