“Better the balance, better the world” – this is the theme for this year’s International Women’s Day (8th March), an occasion celebrating the social and economic achievements of women but also highlighting the issues women still face.
As one of the leading research institutions in Africa, Stellenbosch University (SU) has a number of female scientists doing groundbreaking research, leading research management teams and talking about the importance of visibility of women in science.
Diverse scientific problems need diverse perspectives.
Stellenbosch University professor Nox Makunga. PHOTO: Facebook
Associate professor at the Botany and Zoology Department, Nox Makunga has a keen interest in researching medicinal plants.
Makunga says her love for plants and science was nurtured by her parents: “I was influenced a lot by my parents; my dad used to be a plant scientist and my mom loves her garden.”
Makunga says when she got to university, she wanted to get into a science that would translate to public good, a decision that led her to medicinal plants.
Her passion for plant biology has resulted in her receiving many accolades over the years, including the prestigious and highly competitive Fulbright Fellowship for 2017/2018. The fellowship is an initiative by the United States government, funding international scholars to study at an American institution.
LISTEN: MatieMedia interviews botanist and Stellenbosch University prof. Nox Makunga
She advises young women in male dominated fields to seek mentors and role models, emphasising that there is value in “seeing people who look like you, doing something that is dominated by people who generally don’t look like you.”
A career move that lead to fulfilling work.
Head of Research and Innovation at SU, Dr. Therina Theron. PHOTO: LinkedIn
When Dr. Therina Theron, Head of Research and Innovation at SU, took on a science management role 14 years ago, it immediately felt like it was the right career choice for her, she says.
With a PhD in medical biochemistry, Theron focused on the causes and treatments for cancer but decided to leave her research for something with more variety.
“The deep focus on a fairly narrow field that was required during my PhD and Postdoc years never quite felt like me,” she says.
Her role as Senior Director for Research and Innovation is to support and advance science across a variety of research fields. The division is currently managing a development programme for early career academic staff, funded by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).
The programme intends to diversify SU’s academic staff. “We place a particular focus in this programme on supporting early career female academics, as well as those from previously disadvantaged groups,” Theron adds.
Passionate about Artificial Intelligence.
Data scientist Christine de Kock. PHOTO: LinkedIn
Former SU student Christine de Kock specializes in Artificial Intelligence (AI), a field she says is “cool” to specialise in.
She studied Industrial Engineering and went on to do her Masters in AI at the University of Edinburgh. Mail & Guardian included her in their 200 Young South Africans list for 2018, an award that recognizes leading and inspiring young South Africans.
She credits her interest in AI to a particular undergraduate lecturer, “I’ve had several fantastic lecturers and mentors. One who stands out is Prof. James Bekker, who introduced me to the field of AI in my final year at Stellenbosch. He was instrumental in piquing my interest and developing my skills in data science,” says de Kock.
On how women can deal with the pressure of working in a male dominated field she suggests getting support from others in the workplace.
“I’ve had some great but also some awful experiences working in all-male teams and found that having (male) allies greatly lightened the load when dealing with bullies,” she remarks.