Distinguished Women in Science — Indigenous Knowledge Systems
Winner: Prof. Namrita Lall
Prof. Namrita Lall completed her PhD at the University of Pretoria in 2001. She is currently a Professor of Medicinal Plant Science at the University of Pretoria. Prof. Lall is internationally recognised for her contributions to bioprospecting from traditional knowledge on medicinal plants. Prof. Lall has scientifically validated the use of South African plants for various purposes such as medicines and cosmetics.
Since 1997 she has initiated research projects on cosmeceuticals, tuberculosis, diabetes and cancer using medicinal plants. Her status as an academic is based on her illustrious record of 64 peer-reviewed articles, one international and one national patent and two book chapters. Prof. Lall received a UNESCO L’Oréal Women in Science Award for her research in tuberculosis in 2002. She is on the editorial boards of various academic journals and a reviewer for 15 local and international journals. Prof. Lall is an NRF C-rated researcher.
Runner-Up: Prof. Fhumulani Mulaudzi
Prof. Fhumulani Mulaudzi completed her PhD at the University of South Africa in 2004. The PhD was on indigenous knowledge and health practices among the Vhavenda. She has held teaching positions at the University of South Africa, University of North West and University of Pretoria. Prof. Mulaudzi is currently the Head of the Department of Nursing Science at the University of Pretoria.
Prof. Mulaudzi has chosen IKS as her research focus and has contributed significantly to the advancement of IKS in health care. She has been instrumental in assisting in the development of the international Bamboo Bridge community. The Bamboo Bridge community is an international community of nurses dedicated to the development of integrative nursing practice, scholarship, and community programmes based on a philosophical foundation of cultural diplomacy and a call to improve the understanding of indigenous knowledge systems.
Prof. Mulaudzi is one of the founder members of the Academy of Nursing of South Africa. Prof. Mulaudzi serves as a reviewer for national and international nursing journals and has published 14 articles in peer-reviewed journals, seven articles in non-peer-reviewed journals, and three chapters in books. She has also served as a reviewer for NRF grants and ratings.
This article originally appeared in the Mail & Guardian newspaper as an advertorial supplement