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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 presents its third Amazing Rainbow Rally
2007-05-31
The University of the Free State (UFS) and OFM will present the third Amazing Rainbow Rally on Friday, 8 June 2007 in Bloemfontein.
This year’s Rally promises to be loads of fun with plenty of new surprises in store. The Amazing Rainbow Rally, our version of the popular television series the Amazing Race, is held in aid of children and babies with serious diseases in the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health in the Faculty of Health Sciences. By raising the necessary funds, equipment can be acquired to meet the unique health care needs of these special patients. It will also enable the UFS to maintain the high standards of education, training and research in this field.
In the Amazing Rainbow Rally, teams travel along a route with various checkpoints where activities will have to be completed, or clues solved, to be able to proceed to the next checkpoint. The team who completes the Rally first will be the winner of the Amazing Rainbow Rally 2007.
The day promises to be a huge event with lots of challenging activities for the teams and live crossings to the OFM Breakfast Team. Teams will travel in marked “taxi’s” from checkpoint to checkpoint. So give them a shout and show your support!
The Coca-Cola Celebrity Team, with Ebi Halberstadt (Braam from Egoli) and Lorraine Kriek (UFS Rag Queen and SRC President) will add extra sparkle to the event.
Join us at the Windmill Casino, the starting point for this year’s Rally at 12:00 on 8 June 2007!
Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl@ufs.ac.za
29 May 2007