Italian knighthood for Nassimbeni

Professor Luigi Nassimbeni of the Department of Chemistry has been presented with the title of Cavaliere, an honorary knighthood, by the Italian government for his service to his homeland and its community. Nassimbeni (left), with his wife, Associate Professor Mary Nassimbeni of the Centre for Information Literacy, received the award from the Italian ambassador, his excellency Valerio Astraldi, at a local celebration of Italy's National Day at the Baxter Theatre Centre on June 3. Nassimbeni first came to South Africa from Italy as a student back in 1958. He joined UCT in 1966, and decided to hang up his lab coat here. Over the ensuing four decades he not only became a leader in the field of physical chemistry, but also guru to generations of UCT students. Nassimbeni retired last year, but continues to serve in the chemistry department as an honorary research associate.