From left: Professor Colleen Downs, Ms Sindiso Chamane, Ms Kerushka Pillay, Dr Sarah Bansilal, Ms Zukiswa Shoba, Dr Letitia Pillay and Museum Director, Ms Allison Ruiters.Durban Museum and UKZN Celebrate Women in Science
The Durban Natural Science Museum and UKZN recently partnered to celebrate Women in Science.
Various female academics, students and UKZN alumni took to the podium to share their experiences and research activities.
UKZN Top-10 researcher, Professor Colleen Downs from the School of Life Sciences, shared her thoughts on being a woman operating in the scientific research arena.
MSc candidate Ms Kerushka Pillay presented her master’s research on feral cats, a project which is being supervised by Downs.
Dr Sarah Bansilal from UKZN’s School of Education gave an introduction to Mathematics for Grade 9 learners.
Ms Zukiswa Shoba, a UKZN MSc alumnus, now employed by the Department of Environmental Affairs, shared her experiences around the control of invasive alien plants.
Dr Letitia Pillay, an Analytical Chemist from the School of Chemistry and Physics, explained her research into metal speciation and environmental analysis.
Finally, Sindiso Chamane, a Lecturer in the School of Life Sciences, spoke on the findings of the research she is conducting towards a PhD in Grassland Science.
The successful event was organised by the Durban Museum to mark National Science Week and was funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA).
Sally Frost