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Executive
Professor Andreas Diacon
Prof. Andreas Diacon is a consultant in Internal Medicine, Pulmonology and Intensive Care at Tygerberg Hospital, as well as a professor at Stellenbosch University. His main research interests are laboratory techniques and clinical methods for the evaluation of novel anti-tuberculosis agents and regimens.
Amongst other achievements, he was awarded a Rector’s Award for Outstanding Research at Stellenbosch University, the Swiss TB Research Award and the Scientific Prize from the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease for his exceptional contribution towards research. Link to publications.
Prof Andreas is TASK’s founder and CEO.
Norma Hughes

Mrs Hughes has been at TASK since the inception of the company in 2005.
Dr Naadira Vanker
Dr. Naadira Vanker is TASK’s Chief Operational Officer. Previous to this she was the head of laboratory operations. Dr Vanker has been an investigator at TASK and has over 5 years of experience in clinical pathology in various leadership roles, and holds a MBChB and MBA.
Johann De Bruyn
Johann De Bruyn is TASK’s Chief Financial Officer, a Chartered Accountant and completed his MBA through Bradford university in the UK. He has had finance and general management roles in various industries, the latest being as General Manager for the Africa region of an international relocations company.
Key contacts & Individuals
Duncan McDonald
Duncan McDonald is TASK’s Head of Business Development & Marketing. He has an entrepreneurial background, previously owning and managing a digital advertising agency.
Duncan is your first point of call for any service related enquiry at TASK.
Dr Caryn Upton
Gerben van den Hoogen
Gerben van den Hoogen is TASK’s Clinical Support Executive. He completed his master’s in clinical epidemiology through Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Gerben has over 20 years’ experience in general epidemiology, health policies, laboratory services to clinical trials, both in the Netherlands and South Africa, and clinical research site operations. He is currently elected in the South African Clinical Research Association (SACRA) Exco and has been with TASK since 2020, overseeing laboratory, data management, quality/academy/regulatory, and facility teams.
Riana Stander
Riana Stander is TASK’s Head of Special Projects, supporting TASK with business operations in achieving the organisation’s goals and strategic intent, a role she has held since 2020. She brings a wealth of experience from a successful career in clinical research and health services.
Previous to her current role, Riana was TASK’s regulatory lead and site start up specialist and prior, regulatory manager.