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SU chemist receives R6,9 million FLAIR grant for research on antimalarial drug development
Author: Media & Communication, Faculty of Science
Published: 11/05/2020

Stellenbosch University's (SU) Dr Prinessa Chellan is one of 30 young African scientists who will receive up to £300 000 (about R 6,9 million) over the next two years as part of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS) and the Royal Society of London's (RSL) annual FLAIR fellowships, announced on Monday 11 May 2020.

The aim of the Future Leaders – African Independent Research (FLAIR) programme is to assist young African researchers to develop independent research careers at African institutions and ultimately to lead their own research groups. The initiative is supported by the United Kingdom's Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF).

Dr Chellan, a lecturer in SU's Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science, conducts research on the use of metal complexes in developing new drugs to combat drug-resistant malaria. Human malaria is a major threat in developing countries. In 2015, 429 000 people succumbed to malaria, of which 71% were children under the age of five years. Currently the iron-containing drug, Ferroquine, is in clinical trials as a potential treatment for malaria infections.

Dr Chellan's research is focused on finding other metal complexes with similar potential. She plans to design cross-disciplinary projects where students will acquire skills that can be transferrable to different disciplines in academia and industry.

She says the FLAIR fellowship will have far reaching benefits for both her research group and the University per se: “I can now purchase new equipment for my lab to be used by my research group for more bioanalytical studies. I will also have access to a senior mentor and many training workshops on effective leadership and communications. My students and I will have the opportunity to work and train with new collaborators in the United Kingdom and thus increase our research capacity. I hope to make a major contribution to both South Africa and Africa in the form of innovative scientific research," she concludes.

According to Professor Nelson Torto, executive director of AAS, postdoctoral programmes are vital in training and developing early career researchers into research leaders whose scientific leadership will influence policies that will promote the socio-economic development of the continent.

The next round of FLAIR applications is currently open and will close on 27 May 2020. More details about eligibility and how to apply here.