UKZN Student Wins Prestigious DST Women in Science Award

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UKZN Astrophysics PhD student Miss Kenda Knowles was one of the winners in the Doctoral Fellowship category at the Women in Science Awards hosted in Johannesburg by the Department of Science and Technology (DST). 

DST presents the awards to acknowledge top performing South African female scientists and create an awareness of their work.

‘DST’s Women in Science Awards is a wonderful way to acknowledge the great research being done by women throughout South Africa,’ said Knowles.

‘In many science research sectors, women are still underrepresented and it’s good to see the government putting effort into encouraging more young women to get into and maintain research careers. I am honoured to have been one of the three PhD students to receive a DST Doctoral Fellowship and I'd like to thank my graduate supervisor, Professor Kavilan Moodley, for believing in my abilities - often more than I do - and for all the support throughout the ups and downs of graduate studies.’

Professor Sunil Maharaj, Director of UKZN’s Astrophysics and Cosmology Research Unit (ACRU) said he was very pleased with the research Knowles is conducting. ‘Kenda’s research has been outstanding and this award is very appropriate considering her achievements. She is a great role model for young people planning a career in astronomy.’

Knowles will complete her PhD at the end of this year and thereafter plans to engage in postdoctoral research at ACRU.

Strini Rajgopaul