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07 June 2023 | Story André Damons | Photo Supplied
Dr Michael Pienaar and Dr Edward C Netherlands
Dr Michael Pienaar, Senior Lecturer and specialist in the UFS Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, is a finalist in two categories of this year’s NSTF-South32 Awards. Dr Edward C Netherlands, Senior Lecturer in the UFS Department of Zoology and Entomology, is also in the running for his first NSTF-South32 Award.

Dr Michael Pienaar, Senior Lecturer and Specialist in the University of the Free State (UFS) Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, is a finalist in two categories of the 2023 NSTF-South32 Awards, popularly known as the ‘Science Oscars’ of South Africa.

Dr Pienaar, who has been working in paediatric critical care since 2019 and sees the care of critically ill children as his mission and calling in life, has been named a finalist in the TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Emerging Researcher and the NSTF-SAMRC Clinician-Scientist Award categories.

Another UFS staff member, Dr Edward C Netherlands, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Zoology and Entomology, is also a finalist in the TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Emerging Researcher category.

The NSTF-SAMRC Clinician-Scientist Award, sponsored by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), is a new award for an outstanding contribution by a clinician-scientist, with a focus on work to enhance life and improve community health. This new category is modelled on the Emerging Researcher category.

‘Validating to have research recognised’

Dr Pienaar says it is humbling to be considered for these awards alongside formidable, accomplished, and innovative clinicians and scientists. “This is all somewhat surreal, as I was not anticipating being shortlisted as a finalist. It is validating to have had my research, which I am committed to, recognised on this platform. I am very grateful to the School of Clinical Medicine and the Faculty of Health Sciences and University of the Free State for nominating me for these awards.”

He was nominated by Dr Claire Armour Barrett, Clinical Research Director and Specialist Physician in the UFS School of Clinical Medicine.

Dr Pienaar says his current research focusses on applied machine learning in paediatric critical care. He has been working on the development of machine learning models that can be used in clinical practice to improve patient care.

“The work leading to these nominations focused on triage and identification of critically ill children in South Africa. Currently, I am working towards machine learning models implemented in point-of-care ultrasonography and mechanical ventilation.

“I am pleased just to be shortlisted for these awards. I think this provides important visibility for my work, which I feel has major long-term implications for clinical practice. I am also very happy to represent the research work being done in the Faculty of Health Sciences and the UFS on this platform.”

On what it will mean to win a ‘Science Oscar’, Dr Pienaar says, “While this would advance my career, I am very aware that all the candidates would be worthy winners. As it is, the opportunity to be a scholar is reward unto itself, and I am very privileged to be able to do the research I do. As ever, I am very grateful to the University and the Faculty of Health Sciences as well as the National Research Foundation for supporting my work.”

‘Honour and privilege’

Dr Netherlands, who was nominated by Prof Corli Witthuhn, former UFS Vice-Rector for Research and Internationalisation, says, “It is a great honour and privilege to represent the UFS.”

His work as a parasitologist and herpetologist involves specialised research in the study of blood parasites. His current research focuses on the diversity, evolution, and ecological implications of blood parasites in herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians of a particular region).

“Being shortlisted as a finalist for this award will be a humbling achievement in my career, that may lead to new opportunities and new collaborations,” Dr Netherlands says. “Furthermore, being shortlisted provides a sense of validation and affirmation for the effort that has gone into conducting my research.”

The announcement of the winners will take place at the NSTF-South32 Awards Gala Event on 13 July 2023.

News Archive

Right to Learn cyclists cross the finish line
2017-12-05

 Description: R2L Finish  Tags: cyclists, Right to Learn, Cape Town, Paarl, GivenGain Foundation, donations 

The Right to Learn cycling team are happy and thankful that they have completed
their journey.
Photo: Mike Rose

After a seven-day journey, the Right to Learn cycling team have finally reached their destination. Having travelled for over a 1 000 kilometres from Bloemfontein, they arrived safely in the Paarl on Monday 4 December 2017. During their final stretch, they travelled 130 kilometres from Montagu to Paarl, where they ended the Right to Learn Cycling Tour.
 
Gratitude for support
Asive Dlanjwa, Bloemfontein Campus SRC President, says, “It's been good, it's been tough, and it’s been an amazing journey.” He expressed his gratitude to everyone who has been supporting them throughout the journey. “Thank you so much for every cent that you have given, for every prayer, and every thought.”
 
Thulasizwe Mxenge, one of the guest cyclists from Johannesburg, says, “Asive had informed us that most students struggle with access to higher education, and we saw the need to assist and take part in the initiative.” He says the journey was tough, because they had to cycle for about five hours every time they went on the road. “I’m very tired but also happy to have completed the journey.”

Donations received
Since the beginning of the Right to Learn initiative, they have managed to raise R80 000 through corporate giving, R15 584 on Dlanjwa’s GivenGain page, and $500 (about R6 845) from the GivenGain Foundation as part of the #GivingTuesday Twitter campaign which took place on 28 November 2017.
 
Annamia van den Heever, Director: Institutional Advancement, says, “Congratulations to Asive and the team!  It has been an absolute pleasure to work with such positive and passionate young people.” She also thanked all donors to the Right to Learn campaign for their support, saying it will ensure that talented students who cannot afford university fees will have access to the UFS next year. “We are hoping that more people will donate now that the tour has been successfully completed. There is no better Christmas gift,” she says.

Dlanjwa says, “We are committed to helping learners who are coming to the UFS next year. The trip was amazing and I feel stronger than I expected. I’d definitely do this again.”
The community is still encouraged to donate towards the initiative, using the following details:

EFT transaction:
Please use the following bank details:
Bank: ABSA Bank
Account Number: 1570850721
Branch Code: 632005
Account Type: Cheque
Reference: R2L: Right to Learn
Send the proof of payment to Rinda Duraan: duraanmj@ufs.ac.za

Debit order: Download the form and email it to Rinda Duraan

All donations are tax deductible in terms of South African income tax legislation.  

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