Alumni spotlight: Dr Aayesha Soni
- Wits Alumni Relations
Neurologist shares how she discovered a passion for epilepsy and now plays a key role in raising awareness about the disease.
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders in South Africa, yet patients often face stigma, delayed diagnoses, and limited treatment options. Dr Aayesha Soni (MBBCh 2014), a clinical epilepsy fellow at Western University in Ontario, Canada, says she is driven by a dream to change this. “Not just through clinical care, but also through education and public awareness.”
In May 2025, the 34-year-old was elected as the first South African advocate to attend the Palatucci Leadership Forum, hosted by the American Academy of Neurology. The Academy seeks members who have a clear passion, strong leadership potential, and are willing to serve as a key advocacy contact for neurological conditions within the media and government. The competitive process only chooses 28 American and two international neurologists annually.
Soni received the Vice-Chancellor’s Award in 2014 and she says neurology, specifically epilepsy, chose her. “After completing my community service year, I had no plans at all of becoming a neurologist. I have diplomas in both emergency medicine and anaesthetics, and was already looking into avenues to join an organisation such as Médecins Sans Frontières.
“However, at that time a loved one was diagnosed with a neurological condition, and it was in my reading round the condition and possible treatments, that I became truly intrigued by the brain.”
She decided to start her master’s early, at the University of Cape Town, choosing a supervisor, and not a topic. “My supervisor was very interested in epilepsy, and what I initially thought would be very boring and simply an academic task to complete, quickly transformed into a passion.
“Learning about epilepsy and the massive treatment gap that exists in resource-limited settings and how this impacts patients really interested me. I completed my master’s in a record six months and used the remaining time of my training to clinically translate our results.”
The results of her research helped motivate for the establishment of the first adult epilepsy surgery clinic in a public hospital in South Africa, which she spear-headed with the epilepsy team at Groote Schuur Hospital.
Wits feels like home
Soni comes from a family of Witsie medics. “When I think of Wits, it will always make me think of home.”
Her dad, Jalaluddin Soni (MBBCh 1978), as well as her two older sisters, Zakiyya (MBBCh 2008, MMed 2018) and Zaheera (MBBCh 2009, MMed 2018), and her younger brother, Abdullah (MBBCh 2018), all graduated from the university.
“As a family, it is a place close to our hearts, which allowed us to not only build many memories which spanned generations but also gifted us with a love for medicine,” she says.
“Some lecturers have been etched into my psyche as people. I aspire to be like Professor Moosa Patel and Professor Philip Tobias. What struck me was that they were not just academically brilliant, but had a love for their chosen specialities that transcended academia.
“They infused their passion into treating patients and teaching students too. You always left their teaching sessions truly inspired. It was apparent that medicine wasn't just a job or degree for them, it was truly something they loved.
“I often think back to legends like them when I think about how I'd like my epilepsy career to be, not necessarily filled with academic accomplishments but dictated by sincerity and a commitment to excellence in serving those who needed their skills and knowledge most.
She plans to return to South Africa later in July 2025 and will be the country’s first female adult epileptologist, offering surgical solutions for focal epilepsies. In this type of epilepsy the affected part of the brain is removed, and the person can be rendered seizure free. She also hopes to further establish epilepsy surgery services in more public hospitals.
“When I look back at the timeline of events which brought me here, I can definitely say that none of it was planned, and even though my path has taken directions under very trying and difficult circumstances, it has eventually led me to a field which I'm truly passionate about improving for all those affected.”