Prize sponsor: proSET (Professionals in SET), a sector of the NSTF representing over 50 professional bodies and learned societies

• Prof Angela Dramowski – Professor and Head: Clinical Unit, General Paediatrics, Department (Dept) of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University (SU) and Tygerberg Hospital
  For advancing the prevention and treatment of neonatal and paediatric infections through data-driven quality improvement, impactful research, healthcare worker training, and global health leadership

• Prof Lisa Claire du Toit – Full Professor: Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, School of Therapeutic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand; Unit Director: SAMRC/WITS Centre for Nanopharmaceutical Translational Research in Infectious Diseases, Oncology and Neurotherapeutics (CENTRIC), Wits; Senior Researcher: Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform (WADDP), University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
  For her contribution to advanced patient-centric nanoparticulate delivery systems research (nanopharmaceuticals) for more effective disease treatment

• Dr Sharief Hendricks – Senior (Snr) Lecturer: Dept of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town (UCT); Visiting Professor: Leeds Beckett University, United Kingdom (UK); Board Member: South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS); Former President: South African Sports Medicine Association (SASMA)
  For his work with key national and international stakeholders in sport on research that drives policy change and practice to enhance athlete welfare and safety

• Prof Tjaart Krüger – Full Professor, Dept of Physics, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria (UP)
  For his contribution to the development of ultra-sensitive single-molecule instruments to reveal nature’s quantum blueprint for converting sunlight into cleaner, smarter energy

• Prof Musa Siphiwe Doctor Manzi – Associate Professor; Director: Seismic Research Centre, Wits
  For his contribution to developing novel, cost-saving surface and in-mine seismic techniques to explore resources, mitigate geohazards, and improve infrastructure development

• Prof Ashwell Rungano Ndhlala – Associate Professor: School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Limpopo (UL); also in the science diplomacy category*
  For his contribution to bridging indigenous African knowledge and modern science to transform traditional crops into climate-resilient innovations that improve nutrition, create rural enterprises, and strengthen South Africa’s bioeconomy

• Prof Samuel Oluwatobi Oluwafemi – Professor: Dept of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Johannesburg (UJ)
  For his contribution to cost-effective synthesis of dual phototherapeutic nanomaterial–bioconjugates as theranostic agents for efficient, minimally or non-invasive cancer treatment

• Prof Jonathan Peter – Professor: National Institute Health Research (NIHR) Global Professorships; Head: Division of Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Dept of Medicine; Head: Allergy and Immunology Unit, Lung Institute, UCT
  For transforming diagnosis and care of immune‑mediated disease in Africa through policy-changing Africa‑relevant allergy science

• Dr Simone Richardson – Snr Scientist: National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD); Researcher: School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Wits
  For her study of the hidden protective powers of antibodies to design better vaccines for diseases that disproportionately affect African communities

• Prof Sudesh Sivarasu – DSTI-NRF SARChI Chairholder: Biomedical Engineering and Innovation; Director: Biomedical Engineering Research Centre; Head: UCT MedTech; also in the management and engineering research capacity development categories*
  For his contribution to closing the gap between African clinical need and globally competitive medical device technology

Prize sponsor: South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS)

• Prof Laura Heathfield – Associate Professor; Head: Biomedical Forensic Science Unit, University of Cape Town (UCT); Head: Molecular Forensics Laboratory, Observatory Forensic Pathology Institute (OFPI)
  For uncovering hidden genetic causes of unexplained infant deaths and the development of Africa’s first molecular autopsy assay to give families answers and help prevent future loss

• Dr Gabriella Yael Hyman – South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Institutional Clinician Researcher Programme (ICRP) PhD Student: Department (Dept) of Surgery, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits); Research Fellow (Chief Fellow): Paul Farmer Global Surgery (Programme: Global Surgery and Social Change), Harvard Medical School, United States of America (USA); Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Dept of Plastic Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, USA
  For her work in translating surgical performance and health policy research into AI-enabled solutions that deliver measurable public sector impact

