Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Previous Archive
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

Architecture rewards talent
2016-11-25

Description: "Architecture Corobrik Tags: Architecture Corobrik

Lana Bramley (winner), Petru du Toit (second place),
Sinjon Moffett (third place), and Nina Nel
(best use of brick in a design) were
winners at the Corobrik Architecture
Student of the Year competition.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

During the recent announcement of the Corobrik Architecture Student of the Year, Lana Bramley was named regional winner in the Free State. Bramley is currently a master’s degree student in the Department of Architecture at the University of the Free State (UFS).

For her dissertation, she examined the design of an art gallery as a liminal architectural intervention, questioning the rigid boundaries of the UFS Campus. Bramley obtained distinctions for her Architecture dissertation, Design dissertation, and for Construction.

Bramley will join Roodt Architects next year.

The following students were also named winners in this year’s regional competition:

  • Best use of brick in a design: Nina Nel
  • Second place in the Corobrik Architectural student of the year competition (regional): Petru du Toit
  • Third place in the Corobrik Architectural student of the year competition (regional): Sinjon Moffett

From the master’s class, a total of 27 students obtained distinctions (nine for Design dissertation, 12 for Construction and six for Architecture dissertation). Prof Jan Smit and Henry Pretorius, Head of the Department of Architecture, awarded two prizes respectively to the best Technical Design student, Janrie Haarhoff, and the best Architecture dissertation student, Petru du Toit.

Musa Shangase, Commercial Director of Corobrik, congratulated students on the quality of their work. It is the 30th year this competition has been presented by Corobrik, a company that is 114 years old, to encourage talent in this profession. The national winner is expected to be announced in May 2017. 

 

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept