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‘Science Oscar’ nomination is exciting and validating

16 May 2025 | Story André Damons | Photo Supplied

Being nominated for a ‘Science Oscar’ is exciting and validates nominees’ efforts, particularly in a field as challenging and essential as infectious diseases, for which they are recognised at the highest level.

This is according to Prof Wynand Goosen, Professor and Lead for One Health in the Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry at the University of the Free State (UFS). He was nominated in the TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Researcher category of the 2024/25 NSTF-South32 Awards for his landmark discovery of Mycobacterium bovis infection in humans in South Africa – the first confirmed cases in the country.

Prof Goosen, who previously won the NSTF-South32 Emerging Researcher Award, says the nomination is a powerful affirmation of the impact that focused, interdisciplinary research can have. It reflects not only his personal commitment but also the dedication of a talented and hard-working team. “I am honoured and humbled to be nominated. It is also a testament to the support and vision of UFS, particularly as we position ourselves as leaders in One Health research in South Africa,” he says.

Focus of research

He was nominated by Prof Vasu Reddy, UFS Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation, and Prof Paul Oberholster, Dean for the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (NAS) at the UFS, and Prof Nico Gey van Pittius and Prof Elmi Muller from Stellenbosch University (US). The NSTF Awards, known as the ‘Science Oscars’of SA, honour, reward, celebrate, profile and promote outstanding contributions to science, engineering and technology (SET) and innovation in South Africa.

“The nomination,” Prof Goosen continues, “recognises our work in the field of zoonotic tuberculosis (TB) and other emerging infectious diseases at the human-animal-environment interface. Our research focuses on the molecular detection and characterisation of pathogenic mycobacteria in wildlife, livestock, and human populations, with the aim of informing better surveillance, diagnostics, and control strategies — particularly in high-risk ecosystems. This includes novel applications in wildlife TB surveillance and understanding the transmission dynamics between animals and people.”

Establishing a Kovsie One Health Research Unit

This research is critically important as South Africa continues to face a high burden of tuberculosis, including zoonotic TB, which often goes under-detected in rural and wildlife-rich areas. Understanding how these pathogens circulate between humans, animals, and the environment, explains Prof Goosen, is essential for effective disease control and to mitigate future pandemics. This work directly supports national health priorities, informs policy, and contributes to global strategies for One Health.

Prof Goosen and the team are in the process of laying the groundwork for the establishment of a Kovsie One Health Research Unit, which will serve as a collaborative platform for research spanning human, animal, and environmental health. One of their key projects involves expanding TB and AMR surveillance in wildlife-livestock-human interfaces, using cutting-edge diagnostics and genomic tools. They are also initiating partnerships with industry and international institutions to address emerging zoonoses and environmental pathogens in a transdisciplinary manner.

News Archive

First-year students encouraged to attend UFS welcoming function

2006-01-12

The University of the Free State (UFS) will host a welcoming function for all new first-year students and their parents on Saturday 14 January 2006 in the Callie Human Centre on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein.

The function starts at 11:00 and will be addressed by the Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, Prof Frederick Fourie. UFS staff will also be available to provide vital information to first-year students on academic matters.

According to Mr Vernon Collett, Registrar: Academic Student Services at the UFS, Saturday’s welcoming function can assist students and parents by providing vital information on the many high quality academic learning programmes on offer at the UFS in six faculties.

“If students and parents have this information it will make the registration process, which starts next week Tuesday 17 January 2006, much smoother,” Mr Collett said.

The UFS has split the registration process into various categories of students and Mr Collett appealed to all students to adhere to the dates and times which apply to them as a one-stop service will be available so as to avoid unnecessary delays in the registration process.

The registration of first-time entering first-year students who applied before 30 November 2005 to study at the Bloemfontein Campus will take place from Tuesday 17 January 2006 at the Callie Human Centre.

Senior undergraduate students (that is, students entering their second or later year of study) may register from 23 January 2006.

Postgraduate students, first-time entering first-year students and other students who applied for admission to the main campus after 30 November 2005 must register at the Callie Human from 2 February 2006.

Late applications will be accepted until Wednesday 25 January 2006 at the Information Centre on the Main Campus’ Thakaneng Bridge. These applications will be regarded as pending and will be processed as places become available on the programme the student has applied for,” said Mr Collett.

Vista Campus:
The Vista Campus in Bloemfontein – which was incorporated into the UFS in January 2004 – no longer accepts applications from first-year students. Such prospective students had to apply to the UFS Main Campus. Students who had been registered on the Vista campus last year must register at the Vista Campus on the same dates as applicable on the Main Campus.

Qwaqwa Campus:
At the Qwaqwa Campus of the UFS, all first-time entering first-year students must report on Thursday 19 January 2006, after which the registration of these students will take place according to a specific programme. The official welcoming functioning for new first-years at the Qwaqwa campus of the UFS will take place on Saturday 11 February 2006 at 08:00 in the Rolihlahla Mandela Hall on the Qwaqwa Campus.

Mr Collett appealed to first-year students who have applied to study at the Qwaqwa Campus and their parents to attend this function which fulfils the same role as the one held on the Bloemfontein Main Campus.

Detailed information on the dates and times of registration for the various faculties and academic learning programmes is available on the UFS website at www.uovs.ac.za. Prospective students may also call the Main Campus in Bloemfontein on (051) 401-3000 or the Qwaqwa Campus on (058) 718-5000 for more information.

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

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