Interviews
Ms Nickey Janse van Rensburg
Connecting the worlds of academia and industry to grow the green economy
28 November 2019
The 2018/2019 NSTF-Lewis Foundation Green Economy Award was won by the Process, Energy and Environmental Technology Station at the UJ-PEETS. Technology Station Manager, Ms Nickey Janse van Rensburg, accepted the award, which was made to UJ-PEETS for ‘Enabling technology transfer and interaction between academia and small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) to stimulate and support technology innovation in the green economy by providing subsidised engineering services to SMMEs in the green economy'.
Professor Elvis Fosso-Kankeu
Improving water quality
8 November 2019
Associate Professor: School of Chemical and Minerals Engineering, North-West University received the award 'For monitoring environmental water to raise awareness among poor communities and nationally'. His research focuses on the prediction of the dispersion of inorganic and organic pollutants from industrial areas into surface water sources, the monitoring of water quality and the development of sustainable treatment methods.
Dr Happy Sithole
Boosting SA’s economy by supporting industry research and innovation
11 October 2019
Dr Happy Sithole won the prestigious NSTF-South32 Management Award for spearheading the development of the Centre for High Performance Computing (CHPC) and leading it to the level of a world-class entity. From assisting the South African Weather Services to make more accurate weather forecasts to making complex calculations required in oil reserve estimations a breeze, high performance computing (HPC) infrastructure remains one of South Africa’s best investments.
Dr Hlumani Ndlovu
Ground-breaking vaccine may be key to controlling and eliminating bilharzia
19 September 2019
A researcher who is committed to the challenge of finding ways to help patients overcome the disease is Dr Hlumani Ndlovu, a lecturer in the Division of Chemical and Systems Biology at University of Cape Town. He and his team are working to develop a vaccine to eradicate bilharzia, investigating the immuno-biology of the disease using animal models to mimic infection in humans.
Dr Mardé Helbig
Optimising algorithms to enhance decision-making
19 September 2019
When Dr Mardé Helbig, senior lecturer in the department of computer science at the University of Pretoria, found that little work had been done on solving problems with conflicting objectives that change over time, known as dynamic multi-objective optimisation problems (DMOOPs), she began to focus on solving DMOOPs using vector-evaluated particle swarm optimisation.
Prof Lindiwe Zungu
Transforming South African mines into ‘zero-harm tolerance’ zones for all workers
27 August 2019
Zungu has developed a comprehensive set of guidelines to assist the South African mining industry to better cater to the needs of female miners. As a result of her research, the industry implemented new protective gear, designed specifically for women working underground.
Professor Robin Crewe
Lifetime Award for achievement by an individual
26 July 2019
Professor Robin Crewe is an internationally-renowned researcher, educator and innovator for the work he has done on social insects, particularly honeybees. His work into these remarkable insects has provided significant insights into their communication systems and social organisation. In addition to this research, he has taught and mentored students, taken on numerous roles as the head of an academic department, and he’s been the leader of two research groups, the dean of natural science at two universities, and the vice-principal for research and postgraduate studies at the University of Pretoria.
Professor Harald Winkler
recipient of the Special Annual Theme Award: Sustainable Energy for All
6 May 2019
Special Annual Theme Award: Sustainable Energy for All (in recognition of the United Nations ‘International Decade of Sustainable Energy for All’) Prof Harald Winkler, director at the Energy Research Centre, University of Cape Town, is an internationally-acclaimed researcher. He focuses on sustainable energy for all in the context of a just transition to low carbon economies. This includes developing a multi-stakeholder process for informed decision making around climate policy.
Prof Keolebogile Motaung
Biomedical Scientist
12 February 2019
Innovation Award: Corporate Organisation for innovations and their research and/or development (by a team or an individual over the last 5 to 10 years) Sponsored by the Department of Trade and Industry. Prof Keolebogile Motaung Founder: Global Health Biotech (Pty) Ltd; and Assistant Dean: Postgraduate Studies, Research, Innovation and Engagement, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology. Her research shows a future of tissue engineering of bone and cartilage that depends on medicinal plants. A cream is currently being manufactured as an alternative natural anti-inflammatory ointment.