• Dr Mahlatse Kganyago – Senior (Snr) Lecturer: Dept of Geography, Environmental Management and Energy Studies, Faculty of Science, University of Johannesburg (UJ); also in the water category*
  For his contribution to advancing food security for all through the use of space technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve understanding of agricultural systems

• Prof Kgaugelo Lekota – Associate Professor: School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University (NWU)
  For advancing genomic solutions to combat zoonotic disease and antimicrobial resistance while building South Africa’s (SA) next generation of scientists

• Prof Topside Mathonsi – Associate Professor; Head of Dept: Information Technology, Tshwane University of Technology (TUT); also in the management category*
  For the development of intelligent technologies that use AI and the Internet of Things (IoT) to protect critical resources such as water, agriculture, and essential infrastructure

• Prof Farzahna Mohamed – Clinical Head: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Internal Medicine, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH); Adjunct Professor: Dept of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Wits; also in the clinician-scientist category*
  For developing scalable, low-cost metabolic risk tools linking COVID-19 related hyperglycaemia and lipid changes to severe outcomes, improving triage, survival, and preparedness for future pandemics in SA

• Prof Phumlani Fortune Msomi – Associate Professor: College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Institute for Catalysis and Energy Solutions (ICES), University of South Africa (UNISA)
  For developing advanced electrochemical energy materials that improve the efficiency, durability, and affordability of clean, low-carbon technologies such as fuel cells and flow batteries, supporting SA’s transition to sustainable energy

• Dr Isaac Nape – Snr Lecturer: School of Physics, Faculty of Science, Wits-IBM Liaison (Research Office)
  For advancing communication, sensing, and computing to develop scalable quantum devices and software for quantum computers, positioning SA for real-world deployment as the technology matures

• Dr Edith Phalane – Snr Researcher; Manager: Pan African Centre for Epidemics Research (PACER), Faculty of Health Sciences, UJ
  For her role in generating public health evidence to understand local epidemics and inform future pandemics, improving health outcomes across populations

• Dr Mapula Razwinani – Researcher: Female Academic Leadership Fellowship (FALF); FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF) Mandela Research Chair: Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion, Nelson Mandela University (NMU)
  For her contribution in bridging regenerative medicine, plant-based therapeutics and indigenous knowledge (IK) to address pressing health challenges 

• Prof Topside Mathonsi – Associate Professor and Head: Department (Dept) of Information Technology, Tshwane University of Technology (TUT); also in the emerging researcher category*
  For the development of intelligent technologies that use artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to protect critical resources such as water, agriculture, and essential infrastructure

• Prof Marcia Mkansi – Dept of Operations Management; College Head: Research and Innovation, University of South Africa (UNISA)
  For advancing societal research and promoting human capital development

• Prof Sudesh Sivarasu – DSTI-NRF SARChI Chairholder: Biomedical Engineering and Innovation; Director: Biomedical Engineering Research Centre; Head: UCT MedTech; also in the researcher and engineering research capacity development categories*
  For his contribution to closing the gap between African clinical need and globally competitive medical device technology

• Prof Michael Oluwatosin Bodunrin – Associate Professor: School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering; Head and Co-Director: Next Frontiers in Advanced Materials Laboratory Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
  For his sustained leadership and national impact in building metallurgical and materials engineering research capacity in South Africa (SA)

• Prof Hendrik Brink – Professor: Department (Dept) of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology, School of Engineering, University of Pretoria (UP); also in the green economy category*
  For his role in building SA’s engineering research capacity by training a postgraduate pipeline to scale real-world water treatment

• Green5G – Prof Albert Lysko, Principal Researcher: Spectrum Access and Management Innovation, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR); Adjunct Professor: Dept of Electrical Engineering, University of Cape Town (UCT); Chair: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Region 8 (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA)) Steering Committee for the IEEE Africon Conference 2027 
  For building practical telecommunications capacity through hands-on 5G infrastructure, sharing, dedicated mentorship, and national ecosystem leadership

