Dr Shakira Shaik.Life Sciences Researcher Receives Thuthuka Grant
Dr Shakira Shaik of the Propagation for Food (PFF) Research Group in the School of Life Sciences has been awarded a prestigious Thuthuka Grant (post PhD-track) from the National Research Foundation’s (NRF) Research Infrastructure Support Programmes (RISP).
The Thuthuka programme was initiated in 2001 as part of the NRF’s human capital development strategy in order to improve the research capacities of designated researchers with a view to ultimately redressing historical imbalances.
Shaik described the award as a ‘great way to start the New Year’.
Her research is based on the concept of dietary diversification - the consumption of nutrient-specific foods - to address some of the challenges faced in South Africa where an inadequate diet is a major contributing factor of vitamin A, iron and calcium deficiency, especially in children and pregnant women.
With the support of the grant, Shaik’s work will focus on screening germinated seedlings of leafy vegetables for the selection of genotypes with superior micronutrient-producing ability. African leafy vegetables are herbaceous plants with edible foliage which are richer sources of micronutrients, compared to exotic or commercially grown vegetables.
Following clonal propagation of the nutritionally superior genotypes, high-yielding clones will be distributed to communities - identified in the eThekwini Municipality’s Establishment of Homestead Food Security Gardens Programme - for cultivation and consumption.
‘Despite the potential role of leafy vegetables in health improvement, food security, poverty alleviation, rural development and income generation, little interest has been afforded to their production and utilisation. The grant opens up the opportunity for much-needed research in this area.’
Shaik obtained her PhD in 2011 and was subsequently placed in the top 15 percent of academic achievers at UKZN, winning lifetime membership to the Golden Key International Honour Society and promotion to lecturer in the School of Life Sciences.
Commenting on Shaik’s success, one of her mentors and academic leader, Professor Paula Watt, said: ‘It’s been remarkable to watch her progress. She started out as a tutor and, through the support of UKZN, received her PhD and went on to become a Lecturer, all the while raising a family.’
Shaik has published several well-cited journal articles and is actively involved as a reviewer for international scientific journals. She attributes her success to several people: her family, who have never wavered in their support; her doctoral supervisors Dr Nisha Singh and Professor Ashley Nicholas; and her academic mentor, Professor Watt.
- Christine Cuénod