Academic Profile

Associate Professor Maya van Gent is an academic and scholar in the discipline of Human Movement Science in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Fort Hare. She is an expert in the field of adolescent health, with a specific research focus on body composition, physical activity, and the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Her research explores the interrelationship between physical and psychological risk factors for NCDs, particularly among adolescents in resource-limited settings such as the Eastern Cape. She has a strong publication record in high-impact journals, contributing to global and regional understanding of adolescent health, metabolic risk, and anthropometric assessment. As an ISAK Level 3 accredited anthropometrist, she is recognised for her expertise in body composition and for training students and professionals in anthropometry at both national and international levels. She has over 200 Google Scholar citations, with an h-index of 6. Assoc. Prof. van Gent joined the University of Fort Hare in 2007 and has progressed through the academic ranks, being promoted to Associate Professor in 2016. Throughout her academic career, she has been awarded several research grants, including support from the National Research Foundation and the South African Medical Research Council. She collaborates internationally, most notably with Hasselt University in Belgium, where she co-leads research on sedentary behaviour and physical activity patterns among office workers. She has presented at several international conferences in recent years. Her work has also extended into national policy contributions. She was a co-author of the South African policy framework promoting physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic and contributes to the Healthy Active Kids South Africa (HAKSA) Report Card under the research and academic pillar—aimed at monitoring and promoting physical activity among South African children and adolescents. In addition, she played a key role in formalising a Memorandum of Understanding with industry partners in sport development, aimed at advancing community engagement and the development of sport in underserved communities. She has held numerous academic leadership roles, including programme coordinator, curriculum developer, and strategic planner for research and postgraduate growth within the faculty. In addition to her research and leadership, Assoc. Prof. van Gent is a dedicated educator and postgraduate mentor. She has successfully supervised over 20 postgraduate students, including both Master’s and Doctoral candidates, to completion. She has served as an external examiner and academic reviewer for several South African universities. Furthermore, she reviews for national and international journals and serves on Health Research Ethics Committees. Assoc. Prof. van Gent’s contributions have significantly shaped the field of Human Movement Science—particularly in adolescent health promotion, sedentary behaviour research, and community development through sport. Her work continues to influence policy and practice both locally and internationally.