In 2012 she was selected as one of the Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans under the age of 35, who are doing extraordinary things. She is seen as a future leader. Renée is currently conducting postdoctoral research in cosmology at Princeton University as a Lyman Spitzer Jr. Postdoctoral Fellow in Theoretical Astrophysics, analysing light originating just 380 000 years after the Big Bang. She is also the Spitzer-Cotsen Fellow in the Princeton Society of Fellows in the Humanities. She was recently named a TED Fellow for 2013, a fellowship which focuses on both her Science and the communication of Science to the public.

Renée kicked off her illustrious career in Science through the *UP with Science Programme whereafter she completed a BSc degree in Mathematics in 2005 in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Pretoria (UP). She completed her honours in Applied Mathematics in 2006 at the University of Cape Town, as part of the National Astrophysics and Space Science Programme (NASSP). A master’s degree followed suit and her studies were funded by the SKA Human Capital Development Programme. Between 2008 and 2011, as a Rhodes scholar, Renée read for her DPhil in Astrophysics at Oxford University.

Renée recently visited the *UP with Science programme, which is still flourishing after almost 15 years. She was delighted to meet the current students and gave them a talk about her research. She is also going to work with them in an upcoming science outreach initiative, where learners use video technology to communicate science ideas and questions.

Just as passionate as she is about making Science accessible, as passionate she is about giving back. Therefore  she is involved in several outreach programmes, including teaching Mathematics in prisons and Astronomy at schools. “I am passionate about science communication - allowing Science to open the minds of young people. I believe in the power of Science to enthral as well as to educate. I'm passionate about Africa.”

Renée emphasised how fascinated she is by our universe – “how it started, how it evolves with time and how it will end!” 

*The UP with Science Programme is a science enrichment programme for senior secondary school pupils, presented by the University of Pretoria. Approximately 50 grade 10 school learners who have a high potential and a keen interest in Science are annually selected to participate in the science enrichment programme. While in the Programme, they are exposed to an enquiry-based approach to Science. It runs over three years,  and thereafter the learners may qualify for a full tuition scholarship, valid for most of the study programmes that are offered in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, provided that they meet the normal admission requirements. This Programme includes Saturday meetings once a month and a project week during the holidays, once per year. The Programme is aimed at increasing young people's interest in, knowledge of, and skills in Science.

Visit http://www.upwithscience.up.ac.za/ for more information on the UP with Science programme.
 

Credit: Mail & Guardian and Renée Hlozek