| New species of killifish from Kenya already critically endangered | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=11163 | | New species of killifish from Kenya already critically endangered | Wiida Fourie-Basson (Media: Faculty of Science) | <p></p><p>A critically endangered new species of killifish sampled from an ancient forest in Kenya in 2017 and 2018 has been described in the journal <a href="https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5601.1.4"><em>Zootaxa</em></a>.</p><p><em>Nothobranchius sylvaticus</em>, from the Latin meaning “pertaining to the forest", is also the first known endemic killifish to persist in a forest.</p><p>Prof. Dirk Bellstedt, <a href="/english/faculty/science/biochemistry/research/bellstedt-group">emeritus professor of biochemistry</a> at Stellenbosch University (SU), was part of the team of international scientists who sampled the fish from ephemeral swamps in the Gongoni Forest in south-eastern coastal Kenya. These expeditions in 2017 and 2018 were part of an “<a href="https://stellenbosch68.rssing.com/chan-15952749/article2399.html?nocache=0">Off the beaten track" research project</a>, supported by the Volkswagen Foundation in Germany.</p><p>The team performed both a principal component analysis, based on the physical traits of the fish, as well as DNA sequencing, to confirm that it is indeed a new species. A dated phylogenetic analysis, the most comprehensive for the genus, indicated that the <em>N. sylvaticus</em> lineage diverged from its sister species about 7.09 million years ago. </p><p>According to Bellstedt, this finding indicates that the Gongoni Forest itself is more than 7.09 million years old. Comprising only about 8.2 square kilometers, this ancient forest is a typical example of the East African Mosaic – a combination of savannah interspersed with forest patches that stretches from as far south as Pondoland in South Africa to as far north as southern coastal Somalia.</p><p>Since 2015, the team has been combining next-generation DNA sequencing of fish groups, such as Africa's famous cichlid fishes, with high precision rock dating of key landforms in eastern Africa. The aim is to reconstruct the tectonic development of central Africa over the past 20 million years. During the past five to 30 million years, this region has undergone major tectonic activities and break ups.</p><p>For the scientists, the discovery of <em>N. sylvaticus</em> was one more example of the congruence between evolutionary events in the genus <em>Nothobranchius</em> with paleo-drainage dynamics, which were driven by the tectonic events that formed the East-African River Valley System. </p><p>However, due to the new species' severely restricted habitat in an ancient forest, it also faces a high conservation risk. </p><p>The type specimen was deposited at the <a href="https://museums.or.ke/">National Museums of Kenya</a> in Nairobi, and the comparative specimens at the <a href="https://www.africamuseum.be/en">Royal Museum for Central Africa</a> in Tervuren, Belgium.</p><p>The article titled “<a href="https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5601.1.4">The description of a critically endangered new species of seasonal killifish, <em>Nothobranchius sylvaticus </em>(Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae), a relict species from an East African forest refugium in south-eastern Kenya</a>" was published in <em>Zootaxa</em> with authors Prof. Dirk Bellstedt (SU), Béla Nagy (France), Dr P. de Wet van der Merwe (SU), Dr Fenton P.D. Cotterill (The Wilderness Project—Great Spine of Africa, Wild Bird Trust), Quentin Luke (East African Herbarium, National Museums of Kenya), and Dr Brian R. Watters (Canada).<br></p><p><br></p> |
| Celebration of top academic performers in Forest and Natural Resource Sciences. | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=11159 | | Celebration of top academic performers in Forest and Natural Resource Sciences. | Prof Bruce Talbot | <p></p><p style="text-align:justify;">The culmination of the 2024 academic year and graduation of the 4-year BSc Forest and Natural Resource Science students was extra special in that two students earned the famous Sir Wilhelm Schlich medals. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Ms Anneke Joubert (picture below right) was awarded the gold medal as top performer with a 4-year average of over 75% (cum laude), with a silver medal going to runner up, Mr Nathan Doyle (picture below left). <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><img src="/english/PublishingImages/Lists/dualnews/Approval%20View/Picture1.png" alt="Picture1.png" style="margin:5px;width:900px;height:291px;" /><br></p><p><span style="text-align:justify;">The Schlich medal is awarded roughly every 3 years on average as some years can pass without any students achieving the minimum 70% average over the entire study. The reason that BScFor students have a lower rate of cum laude students than most other study programmes can partly be attributed to the very broad range of subjects that they need to master, and the relatively low probability of a single student excelling at all of them. Examples of this are that the students must cover everything from genetics to road construction, and from biometry to industrial psychology.</span></p><p style="text-align:justify;">The Sir Wilhelm Schlich medal exists in several Commonwealth countries, where it serves to honour the memory of this remarkable Forest Scientist who, toward the end of his career, headed up the forestry programme at Oxford University. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Our gold medal winner, Anneke Joubert, is since gainfully employed at Sappi in Mpumalanga, while Nathan Doyle chose to stay in the department and pursue an MSc.<br><br></p> |
