UP researchers shine at SA’s ‘Science Oscars’

Three researchers from the University of Pretoria (UP) have been honoured at the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF)-South32 Awards, dubbed South Africa’s “Science Oscars”. The awards celebrate exceptional contributions to science, engineering, technology (SET) and innovation, and is endorsed by the national Department of Science and Innovation. They are widely acknowledged as South Africa’s premier accolades in public SET and innovation.

Professor Bernard Slippers received the Management Award for fostering scientific excellence through collaborative team efforts. He holds a professorship in genetics within the Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, and serves as Director of the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute at UP as well as Innovation Africa @UP.

“A very big thank you to the NSTF-South32 Awards for the support, but also for these kinds of events, which remind us to celebrate the ecosystems in which we can work,” Prof Slipper said. “Scientific achievement is never the outcome of an individual; it’s always a property of the ecosystems in which we work. I have been very privileged over my career to work at the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute at the University of Pretoria, with fantastic colleagues who have helped me and who have created an environment within which I can pursue my dreams and help others to pursue theirs.”

Professor Mike Sathekge, Chief Executive Officer of the NPC Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure (NuMeRI) and Head of the Nuclear Medicine Department at UP, received the Innovation Award: Corporate Organisation. He and his team were hailed as pioneers for their groundbreaking work at NuMeRI, which seeks to revolutionise medical research and patient care.

NuMeRI offers comprehensive medical imaging and a theragnostics facility, which is central to drug development and clinical research. Theragnostic care makes use of imaging technologies and targeted therapies to diagnose and treat diseases like cancer while monitoring patient responses. What distinguishes NuMeRI is its holistic approach, integrating pre-clinical imaging, radiopharmaceutical production, translational research, radiobiology, medical physics, clinical molecular imaging and theragnostics in a single facility. This integrated model bridges laboratory research with direct patient care, ultimately improving healthcare outcomes in South Africa.

Representatives from UP at the NSTF-South32 Awards

Professor Roger Deane, Director: Wits Centre for Astrophysics, DSI/NRF SKA Chair in Radio Astronomy and Extraordinary Professor at UP, was part of the international team that captured the first image of a black hole. He was part of a group that received the joint Special Annual Theme Award: Fourth Industrial Revolution in South Africa for the work being done by the Inter-University Institute for Data- Intensive Astronomy (IDIA), a collaboration among UP, the University of Cape Town and the University of the Western Cape. The IDIA’s advanced infrastructure enables global collaboration in astronomy, enhancing the ability of researchers to analyse intricate science, engineering and technology data, particularly radio astronomy data, with unparalleled effectiveness.

"Prof Anton Ströh, Former Vice-Principal Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Education, was instrumental in the vision to establish astronomy at UP, and our IDIA membership was a critical step in doing so and enabling all achievements thus far," said Prof Deane.

“We are deeply honoured and proud of our colleagues who have been recognised by the NSTF-South32 Awards, particularly as we prepare for UP Giving Day, part of our campaign to raise R100 million to support students to access quality education,” said Prof Sunil Maharaj, Vice-Principal of Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Education at UP.

“These accolades not only honour our dedicated researchers, but also underscore our commitment to advancing science, engineering, technology and innovation in our nation. They are also an inspiration to the hundreds of students who benefit from the Giving Day campaign, and serve to motivate our donors from around the world. This is an achievement that reaffirms UP’s pivotal role in shaping the future of these fields and our ongoing commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge.”