Prof Paul Oberholster, Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS) and researcher in environmental management, was recently nominated for full membership in Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Honor Society.

As per its website, Sigma Xi is an international, multidisciplinary community of science, technology, engineering, and mathematical (STEM) professionals dedicated to research excellence, promoting public engagement with science, and fostering the next generation of researchers.

In recognition of the advancement of knowledge in his field

Prof Oberholster, who is rated among the top 5% in the world in the scientific category of engineering/technology, ecological engineering, and environmental engineering, receives the award in recognition of his scholarly achievements and contributions to the advancement of knowledge in his field.

He believes in the importance of science serving society. His research directly contributes to the management, protection, and rehabilitation of one of the country’s most important resources.

Prof Oberholster is one of the few limnologists in South Africa who studies inland water systems, including wetlands, rivers, reservoirs, lakes, streams, and groundwater, to develop strategies for water resource management and nature-based treatment solutions/ecological engineering.

He has received several prestigious awards for his work in environmental management. Notably, he won the National Science and Technology Foundation (NSTF) award in 2020 in the Water Research Commission category, which recognised his focus on nature-based passive phyco-remediation and phytoremediation treatment technology. His contributions to the field have also led to various key appointments. In 2022, he was elected as a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), an honour bestowed only on the country’s most outstanding scholars. Additionally, in 2023 he was appointed as the Managing Director of the Ecological Engineering Institute of Africa (EEIA), where he continues to make meaningful contributions to society.

Acknowledged as exceptional contributor to the research enterprise

Sigma Xi, established in 1886, has long been synonymous with excellence in the careers of prominent figures in science and engineering, counting among its members luminaries such as Albert Einstein, Linus Pauling, Sally Ride, and more than 200 Nobel laureates. As the largest interdisciplinary scientific honour society globally, membership in Sigma Xi serves as a hallmark of distinction, signifying outstanding contributions to the research landscape.

Those who join Sigma Xi gain access to programmes and initiatives designed to recognise innovation, support interdisciplinary research, advance careers for STEM students and professionals, and enhance public understanding of science.