Six eminent researchers at Stellenbosch University (SU) were honoured by the National Research Foundation (NRF) on Thursday (1 September 2016).

Proff Willem Visser (Computer Science), Paul van Helden (Biomedical Sciences), Mark Cotton, (Paediatrics and Child Health), Leonard Barbour, (Chemistry and Polymer Science), Helmut Prodinger (Mathematics) and Grant Theron (Molecular Biology and Human Genetics) were given special awards for receiving an A- or P-rating from the NRF in the 2016 round for research excellence.

A-ratings are aimed at researchers who are unequivocally acknowledged by their peers as leading international scholars in their respective fields for the high quality and impact of recent research outputs. Researchers with a P-rating have demonstrated the potential of becoming future international leaders in their field based on exceptional research performance and output early in their careers. 

Visser, Van Helden, Cotton, Barbour and Prodinger are A-rated researchers, while Theron received a P-rating. Prodinger received four A-ratings in a row.

Visser is doing research about the test and analysis of computer software and also the finding of bugs in such software, while Van Helden focuses on the use of modern molecular biological techniques to diagnose drug resistant Tuberculosis (TB), especially in developing countries.

Cotton is an internationally acclaimed specialist in the field of paediatric infectious diseases with extensive experience in managing HIV-infected children. He has been a member of the World Health Organisation technical task teams on HIV staging, ART and guidelines for TB in children since 2004.

Barber specialise in functional nanostructured materials, where he studies the response of new materials – specifically crystals – to external factors such as heat, light or pressure. His work is relevant to the development of new materials for a cleaner environment.

Prodinger is one of South Africa's and the world's leading researchers in the analysis of algorithms and combinatorics. He focuses on digital searchers and expansions that play a crucial role in different areas of computer science.

Theron's research interest lies in the diagnosis, epidemiology and transmission of TB. His most prominent scientific achievements have centred on the feasibility, accuracy and impact of "Xpert", a ground-breaking new DNA-based test for TB, which he showed could be performed at a clinical level by minimally trained personnel.

Commenting on the awards, Dr Therina Theron, Senior Director: Research and Innovation at SU, said the institution is extremely proud of the accomplishments of our award winners.

"We realise how much dedication and commitment it requires to achieve these ratings and we are pleased by the international recognition of their research excellence".

• Photo: Dr Therina Theron with proff Prodinger, Cotton and Visser at the awards ceremony. Proff Van Helden, Barbour and Theron could not attend the event.