Wits chemists win prestigious chemistry awards

Wits chemists win prestigious chemistry awards

26 September 2024 - Wits University

Two Wits chemists have been rewarded for their research by the South African Chemical Institute (SACI).

Professors Kenneth Ozoemena and Maya Makatini have respectively been awarded with the Gold Medal and the Raikes Medal for their dedication and research.

The Gold Medal for Chemistry is awarded each year to the SACI member in the field of chemistry or chemical technology whose contributions to the field are judged as outstanding. The Raikes Medal is awarded to members under the age of 40, and whose original research shows outstanding promise. This research must also have been done in South Africa. Both Wits researchers have been nominated for their respective prizes by their Head of School, Professor Charles de Koning.

Ozoemena's research is geared towards weaving electrochemistry research into real-world solutions, such as advanced battery technologies (notably lithium-ion batteries and rechargeable zinc-air batteries) for stationary (home and industry) and mobile (electric vehicles and portable electronics) applications, and electrochemical sensors for the detection of diseases, such as (HPV) or cervical cancers and tuberculosis (TB).

Makatini's research is focussed on designing peptides (short strings of amino acids) to target bacteria such as TB and to aid in wound healing. Her work research is also aimed at diagnostic purposes, where she works closely with the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety, using Mass Spectrometry to design diagnostic kits to diagnose arsenic poisoning in miners, and to create early warning diagnosis kits for kidney disease in diabetic patients.

"This award is a validation of the work we have been doing over the years, strongly competing with the rest of the world despite our limited access to some of the most critical research facilities," says Ozoemena. "Wits is one of the three universities in the country (and in Africa) engaged in this type of research. At Wits, we have focused on creating a strong foundation for research in materials electrochemistry and electrochemical energy technologies."

Ozoemena says he is motivated by what Africa offers to the world.

"Africa represents the most important environment to develop affordable and clean energy (SDG #7). It is richly endowed with the necessary natural resources: huge raw minerals waiting to be beneficiated and deployed for energy; inexhaustible sunshine that is the envy of the world; huge population of human beings (approximately 1.5 billion, recognised as the continent with the world's youngest population, most of whom are under the age of 25) who are hungry to participate in the energy and economic development of the continent."

Makatini has always been motivated, and influenced by her grandparents - especially her grandfather, who as a herbalist, always collected herbs, searching for their natural healing powers. This also influenced, and inspired her Masters research was also aimed at finding the healing properties of natural substances.

"Growing up, I was always grinding leaves. My grandfather and grandmother have all this time been influencing and motivating me, without even realising it."

Makatini, who won the Wits Female Academic Leaders Followship Fund (FALF) award for academic excellence last year, says the Raikes Award tells her that she is heading in the right direction, and that long hours of hard work is paying off.

"It means other people are seeing, and recognising that you are doing useful work, and it gives you a bit more energy to push further with your work," she says.

It also means that her dream of one day opening up a full Mass Spectrometry laboratory is not as far-fetched as she always thought.

"I am dreaming of opening a facility where we can employ students, and deliver a service to the country in designing and creating peptides, as, during Covid, we learnt that we can't keep on relying on other countries to supply us," she says.

Ozoemena is optimistic for the future of his research field in electrochemical technologies in South Africa, and Africa in general.

"It is heartwarming to see that the electrochemical community has continued to grow in the last two decades. Several global events show promise for an exciting future for electrochemistry as a subject. Some of these include the global thirst for clean and affordable energy for everyone on earth; the continued rise in the adoption of electric vehicles; the emergence of the energy-thirsty AI technologies and portable electronics; and portable diagnostic devices for drugs and diseases. With the support of the government and industry, I strong believe that the future of electrochemistry as a research field can only get better in South Africa."

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