Chanel Avenant, PhD, is a Research Officer in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology
at the University of Cape Town. Early in her career, Chanel’s main area of research focused
on gene regulation and intracellular signaling via steroid receptors. Of particular interest was
to determine how different hormones (including those commonly used in contraception) can
elicit differential responses via steroid receptors. This research was conducted in the broad
context of reproduction, inflammation and contraception. Since 2010, her research has been
expanded to include regulation of HIV-1 infection by different progestins and endogenous
hormones, particularly those involved in the female reproduction pathway.
Chanel Avenant
