CPUT academic staff members Dr Shaheed Hartley and Prof Oluwole Makinde, were recently honoured at the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) awards ceremony.

The annual awards celebrate South Africans who have made outstanding contributions to Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation (SETI) in South Africa.

This year’s event took place on 26 May 2009 at Emperor’s Palace, Gauteng , where the winners and finalist in the categories for mentors, science communicators and black researchers were commemorated for their achievements in SETI.

Dr Hartley, Director of the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, received the prestigious “Science Communicator for Public Awareness” award for promoting science and technology as a career in rural schools in the Breederiver-Overberg region of the Western Cape .

Dr Hartley, who holds a Doctoral qualification in Science Education from Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Australia, has a long history of involvement in community capacity building projects.

He started his career as a Science Teacher at Westridge Senior Secondary School in Mitchells Plain , where he was later appointed to head up the Science Department.

While driving the science agenda at the school, he also taught Adult Education classes and was involved in a number of community activities.

He then took a post as Manager and later Director of the Research Development Division at the University of Stellenbosch .

During his tenure at the university he completed his doctoral studies, which were directed at the evaluation of outreach projects in science and mathematics education in peri-urban and rural schools.

His exemplary work received many accolades over the years, including the University of Stellenbosch Rector’s Award for exemplary service.

Dr Hartley said he was elated “at having received such an auspicious recognition from colleagues in the industry.”

“It is always good to receive recognition by peers in your field and that they acknowledge that you are making a difference,” he said.

“I would encourage graduates that there is a future in education, both as practitioners and as researchers to improve the education system”, he said.

Prof Oluwole Makinde, Senior Professor and Chair of Postgraduate Studies in the Faculty of Engineering, was nominated for his vigorous promotion of SETI and careers in SETI to black students.

Prof Makinde has taught, supervised and served as an external examiner and promoted several students at undergraduate and postgraduate level at universities both locally and internationally.

His main area of research is in Computational and Mathematical Modelling of Engineering and Biological Systems.

He has co-authored several textbooks and monographs on a variety of subjects in Applied Mathematics and has had his research articles appear in numerous reputable Scientific and Engineering journals and conference proceedings.

He has received several academic and research excellence awards, honours and grants, and was an associate member of the National Institute for Theoretical Physics (NITheP), an editorial board member and a regular reviewer of numerous international academic journals. Prof Makinde said this achievement has given his research niche area a boost in the right direction.

“My research work will definitely move to a new level of productiveness and I will continue to provide much needed mentorship and support that is necessary for the development of essential research skills,” he said.

By the Marketing and Communication Department

Photo: (left) Dr Shaheed Hartley, Director of the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (right) Prof Oluwole Makinde, Senior Professor and Chair of Postgraduate Studies in the Faculty of Engineering.

Written by CPUT News
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Four outstanding researchers have been announced as finalists in the 2019/2020 National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF)-South32 Awards.

Known as the Science Oscars of South Africa, the awards recognise excellence and outstanding contributions to science, engineering and technology (SET) and innovation in South Africa.

The four CPUT finalists are:

• Prof Jeanine Marnewick, Director of the Applied Microbial and Health Biotechnology Institute and Research Chair: Biotechnology, in the Communication Award category.
• Prof Victoria Jideani, Leader: Cereals and Legumes Biopolymer Research for Food Security, in the category TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Researcher.
• Prof Vernon S Somerset, Associate Professor: Environmental Chemistry, in the category TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Researcher.
• Dr Mahabubur Chowdhury, Senior Lecturer: Department of Chemical Engineering, in the category TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Emerging Researcher.

The awards are the largest, most comprehensive, and sought-after national awards of their kind in the country and were also the first science awards in South Africa. The theme for the 2019/2020 NSTF-South32 Awards is Plant Health. This is in recognition of the 2020 International Year of Plant Health as declared by the United Nations. The annual awards function is expected to be held in an online format this year.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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Prof Oluwafemi Oguntibeju’s research on medicinal plants and chronic diseases is not going unnoticed and has earned him a nomination in the Data for Research Award category of the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) -South32 Awards.

The category deals with the availability of a person’s research data (publications) and usage by other researchers and scientists on different platforms such as Google Scholar, Figshare, LiveDNA, Pubmed, and university repository. It also relates to the citation and impact of such publications.

The Phytomedicine and Photochemistry Research Group Leader has been nominated for the first time and his research focus has been on medicinal plants and chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus and HIV/AIDS. “It shows that other researchers are reading and making use of my scientific publications.

“It provides some kind of motivation to contribute more to the scientific community in terms of scientific publications,” he divulges.  

“[It’s] recognition of my research publications and it indicates that CPUT researchers are actively involved in significant research activities that are of relevance nationally and internationally… It takes hard work, focus, and perseverance…I am not sure about the number of [my] competitors, [I am] not worried by the number at all... I see my work as a service rather than a competition.”

