Paediatric pulmonologist Professor Zar is head of the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health and director of the Division of Paediatric Pulmonology at the Red Cross War Memorial Childrens' Hospital. She has a PhD from UCT on respiratory illness in HIV-infected children. Her research focuses on child lung health and uses a translational approach to apply complex technology to clinical problems using a wide range of methodologies. Areas of research interest include childhood tuberculosis, pneumonia, HIV-associated lung disease, asthma and the development of a low-cost spacer device.

She holds leadership positions in a number of national and international organisations.