| Stellenbosch University’s Wood App is getting physical. | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=11158 | | Stellenbosch University’s Wood App is getting physical. | Dr Justin Erasmus | <p><span style="text-align:justify;">T</span><span style="text-align:justify;">he </span><span style="text-align:justify;">up-ticking interest from architects and home building professionals in designing and building with timber spurred The Wood App team to organise a one-day timber frame design and construction workshop in Stellenbosch, Pretoria and Durban later this year.</span></p><div style="text-align:justify;">The Wood App is supported by the university, industry associations and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the DTIC). It offers free online and CPD-validated courses in timber construction.</div><p><br></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><img src="/english/PublishingImages/Lists/dualnews/My%20Items%20View/Picture1.png" alt="Picture1.png" style="margin:5px;width:900px;height:495px;" />Dr Philip Crafford, the event's organiser, says they were surprised by the tremendous response when the workshops were announced.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">“The response to the Wood App and the one-day events is exciting. Architects, built environment professionals, builders, universities offering engineering, industrial design and technologist programmes and their students are realising the carbon credentials of timber", Crafford comments.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">“We are excited by the interest in the course. For example, there were 150 applications for the Stellenbosch event; unfortunately, we could only accommodate 80 people. Keep an eye out for another Western Cape workshop soon".</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Tafadzwa Nyanzunda of the DTIC introduced the Stellenbosch course, and her colleague July Mokoena opened the Pretoria event. Pieter Silberbauer facilitated the Stellenbosch, and Werner Slabbert Jnr the Pretoria workshops. The content was based on the online course material.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">The Wood App plan to host (CPD) more one day workshops on deck building, timber grading, timber poles and CLT design and construction during this year. Details on future workshops and courses will be available on the website. Visit www.theWoodApp.com for more information.<br></p><p><br></p> |
| 550 postgraduate students nation-wide attend annual Coding Summer School | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=11155 | | 550 postgraduate students nation-wide attend annual Coding Summer School | NITheCS (media and communication) | <p></p><p>More than 550 under- and postgraduate students at 28 South African universities were trained in the fundamentals of scientific computing and data science during the annual <a href="https://youtu.be/ed4uKcthGgU">Coding Summer School</a> which took place from 27 January to 7 February 2025.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Since 2019, the annual <a href="https://events.chpc.ac.za/event/120/">Coding Summer School</a> is jointly organised by the <a href="https://www.chpc.ac.za/about-the-chpc/">Centre for High Performance Computing</a> (CHPC) and the <a href="https://nithecs.ac.za/">National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences</a> (NITheCS). This summer school has been presented annually by the CHPC since 2010. Since then, the summer school has trained over 2000 students.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">This is the first year that undergraduate students were allowed to attend. All in all, a total of 159 undergraduate, 134 BScHonours, 212 MSc, and 159 Phd students attended, including 45 postdoctoral fellows and 35 professionals.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Another change is that students had to complete an entrance test before they were accepted. In preparation, they were encouraged to attend the <a href="https://nithecs.ac.za/upcoming-events">NITheCS Software Carpentry Workshop</a> from 11-15 November 2024. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">After the two-week long course, 372 (58%) students succeeded in qualifying for a Certificate of Completion. Amongst the top five 'Pythonistas', were postgraduate students Zusiphe Mzazela from the University of Cape Town, Boithuso Phale from the University of the Witwatersrand, Kgaugelo Ledwaba from Northwest University, Lindiwe Maphalla from the University of Johannesburg, and Anuoluwa Makinde from iThemba Labs – an all-female cast.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Mr Binjamin Barsch, Lead Software Engineer at the CHPC and lead coordinator for the Summer School, says this year the summer school moved from introductory Python training to intermediate training: “Learning the basics of Python is readily available and accessible online already, so the content focused more on practical skills for researchers. This year we also focused more on in-person attendance and the students' feedback showed how they valued that greatly due to meeting their trainers and peers face to face."</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Dr Werner Janse van Rensburg, Research Manager at CHPC, says this year they also went out of their way to improve the in-person experience of participants: “We developed novel and engaging training exercises—including games—to enhance learning in Python and Bash scripting. These activities were highly appreciated by the trainees."</p><p style="text-align:justify;">This included an in-person team building exercise where students formed groups and competed against each other in a Python knowledge challenge. They also introduced fun and interactive ways to teach Basch scripting tools such as Bashcrawl. This involves classic text-based adventure games where student must explore directories, find hidden files, and solve challenges.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">One of the top five Pythonistas concurs: “The school was nothing short of extraordinary. I particularly appreciated the code-alongs and the opportunity to interact with a variety of instructors. I wished we had more time to share, as everyone had so much to offer," says Kgaugelo Ledwaba, a BScHons student enrolled in the <a href="https://natural-sciences.nwu.ac.za/space-research">Centre for Space Research</a> at North West University.