SAYAS newly elected executive Committee (from left): Professor David Lokhat (Co-chair), Dr Avela Majavu (Co-chair), Dr Kamini Govender, Dr Maurine Musie, and Dr Gauta Matlou.UKZN Researchers Elected to the Executive Committee of the South African Young Academy of Science
UKZN researchers Professor David Lokhat and Dr Kamini Govender were elected to the executive committee of the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS) at the annual general meeting in December 2024.
Professor Lokhat was also elected co-chair to lead the organisation.
SAYAS represents young scientists across South Africa, aiming to influence policy decisions, promote science awareness, and support educational activities for research and development.
Only 10 members are admitted to the prestigious Young Academy nationally every year.
Lokhat, the African Rainbow Minerals Chair in Sustainable Engineering and Process Intensification at UKZN is a full professor in the School of Engineering.
His research focuses on catalysis and chemical reaction engineering, particularly process intensification in reactor technology, with an emphasis on developing advanced materials for more efficient and environmentally friendly reaction and separation systems.
He is also an affiliate of the African Academy of Science and has been a member of SAYAS since 2021.
Govender is a postdoctoral fellow in the School of Life Sciences at UKZN.
Her multidisciplinary research spans biochemistry, microbiology, pharmaceutical biochemistry, and medical biochemistry.
She is a Lindau Nobel laureates alumnus and a South African SynBio Africa Ambassador.
Govender is very active in science advocacy and is a member of several renowned scientific bodies including the Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World and the European Federation for Medicinal Chemistry (EFMC) Young Scientists Network.
She was inaugurated as a member of SAYAS in 2023.
Words: Christine Cuenod
Photograph: Supplied