Committing to and completing a four-year degree, then working for a year within your field of study – only to realise it may not have been the best choice – then going back to university to study a completely different field may seem like a terrible waste of time. Not so for Dr Madelien Wooding, a chromatographic operator and researcher in the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Department of Chemistry. This is exactly how her tertiary education journey started – and she wouldn’t change a thing.

“In school I always enjoyed mathematics and science,” she says. “However, I also enjoyed art and subjects like technical drawing. Deciding on a career path was difficult for me, as one really does not have the full picture of what a job entails when you’re at school.

“Initially, I did a B.Consumer Science degree, specialising in Clothing Retail Management. After finishing the degree, I worked for a clothing company for a year. But I felt there was so much more out there that I wanted to learn. During the degree, we had a subject called Textile Science, which, being more scientifically minded, was my favourite subject. It made me realise I wanted to learn more about physical science, how things are made – the chemistry of it. I was fortunate to be able to go back to UP to study BSc Chemistry.”

Dr Wooding obtained a BSc degree in Chemistry in 2014 and an honours degree in the subject in 2015, both with distinction.

“During my doctoral studies, I received the L’Oréal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science in Sub-Saharan African,” she recalls. “My PhD research was on using various analytical techniques to chemically profile human skin for mosquito vector control. 

Dr Wooding has published 11 research articles on chromatography and mass spectrometry in international journals. In 2020, when she was finishing her PhD, she appeared on The Analytical Scientist’s Power List, an annual list of the world’s 100 most influential analytical scientists as voted for by the magazine’s readers.

“My interest in chromatography and mass spectrometry started during my honours year,” she says. “My project used ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry to identify potential hunting poisons that the Bushmen had utilised over 12 000 years ago on arrowheads. The fact that such sophisticated machines could detect chemicals at such low levels from ancient arrow tips was astonishing.

“I knew that the instrument could be applied to other challenges,” she adds. “Since then, I have used separation science and mass spectrometry to detect harmful chemicals in water as well as investigating skin chemical compounds that attract mosquitoes to bite you. We are investigating skin chemical compounds to assist in the diagnosis of diseases like tuberculosis. Early diagnosis can significantly improve treatment outcomes and help control the spread of the disease.

“My field, separation science, is essential because it allows us to identify and measure chemicals in various substances. This has wide-ranging applications in environmental monitoring, healthcare and safety. For example, we can't create and enforce policies to improve water quality if we don't know what harmful chemicals are present in the water. By identifying these pollutants, we can take steps to remove them and ensure safe drinking water.”

“This kind of research is crucial for solving problems that directly impact people's lives and health. The intricate and impactful nature of this work captivated my interest and solidified my dedication to the field of separation science and mass spectrometry.

“I enjoy the analytical challenges and the real-world applications of my work, particularly in environmental and health-related areas. I find fulfilment in developing new methods and solutions that can address significant issues like water pollution and disease diagnosis.”

This dedication and contribution to her field of study has also earned Dr Wooding a National Research Foundation (NFR) Y2 rating.

“The NRF rating is a significant recognition of my contributions to science. It enhances my credibility and supports my professional growth as an academic at UP. It motivates me to continue producing high-quality research and to mentor future scientists. I am also grateful to be able to inspire students to pursue a career in separation science, and for being involved in science-learning and knowledge transfer.”