Second successful NAS Research Symposium showcased cutting-edge research and collaboration

Advancing new frontiers in natural and agricultural sciences by showcasing cutting-edge research, postgraduate education and collaboration with industry was centre stage at the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (NAS) second Research Symposium from 4 to 5 September 2024.

Ms Rimbilana Shingange, Lecturer and PhD candidate in the Department of Animal Science, was the dynamic programme director and guided everybody through their paces.

Prof Barend Erasmus, Dean of the Faculty, officially opened the Symposium. “Following the success of the inaugural Symposium in 2023, NAS built on the momentum with this year’s event, where topics such as interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research, industry partnerships, and national and international collaboration will be discussed.”

This hybrid event mobilised researchers, postdoctoral fellows, students from various departments in the Faculty and university, and members of industry and researcher organisations. 

He added, “This year, we want to showcase, connect and inspire. “This is an opportunity to get to know what your colleagues do and connect with the industry. Final-year and postgraduate students will hopefully be inspired and get the opportunity to discover what is next in their academic careers.”

Prof Erasmus emphasised the importance of ensuring that “you don’t miss the bigger picture. Climate change affects everything we do on planet Earth - in the past nine years, we experienced the highest temperature ever. Therefore, in the global context, we must stay on top of what is happening because this will give you a competitive advantage.”

Prof Bruce Mellado, Coordinator of the Technology Innovation Platform in Artificial Intelligence (AI) at iThemba LABS and the SA-CERN Technology Innovation Pillar; Senior Advisor in AI for the School of Medicine at Emory University and Healthmetryx, was the guest speaker for the day spoke on the topic Technology Transfer with Emphasis on AI for Health.

Three sessions with speakers from industry and academia shared their insights on themes ranging from Agriculture and Food, Science and Water, and Big Data Science.

Prof Vinesh Maharaj, Deputy Dean for Research and Postgraduate Education in NAS, opened the symposium on the second day and highlighted some of the Faculty’s research endeavours and output successes.

A highlight of the second day was the presentation of Dr Stavros Nicolaou, Group Senior Executive, ASPEN PHARMA, who joined virtually. His address focused on “Moving Toward Health Security in Africa – What’s Necessary”.

Postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows also had the opportunity to share their experiences at the Symposium. Dr Carmen Muller, a postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Animal Science, chaired the session, and it kicked off with Ms Imke Smit, an MSc student in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, sharing more about the unexpected challenges presented by a master’s degree. Mr Tsholanang Rammopo, a PhD candidate in the Department of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology, shared his views on the PhD journey titled What Are You? Dr Lethula Mofokeng, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Chemistry, shared more on postdoctoral challenges and expanded opportunities with Ms Nyasha Mureriwa, who is working at Swift Geospatial, concluding the session by sharing her talk on The Thin Line Between Theory and Application.

Speakers from NAS, Health Sciences and Veterinary Sciences focused on Animal and Human Health. Mr Steven Ball, Director of TuksSport, gave a motivational talk titled, For the Love of the Game. What on Earth Can Help Me?

The symposium concluded with a poster session where postgraduate students had three minutes to explain their posters to the audience. Prizes were given to the best two presentations and the best two posters displayed during the Symposium. Sphiwe Skosana, PhD candidate in Statistics, won the first prize in the poster presentation section, with Thabang Msimango, PhD candidate in Biotechnology, as the runner-up. Shalya Moodley, an MSc Microbiology student, won the first prize in the posters exhibited section, with Kira Lynn (PhD candidate in Genetics as runner-up.

For those who missed the event, both days are available online.

Watch Day 1

Watch Day 2