UP professor launches novel research into little-understood, vital branch of mycology
AchieversResearchResearch awardsUncategorizedUniversity of Pretoria June 2, 2026
Life as we know it would not exist without fungi: no decomposition of organic materials and creation of essential plant nutrients, a lot less mitigation of man-made carbon, no leavened bread (or beer), even lifesaving medicines, among many other things. Yet we know so little about them. Although the... Read more
SU scientist receives R14 million grant to tackle West Nile virus
ResearchStellenbosch University May 26, 2026
As climate and environmental change continue to reshape ecosystems across the world, scientists are warning that mosquito-borne diseases may spread into new regions, become more frequent, and intensify in areas already under pressure. A major new international research grant awarded to Dr Monika Moir at the Centre for Epidemic... Read more
How birdsong reveals the secrets of wetland health
ResearchUniversity of the Free State April 8, 2026
When most people are still tucked in bed, the wetlands are already alive with music. Just before sunrise, a symphony of birdsong fills the air, a natural orchestra that holds more meaning than most realise. For Toka Mosikidi, a PhD candidate in the Department of Zoology and Entomology on... Read more
Six SA scientists selected for prestigious Nobel Laureate meeting in Germany
Academy of Science of South AfricaResearch April 7, 2026
Six young South African scientists will travel to Lindau, Germany, to attend one of the world’s most exclusive scientific gatherings, the 75th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, scheduled for 28 June to 3 July 2026. The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) is pleased to announce the selections, which... Read more
Wastewater harbours high-risk antimicrobial resistance genes
ResearchStellenbosch University April 6, 2026
In South Africa, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and connected river systems could serve as reservoirs of antibiotic resistance, raising fresh concerns about how antimicrobial resistance moves through ecosystems and into human populations. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) refers to the ability of disease-causing microbes to withstand treatments. Antibiotic resistance—a type of... Read more
UFS researchers secures prestigious United States patent
ResearchUniversity of the Free State April 6, 2026
In a landmark achievement for South African academia, the University of the Free State (UFS) has announced that a United States patent has been officially granted for a groundbreaking sensing technology developed by a collaborative research team, including experts from the Qwaqwa Campus. The patent, United States Patent No. 12,490,571,... Read more
Research on hormone-disrupting chemicals in sanitary pads
ResearchUniversity of the Free State March 3, 2026
The University of the Free State (UFS) recently published research on endocrine-disrupting chemicals in sanitary pads and pantyliners, which has attracted significant media coverage. The research, which was conducted by a multidisciplinary team at the UFS and published in the peer-reviewed journal Science of the Total Environment, comprised an... Read more
Achieving global recognition: CERI director among Clarivate’s highly cited researchers
ResearchStellenbosch University December 18, 2025
For the second year in a row, the Director of the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) at Stellenbosch University (SU), Prof Tulio de Oliveira, has secured a spot on the prestigious Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers list for 2025, specifically in the Cross-Field category. This remarkable accomplishment places... Read more
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) proudly celebrates the promotion of Professor Refiloe Masekela, Dean of the School of Medicine, to the esteemed rank of Full Professor. Adding to this remarkable achievement, Professor Masekela has been awarded a prestigious B-rating by the National Research Foundation (NRF), a distinction reserved for... Read more
UKZN’s Prof Percy Mashige achieves NRF-B rating
ResearchUniversity of KwaZulu-Natal December 16, 2025
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) proudly celebrates Professor Khathutshelo Percy Mashige, Dean and Head of the School of Health Sciences, on his recent National Research Foundation (NRF) B-rating. This distinguished recognition affirms his considerable international standing and acknowledges the high quality, consistency, and impact of his scholarly contributions in... Read more