• JENano Research Group – Prof Tien-Chien Jen, DSTI-NRF SARChI Chairholder: Green Hydrogen; Head: Dept of Mechanical Engineering Science; Director: Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) Research Centre, University of Johannesburg (UJ); also in the innovation: corporate organisation category*
  For advancing postgraduate training and national capacity development in SA

• Prof Sudesh Sivarasu – DSTI-NRF SARChI Chairholder: Biomedical Engineering and Innovation; Director: Biomedical Engineering Research Centre; Head: UCT MedTech; also in the management and researcher categories*
  For his contribution to closing the gap between African clinical need and globally competitive medical device technology

Sponsored by the WRC since 2017

• Prof Moses Basitere – Associate Professor; Research Lead: Water Research Group, University of Cape Town (UCT); Former Principal Investigator: Bioresource Engineering Research Group, Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT); Former Co-Chair: South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS); NRF-FREF SARChI Chairholder, Nelson Mandela University (NMU)
  For his contribution in linking large-scale undergraduate support in mathematics and physics to a strong postgraduate pipeline

• Prof Patricia Forbes – Full Professor: Department (Dept) of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria (UP); Editor in Chief: American Chemical Society (ACS) Earth and Space Chemistry
  For her groundbreaking research on pioneering new analytical methods for trace environmental pollutants and tackling analytical challenges which have curtailed monitoring efforts

• Dr Mahlatse Kganyago – Senior Lecturer, University of Johannesburg (UJ); also in the emerging researcher category*
  For his contribution to advancing food security for all through the use of space technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve understanding of agricultural systems

• Prof Ajay Kumar Mishra – Director: Sustainable Materials Laboratory, University of the Western Cape (UWC); Director: Academy of Nanotechnology and Wastewater Innovations; Visiting Professor: Robert Gordon University, United Kingdom (UK); Visiting Professor: Bashkir State University, Russia; Adjunct Professor: Jiangsu University, China
  For his contribution to smart and innovative nanotechnology applications for environmental sustainability

• Dr Sean Perry – Chief Executive Officer (CEO) / Founder: AMD Solutions; also in the innovation: small, medium and micro enterprise (SMME) category*
  For his role in transforming water management by developing environmentally friendly, nature-based solutions to treat acid mine drainage, safeguarding ecosystems while advancing sustainable development

Sponsored by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) since 2023

• Prof Farzahna Mohamed – Clinical Head: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Internal Medicine, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH); Adjunct Professor: Department (Dept) of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits); also in the emerging researcher category
  For developing scalable, low-cost metabolic risk tools linking COVID-19 related hyperglycaemia and lipid changes to severe outcomes, improving triage, survival, and preparedness for future pandemics in South Africa (SA)

• Prof Llewellyn Padayachy – Professor and Head: Dept of Neurosurgery; Director: Brain Tumour and Translational Neuroscience Centre, University of Pretoria (UP) (BTC@UP)
  For the development of point-of-care diagnostics for the early detection of brain tumours

• Dr Arifa Parker – Head: Unit for Infection Prevention and Control, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University (SU) and Tygerberg Hospital; Infectious Diseases Specialist and Healthcare Epidemiologist
  For her contribution to healthcare epidemiology in Africa through the use of clinical and epidemiological expertise to improve healthcare quality and patient safety

Sponsored by the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) since 2023

• Prof Hendrik Brink – Professor: School of Engineering, Department (Dept) of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology, University of Pretoria (UP); also in the engineering research capacity development category*
  For his role in building South Africa (SA)’s engineering research capacity by training a postgraduate pipeline to scale real-world water treatment

• Prof Fortune Ganda – Full Professor: Accounting; Head: Dept of Management Accounting and Finance, Faculty of Economic and Financial Sciences, Walter Sisulu University (WSU)
  For his role in research that identifies evidence-based strategies for sustainable finance and green economic transitions that decouple growth from environmental degradation in developing and emerging nations

