Dr Nicole Jaff, received her PhD in 2015. Her research developed the first cohort study of menopause in black South African Women, SWEET (the study of women entering in and in endocrine transition). With 702 midlife black urban women, SWEET is the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa. The study characterized the natural history, clinical presentation and health effects (bone, cardiometabolic, cognitive) of menopause. This research is ongoing and her findings have been published in international medical journals, and presented internationally.
Dr Jaff is an honorary lecturer in both the Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg and the Department of Clinical, Education and Health Psychology, University College, London. She is a member of the International Menopause Society (IMS), Board of Trustees, and honorary secretary on the Executive Council of the South African Menopause Society (SAMS). She represents SAMS on the Council of Affiliated Menopause Societies (CAMS), and serves on the IMS Menopause Information and Innovations committees. She is a member of the Menopause Society (formerly NAMS), a Certified Menopause Practitioner (MSCP), and a member of the Professional Board of Psychology, South Africa. She is a member of the Climacteric editorial board, and is a guest editor with Professor Nigel Crowther, of the upcoming themed Climacteric edition, ‘Menopause in LMICs’ (June 2025).
Dr Jaff co-led (with Professor Pauline Maki) the 2022 World Menopause Day initiative on Brain Fog, and has received two awards from the North American Menopause Society(NAMS) – a New Investigator award and the NAMS/Ann Voda Community Service Award, which recognizes a healthcare provider who has demonstrated outstanding community service. As joint first author, she received the 2023 SEMDSA Diabetes Award for the best original research paper. She has given numerous webinars, talks and workshops on midlife health and menopause throughout South Africa and internationally, and published four books on menopause to help midlife women improve their health and quality of life.
