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17 September 2018
Photo Charl Devenish
Innocensia Mangoato’s research on using cannabis to reverse anticancer drug resistance has been awarded in the prestigious Women in Science Awards.
“There’s this misconception among young people that science is difficult and that it’s somehow a man’s domain,” says Innocensia Mangoato, Masters student in Pharmacology, who has just been awarded in the prestigious Women in Science Awards by the Department of Science and Technology.
Cannabis research
Innocensia won in the Master’s Degree category for her research on the use of cannabis in reversing anticancer drug resistance. Her department had to apply for a special permit to grow cannabis for research and medicinal purposes.
“Her findings have already indicated a promising reversal of resistance to drugs in a variety of cancers. We plan to explore these results further in a possible PhD,” says her study leader, Prof Motlalepula Matsabisa.
Innocensia says she’s always had an interest in science, and initially wanted to study medicine. She ended up doing a BSc in Physiology and Genetics.
She hopes that her research will help government to develop a policy around the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes which could ultimately lead to developing cancer treatment with fewer side-effects.
Female mentors
“My mentor during my Honours studies was Dr Makhotso Lekhoa. Her passion for her field and her patience in conveying it to others really inspired me. We have some very powerful women in our Pharmacology Department,” says Innocensia.
Passion for science
“You know you’re passionate about your work when you find yourself going to the lab on Sunday afternoons!” she says. “I’m happy that I can be contributing to the knowledge production on this campus. And maybe one day I can be a mentor to other girls with that same passion for science.”
UFS to host alumni from across the globe during Reunion Weekend 2015 – 28 to 29 August 2015
2015-07-10
The University of the Free State (UFS) will host alumni from across the globe on the Bloemfontein Campus during its Reunion Weekend 2015 from 28 - 29 August 2015.
Semi-structured social events will bring together classmates from similar eras. On Friday evening (28 August 2015), those who graduated from the university during the 60s and 70s will gather at the Centenary Complex, while those who graduated in the 80s and 90s will convene at the new Economic and Management Sciences foyer.
On Saturday evening, there will be a reception hosted by the senior leadership for alumni who have graduated since 2000 at the Economic and Management Sciences foyer.
Each gathering will have a short programme led by at least one member of those graduating classes, followed by an informal reception. All alumni are invited to attend the weekend’s activities. Click here for the programme of events or visit the alumni website for more information.
Celebrations will include a concert with Freshly Ground and the Muses as guest artists. Tickets will be sold through Computicket.
Proceeds will be donated to the No Student Hungry Bursary programme.
The Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumni Award
In celebrating the achievements of alumni over the years, nominations have been invited for the Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumni Award, which recognises outstanding alumni who have demonstrated excellence through their academic or human achievements in their chosen areas of expertise and influence. Click here for the nomination form.
The Chancellor will present the alumni awards at a ceremony to be held during the Chancellor’s luncheon at the Centenary Complex on 29 August 2015 at 12:00.
Please note that the nomination deadline has been changed to 24 July 2015.
For further information, contact the UFS Alumni Office at +27(0)51 4019343 / email: alumni@ufs.ac.za