• Prof Rebecca M Garland – Professor: Dept of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology, UP
  For research that focuses on strengthening the evidence base for air quality management in SA through an integrated approach

• Prof Lindiwe Khotseng – Full Professor: Analytical Chemistry, University of the Western Cape (UWC)
  For advancing SA’s green economy by transforming agricultural waste into sustainable nanomaterials for clean energy technologies, supporting a just transition to a low-carbon future

• Reel Life NPC, Reel Life Food Security Programme – Ms Claire Blanckenberg, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO): Reel Life non-profit company (NPC); also in the agriculture category*
  For their contribution in transforming schools, households and emerging agripreneurs into climate-smart food producers using patented seed technology that reduces water use while increasing yields per square metre

• Prof Pieter Swanepoel – Associate Professor; Chairperson: Dept of Agronomy, Stellenbosch University (SU)
  For his contribution in turning long-term field evidence into simple, low-input farming methods that improve soils, reduce inputs, lower the carbon footprint, and stabilise crop yields

• Tecroveer (Pty) Ltd Engineering Team – Mr Graeme Taylor, Head of Engineering, Mechanical Engineer; also in the innovation: small, medium and micro enterprise (SMME) category*
  For their contribution to developing an ultra-low-energy modular water treatment innovation that addresses eutrophication and water crises while advancing SA’s green economy

Sponsored by the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa (SDCfA) since 2024

• Prof Malik Maaza – Full Professor and Senior Scientist, University of South Africa (UNISA); UNESCO Africa Chair; Extraordinary Professor, University of the Western Cape (UWC)
  For pioneering the multi-disciplinary field of nanosciences and nanotechnologies in Africa

• Prof Ashwell Rungano Ndhlala – Associate Professor: School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Limpopo (UL); also in the researcher category*
  For his contribution to bridging indigenous African knowledge and modern science to transform traditional crops into climate-resilient innovations that improve nutrition, create rural enterprises, and strengthen South Africa’s (SA) bioeconomy

• Dr Tozama Qwebani-Ogunleye – Programme Officer: Africa and Overseas Partnerships, The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
  For championing the Sovereign Africa Research Agenda, blending chemistry, traditional medicine, and diplomacy to authenticate indigenous remedies and amplify African voices globally

• Prof Helen Rees – Executive Director, Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (RHI); Co-Director: African Local Initiative for Vaccinology Expertise, University of Witwatersrand (Wits)
  For her significant impact on cervical cancer prevention locally and globally through leading breakthrough research and sustained science diplomacy

• Prof Aldo Stroebel – Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Internationalisation, University of Mpumalanga (UMP)
  For advancing science diplomacy by building strategic, multi-country partnerships that turn research into solutions for Africa

• Prof Jan Willem Swanepoel – Associate Professor: Department of Sustainable Food Systems and Development; Director: Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, Rural Development and Extension, University of the Free State (UFS); Project Coordinator: TAGDev 2.0 (Mastercard Foundation/RUFORUM); Chief Editor: South African Journal of Agricultural Extension (SAJAE)
  For transforming livelihoods and changing systems through livestock value chain development, entrepreneurship, and curriculum innovation – shaping national livestock strategy and building resilience from South African communities to continental impact

Sponsored by the ARC since 2025

• Department of Animal Science, University of Pretoria (UP) – Prof Carina Visser, Head of Department (Dept) and Associate Professor
  For their interdisciplinary research on low-emissions sustainable livestock production, genetic improvement of local breeds for adaptation, and the delivery of safe, welfare-friendly animal protein

• Prof Ishmael Festus Jaja – Associate Professor and Head: Dept of Animal and Pasture Sciences, University of Fort Hare (UFH); Academic Deputy Director, French South-African Institute of Agriculture
  For advancing a One Health evidence base integrating Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) surveillance, food safety, zoonosis, animal health, and livestock production to protect South African communities and strengthen sustainable agricultural management

