Professor Brenda Wingfield

Professor Nigel Bennett 

Professor Ryan Blumenthal 

is a senior Specialist Forensic Pathologist and Associate Professor in the Department of Forensic Medicine at the University of Pretoria (UP). Also a finalist for the Communication Award.

Dr Daniel William Hart 

is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Pretoria in the Department of Zoology and Entomology. His interest lies in understanding the biology, ecology, and behaviour of African vertebrates, in particular mammals, with the African mole rat as his main study animal. He investigates the ecological and physiological factors that affect the control of reproduction and sociality of these animals.

Professor Paxie Wanangwa Chirwa 

is the South African Forestry Company Limited (SAFCOL) Forest Chair and Director of the Forest Science postgraduate programme in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Pretoria. He is a forest scientist and specialises in socio-ecological systems in forests; agroforestry; and social or community forestry. His research group works on a range of projects in remote regions of South Africa and other forest ecosystems in Africa, including the miombo dry forest and woodlands of southern Africa.

Professor John George Annandale

from UP’s Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, was announced as a finalist for research that focused on mine water irrigation. 

Professor Patricia Forbes 

is a Professor of Environmental Chemistry. Her research focuses on analytical chemistry involving the development of novel sampling and analytical methods for environmental pollutants, including denuder-based sampling techniques, biomonitors, and quantum dot-based fluorescence sensors.

Dr Els Vermeulen

Senior Lecturer and Research Manager for the Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit at the University of Pretoria. Also a finalist for the Special Theme Award.

Professor Vukosi Marivate 

is the leader of the Coronavirus COVID-19 (2019-nCoV) Data Repository for South Africa. He is also the ABSA UP Chair of Data Science at UP and works on developing machine learning/ artificial intelligence methods to extract insights from data.

Professor Ryan Blumenthal 

is a senior Specialist Forensic Pathologist and Associate Professor in the Department of Forensic Medicine at the University of Pretoria (UP). Also a finalist for the Researcher Award.

Dr Martina Jordaan

is the Head: Community Engagement Research and Postgraduate Students at UP’s Mamelodi Campus. She was previously a senior lecturer at UP’s Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and IT, responsible for the compulsory Community Engagement module. Previously she was head of the Education Museum in Pretoria. Thereafter she was responsible for the development of pre-schools in the informal settlements next to Pretoria and the skills development of staff of various schools in Pretoria under the Gauteng Department of Education.

Shakira Hoosain

is a campaign strategist and senior copywriter in UP’s Department of Institutional Advancement. She holds a research master’s degree in English literature from UP, giving her a very good understanding of the research process and what is required to undertake large research projects. She has previously lectured undergraduate students on how to write for their fields both in business and their academic life. She has been part of UP’s Research Matters team from its inception in around 2015 when UP’s brand line, “Make today matter”, was launched. She also manages UP’s Re.Search magazine, which summarises the university’s most important research to key stakeholders including media, donors, and funders.

Dr Els Vermeulen

Senior Lecturer and Research Manager for the Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit at the University of Pretoria. Also a finalist for the Green Economy Award.