Nanopeople news

The 6th Gauteng Nanosciences’ Young Researchers Symposium (NYRS-2016) was hosted by the DST/MINTEK Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, at MINTEK, Randburg on 18 November 2016. The Gauteng NYRS is an annual event organised by the host institution and the SANi Student Chapter.

Dr Lungile Thwala was born in Swaziland and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree (with majors in Chemistry and Biological Sciences) from the University of Swaziland (UNISWA) in 2007 and a Master of Science in Chemistry from the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in 2012.

SAASTA, Roswika Media and UNISA joined forces on 7 July 2016 to host the first Nano News Writing Workshop this year at UNISA, in Johannesburg. Aimed at guiding scientists to better communicate science and nanotechnology in particular, the workshop brought together postgraduate students and senior researchers from different nano related sectors.

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has appointed Prof. Sabelo Mhlanga as the South African ‘Nanotechnology’ national contact point (NCP) for the European Union’s Horizon 2020 (H2020) Programme.

Miss Funeka Nkosi is from Ncala Section in Katlehong. Funeka knew since high school that she wanted to be a scientist. She completed her BSc and BSc (Hons) Applied Chemistry at the University of Witwatersrand and her MSc in chemistry, which she passed cum laude, from the University of Pretoria.

President Jacob Zuma congratulated distinguished South African scientist Prof. Tebello Nyokong for winning the African Union (AU) award for her cutting-edge research. The Rhodes University professor has been actively involved in ground breaking research in applying nanotechnology as an alternative treatment to chemotherapy since 2007.

Prof. Shivani Bhardwaj (Mishra) is a Professor at the Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability Research Unit, College of Science, Engineering and Technology at the University of South Africa. The Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability research unit is a strategic research niche at the College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET) that addresses current and emerging issues relating to water quality and water scarcity.

The 51st National Science Olympiad awards to celebrate excellence in science teaching and learning took place at Emperors Palace on 02 July 2015. The annual event recognises Southern Africa’s top young science achievers and schools in the disciplines of physical and life sciences. The Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor, congratulated the winners.

Madichaba Phuti Chelopo is a 27 year old scientist who is currently a PhD Student at North West University, majoring in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and hosted by the CSIR. She obtained a BSc degree in Biochemistry and Chemistry in 2008, BSc Honours degree in Chemistry in 2009 and MSc degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry in 2012 at the University of Kwazulu Natal.

Professor Malik Maaza was recently made the inaugural incumbent of the UNESCO-Unisa Africa Chair in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. UNESCO chairs are intended to stimulate academic excellence and communication between academia, researchers, local communities and society within the continent: areas in which Maaza has a long history.

Recoloured TEM image showing showing silver nanoparticles used in a study to inactivate SOD enzymes from Plasmodium falciparum. Image courtesy of Dr Jacqui Van Marwijk. The search for drugs which can specifically target infected cells without harming healthy cells drives a multibillion dollar industry globally.

Viness Pillay has made significant and multi-faceted contributions in terms of research outputs, infrastructure development and human capacity development and training at Wits University. The future of nanoscience he believes is poised to make rather substantial life changing breakthroughs for humankind. We lift the lid in a brief Q &A with Prof Pillay.

Prof. Ndimba is an Associate Professor and Principal Investigator of the Proteomics group at UWC and heads up the ARC’s National Agri-Proteomics Research and Services Unit. Prof Ndimba says: “Nanotechnology in food production and medical health will be equally important in future.”

Accidental spills of harmful pollutants are a nightmare, not only for companies involved but also for scientists who come up with ways of cleaning up the environment. Bacteria are major role players in this effort, but the problem is that they are fragile and might not be able to proliferate and do their job if they themselves get poisoned by high concentrations of the pollutant.

Dr Rolene Bauer is taking nanotechnology to new depths – of the ocean, that is. Her research is targeted at finding prospective drug candidates from marine algae. Combining molecular biology with chemistry and high-resolution imaging coupled with nanoscience and nanotechnology approaches, her research could hold the key to harvesting new antimicrobials and other bioactive compounds from the deep.

“Leave the researcher behind. Think like a writer!” Daryl Ilbury of SAASTA challenged nanoscience students in Cape Town grappling with the challenge of learning to write for the general public. The final NPEP NanoNews workshop for the year brought ten Cape Town students to UWC’s Life Sciences Building to start their journey in science communication.

UWC’s Dr Mervin Meyer is on the hunt for new biomarkers, molecular beacons to help develop diagnostic tests to identify breast and cervical cancer. A senior lecturer in the Department of Biotechnology, he is also the Director of the DST/Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre-Biolabels Unit at UWC.

From health to energy, new techniques and applications, NanoAfrica 2014 played host to SA’s leaders and emerging scientists in the fields of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Teaming up with the South African Nanotechnology Initiative, VUT’s Department of Chemistry hosted a well-attended fifth installment of the NanoAfrica conference.

With dreams of attending a summer school at CERN thwarted, the young scientist remained undeterred. His path led him from Granada to the UK, USA and Canada, and now, here in the fairest Cape, those dreams of working with CERN have become a reality. Prof Nico Orce of UWC shares a personal story of his journey, leading him to the first South African-led experiment in physics at CERN.

Leslie Petrik is a professor in the Department of Chemistry University of the Western Cape (UWC), and group leader of the Environmental and Nano Science (ENS) group. She does academic teaching and research.