Meet Professor Janette Bester, who recently received a Y2 rating from the National Research Foundation. Her research focuses on coagulopathies and the haemorheology of patients with chronic inflammatory conditions. She talks to us about her hard-won journey in health research and lets us know what it means to be a Y2 NRF-rated researcher. 

How do you feel about attaining a Y2 rating Prof Bester?

I am very proud and grateful.

What is your field of specialty, and please give a brief explanation of it.

My research is currently focused on coagulopathies and the haemorheology of patients with chronic inflammatory conditions such as breast, prostate, and brain cancer. We combine biochemical and biophysical methods to study blood ex vivo. In doing this, we aim to produce translatable research that impacts the management of cancer patients. Our research team consists of researchers from basic sciences, clinicians from Steve Biko, Kalafong, and Tembisa hospitals, and postgraduate students. These interdisciplinary collaborations allow for relevant research with clinical insights that add value to our findings. 

How will you use your new status as a Y2 NRF-rated researcher to make a difference in your field?

I would like to expand my collaboration network nationally and internationally. I also intend to use the funding opportunities available for NRF-rated researchers.

Please take us through the process until you eventually attain a Y2 rating.

After I completed my Ph.D. in 2016, I was appointed as a lecturer in the Department of Physiology. Since then, I have managed to grow my research team and collaboration network. This enabled me to establish my research niche and build my research portfolio. I always intended to apply for an NRF rating; therefore, I attended a workshop early on to prepare myself for the application process. After participating in the workshop, it was easy for me to plan my research activities and goals to align with the requirements for rating. It was evident that the research niche should be clear, and all research activities should be aligned with that. Therefore, I took the time to build my research portfolio and only started my NRF rating application two years after I attended the workshop. Writing the application took a lot of time and effort. However, during my application, the support from the Faculty of Health Sciences was excellent, and that enabled me to write a good application. After many hours of writing and refining my application, I could submit it, and I am thankful that my application was successful. 

What does it mean for you as a researcher?

It feels great to be recognised as a young researcher, and it motivates me to continue working hard.

Any further information you wish to share with the readers?

NRF rating is an individual award. However, I cannot take all the credit. Therefore, I would like to acknowledge my mentors, Prof Resia Pretoria and Prof Annie Joubert, as well as my team members, for their contribution to my success.