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Ledwaba, who matriculated from <a href="https://schoolsdigest.co.za/listings/kwandebele-science-combined-school/">Kwandebele Science Combined School</a> in the village of Siyabuswa-Kwandebele, Mpumalanga, says she hopes to become an expert in the exploration of fields such as signal interpretation, advancing research in astronomy at the <a href="https://www.sarao.ac.za/">South African Radio Astronomy Observatory</a> (SARAO) or NASA. Prior to enrolling for the summer school, she had no prior experience with computational thinking or machine learning.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Zusiphe Mzazela, who came out first amongst all the Pythonistas, says she has been introduced to coding before, but mostly at an introductory level: “Ever since I started my honours in bioinformatics in 2023, I have been introduced to coding. However, in bioinformatics coding is not always taught in depth, so you need to learn more on you own," she explains.</p><p>Mzazela, who matriculated from <a href="https://www.mvenyanehighschool.com/">Mvenyane Senior Secondary School</a> in Matatiele in the Eastern Cape, says she wants to use machine learning models to analyse DNA methylation-based epigenetic signatures for breast cancer classification, drug sensitivity prediction, and the identification of somatic genomic alterations. </p><p>She explains: “DNA methylation is a biological process that regulates gene activity, and abnormal patterns can indicate breast cancer subtypes, gene mutations and drug response. By utilizing <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/ccg/research/genome-sequencing/tcga">The Cancer Genome Atlas</a> (TCGA) datasets, I use a Python-based machine learning framework to identify patterns that traditional methods might miss. I have applied unsupervised learning techniques to detect hidden structures in the data and supervised models such as Random Forest and XGBoost for prediction. I am also experimenting with other models to refine performance and improve accuracy."</p><p>The aim of her research is to enhance our understanding of how breast cancer behaves at the molecular level and contribute to personalized medicine by identifying biomarkers that could improve diagnosis and treatment: “By combining machine learning with epigenetics, my research seeks to uncover novel biomarkers that improve cancer classification, refine treatment strategies, and provide deeper insights into the genetic mechanisms driving tumour progression."</p><p>Another Pythonista, Lindiwe Maphalla, says she is currently pursuing a PhD in Biotechnology at the University Johannesburg: “I hope to make significant contributions in the fields of biotechnology and bioinformatics, using coding tools to analyse biological data more effectively."</p><p>Maphalla, who completed matric at <a href="https://schoolhive.co.za/listing/setjhaba-sohle-secondary-school-vanderbijlpark-admissions-contact-details/">Setjhaba Sohle Secondary School</a> in the Vaal region of Gauteng, says she wants to thank the organiser of the Summer Coding School for such a valuable platform for learning and personal growth: “I look forward to continue my journey in research and coding," she concludes.</p><p>In an <a href="https://news.nwu.ac.za/two-week-long-coding-school-explores-data-science-and-computational-thinking">article on the website of North-West University</a>, Dr Daniel Mojalefa Moeketsi, senior lecturer at the School of Physics and Centre for Space Research, underscored the significance of this initiative: “This summer school not only empowers students to effectively utilise high-performance computing resources but also enables them to tackle complex data challenges in their respective fields. In addition to enhancing individual expertise, this training drives the overall growth and innovation of computational sciences in South Africa. Its relevance extends to both the Fourth Industrial Revolution(4IR) and the emerging Fifth Industrial Revolution (5IR) due to its focus on computational skills, data science and artificial intelligence," he concluded.</p><p>For more information on the annual Coding Summer School, visit <a href="https://events.chpc.ac.za/event/145/">https://events.chpc.ac.za/event/145/</a></p><p>On the image above, students from Stellenbosch University attending the Coding Summer School.<br></p><p><br></p> |
| SU physiologists chosen for international mentoring program | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=11157 | | SU physiologists chosen for international mentoring program | Faculty of Science (media and communication) | <p>Two young-and-upcoming scientists in Stellenbosch University's Department of Physiological Sciences, <a href="/english/faculty/science/physiologicalsciences/research/cardio-oncology-research-group">Dr Bali Sishi</a> and <a href="/english/faculty/science/physiologicalsciences/research/cellular-neurovascular-research-group">Dr Shireen Mentor</a>, are amongst the first group of 20 African scientists to participate in the <a href="https://www.iups.org/">International Union of Physiological Sciences</a> (IUPS) <a href="https://www.iups.org/activities/mentoring-program/#:~:text=This%20new%20mentoring%20program%20will%20be%20an%20opportunity%2cphysiology%20education%20through%20mentorship%20by%20experienced%20physiology%20educators.">mentoring program</a> for early career physiologists.</p><p>The broad aim of this flagship mentoring program is to develop the next generation of young physiologists in Africa by providing them with professional guidance and career development opportunities.