He attributes his academic achievements to, ‘focus’ coupled with support from his colleagues and management. “I cannot attribute my success to a single person or factor. [It] is a combination of factors and other contributions from others including my family, colleagues, and CPUT management.”

Oguntibeju aspires to “continual contribution to the knowledge economy and postgraduate training”. Asked about his feelings about his academic achievements and impact of his research in the community, the researcher who likes reading Christian books and listening to music says, “[I am] happy but could still do more; my aim is to do more”.

He always tries not to take academic work home except if it’s extremely necessary. “Of course, with the lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic, I have to work from home. It’s a bit challenging.

“My children think that the only thing I do is writing papers… However, they also know that I do have time for them. They like teasing me. We laugh a lot.”

Oguntibeju was recently admitted as Fellow of the American College of Nutrition, a recognition that was based on his scientific publications. In his busy schedule, he also collaborates with colleagues on specific projects at the University of the Western Cape, University of Ibadan, and other universities in South Africa and other countries.

“I would like to say thank you to CPUT for the opportunity to contribute to the scientific community and train postgraduate students. To my colleagues/collaborators, I also want to say thank you, you mean so much to me.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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Functional Foods Research Unit Head, Prof Maretha Opperman’s outstanding contributions to Simulation Engineering Technologies (SET) have earned her a first nomination for the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF)-South32 Awards. 

Opperman has been nominated in the Innovation Award: Corporate Organisation category, which is designed for teams or individuals in organisations, universities, corporate and Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises or working independently, for their enormous contributions to SET through innovations and their impacts, over the last five to 10 years.  She says for assessment of these awards, underlying research and/or development is taken into account where applicable.

 “It is a huge honour for me to be nominated as it means that the hard work over many years did not go unnoticed. I trust that if we win this award we will make our mark as respected innovators in our country and make it possible for us to obtain more grants to expand the current work we do in communities.

“My dream is to commercialise our current and future products to benefit not only certain groups in South Africa but the people who need it most,” she says.

Her unit aims to translate research results on essential fatty acids and micronutrients into new and improved functional food products or premixes with functional food characteristics for health promotion and disease prevention in South Africa. The researcher who feels, ‘there is nothing like a South African braai’ adds that functional foods by virtue of physiologically active food components, provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition.

The innovator who loves hiking over weekends in the mountains and walk along the beach with her partner, says the newly developed products are converted into commercially useful end products for the South African market.  

“Essential fatty acids and micronutrient deficiencies have a negative effect on the health of the poorest consumers in South Africa.  Our work is very much aimed at improving the health and nutritional status of the most vulnerable communities in South Africa, the poor, pregnant women, and pre-school children,” she notes.

“Personally, I’m very proud of our team and everyone who worked on this. This is not something you achieve on your own… this will just emphasise the enormous potential of CPUT staff and students to innovate and develop novel things.”

The member of the Complementary Medicines Committee of the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority concedes that this achievement has taken thousands of hours of unlimited hard work, dedication, discipline, and a few million rands.  “There were also setbacks, disappointments, and failures, but every time we reorganised and tried again until we were successful.”  

She says the competition is extremely stiff: “It will really be a miracle if our team wins this award. Some of our toughest competition actually comes from other CPUT nominees.”

Opperman attributes her academic success to her love and passion for the field she is working in. She learned that, as a researcher, ‘don’t be shy to talk to people and ask for opportunities, collaborate with the experts in the field, believe in yourself, look for a mentor in the field that will take your hand and work alongside you’.

“We always had the support from staff and students who motivated us... I also want to mention Prof Chris Nhlapo, who was there from our first steps (when he was still DVC: Research and Innovation).”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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Department of Chemistry lecturer, Prof Vernon Somerset’s contribution to his field has been recognised with a nomination for the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF)-South32 South32) Awards. 

Somerset has been nominated in the TW Kambule-NSTF: Researcher Award category which seeks to acknowledge the contribution made by an individual researcher over six to 15 years, for research conducted in South Africa.

 “It also asks that your research is taken from publications to another level where it is seen to benefit the public domain,” Somerset said.

His research activities focus on the determination of inorganic and organic pollutants in the aquatic ecosystem, air, and wet deposition samples.  “High levels of some of these pollutants will harm human health,” Somerset states.

This determines the levels of certain pollutants and linking it to the aquatic ecosystem and human health so that the risk to human health is established and highlighted. 

He adds: “If scientists can find a way to showcase to policymakers some of the science needed to improve policy decisions, you create a value chain of the research that you are involved in”.

“Being nominated means that my peers have recognised the work I have been doing in my research area for the last 19 years. It means that my focus area is assisting others in this field of research.”

His interest also falls on one particular pollutant called mercury, which he says is also a global pollutant. Somerset’s research in this area has seen him contributing to the wider international mercury research community, assisting in establishing a baseline for South Africa and assisting the Department of Environment, Forestry, and Fisheries with the ratification of the International Minamata Convention on Mercury.

