Prize sponsor: proSET (Professionals in SET), a sector of the NSTF representing more than 50 professional societies

Prof Yin-Zhe Ma – Full Professor and Head: Astrophysics Group; Stellenbosch-Groningen Joint Research Chair, Stellenbosch University (SU)

For his groundbreaking research into understanding the Universe’s large-scale structure, with major contributions in detecting “missing baryons” (or matter that is not directly visible), and pioneering detection methods that investigate how these baryons interact, contributing a critical role in galaxy formation and evolution

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

Dr Rachael Dangarembizi – Senior (Sr) Lecturer: Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa (CIDRI-Africa), University of Cape Town (UCT)

For advancing neuroinfectious disease research, securing major funding, mentoring future scientists, and earning global recognition for her groundbreaking work on cryptococcal meningitis

AND

Dr Emmanuel Kweinor Tetteh – Sr Researcher: Green Engineering Research Group, Department (Dept) of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, Durban University of Technology (DUT)

For his multidisciplinary research interest, leadership and innovation, which continues to shape sustainable environmental engineering

Dr Jabu Mtsweni – Head: Information and Cyber Security Research Centre; Technical Lead: National Policy Data Observatory, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

For his leadership in cyber security and management of a large team at the CSIR, developing and deploying solutions, shaping national policy, and building SA's cybersecurity capacity

Prof Anne Fitchett – Retired Honorary Associate Professor: School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)

For her success at facilitating entry into engineering and the smooth passage of undergraduates since 2004, creating an enabling environment that supports a passion for engineering and the enrolment of postgraduate researchers

AND

Vehicle Dynamics Group (VDG) – Prof Pieter Schalk Els, Leader; Professor: UP; Deputy General Secretary: International Society for Terrain Vehicle Systems, Europe-Africa Region; Editor: Journal of Terramechanics

For improving vehicle comfort, safety and efficiency in challenging environments by developing a fundamental understanding of vehicle technology, training students, and their collaboration with industry

Sponsor: WRC

Prof Bongani Ncube – Chair-holder: DSTI-NRF South African Research Chair Initiative (SARChI) in Governance and Economics of Water and Sanitation Sector Institutions; Full Professor: Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)

For addressing complex water governance and economics for equitable access to water and assisting institutions to operate efficiently while building capacity at various levels

Sponsor: South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)

Prof Shahida Moosa – Head: Medical Genetics, Tygerberg Hospital; Professor: Medical Genetics, SU

For her leadership and coordination of the Genomics for Health in Africa project, a first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa, which aims to provide diagnoses to the 100 million Africans living with undiagnosed rare diseases and familial cancers, leveraging the power of the African genome for precision health in Africa

Sponsor: Technology Innovation Agency (TIA)

Prof Nobanathi Wendy Maxakato – Associate Professor: Chemistry; Founder and Team Leader: Materials for Energy Research, University of Johannesburg (UJ)

For her pioneering research into sustainable pathways for green energy solutions, and for developing advanced electrocatalysts for fuel cell technology that enables cleaner and more efficient energy generation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change, and for transitioning SA’s energy sector away from fossil fuels to a greener economy

Sponsor: Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa (SDCfA)

Centre for Community Technologies, Nelson Mandela University (NMU) – Prof Darelle van Greunen, Director; Distinguished Professor: Information Technology, NMU

For their work in building unique bridges for academic innovation and community empowerment, using technology not just as a tool, but as a catalyst for sustainable development, social change, and digital equity

Sponsor: ARC

Prof Olaniyi Amos Fawole – DSTI-NRF SARChI Chair-holder: Sustainable Preservation and Agroprocessing Research, UJ; Founding Director: Postharvest and Agroprocessing Research Centre (PARC), UJ; Full Professor (Extraordinary): SU; Visiting Full Professor: University of Bari Aldo, Italy

For pioneering sustainable postharvest, agroprocessing solutions, which reduce food losses, and for influencing industry and policy

Represented by a UP team member

Mammal Research Institute (MRI) Whale Unit, UP – Dr Els Vermeulen, Sr Lecturer and Research Manager: MRI Whale Unit, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, UP

For building Africa’s most comprehensive monitoring programmes through tracking population trends, habitat use, and climate change impacts (all of which directly informs conservation policies at national and international levels, and drives public education), for the benefit of both conservation and communities

Sponsor: National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO)

Innovation and Commercialisation Unit, SU: comprising Innovus Technology Transfer Office (TTO), Launch Lab and University of Stellenbosch Enterprises (USE) – Ms Anita Nel, Chief Director: TTO, Innovus

For creating a solid and functional innovation and entrepreneurship platform, identifying exciting research outputs, working with research teams to ensure that technologies respond to market needs, filing patents, presenting investment opportunities to commercial and industrial partners and nurturing spin-out companies

Sponsor: NIPMO

Prof Namrita Lall – Research Chair, UP

For developing and commercialising several innovative pharmaceuticals and cosmeceuticals from medicinal plants with a novel mode of action, and for establishing viable spin-off companies and promoting entrepreneurship amongst her graduates

Prof Ryan Blumenthal – Senior Specialist, Forensic Pathologist and Associate Professor: Dept of Forensic Medicine, UP

For advancing science, fostering international collaboration, and bridging the gap between science and the public through his books, documentary series, conferences, and YouTube channel that have raised public awareness and understanding of forensics

AmaQawe ngeMfundo – Prof Fanelwa Ngece-Ajayi, Founder and Director; Deputy Dean: Research and Innovation, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape (UWC); Associate Professor: Physical Chemistry; Research Leader: SensorLab Laboratories, Dept of Chemistry, UWC

For empowering marginalised South African learners by making STEM education accessible through hands-on learning, mentorship, localised instruction, and career exposure, equipping learners with skills to solve community challenges and which drive national development

Prof Andrew Forbes – Distinguished Professor, Wits; Director: South African Quantum Technology Initiative

For driving the strategy for developing a new generation of quantum scientists, with some 90 young researchers supported and supervised across the country, and for creating a lasting and far-reaching impact in quantum science and technology in SA