</p><p>Dr Sishi will be mentored by <a href="https://www.physiology.org/publications/news/the-physiologist-magazine/2022/may/education-innovator?SSO=Y">Prof. Dee Silverthorn</a>, a pioneering physiology educator and past president of the American Physiology Society (APS), while Dr Mentor's mentor is <a href="https://www.rug.nl/staff/m.joels/cv?lang=en">Prof. Dr. Marian Joëls</a>, emeritus professor in neurobiology in the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University of Groningen. Prof. Joëls is also past president of the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies. From the African continent, both Dr Sishi and Dr Mentor are mentored by <a href="file:///C:/Users/bsishi/Downloads/Al-Neelain%20University%20%7C%20Alneelain%20%C2%B7%20Faculty%20of%20Medicine%20Department%20of%20physiology">Prof. Lamis Kaddam</a> from the Department of Physiology in the Faculty of Medicine at Al-Neelain University, Sudan. </p><p>Drs Sishi and Mentor have also recently returned from the <a href="https://www.esps-egypt.org/">International Congress of the African Association of Physiological Sciences</a> (AAPS) which took place in Ismailia, Egypt. At this congress Bali received the best poster prize for her poster presentation titled “Circulating micro-RNAs as predictive markers for Cardiotoxicity induced by Doxorubicin chemotherapy". She also had the opportunity to meet one of her mentors in-person and was gifted a newly revised version of Prof Silverthorn's world-wide best-selling human physiology textbook, <a href="https://nordics.pearson.com/products/9781292259710#:~:text=Human%20Physiology:%20An%20Integrated%20Approach%20is%20the%20%231%2ccritically%20and%20equipping%20them%20to%20solve%20real-world%20problems."><em>Human Physiology: An integrated approach</em></a><em>.</em></p><p>Mentor's presentation, titled “Exacerbating the neurovascular interface: Effects of HIV-1 viral proteins on blood-brain barrier integrity in vitro" was well received by delegates: “Moreover, the insights I have gained were both eye-opening and motivating," she adds, “from the transformative potential of microRNAs in treating disease and tissue injury to the urgent need for more research centres and facilities of this nature to drive meaningful scientific progress".</p><p>Overall, Mentor says the mentorship program has already shaped her academic journey as a woman in science: “My first meeting involved discussions on developing a comprehensive bio-sketch and outlining my personal and professional goals. This meeting provided valuable clarity and strategic direction, enabling me to reassess my trajectory as an early-career researcher and academic. It reinforced a structured approach to planning and executing both short- and long-term goals over the next three years, ensuring sustained progress in research, professional development, and academic contributions".</p><p>Mentor has had the privilege of being mentored by Professor David Fisher from the University of the Western Cape. Her mentorship has propelled her to national and international recognition, including the coveted Wyndham Award from the Physiology Society of Southern Africa, which enabled her participation in the 38th IUPS Congress in 2017, where she earned the IUPS Travel Award for her abstract. As a Fulbright Scholar alumna, she now embarks on a new chapter as newly appointed lecturer at SU: “I am eager to contribute to cutting-edge research, innovative teaching and academic mentorship. I hope to establish meaningful collaborations and make significant contributions to my field of expertise."</p><p>In March this year, Dr Sishi is celebrating 13 years in academia: “Although I am a mentee in this programme, I have myself mentored a number of students in my environment. I think just being in this space as an African female is inspiring for the younger generation – if I have done it, then they can too."</p><p>Dr Sishi says she has been privileged to be mentored by senior South African scientists such as the late Prof. Doug Rawlings and Prof. Jacques van Rooyen, but also Prof. Anna-Mart Engelbrecht, Prof. Ben Loos, Prof. Kathy Myburgh and Prof. Faadiel Essop. She is also actively involved in professional societies, such as the Physiology Society of South Africa (PSSA), the <a href="https://www.physoc.org/magazine-articles/physiology-in-africa/">African Association of Physiological Sciences</a> (AAPS), the <a href="/english/faculty/healthsciences/medical_physiology/CARMA/about-us/brief-history">Centre for Cardio-Metabolic Research in Africa</a> (CARMA), and the South African Society for Cardiovascular Research (SASCAR).</p><p>“I have served as a secretary, treasurer, and a member of management and executive committees, all of which have been instrumental in my professional growth. These roles have provided valuable networking and mentorship opportunities while also contributing to the advancement of the profession in Africa," she adds.</p><p>For Mentor, she envisions herself as a well-established research and educator, actively contributing to the evolution of physiology in Africa: “In future, I'd love to mentor upcoming scientists, secure impactful research funding, and play a role in the design of new curriculum and shaping future health and education policies".</p><p>“Mentorship isn't just about guidance, it's about inspiration, collaboration, and legacy. Programs like these don't just shape careers; they shape the future of science itself," she concludes.</p><p>Both Sishi and Mentor have already submitted their abstracts for the 40<sup>th</sup> IUPS congress, to be held in partnership with Europhysiology later this year and are now working hard to secure the necessary funding to attend in person. This would provide another valuable opportunity to meet their mentors in person and expand their international networks.</p><p>On the photo's above: Dr Bali Sishi (left) and Dr Shireen Mentor (right).</p><p></p> |