• Reel Life NPC (Reel Life Food Security Programme) – Ms Claire Blanckenberg, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO); also in the green economy category*
  For their contribution in transforming schools, households and emerging agripreneurs into climate-smart food producers using patented seed technology that reduces water use while increasing yields per square metre

• Prof JA Johan van Niekerk – Professor; South Campus Coordinator; Vice-Dean: Agriculture; Head: Dept of Sustainable Food Systems and Development; Director: Centre for Sustainable Agriculture; Coordinator: ARC Dept of Agriculture (DoA), University of the Free State (UFS) Consortium 
  For his leadership in climate-smart impact assessment through a “living laboratory” approach and his key role in establishing UFS’s new veterinary training centre and accredited BVSc programme

New in 2026

• Prof Gordon Cooper – Professor: School of Geosciences; Member of Senate, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
  For the development of algorithms and software for aspects of geophysical data processing widely used in academic institutions and commercial organisations worldwide

• Cube Analysis and Rendering Tool for Astronomy (CARTA) – Prof Rob Simmonds, Technical Lead: CARTA; Associate Director: IDIA; Professor: Department of Computer Science, University of Cape Town (UCT)
  For their contribution to visualising and analysing massive radio astronomy datasets, enabling scientists worldwide to explore the universe in unprecedented detail

• Dr Simthembile Dlamini – Early-Career Researcher/Postdoc: Department (Dept) of Astronomy, (UCT)
  For developing a software pipeline that predicts how precisely future cosmic surveys will measure fundamental properties of the universe before observations begin

• Prof Govender Krishna – Associate Professor; Deputy Head: Research and Innovation, Dept of Chemical Sciences, University of Johannesburg (UJ)
  For the development of a unique suite of easy scripts for the national supercomputing cluster (CHPC)

• Prof Shakti Pillay – Associate Professor: Division of Neonatology, Dept of Paediatrics and Child Health, UCT; Consultant Neonatologist, Groote Schuur Hospital
  For developing research software that makes neonatal evidence and specialist training systems usable, equitable and reliable in real workflows

Sponsored by the South African Centre for Digital Language Resources (SADiLaR)
New in 2026

• Dr Herkulaas Combrink – Co-Director: Interdisciplinary Centre for Digital Futures; Senior Lecturer: Economics and Management Sciences, University of the Free State (UFS)
  For the development of ‘The Lebitso App’, a research software platform for large-scale South African Sign Language (SASL) human language technology development, using computational infodemiology to analyse, structure, and model language in digital information ecosystems

• TextAugment Team – Prof Vukosi Marivate, Professor: Computer Science; Director: African Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AfriDSAI), University of Pretoria (UP), ABSA UP Chair: Data Science
  For their contribution in developing TextAugment, an open-source library that addresses data scarcity in human language technologies by generating synthetic training data for under-resourced languages such as isiZulu and Sesotho, enabling robust artificial intelligence (AI) models and advancing linguistic equity globally

• Digital Scholarship Services, University of Cape Town (UCT) Libraries – Ms Thandokazi Maceba, Data Curation Officer
  For advocating for the advancement of open science in Africa by providing trusted, innovative platforms that make UCT’s research and cultural heritage openly accessible, reusable, and globally visible

• National Biodiversity Assessment 2025 Core Data Team – Prof Andrew Skowno, Associate Professor; Principal Specialist: National Biodiversity Assessment (NBA), South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI); Honorary Associate Professor: Biological Sciences, UCT
  For creating an innovative web-based platform that integrates extensive biodiversity data and advanced analytics to support national biodiversity reporting and informed decision-making for sustainable development

• SANBI and University of the Witwatersrand - Global Change Institute (WITS-GCI) – Dr Mandy Barnett, Chief Director: Adaptation Policy and Resourcing Division
  For developing credible and policy-relevant climate science to inform climate change responses

