Prof Tebello Nyokong, a L’Oreal/Unesco Women in Science laureate, will give the opening address at Scifest Africa which takes place from 24 to 30 March in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape.
Prof Tebello Nyokong, a L’Oreal/Unesco Women in Science laureate, will give the opening address at Scifest Africa which takes place from 24 to 30 March in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape.
Her talk titled Healing with light, deals with one of her many research areas: the different types of electromagnetic radiation from the sun and how red light can be used in cancer treatment. “I will also talk about challenges facing the development of medicines,” she said.
“I feel very honoured since this is an opportunity to talk to government, public and funders and I hope learners will be there,” said Nyokong. “It is an opportunity to tell the country that we can use science to develop.”
Nyokong is the DST/NRF professor of Medicinal Chemistry and Nanotechnology at Rhodes University. “I love my work,” she said, “so I look forward to my research with my students. I also really enjoyed teaching first
years over the years, but now I have had to stop teaching first year due to extensive commitments!” said Nyokong who is very involved in training postgraduate students.
Her story with science begins with a decision she made in high school. “I started with the arts because of peers who told me science was hard and I believed it! Yet I soon realised that I am not interested in the arts and I moved to the sciences with two years of high school left, I never looked back!”
For Nyokong, studying at a university is not only about passing, but it is about passing with a good quality degree. She has served on Scifest’s Scientific Advisory Committee for the past five years.
“Tebello is an active member of our committee and it is a privilege to have someone of such high calibre working with us to forward our mission and challenge misconceptions about science,” said Scifest director, Vera Adams, Nyokong’s talk follows the official opening of Scifest Africa 2010 by the Minister of Science and Technology Naledi Pandor on the evening of 26 March 2010. Bookings open on 1 February so call 046 603 1106 to book your ticket.
Scifest Africa is sponsored by Sasol Ltd, Old Mutual South Africa in association with the Department of Science and Technology, The South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement and the Grahamstown Foundation.