| New joint chair in Computational Astronomy launched | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=11132 | | New joint chair in Computational Astronomy launched | Media: Faculty of Science | <p><span style="text-align:justify;">A </span><span style="text-align:justify;">l</span><span style="text-align:justify;">ong-standing partnership between Stellenbosch University (SU) and the University of Groningen (UG) in the Netherlands has been further strengthened with the launch of a joint Research Chair in Computational Astronomy.</span></p><p style="text-align:justify;">The chair will be co-led by Prof. Yin-Zhe Ma, an astrophysicist in SU's <a href="https://physics.sun.ac.za/astro/">Department of Physics</a>, and Prof. Léon Koopmans, Scientific Director of the <a href="https://www.rug.nl/research/kapteyn/?lang=en">Kapteyn Astronomical Institute</a> at UG. A unique feature of this partnership is the offering of a joint PhD degree in Astrophysics, with already eight fully funded PhD students on board. This means the students will be co-supervised by scientists from both institutions, with access to facilities and data globally, while spending time at each partner institution. Students will have to meet the requirements of both institutions to earn their degree.<br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Prof. Deresh Ramjugernath, Vice-Rector: Learning and Teaching and designated Rector and Vice-Chancellor of SU, said in his opening remarks at the launch on 20 February 2025 that the joint chair promises enormous potential for both institutions in terms of advancing the frontiers of science and spearheading research in the field of computational astronomy.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">“Both institutions also have the same commitment to have an impact on society through the advancement of science and technology. This chair will play a pivotal role in that regard," he added.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Prof. Sibusiso Moyo, Vice-Rector: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies, said the Chair is aligned with SU's research and innovation agenda focussed on establishing research clusters and chairs, as well as promoting inter- and trans-disciplinary teams – some of the features of research-intensive universities.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">“Computational Science spans areas of research in the School for Data Science and Computational Thinking, Physics, Mathematics, Engineering, Astronomy, and the Social Sciences. We believe the programme will attract more students and scholars, as well as contribute to high impact research and relevance," she said.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">“Another unique feature of the Chair is that it is also exploring partnerships with the other quad-helix partners, including industry, and science councils, to collaborate on joint research projects and grant applications," she added.<br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">According to Prof. Koopmans, astronomy is an important driver in science, which necessitates strategic partnerships and global collaboration. The Kapteyn Astronomical Institute is, for example, part of the <a href="https://nova-astronomy.nl/">Netherlands School for Astronomy</a> (NOVA), regarded as one of the top five most important institutions in the world for astronomy today. NOVA is an alliance of the astronomical institutes of the universities of Amsterdam, Groningen, Leiden, and Nijmegen.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Through the joint chair, UG scientists and students will be able to access South African facilities such as <a href="https://www.sarao.ac.za/science/hera/">HERA</a> (Hydrogen Epoch of Reionisation Array radio telescope) and the South African <a href="https://www.sarao.ac.za/science/meerkat/">MeerKAT radio telescope</a>. On their part, SU scientists and students will have access to a range of instruments and the institute's own high performance computing centre.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">“One of our focal points are to build up collaborations. This includes some of the major astronomical institutions around the world, such as the European Space Agency, the European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere, the Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes, the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy, <a href="https://www.jive.eu/jiv-eric">JIVE</a> (the Joint Institute for VLBI ERIC), and SRON (the Netherlands Institue for Space Research)", Koopmans said.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">On his part, Prof. Ma explained that the chair at SU is uniquely positioned to combine radio, optical, and big data for computational astronomy: “We focus on connecting fundamental physics with astronomical observations to understand the fundamental laws of the Universe, and to unravel the nature of dark matter and dark energy. We work across disciplines and institutions to bring together expertise in engineering, theoretical physics and the computational sciences to understand the universe at a deeper level."</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Prof. Ma's group is also involved with major astronomical initiatives in South Africa, such as MeerKAT, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), HERA, LSST (Vera C. Rubin Observatory), the FAST telescope and CMB Stage-4, and use data from the Atacama Cosmology Telescope, the South Pole Telescope, ESO's Kilo-Degree Survey (KiDS), and the Dark Energy Survey Instrument (DESI).</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Prof. Burtram Fielding, Dean of SU's Faculty of Science, said in his closing remarks that it took a remarkable amount of energy to have the chair established in such a short period. Since 2023, the field of astrophysics at SU has grown from one lecturer and an MSc student to three lecturers, two MSc students, 11 PhD students and four postdoctoral fellows, with 24 papers published in peer-reviewed publications.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">The joint PhD degree in Astrophysics will also further strengthen the Faculty of Science's impressive track record in active collaborations leading to joint PhD degrees.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">In conclusion, Prof. Moyo said the Chair and its postgraduate students are supported by effective management and administrative processes at SU: “I want to thank Professors Koopmans and Ma for implementing the Chair, as well as Dorothy Stevens, Director of the Postgraduate Office, Sarah Van der Westhuizen, Director of the Center for Global Engagement, and Sibusiso Lukhele, Project Coordinator, for all the support to ensure we have a comprehensive partnership, a successful launch of the Chair, and students recruited". <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><br></p><p><br></p> |
