Page 33 - Science in Africa

Doctor Sharon Blair

octor Sharon Blair is from
Vancouver, British Columbia,
Canada.
Prior to her
move to South
DAfrica in 2012,
she had more than 15 years’
experience as a start-up exec-
utive, an entrepreneur and
consultant.
She was vice-president (VP):
research for a nanomaterials
company working in the fields of
batteries, hydrogen storage and petrole-
um upgrading.
She then co-founded a fuel cell company
where she served as VP: technology develop-
ment. She is also director for Hydrogen
South Africa Catalysis (HySA) hosted at the
University of Cape Town, with a staff and
student team of 58 people working in fuel
cell and fuel-to-hydrogen development.
She holds a PhD in Materials Chemistry
from Simon Fraser University, Canada.
Doctor Blair is currently the chief execu-
livering best-in-class Membrane Electrode As- A fuel cell
tive officer of HyPlat, which emanates from
the HySA programme. HyPlat is a specialist
fuel cell technology company focused on de-

sembly (MEA) and PGM-based catalysts to
the Low Temperature Proton Exchange
Membrane fuel cell sector.
HyPlat’s proprietary catalyst coated mem- specialist
brane manufacturing process also offers su-
perior efficiencies at significantly reduced
costs. This detailed understanding of cost
provides customers with confidence that Hy-
Plat can deliver at any scale required. HyPlat’s vision is to be the pre-eminent with practical solutions for enhanced per-
As a specialist fuel cell company, HyPlat global supplier of fuel cell components to formance at competitive prices.
offers its customers tailor-made MEA and the fuel cell industry by providing technolog- The Technology Innovation Agency is cur-
catalyst products. HyPlat’s culture encourag- ical breakthroughs and innovative solutions. rently assisting HyPlat to further develop its
es building relationships to create trustwor- The company’s goal is to be continuously MEA technology, which is critical component
thy partnerships. innovative, providing the fuel cell industry of the fuel cell industry.
Professor Priscilla Dlamini

Utilising different knowledge systems

Associate professor Priscilla Sibongile Dlamini department, as well as dean of the Faculty of Medicines and Indigenous Food Plants, as
holds a PhD in nursing and an MCur from Health Sciences. well as an associate professor in the
the University of Natal, as well as a BEd She is still engaged in department of general nursing.
from the University of Botswana. teaching/learning processes, as Professor Dlamini is also a
Her specialities are in noncommunicable well as research supervision mentor for master’s students at
diseases, as well as traditional knowledge with nursing undergraduate ICAP in Swaziland.
systems of care. She has conducted research students. She serves in local She is the focal person for
and published in international and regional and international organisations biodiversity in Swaziland and
journals in areas of health, mainly on chronic such as the Southern African serves on the Labour Advisory
illnesses, HIV/Aids issues and on traditional Development Community’s Board of that country.
medicinal ethno-surveys. Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Her specialities are
Professor Dlamini holds certificates in and the Directors Joint Consultative teaching/learning processes,
research ethics and monitoring and evaluation Committee of the East-Central and research, chronic illnesses, medical-
and she has presented in conferences locally, Southern African Health Community. surgical care, traditional knowledge systems,
regionally and internationally. Currently, she is the director of the research ethics and intellectual property, as
She has served the university as head of Institute of Research on Traditional well as benefit-sharing issues.
SCIENCE IN AFRICA 33