HILLCREST resident and surgeon, Dr Morad Zaffron has recently published his first novel, The Cure, a medical thriller.
Dr Zaffron has always had a passion for writing, but when he finished school he knew he wanted to be a surgeon, and so completed his studies to pursue a career in surgery.
The idea behind the novel was developed while Dr Zaffron was working in Maryland and New York. He was exposed to the rigorous and often dangerous clinical trial processes for new drugs.
During a writer’s conference in Hawaii, Dr Zaffron’s concept for the novel came to the attention of one of his idols, best selling medical thriller writer Michael Palmer, who briefly took him under his wing and encouraged him to write a novel.
Dr Zaffron’s passion for writing renewed and he completed his Master’s degree in Creative writing at UCT, while running a surgical practice.
He enrolled for the post graduate programme in HIV/ AIDS and Viral Genetics at the University of KZN as research for his novel.
The Cure features medical scientists Dr Susan Conner and Dr Vincent Bach who have developed a nanotech-based treatment for a virulent new disease, which could lead to an epidemiological apocalypse. The two protagonists are framed and then hunted down by the NYPD, the FBI and a hired assassin.
Dr Zaffron has completed his second novel, The Valley, a thriller that recounts a story of rhino poaching in South Africa.
Both of Dr Zaffron’s novels feature strong female lead protagonists. “My mum was illiterate, but she raised us all on her own. I wanted to show that a strong woman can make a difference in the world and can be someone people can look up to. I wanted my characters to empower women readers,” said Dr Zaffron.