| Precision Forestry Symposium Explores AI’s Role in Forest Management | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=11129 | | Precision Forestry Symposium Explores AI’s Role in Forest Management | Dr Justin Erasmus | <p style="text-align:justify;">At the beginning of February, the Department of Forest and Wood Science hosted the highly anticipated 7<sup>th</sup> international Precision Forestry Symposium: <em>At the Dawn of Artificial Intelligence</em>. The event was organized in partnership with the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) Division 3 and the Southern African Institute of Forestry (SAIF).<br></p><p style="text-align:center;"><img src="/english/PublishingImages/Lists/dualnews/My%20Items%20View/Picture1.png" alt="Picture1.png" style="margin:5px;width:875px;height:456px;" /><br></p><div style="text-align:justify;">The symposium brought together global experts, researchers, and industry leaders to explore cutting-edge advancements in forestry technology. The three-day event featured keynote speeches and technical presentations highlighting the transformative impact of AI, remote sensing, and UAVs in modern forestry. As a precursor to the event, a dedicated industry day allowed commercial partners to showcase innovative software, drone platforms, and sensors. During the symposium, delegates were also treated to a robotic demo by Dr Callen Fisher from the department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and in-field exhibitions at Delheim wine estate.<br></div><div style="text-align:justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="/english/PublishingImages/Lists/dualnews/My%20Items%20View/Picture2.png" alt="Picture2.png" style="margin:5px;width:875px;height:438px;" /><br><br></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="/english/PublishingImages/Lists/dualnews/My%20Items%20View/Picture3.png" alt="Picture3.png" style="margin:5px;width:875px;height:438px;" /><br></div><div style="text-align:center;"><br><br></div><div style="text-align:justify;"></div><div style="text-align:justify;">Discussions focused on AI-driven decision-making, automation in forest management, and the role of precision technology in sustainable timber production. The rise of AI and machine learning are certainly proving to be revolutionary. By processing complex data sets, AI algorithms offer unprecedented actionable insights. From predicting growth patterns to identifying pest outbreaks, AI is empowering forest managers to optimize harvest strategies and improve forest health management.<br></div><div style="text-align:justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="/english/PublishingImages/Lists/dualnews/My%20Items%20View/IMG_2133.JPG" alt="IMG_2133.JPG" style="margin:5px;width:875px;height:660px;" /><br></div><div style="text-align:justify;"><br>The event reinforced Stellenbosch's position as a hub for forestry innovation and collaboration. Thanks to the organising (pictured above), scientific committee, sponsors, presenters, and everyone who contributed to making the meeting a great success. Until next time!<br></div><br><br><br> |
| Drive to increase quantum capacity at South African universities | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=11111 | | Drive to increase quantum capacity at South African universities | Faculty of Science (media and communication) | <p></p><p><a href="https://quantum.sun.ac.za/people/dr-yaseera-ismail/">Dr Yaseera Ismail</a>, a <a href="https://quantum.sun.ac.za/">quantum physicist</a> in SU's Department of Physics, represented South Africa at the <a href="https://quantum2025.org/iyq-event/iyq-2025-opening-ceremony/">opening ceremony</a> of the <a href="https://quantum2025.org/">International Year of Quantum Science and Technology</a>, which was held at UNESCO's headquarters in Paris, France, on 4-5 February 2025.</p><p>She was invited as a speaker on the panel on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/EiidkzhNbYo?si=Hz34oflPbGRec-op">Public Engagement and Education in Quantum Science and Technology</a>, moderated by <a href="https://quantum.duke.edu/profile/emily-edwards/">Prof. Emily Edwards</a> from the Duke Quantum Centre in the United States. Fellow panel members included Prof. Jacquline Romero from the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems, Dr John Donohue from the University of Waterloo, Canada, and Ms Elisa Durney, CEO of Girls in Quantum, Chile.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Ismail says the panel discussion covered topics such as government's role in fostering public literacy in quantum science, advising quantum strategy in countries where quantum efforts are not well established, building linkages and capacity for quantum information science in Africa, and connecting with younger students and teachers to make quantum science feel relevant and exciting. </p><p>“I touched on <a href="https://saquti.org/">South Africa's Quantum Technology Initiative</a> which focuses on taking technology out of the lab to technology demonstrators towards commercialisation. There is also a strong focus on including universities without a strong quantum background to increase quantum capacity in South Africa," she explains.</p><p>She also focused on strategies for developing quantum capacity across the African continent: “Many African universities and research institutions have well-established optics and photonics programs, which serve as a strong foundation for Quantum Information Science. A strategic approach would involve expanding curricula to incorporate quantum optics, quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum sensing, ensuring a seamless transition from classical optics to quantum technologies. Furthermore, to grow the capacity of quantum on the continent we need to focus on leveraging existing strengths, fostering strategic collaborations, and cultivating local expertise. Overall scaling capacity development of quantum information science requires a multi-pronged approach, including investment in infrastructure, academic training, curriculum reform, and national and international collaboration," she concluded. