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From curiosity to contribution: A PhD journey in Plant Stress Biology

08 April 2025 | Story Precious Shamase | Photo Kaleidoscope Studios

Sellwane Moloi — Sellwane Jeanette Moloi celebrates graduating with a PhD in plant stress biology, contributing vital research toward global food security through drought-tolerant wheat studies.

Embarking on a PhD is a transformative journey, one filled with intellectual challenges, personal growth, and the potential to contribute meaningfully to one's field. For Sellwane Jeanette Moloi – who has graduated with her PhD on Friday 4 April during the afternoon session – the path was illuminated by a deep fascination with plants and a determination to address the critical issue of global food security.

A spark of curiosity

"The initial spark came from a deep curiosity about plants," Moloi shared. "I was intrigued by how plants function and the key mechanisms that help them survive when exposed to various environmental stress factors. Learning different techniques used to study and analyse plant responses to environmental factors made me even more intrigued." This curiosity fuelled a rigorous exploration into plant stress biology, focusing on how wheat thrives under drought conditions.

Navigating the challenges

Reflecting on the experience, however, the PhD journey was not without its hurdles. "One of the most challenging aspects was staying motivated and managing pressure," Moloi confessed. "Setbacks and slow progress can also be overwhelming." Overcoming these obstacles required a strategic approach: "I had to break down larger tasks into manageable tasks and also seek support from my supervisors."

Doubts inevitably arose, especially when experiments did not go as planned. "There were moments when I asked myself what I had actually gotten myself into," she admitted. However, the unwavering support of supervisors, colleagues, friends, and family provided the necessary reassurance. "They always assured me things would work out; I needed to hang in there."

Key discoveries and achievements

Amid the challenges, significant discoveries were made. Notably, Moloi found that a drought-tolerant wheat variety suppressed photosynthesis as a potential strategy to avert oxidative stress damage, maintaining cell membrane integrity during stressful conditions. This unexpected turn stressed the complexity of plant survival mechanisms.

Moloi’s dedication and hard work culminated in significant achievements, including winning the best PhD poster in plant physiology at the 46th South Africa Association of Botanists Conference in 2020, 3rd Prize at the University of Johannesburg Postgraduate Symposium in 2023 and publishing two research articles in high-impact journals. These accomplishments are a testament to her research prowess and contribution to the field.

Developing essential skills

Beyond the research itself, the PhD journey fostered critical skills vital for future success. ‘Critical thinking, logical reasoning, and problem-solving’ were highlighted as key takeaways. "As a PhD student, your mind is constantly engaged in critically analysing results and providing logical reasoning. I believe these skills are valuable in tackling certain situations and providing solutions to problems."

Balancing life and research

Balancing research with other aspects of life proved challenging. "That was challenging, but I created a schedule that worked for me," the graduand explained. "This included dedicating certain days (weekends or holidays) or hours to specific tasks, such as lab work or writing. One thing I would advise a PhD student is that they should make time to rest to avoid burnout."

Contribution to food security

Moloi's research holds significant implications for global food security, a pressing issue in the face of climate change and a growing population. "I hope my research will provide insight into how wheat as a cereal crop thrives under drought stress conditions, and the information can be used by plant breeding initiatives in developing more drought-tolerant crops," she stated. "The opportunity to contribute to the field of plant stress biology – my research focuses on understanding plant response mechanisms under drought, and acquiring such information can address issues related to global food security."

Advice for future PhD candidates

For students embarking on their PhD journey, Moloi offered valuable advice: "This degree requires one to be highly motivated and ask for help whenever there are setbacks. There will always be setbacks in research; you need to go back to the drawing board and look for solutions." She also emphasised the importance of seeking support for mental and emotional well-being. "It is okay to feel overwhelmed; the work can be too much at times. Students need to ask for help. We have professionals on campus who can assist with mental or emotional issues."

Furthermore, Moloi shared personal lessons: "Time management and prioritising important tasks. I also learned that it is important to allow yourself to rest. This degree can affect your mental or emotional health." And a candid reflection: "I did not have much of a social life, and I spent most of my time in the lab."

Looking ahead

With a PhD in hand, Moloi aspires to become an expert in her field, collaborating with other researchers and mentoring future students. Her journey exemplifies the dedication, resilience, and intellectual curiosity required to excel in academia and contribute to addressing pressing global challenges.

The university provided essential support throughout her studies, ensuring access to facilities even during the COVID-19 pandemic. "I always had access to the facilities on campus to do my research, even during the COVID-19 pandemic."

Celebrating milestones along the way was crucial, with fellow postgraduates sharing in each other's achievements. "My fellow postgraduates and I often went out for lunch to celebrate everyone's achievements." And the support system was extensive: "Everyone – family, supervisors, friends, and colleagues.”

