Two PhD students and one staff member from the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (NAS) have been awarded fully-funded prestigious Fulbright scholarships at top universities in the United States. These scholarships will allow them to expand their research interests.

Dr Samkelo Malgas from the Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology has been awarded an eight-month Fulbright Scholar Programme–funded sabbatical. He will be hosted by Prof Richard Venditti at the Department of Forest Biomaterials, North Carolina State University. At the same time, Manana Dlangalala and Sithembile Kunene, PhD students in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, received the Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarships as Visiting Student Researchers.

“Being awarded a Fulbright Scholar Programme-funded sabbatical is a great honour that recognises my work and commitment to my field. This opportunity will enable me to focus on my research while experiencing a new culture and academic environment. I am hopeful it will create opportunities for valuable international collaborations and personal growth, expanding my views in ways I never imagined. This sabbatical is not merely a break from routine, but a life-changing journey that will enhance my professional growth and understanding of the world,” Dr Malgas shared.

The two NAS PhD candidates, Manana Dlangalala and Sithembile Kunene, were equally elated about their Fulbright scholarships.

Manana, who will be at the University of Maryland, College Park, says, “Being selected as a Fulbright Visiting Student Researcher is a deeply moving and validating experience, one of the greatest milestones in both my academic and personal journey. It affirms that my work has meaning and is a catalyst that will fuel my growth and discovery in the future. This achievement reflects years of resilience and determination. Still, it also carries the dreams of my community and the hope that young people can see that their voices and aspirations are valid, no matter their starting point.”




 

Manana added, “Beyond the personal honour, Fulbright carries a beautiful responsibility: to foster peace and mutual understanding between nations. For me, it is about becoming a bridge between cultures, sharing my knowledge while humbly receiving the wisdom of others. It is an opportunity to build friendships that last a lifetime, to challenge my own perspectives, and to contribute to tackling global challenges with empathy and collaboration. To me, Fulbright is both a gift and a calling to learn, grow, and return home with knowledge and the courage to create opportunities for others. I know this experience will be transformative, shaping my career and character, and deepening my sense of purpose as I embrace my role in making a positive difference in the world,” she concluded.

Sithembile could not be happier. “Being awarded the Fulbright scholarship is honestly a dream come true for me. It means stepping into a global community where I can grow academically and personally. I’m excited to take my research further, learn from new perspectives, and return home in 2026 with experiences that can inspire and strengthen our academic community,” she said.





"I will be joining the University of California, Merced, as a visiting student researcher from September 2025 to June 2026. During this period, I will be investigating host–pathogen interactions in Pinus species, focusing on the isolation and characterisation of extracellular vesicles and their impact on fungal pathogens. This research aims to advance my understanding of vesicle-mediated plant–microbe interactions and their role in forest health and disease resistance,” Sithembile added.

The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences is proud to congratulate these three young stars on their significant opportunity and looks forward to the advancements and recognition this collaboration will bring to the University of Pretoria’s research community.