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">The International Year of Quantum recognises the groundbreaking achievements in quantum science over the past century, and to encourage further innovation and collaboration in this transformative field. It is a call to action for researchers, educators, policymakers, and industry leaders to come together and accelerate progress and advocate for quantum science and technology.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">“Quantum technologies promise transformative advancements in computing, communication, and sensing. A key message identified from all the panel discussions was the importance of education and inclusivity," she concludes.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">In other words, no country should be left behind in this race to develop quantum technology, as mentioned in the closing remarks by Dr Lidia Brito, Assistant Director-General of Natural Sciences, UNESCO.</p><p>On the photo above: At the Opening Ceremony of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ2025), participants such as Dr Yaseera Ismail were able to rub shoulders with Nobel Laureates such as <a href="https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/1997/phillips/facts/">Prof. William Phillips</a>, <a href="https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/2023/lhuillier/facts/">Prof. Anne L'Huillier</a>, and <a href="https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/2022/aspect/facts/">Prof. Alain Aspect</a>.</p><p><br></p> |
| Breaking down barriers to advance women and girls in science | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=11102 | | Breaking down barriers to advance women and girls in science | Sibusiso Moyo | <p>The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is celebrated annually on 11 February. In an opinion piece for the <em>Mail & Guardian</em>, Prof Sibusiso Moyo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies, writes that encouraging greater participation of women and girls in science is not just about fairness; it is about progress. By empowering more women and girls in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, we unlock potential, drive innovation, and build a more sustainable, equitable future for all.</p><ul><li>Read the original article below or click <a href="https://mg.co.za/thought-leader/2025-02-11-despite-progress-we-still-need-to-break-down-barriers-facing-women-in-science/"><strong class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0">here</strong></a><strong class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0"> </strong>for the piece as published.</li></ul><p><strong>Prof Sibusiso Moyo*</strong><br></p><p>Every year, on 11 February, we observe the <a href="https://www.un.org/en/observances/women-and-girls-in-science-day"><strong class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0">International Day of Women and Girls in Science</strong></a> to celebrate the invaluable contributions of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Established by the United Nations in 2015, this day serves as both a celebration and a call to action. It is an opportunity to reflect on the progress we have made and the challenges that remain in advancing the participation of women and girls in STEM.</p><p><strong>Challenges to access</strong></p><p>Despite significant strides towards gender equality in science, barriers persist. Women and girls still face systemic challenges that limit their access to STEM education and careers. These include:</p><ul><li>Deeply ingrained stereotypes that STEM is a male-dominated field, discouraging young girls from pursuing these subjects.</li><li>Unequal access to excellent learning and teaching opportunities, infrastructure/laboratories where they can have early exposure and training to the basics in the respective fields to give them an advantage.</li><li>Limited mentorship and role models, as women remain underrepresented , especially in the African context, in senior STEM related academic and research related leadership echelons.</li><li>Workplace inequalities which may include policies, practices and culture that may not take gender differences into account including access to research funding opportunities.</li><li>Cultural and societal expectations, which can make it more challenging for women to balance careers in science with personal/family responsibilities.</li></ul><p>According to <a href="https://www.right-to-education.org/sites/right-to-education.org/files/resource-attachments/UNESCO_Higher%20Education%20Global%20Data%20Report_Working%20document_May2022_EN_0.pdf"><strong class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0">UNESCO</strong></a>, while women make up over 50% of university graduates, they account for less than 30% of the world's researchers. This stark disparity is not just a loss for women; it is a loss for society as a whole. Innovation thrives on diversity, and science benefits from the unique perspectives and talents that women and girls bring to the table. It is imperative that we in South Africa keep on increasing the number of women and girls in STEM as this will go a long way in helping us reduce the high levels of poverty, unemployment, and inequality. A deliberate effort to improve learning and teaching infrastructure, quality delivery of education for all and ensuring high end STEM training for teachers, academics, and those at the core of training the next generation must remain a priority. </p><p><strong>Progress and success</strong></p><p>The good news is that change is happening. Over the years, we have seen increasing representation of women in STEM, with more female scientists leading groundbreaking research, heading prestigious institutions, and inspiring the next generation. Global initiatives, scholarships, mentorship programmes, and policy reforms are creating new opportunities for women and girls to thrive in science and technology.