Hannah Simba, a PhD candidate in Public Health (with the African Cancer Institute), has received the L'Oreal Sub-Saharan Africa Women in Science PhD Fellowship.

Simba, who is currently working on her PhD study on the topic of oesophageal cancer, said she is honoured to have received the prestigious award. “It feels great to be recognised. Supporting women in science is very important," she said.

Simba, whose PhD study is entitled “The role of genetic and environmental factors in the aetiology of oesophageal cancer", was one of 11 recipients in 2020 of the Margaret McNamara Education grant valued at $7000 (about R120 000). This will enable her to study this disease in more detail. 

Oesophageal cancer, a lethal illness, is understudied in the African population. “This means its epidemiology, as well as the genetic and environmental basis of the disease is not well understood," said Simba.

She said the study was important, because it would shed more light on the aetiology of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), which is not fully understood, as well as increase knowledge on the roles played by both environmental exposure and the role of genetic factors in the development of the disease.

Simba said the money from the grant had been used to pay for her tuition, living expenses and for capacity-building workshops and courses. “I also plan to use the money to travel for conference presentations, when that becomes possible." 

Simba, who is originally from Zimbabwe and has always been interested in science, has, for the past nine years been closely involved in mentoring young girls by means of tutoring in schools and also by organising camps and workshops.

She is the Chapter Leader of Working to Advance STEM education for African Girls (WAAW), an organisation which works to advance education for African girls in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Expanding on the importance of supporting women in science, Simba said women form a significant part of the population, and need to be represented in all positions of leadership and in science.

“Science plays an important role especially in research with regards to improving health, and women must be well represented to make those decisions regarding health. At present, women form a small proportion – 31% – of researchers in sub-Saharan African, so it is very important to recognise and support women in the field of research."

Simba said she hoped that, as a result of her success, other young women would be inspired to be at the forefront of research that improves health in Africa.

Asked about her goals for the year ahead, Simba said her biggest goal was to finish her PhD. “I have learnt a lot, and am now hoping for a good post-doctoral position.

“Once I've finished my thesis, I intend to hike up Table Mountain. I am busy building up the stamina to do that!"

Photo credit: Wilma Stassen​