Dr Gopolang Mohlabeng’s research into dark matter has received global recognition and earned the University of Pretoria (UP) alumnus a spot on the global 25 Rising Stars in Astronomy List.

The list profiles researchers in the astronomy field from across the word whose work has contributed to our understanding of what still remains one of the greatest mysteries of nature.

“It feels great to have the work I have done being recognised. I think for me this is not only about recognition for the work, but also to show that black people can be successful scientists and that we are part of what a physicist or astronomer looks like,” said Dr Mohlabeng.

“Having this sort of recognition makes me want to work harder and inspire other young people so that their work can also be recognised in the future.”

Dr Mohlabeng was born in Atteridgeville, Pretoria and now resides in California, United States America. He graduated with a BSc. Physics in 2010 and he currently works at the University of California, Irvine, as a postdoctoral researcher.

His area of research – dark matter – is as mysterious as the name suggests.

“Dark matter makes up about 25% of the energy density of our universe,” he explains.

“Everything that we can see and touch, like galaxies, planets, gas, etc all make up 5%. The rest is something called dark energy. We do not know what dark matter or dark energy are, meaning that we only understand 5% of our universe.”

“We are trying to understand what these ‘dark sectors’ are. I work particularly on understanding what the fundamental nature of dark matter is. I think of dark matter as a cosmic glue that holds the universe together. Without it our galaxy, the solar system and the earth would not have formed. So naturally we want to understand what it is.” 

Dr Mohlabeng describes himself as an astroparticle physicist. He says astroparticle physicists use knowledge of astrophysics and particle physics to understand the fundamental nature of the universe.

“We study the most fundamental building blocks of life to understand the universe from when it was formed until today.”

He says his passion for science comes from the need to understand how things work, and because he is a curious person.

“My drive also comes from the potential discovery of new fundamental science that can shape the future of society.”

Dr Mohlabeng explains that during his undergraduate studies at UP he was given the opportunity to conduct research. This gave him a feel for research and encouraged him to pursue a career in research.

“Also, some of the courses in physics and mathematics were more advanced and that helped me when I moved to my honours degree,” he adds.

He believes that alumni can help by giving back to their alma mater through knowledge.

“Alumni have had the chance to leave and interact with people from many other places, so they know how things can be done differently (for better or worse). There are things that I experienced in my alma mater that I think could be better and others that I have not found anywhere else.”

He says although he was initially accepted to study physics at another university, he chose to pursue the course with UP because the programme and department appealed to him and he was interested in the various student programmes the university offered.

His advice to young people about perseverance and grit is simple: “When you have a dream you want to achieve, nothing is going to stop you. Have that tunnel vision and don’t let anything get in your way. That is how I was able to make it.”