</p><p>At Stellenbosch University (SU), we are playing our part because we recognise the need to drive this change. We are committed to fostering a more inclusive scientific environment through targeted initiatives, which provides mentorship and networking opportunities for female students and researchers, and <a href="/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=9861"><strong class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0">STEM outreach programmes</strong></a> for young girls, which encourage them to pursue science from an early age. It is important to pique young girls' interest in science and nurture it while they are still at school.</p><p>By funding research and supporting women scientists, we ensure that they are equitably represented in research projects and publications. Partnerships with industry and government allow us to create more career pathways for women in science and technology fields. Through these initiatives, we are not only supporting women already in science but also inspiring future generations of young girls to see themselves as scientists, engineers, and innovators.</p><p>Given our commitment to advancing the participation of women and girls in science, it was especially pleasing when, in October last year, three of our emerging women researchers — Mrs Kimberley Coetzer, Dr Lesha Pretorius, and Dr Nonsikelelo Hlongwa — were recognised with the prestigious <a href="https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/recognizing-achievements-talented-young-women-scientists-researchers-honored-prestigious-loreal#:~:text=The%20L%27Or%C3%A9al-UNESCO%20For%2cthe%20gender%20gap%20in%20science."><strong class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0">L'Oréal-UNESCO For Woman in Science Awards</strong></a>, highlighting their exceptional contribution to scientific research and innovation. They were selected for the 2024 L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science South Africa Young Talent programme. This global initiative aims to recognise and support women in scientific research by providing grants and fellowships to young female scientist, helping them advance their work and overcome gender barriers in STEM fields. In the same year, Prof Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela was also awarded the prestigious Templeton Prize, recognising the work she does including mentoring and supervising younger scholars from different backgrounds. There are many other women at SU doing excellent work and we continue to feature them on <a href="https://www0.sun.ac.za/researchforimpact/research-for-impact/"><strong class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0">Research for Impact</strong></a> platform.</p><p><strong>Call to action</strong></p><p>While universities play a critical role, this is a collective responsibility—one that requires commitment from governments, the private sector, and civil society. We must all work together to:</p><ul><li>Challenge stereotypes by promoting female role models in STEM fields and ensuring visibility for their achievements.</li><li>Strengthen policies by ensuring gender equity in research funding, hiring practices, and career advancement opportunities. </li><li>Create mentorship and sponsorship opportunities so that more young women can access the support they need to succeed.</li><li>Invest in STEM education for girls and women by funding programmes that encourage and support girls in pursuing scientific studies.</li></ul><p>Encouraging greater participation of women and girls in science is not just about fairness; it is about progress. The brightest minds from all backgrounds will be required if we want to solve grand challenges we face, from climate change to global health crises. By empowering more women and girls in STEM, we unlock potential, drive innovation, and build a more sustainable, equitable future for all.</p><p>On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, let us reaffirm our commitment to breaking down barriers and creating a world where every girl has the opportunity to contribute to science and shape the future. A big thank you to all our Colleagues, women and men contributing to training the next generation of scientists, scholars and innovators! </p><p>Join us in this mission—because science needs all of us.</p><ul><li>Photo by Stefan Els (Corporate Communication and Marketing Division)</li></ul><p><strong>*Professor Sibusiso Moyo is Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies at Stellenbosch University.</strong></p><p><br></p> |
| World Cancer Day: Key cancer-related topics under the spotlight | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=11092 | | World Cancer Day: Key cancer-related topics under the spotlight | Corporate Communication and Marketing/Korporatiewe Kommunikasie en Bemarking | <p>Personalised cancer care with artificial intelligence, pseudoscience in online cancer news, better treatment for ovarian cancer, and the toxic triangle of stress, obesity and cancer. These are the important issues that experts at Stellenbosch University write about in opinion pieces for <a href="https://www.worldcancerday.org/about"><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0"><strong>World Cancer Da</strong><strong>y</strong></span></a> on 4 February. Click on the links below to read the articles as published.<br></p><ul><li>Dr Celesté van Drünick (<a href="https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-02-02-lack-of-awareness-a-key-factor-in-delayed-diagnosis-of-ovarian-cancer/"><strong class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0">Daily Maverick</strong></a>)</li><li>Dr Carla Eksteen (<a href="https://mg.co.za/thought-leader/opinion/2025-02-04-ai-paves-the-way-for-personalised-cancer-care/"><strong class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0">Mail & Guardian</strong></a>)<br></li><li>Prof Anna-Mart Engelbrecht (<a href="https://www.news24.com/life/wellness/body/opinion-breaking-the-stress-obesity-cancer-cycle-a-call-to-action-ahead-of-world-cancer-day-20250203"><strong class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0">News24</strong></a>)</li><li>Dr Lili Rademan (<a href="https://storage.googleapis.com/marketiq/134FE5C/MMG-1738647149355_134FF36.pdf"><strong class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0">Cape Argus</strong></a>)</li></ul><p><br></p> |