Sponsored by the National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO) since 2025

• Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACT) Innovation Team, UNISA  – Prof Marcia Mkansi, College Head: Research and Innovation, UNISA
  For an affordable integrated mobile healthcare supply chain application system to improve availability of ACTs, and to contribute to universal health coverage (Goal 3 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development)

• Department of Electrical Engineering, UNISA – Prof Lukas Willem Snyman, Retired Professor, University of South Africa (UNISA)
  For initiating and establishing an Innovation Laboratory at the Department (Dept) of Electrical Engineering at UNISA, generating and filing 14 local patents and securing six international patents in optoelectronic devices over the past 10 years

• JENano Research Group – Prof Tien Chien Jen, DSTI-NRF SARChI Chairholder: Green Hydrogen; Head: Dept of Mechanical Engineering Science; Director: Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) Research Centre, University of Johannesburg (UJ); also in the engineering research capacity development category*
  For advancing postgraduate training and national capacity development in South Africa (SA)

• Dr Kelley Reynolds-Clausen – Senior Consultant, Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd
  For transforming power station ash from an environmental waste problem into a valuable construction material

• UCT MedTech – Prof Sudesh Sivarasu, DSTI-NRF SARChI Chairholder: Biomedical Engineering and Innovation; Director, University of Cape Town (UCT); also in the communication category*
  For developing UCT MedTech, a medical device research and innovation platform that has produced 18 original medical technologies, 70 patent applications, 30 granted patents, five spin-out companies valued above ZAR 235 million, and over 100,000 devices distributed, with technologies used across 17 countries and 99 researchers trained

Sponsored by the National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO) since 2019 

• Agrishelves Marketplace – Mr Lindelani Xhanti, Chief Innovation Manager
  For revolutionising South African agriculture by merging digital commerce with climate‑smart innovation, empowering farmers while driving Africa’s green economy

• AlrSynQ Systems (Pty) Ltd – Prof Bruce Mellado, Chief Executive Officer (CEO): AIrSynQ; Executive Director: The South African Consortium of Air Quality Monitoring (SACAQM)
  For turning SACAQM/AIr innovation into a scalable, AI-powered environmental risk service that helps organisations act early to protect health, safety and productivity across workplaces and communities

• Nanosene (Pty) Ltd – Dr Gestél Kuyler, CEO: Co-Founder and Director
  For building Africa’s first bespoke polymer innovator, enabling more reliable drug discovery through next generation nanodisc technology

• Dr Sean Perry – CEO: SEAN PERRY; also in the water category*
  For his innovative acne treatment solution that leverages indigenous plant extracts from local South African farmers

• Pulego Technologies – Mr Tshepo Thlaku, CEO and Co-Founder
  For developing a smart city digital platform that improves how municipalities and communities communicate and respond to service delivery issues

• Tecroveer (Pty) Ltd Engineering Team – Mr Graeme Taylor, Head of Engineering, Mechanical Engineer, Tecroveer (Pty) Ltd; also in the green economy category*
  For their contribution to developing an ultra-low-energy modular water treatment innovation that addresses eutrophication and water crises while advancing South Africa’s (SA) green economy

• Dr Gillian John Arendse – Manager: Communications and Stakeholder Relations, NRF-iThemba LABS
  For impactful communication practices: “Going from UNclear to NUclear”

• Prof Michael Bruton – Professional Science Communicator: Mike Bruton Imagineering, MTE Studios and formula D
  For his significant contributions to making science accessible to the public

• Ms Shakira Hoosain – Campaign Strategist and Senior Copywriter: Editor: Research Matters and RE.SEARCH magazine, University of Pretoria (UP)
  For the development of a multimedia science communication platform translating academic research into accessible public knowledge, amplifying impact through storytelling, media engagement and integrated digital formats

• Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, NMU – Dr Denise Schael, Director, Nelson Mandela University (NMU)
  For translating complex marine and coastal research into accessible knowledge through coordinated media, public engagement and education initiatives

