UCT researcher wins ASSAf Science-for-Society Gold Medal

The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) presented its Science-for-Society Gold Medal to University of Cape Town (UCT) Professor Keertan Dheda for his outstanding contributions to scientific thought. Additionally, several UCT researchers were inducted into ASSAf at the 23 October ceremony, with Dr Sabelo Hadebe joining the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS).

Professor Keertan Dheda, a member of the university’s Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), is at the forefront of medical research as the chair-holder and head of the Division of Pulmonology at UCT and the Respiratory Service at Groote Schuur Hospital. As the director of the UCT-accredited Centre for Lung Infection and Immunity, he leads efforts to combat devastating diseases like tuberculosis and pneumonia.

“This award, in many ways, reflects their brilliance and hard work and not necessarily all of mine.”

Given that TB remains one of the world’s most deadly infectious diseases, disproportionately affecting people in impoverished and overcrowded areas, Professor Dheda’s work focuses on reducing the TB burden in vulnerable communities while improving lives and social wellness. His impact has garnered global recognition, substantiated by a National Research Foundation (NRF) A-rating which is awarded to leading international scholars in their field in South Africa.

“It’s been a great a privilege and honour to accept this award. However, I’m the figurehead of a large group and therefore have accepted this on behalf of a [great deal] of people, including many bright PhD students, postdoctoral scientists and a bunch of superb clinician scientists. This award, in many ways, reflects their brilliance and hard work and not necessarily all of mine,” said Dheda.

Joining him at this celebration of academic excellence, several other UCT researchers have been inducted into the academy. Inauguration into the academy is based on two principal criteria, academic excellence and significant contributions to society.

The collective expertise of the elected ASSAf members is put into use to investigate and provide evidence-based solutions to national challenges.

Professor Babatunde Abiodun

A climate science expert and the director of the Nasen-Tutu Research Centre, Professor Babatunde holds the interim Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) / NRF South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) Chair in Ocean and Atmospheric Modelling. He developed a global climate model capable of adaptative resolution, which has been key in regional climate studies, such as understanding tropical cyclones in the South-West Indian Ocean and assessing the impact of oceans on southern African rainfall.

Professor Emese Bordy

As UCT’s first woman full professor of geology, Bordy has made significant contributions to Earth Sciences and, as of 1 November, started serving as the Faculty of Science’s Deputy Dean for Undergraduates. Her research in clastic sedimentology centres on quantifying biogeographic and palaeoecological changes, with a primary focus on the depositional record of southern Africa.

Professor Beatrice Conradie

Professor Conradie is an agricultural economist who has spent a significant time in the arid western region of South Africa where climate change is already pushing people out of agricultural livelihoods. Her work is focused on measuring agricultural productivity to improve food security.

Professor Peter Dunsby

Professor Dunsby is a world-renowned theoretical astrophysicist and cosmologist specialising in cosmological perturbation theory and modified gravity. He is recognised as a top researcher globally, particularly for his studies on Dark Energy and its role in cosmology. Dunsby leads several international collaborations on the astrophysics and cosmology of modified gravity. He is also dedicated to science outreach, regularly engaging with schools.

Professor Mohamed Jeebhay

A leading academic in occupational medicine and internationally recognised scholar, Professor Jeebhay is the head of occupational medicine at UCT and previous co-director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre in Occupational Health. His research focuses on identifying risk factors to prevent occupational allergies and asthma.

Professor Michelle Louw

The Head of Department of Commercial Law, Professor Louw is an esteemed expert in banking law. Her work is widely cited by the Constitutional Court, Supreme Court of Appeal and other high courts. Louw has drafted various pieces of legislation. She is the former president of the International Association of Consumer Law, serves on the NRF’s Specialist Committee for Law and is an adjudicator for the DSI South African Women in Science Awards.

Dr Vanessa McBride

Dr McBride is a research scientist and a leader in astronomy in the country. She has held prominent roles at UCT and the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) and currently serves as Science Director at the International Science Council (ISC), where she leads a team that works with the ISC membership to set the global scientific agenda, define and streamline areas of international cooperation that respond to broad global challenges.

Professor Haris Skokos

Professor Skokos is a leading expert in nonlinear dynamics and chaos detection who has contributed significantly to the study of chaotic behaviours in diverse systems, ranging from galaxies to DNA. His pioneering numerical techniques, including the Smaller (SALI) and the Generalised Alignment Index (GALI) methods, are internationally recognised, as is his work on nonlinear disordered lattices and symplectic integration techniques.

Professor Catherine Ward

Professor Ward’s research focuses on preventing violence against children. She has gained global recognition as a pre-eminent academic for this work. She is also renowned for the close collaborations she has established with WHO and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and colleagues around the world. The evidence-based parenting programmes she and colleagues have developed are reaching millions of families around the globe, making it a safer place for children.

SAYAS members, on the other hand, are young scientists below the age of 40 with PhDs and who are regarded as excellent in their fields of expertise.

Dr Sabelo Hadebe

Dr Sabelo Hadebe is an immunologist and senior lecturer in the Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences. He was one of 15 global recipients of the Rising Star Award from the International Union of Immunological Society in December 2023. His research focuses on Type 2 immunity, a particular arm of the immune system associated with allergic diseases and the control of parasitic infections.