News Archive

UFS to investigate implementation of quality-monitoring system for SA food industry

2006-02-07

Some of the guests who attended the workshop were from the left Prof James du Preez (Chairperson: Department of Biotechnology at the UFS); Prof Lodewyk Kock (Head: South African Fryer Oil Initiative (SAFOI) at the UFS)); Mrs Ina Wilken (Chairperson: South African National Consumer Union (SANCU)); Prof Herman van Schalkwyk (Dean: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the UFS) and Mr Joe Hanekom (Managing Director of Agri Inspec).
Photo: Stephen Collet

UFS to investigate implementation of quality-monitoring system for SA food industry

The University of the Free State (UFS) will be investigating the implementation of a quality-monitoring service for the South African food industry.

This was decided during a workshop to discuss the external quality monitoring in the edible oil industry of South Africa, which was recently held at the UFS.

Major role players in the fast-food sector like Nando's, Spur, Captain
Dorego's, King Pie Holdings, Black Steer Holdings, etc and various oil
distributors like Felda Bridge Africa, Refill Oils, PSS Oils and Ilanga Oils attended
the workshop. Also present was Mrs Ina Wilken, Chairperson of the South African National Consumer Union (SANCU) and key-note speaker of this workshop. She represented the consumer.

These role players all pledged their support to the implementation of this quality- monitoring system for the whole food industry.

The decision to implement this system follows the various malpractices reported in the press and on TV concerning food adulteration (eg the recent Sudan Red Scare), misrepresentation (eg olive oil scandal exposed in 2001) and the misuse of edible frying oils by the fast-food sector.

“One of the basic rights of consumers is the right to safe food. Consumers must be protected against foods and food production processes which are hazardous to their health. Sufficient guarantee of the safety of all food products and food production processes should be implemented. It does not help to have adequate food standards and legislation and there is no manpower to do the necessary investigation or monitoring,” said Mrs Wilken.

The South African Fryer Oil Initiative (SAFOI), under the auspices of the UFS Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, currently monitors edible oils in the food industry and makes a seal of quality available to food distributors.

“Last week’s decision to implement the quality-monitoring system implies that we will now be involving also other departments in the UFS Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences who are involved in various aspects of the food chain in an endeavor to implement this quality monitoring system,” said Prof Herman van Schalkwyk, Dean: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the UFS and one of the main speakers at the workshop.

Prof van Schalkwyk said that the main aim of such a system will be to improve the competitiveness of the South African food industry. “It is clear that the role players attending the workshop are serious about consumer service and that they agree that fraudulent practice should be monitored and corrected as far as possible. Although some of the food outlets have the capacity to monitor the quality of their food, it may not seem to the consumer that this is an objective process. The proposed external monitoring system would counteract this perception amongst consumers,” said Prof van Schalkwyk.

The workshop was also attended by representatives from SAFOI and Agri Inspec, a forensic investigation company collaborating with inter-state and government structures to combat fraud and international trade irregularities.

Agri Inspec has been working closely with SAFOI for a number of years to test the content of edible oils and fats. “Extensive monitoring and control actions have been executed in the edible oil industry during the past four years to ensure that the content and labeling of oil products are correct. Four years ago almost 90% of the samples taken indicated that the content differed from what is indicated on the label. This has changed and the test results currently show that 90% of the products tested are in order. However, to maintain this quality standard, it is necessary that quality monitoring and educational campaigns are continuously performed,” said Mr Joe Hanekom, Managing Director of Agri Inspec.

“The seal of quality presented by SAFOI should also be extended to include all the smaller oil containers used by households,” Mrs Wilken said.

The SAFOI seal of quality is currently displayed mainly on some oil brands packed in bigger 20 liter containers, which include sunflower oil, cottonseed oil, palm oil etc which are used by restaurants and fast food outlets. “Any oil type is eligible to display the seal when meeting certain standards of authenticity. In order to display the seal, the distributor must send a sample of each oil batch they receive from the manufacturer to SAFOI for testing for authenticity, ie that the container’s content matches the oil type described on the label. This is again double checked by Agri Inspec, which also draws samples countrywide from these certified brands from the end-user (restaurant or fast food outlets). If in breach, the seal must be removed from the faulty containers,” said Prof Lodewyk Kock, Head of SAFOI.

“It should however be taken into account that oils without a seal of quality from the UFS can still be of high quality and authentic. Other external laboratories equipped to perform effective authenticity tests may also be used in this respect,” said Prof Kock.

“It is also important to realise that any oil type of quality such as sunflower oil, cottonseed oil, palm oil etc can be used with great success in well controlled frying processes,” he said.

Further discussions will also be held with the Department of Health, the SA National Consumer Union and Agri Inspec to determine priority areas and to develop the most effective low-cost monitoring system.

More information on the UFS oil seal of quality and oil use can be obtained at www.uovs.ac.za/myoilguide

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
6 February 2006

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