• Prof Raymond Jansen – Professor: Zoology and Ecology, Department (Dept) of Environmental, Water and Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)
  For transforming cutting-edge pangolin research into powerful public awareness and anti-trafficking action, helping to protect one of the world’s most endangered and trafficked mammals

• Dr Salmina Mokgehle – Senior (Snr) Lecturer: Horticultural Sciences, University of Mpumalanga (UMP)
  For her contribution in improving the sustainable cultivation and use of indigenous and medicinal plants in South Africa (SA)

• Ms Takalani Netshipale – Civil Engineer; Member: Health Infrastructure Approval Committee (HIAC), KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Health; Ambassador: Engineering Council of SA (ECSA); Chairperson: South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) Ethics; Deputy Chairperson: SAICE Diversity and Inclusivity; Panel Member: SAICE Future Leaders Panel; Federation of African Engineering Organisations (FAEO)
  For translating infrastructure innovation into accessible public knowledge to inspire, empower, mentor and train SA’s next generation of STEM youth and professionals through STEM initiatives (STEM = science, technology, engineering and mathematics)

• Prof Hlamalani Ngwenya – Head: Research, Communication for Innovation, University of the Free State (UFS)
  For pioneering the Wearing Scientific Goggles approach, enabling practitioners worldwide to transform everyday practice into scientific evidence

• UCT MedTech – Prof Sudesh Sivarasu, DSTI-NRF SARChI Chairholder: Biomedical Engineering and Innovation; Director, University of Cape Town (UCT); also in the innovation: corporate organisation category*
  For developing UCT MedTech, a medical device research and innovation platform that has produced 18 original medical technologies, 70 patent applications, 30 granted patents, five spin-out companies valued above ZAR 235 million, and over 100,000 devices distributed, with technologies used across 17 countries and 99 researchers trained

• Advancing Knowledge NPC – Prof M Shaheed Hartley, Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
  For building world-class science learning spaces that transform under-resourced schools into hubs of STEM excellence and opportunity (STEM = science, technology, engineering and mathematics)

• Centre for Wetland Research and Training (WetResT) – Dr Lulu Pretorius, Executive Director, WetResT 

• goGOGOgo – Ms Jane Simmonds, Executive Director
  For pioneering research-informed digital and health education programmes that equip older caregivers as agents of change with practical skills to strengthen families, communities and intergenerational wellbeing

• International Longevity Centre South Africa (ILCSA) with Optentia Research Unit, North-West University (NWU) – Prof Jaco Hoffman (DPhil, University of Oxford), Co-director: ILCSA; Professor: Socio-Gerontology, Optentia Research Unit, NWU; Lead: Ageing and Generational Dynamics in Africa (AGenDA) programme, (Optentia/NWU); Professorial Fellow: Institute of Population Ageing, University of Oxford; Coordinator: African Research on Ageing Network (AFRAN)
  For their contribution in linking African ageing evidence to pan-African and global policy networks to deliver Africa-ready healthy ageing approaches

• Prof Elena Moore – Professor: Sociology, University of Cape Town (UCT); Principal Investigator: Family Caregiving of Older Persons Programme
  For her contribution in revealing the hidden burden of family elder care in South Africa (SA) and turning real-life, longitudinal evidence into practical policy solutions that promote fairer support and dignified ageing

• Prof Kathleen Kahn and Prof Stephen Tollman Team – Prof Kathleen Kahn, Professor: Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits); Principal Scientist: SAMRC/Wits Agincourt; Head: Interdisciplinary PhD Programme in Public and Population Health, School of Public Health, Wits; also in the lifetime category*; and Prof Stephen Tollman, Director: South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) / Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Unit; Head: Health and Population Division, School of Public Health, Wits; Director: Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt) Node, South African Population Research Infrastructure Network (SAPRIN); also in the lifetime category*
  For their contribution to building evidence for healthy ageing across the lifecourse in South and sub-Saharan Africa