“This is a good example of where research and science informed policymakers towards a convention that will be implemented globally. It is an ongoing work [and] a good model for future endeavours.”

The lecturer who dedicates his free time to his family, together enjoying good food and conversation, adds that his nomination is rewarding and an indication that his hard work has been an investment in him, his collaborators, and the students involved in the research activities and training.

“For CPUT, it should be an indication that excellence is possible, but it requires support, effective systems, investment, and the attraction of key industrial partners. My achievements are catalysed through a team of dedicated people that I can always count on, sometimes in difficult circumstances. My appreciation, therefore, goes to my family, my fellow researchers, students, and collaborators.”

Somerset’s research experience in this field has seen him being part of the technical advisory committee to review documents and research data in assistance to the government and the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury at the international level.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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CPUT has earned ten nominations in the prestigious National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF)-South 32 Awards, known as the Science Oscars of South Africa.

The awards are the largest, most comprehensive and sought-after national awards of its kind in the country and recognise excellence and outstanding contributions to science, engineering and technology and innovation.

Three of the ten nominations were earned by Prof Victoria Jideani, Leader: Cereals and Legumes Biopolymer Research for Food Security.

Jideani was nominated in the categories: TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Researcher, Innovation Award: Corporate Organisation and the Special Annual Theme Award: Plant Health.

Prof Penelope Engel-Hills, Associate Professor: Interdisciplinary Health Science and the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences was recognised with a nomination in the Lifetime Award.

The other nominees are:

• Prof Vernon S Somerset, Associate Professor: Environmental Chemistry, for the TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Researcher.
• Dr Mahabubur Rahman Chowdhury, Senior Lecturer: Department of Chemical Engineering, for the the TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Emerging Researcher.
• Prof Oluwafemi O Oguntibeju – Group Leader: Phytomedicine and Phytochemistry Research Group for the Data for Research Award.
• Associate Prof Maretha Opperman, Head and Co-Inventor of Patents: Functional Foods Research Unit, for the Innovation Award: Corporate Organisation
• Prof Jeanine Marnewick, Research Chair: Biotechnology and Director: Applied Microbial and Health Biotechnology, for the Communication Award
• Prof Izak van Zyl, Associate Professor: Transdisciplinary Studies, Department of Applied Design, for the TW Kambule-NSTF Award:Emerging Researcher

The theme for the 2019/2020 NSTF-South32 Awards is Plant Health. This is in recognition of the 2020 International Year of Plant Health as declared by the United Nations. The announcement of the NSTF-South32 Awards finalists will made in May and the 22nd annual Awards function will be in an online format this year. The date for the function is yet to be announced.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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If you do a Google search for “rooibos” and “Marnewick”, you get more than 9000 and that is no accident.

Professor Jeanine Marnewick, a researcher on the Bellville campus, has made a concerted effort to get the word out about the research she is doing into how rooibos is useful as a way to reduce and protect against the impact of non-communicable diseases because of the tea’s antioxidant activity.

That effort is not going unnoticed as she has just been nominated in the NSTF-South32 Awards category: Communication for Outreach and Creating Awareness of SET and Innovation (by a team or individual over the last 5 years).

The National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) started the NSTF-South32 Awards 20 years ago as the country’s first science awards and it has grown into the NRF’s flagship event, sometimes referred to as the ‘Science Oscars’ of South Africa.
The Awards recognise excellence and outstanding contributions to science, engineering and technology and innovation in South Africa and prizes will be awarded on June 28 at a Gala Awards Dinner.

Recently appointed the research chair for CPUT’s Institute of Biomedical and Microbial Biotechnology, Marnewick also heads up the Oxidative Stress Research Centre in the Faculty of Health and Wellness Science.

This is the first time she has been nominated for an NSTF-South32 award, and this particular one is for science communication beyond academic writing.

“It’s not focusing on the academic work but more on my informing communities and the lay person about the outcomes of our research. That’s the big thing, the application of our research, because if no-one is going to tell the man on the street about our research how is anyone going to know about it?” asked Marnewick.
“I always tell people if you want me to be interested in your research, tell me the bottom line. In all my research I focus on getting to some type of application from it.

“We are government funded and we owe the public feedback on our research and we don’t always get to that lay feedback going back to the public.”
Working with The South African Rooibos Council and Cancer SA has given her a bigger platform to get the word out, but she urges any academic interested in publicising their work to the broader public to start by working through their existing channels, particularly using social media.

“I’ve also been invited to a couple of schools just to talk to them about our research and firstly make them aware about science,” she said.

Over the years Marnewick has noticed a decided “knowledge growth” in the public audience around the concept of antioxidants and sees this as a clue that repeated public communication around scientific concepts can be effective.

Marnewick says she can see the difference continual outreach has made, raising the example of a recent series of community talks she did.

Written by Theresa Smith
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Provides coverage for the Applied Sciences and Engineering Faculties and the Wellington Campus.