Page 32 - Science in Africa

Professor Tebello Nyokong

rofessor Tebello Nyokong
holds a department of science Creating
and technology/National
Research Foundation
(DST/NRF) professorship in
PMedicinal Chemistry and
Nanotechnology at Rhodes University in
South Africa. safer cancer
She is a distinguished professor in
medical chemistry and nanotechnology and
the director of DST/Mintek Nanotechnology
Innovation Centre.
Professor Nyokong is known for her treatment
research in nanotechnology, as well as her
work on photodynamic therapy.
Her pioneering research in the latter is
paving the way for a safer cancer detection
and treatment, without the debilitating and innovation-supporting mechanism 2010: Received honorary doctorates from
side-effects of chemotherapy. She has been dedicated to the least developed countries Walter Sisulu University and the University
recognised both nationally and and featured in 21 Icons. of South Africa and was inducted into the
internationally. 2013: Awarded a medal by the Lesotho Hall of Fame.
She has successfully supervised 83 World Academy of the Science for In 2009, she received the
PhD/MSc students. She has published close outstanding contributions to L’Oreal-Unesco award for
to 620 manuscripts (including patents, a science and technology. women in science as a laureate
book and book chapters). Received South African representing Africa and the
In addition to the AU Kwame Nkrumah Chemical Institute gold medal, Arab states and she also
Scientific Award (2016), she has received was awarded A-rating and received the NRF President’s
many other awards and recognition for her lifetime achievement by the Award as champion for the
research, including: National Research Foundation transformation in research.
2016: Council for Scientific and Industrial (NRF). In 2009, a special motion was
Research’s National Laser Centre recognition 2012: Included by the National passed in the South African
for most publications in and most doctoral Centre for Research on Human National Assembly acknowledging
students trained in 2015. Evolution, located in Burgos, Spain, to be Professor Nyokong’s role in transforming
2015: Unesco Medal for Contribution to one of its “12 names to change the world”. science in South Africa.
the development of nanoscience and 2011: Recognised by the Royal Society in In 2004, she was bestowed with the Order
nanotechnologies. Chemistry/Pan African Chemistry Network of Mapungubwe: Bronze by then president
2014: Invited to be part of UN secretary- as a distinguished woman in chemistry and Thabo Mbeki and was named the
general’s high-level panel of experts on awarded a distinguished professorship by SABC2/Shoprite-Checkers Woman of the
technology bank and science, technology Rhodes University. Year in Science and Technology.
32 SCIENCE IN AFRICA