DST Fellowships

Masters Fellowships

Ms Anneke Perold

Ms Perold is currently finalising her MA thesis in Linguistics for the Language Professions at Stellenbosch University. Her current thesis topic is the identification of non-native features in the second- language English speech of first-language isiXhosa speakers who have reached a near-native level of proficiency in their second language, the aim being to offer informed suggestions for explicit instruction at school level.

Ms Narine van den Berg

Ms Van den Berg’s MSc studies form part of the discovery of a vaginal microbicide which will enable women and young girls to protect themselves from sexual transmission of HIV.
Her research investigates the anti-HIV properties and mode of action of an extract from an indigenous South African plant, with a view to it functioning as a potential active compound in a microbicide.

Ms Anna Zawilska

Ms Zamilska completed her BSc in Electronic Engineering summa cum laude at UKZN in 2010, receiving the Engineering Council of South Africa Merit Award for being the final year student with the most outstanding results at UKZN in 2010, and second prize in the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers National Student Final Year Design Project Competition for her design project. She has an outstanding academic record, having obtained eight distinctions in matric — coming first among learners at private schools in KwaZulu-Natal and second overall in the district of Umlazi. She is currently working towards her MSc at UKZN in the field of digital image stenanography that combines the topic of data security with image processing, which has become especially pertinent given the boom in media-sharing over the Internet. Since beginning work in February 2011, Ms Zamilska has already been accepted to make presentations at two conferences.

Doctoral Fellowships

Ms Tricia Naicker

Ms Tricia Naicker completed her Masters degree in Chemistry cum laude in 2008 at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). Ms Naicker is currently finalising her PhD studies within the GGKM research group at UKZN. Her research focuses on the synthesis of novel chiral catalysts, which play a vital role in the synthesis of all new and existing drugs. She already has a remarkable list of publications, including 20 manuscripts published in international peer-reviewed journals, and has written a book chapter with one of her co-supervisors from AstraZeneca in Sweden. Ms Naicker plans to pursue a research-based academic career.

Ms Aisha-Bibi Pandor

Ms Pandor is currently finalising her PhD studies at the Division of Human Genetics at the University of Cape Town. Her thesis involves investigating the molecular mechanisms behind retinitis pigmentosa 17, a form of hereditary blindness, and using her results to explore methods of gene therapy for this disease. She has published her findings in an international peer-reviewed journal, and is preparing three more manuscripts on her research. Ms Pandor has spoken at meetings of retinal support groups and has also organised a seminar on research, healthcare, education, and policy for people with disabilities at which education experts and a representative from the Department of Women, Children and Persons with Disability gave talks. Apart from her PhD, Ms Pandor is studying towards an Associate in Management at the UCT Graduate School of Business. Ms Pandor has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the prestigious David and Elaine Potter Fellowship.

Ms Karen Pillay

Ms Pillay is currently a PhD student at the Department of Biochemistry, UKZN. She has an impeccable academic record, having obtaining six distinctions in grade 12 (including Mathematics, Biology and Physical Science) and went on to complete her BSc degree in Biomedical Science cum laude and her BSc Honours degree summa cum laude at UKZN. Her decision to pursue a MSc and PhD study in the fields of Chemistry and Biochemistry highlights her versatility in scientific research. Ms Pillay’s research interest lies in amyloid diseases, in particular type II diabetes. Her doctoral study entails the synthesis and evaluation of peptide-based inhibitors to type II diabetes and developing assay systems to assess the inhibitory potential of newly designed anti-diabetic drugs.