Top honours for UCT five

Kudos: Dr Peter Carrick (above) was one of five UCT winners of NSTF-BHP Billiton awards this year. Carrick's Namaqualand Restoration Initiative generates livelihoods by rehabilitating degraded land.

Five UCT scholars were named among the country's science and technology trailblazers, when the winners of the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF)-BHP Billiton Awards were announced at a gala event in Johannesburg.

UCT scholars were named among the finalists in no fewer than 18 categories of this year's awards.

The UCT winners are:

• Professor Bongani Mayosi for his outstanding contribution to Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation (SETI) through management and related activities over the last five to 10 years or less. Mayosi was commended for his work in building, managing and leading capacity development in research at Groote Schuur hospital, which has achieved very significant output and has led to the discovery of genetic causes of and prevention strategies for heart disease, and clinical features of pericardial tuberculosis.

• Professor Heather Zar in the category TW Kambule Awards: To an Individual for an Outstanding Contribution to SETI through Research and its Outputs over the last five to 10 years - sponsored by the National Research Foundation (NRF). "She has led the development of a strong, clinical translational research programme, producing cutting-edge research that has changed global practice and improved child health through better diagnostic, preventative and management strategies," read the citation.

• Dr Amanda Weltman in the category TW Kambule Awards: To an Emerging Researcher for an Outstanding Contribution to SETI through Research and its Outputs - over a period of up to six years after award of a PhD or equivalent in research - sponsored by the NRF. "Dr Weltman has provided a testable theory explaining the mysterious force causing the universe to accelerate, so-called Dark Energy," noted the citation for Weltman's development of what she calls the 'chameleon mechanism'.

• Dr Kit Vaughan and the PantoScanner Team at CapeRay Medical (Pty) (Ltd), a UCT spin-out company, in the category To an Individual or a Team for an Outstanding Contribution to SETI through Research leading to Innovation in a Small, Medium or Micro-Enterprise. CapeRay's Pantoscanner is enhancing clinicians' ability to diagnose breast cancer by combining the best of low-dose X-rays and ultrasound.

• Dr Peter Carrick in the category To an Individual or a Team for an Outstanding Contribution to SETI through Research leading to Innovation in an NGO (Non-Government) or CBO (Community-Based) or NPO (Non-Profit) Organisation. Carrick's Namaqualand Restoration Initiative uses extensive and ongoing ecological research, and business and socio-economic nous, to design and implement systems that restore globally important biodiversity and generate livelihoods through the rehabilitation of degraded lands.