Two University of the Free State (UFS) academics have been elected to the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), joining the ranks of the nation’s most distinguished scholars. Prof Serges Kamga, Dean of the Faculty of Law, and Prof Carlien Pohl-Albertyn, NRF-SARChI Research Chair in Pathogenic Yeasts and Professor of Microbiology, were recently recognised for their outstanding contributions to research, scholarship, and the advancement of knowledge.

In addition, Dr Mutshidzi Mulondo, an academic in the Division of Public Health within the Faculty of Health Sciences who recently made history as the first academic from the UFS to be inaugurated to the prestigious Global Young Academy – a network institution of the United Nations Scientific Advisory Board – was selected to the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS) as one of the top young scholars recognised for engaged scholarship and scientific contribution. SAYAS provides early-career researchers with a platform to influence science, policy and innovation across South Africa and the continent.

Prof Vasu Reddy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies, who is also a member of the academy and a member of the ASSAf Council, says: “Membership in the Academy of Science of South Africa is a hallmark of scholarly distinction. It is to be entrusted with the stewardship of knowledge. More than this, it is an affirmation that one’s work resonates nationally and globally in advancing knowledge for societal good.”

Celebrating UFS excellence

Since its inauguration in 1996 by former President Nelson Mandela, ASSAf has championed the use of science for the benefit of society. Its mandate spans all fields of scientific enquiry, promoting scholarly excellence, evidence-based solutions to national challenges, and international collaboration. With these recent elections, 23 UFS staff members now hold membership of ASSAf, reflecting the university’s growing national and global research impact.

SAYAS, established under ASSAf, empowers young scientists to shape scientific dialogue, influence policy, and tackle pressing societal challenges. Its mission is to create a vibrant community of early-career researchers driving innovation, education, and sustainable development.

Prof Reddy also remarks: “ASSAf and SAYAS are platforms where excellence meets responsibility, purpose, and service. It is, in fact, a call to shape the scientific imagination of the nation, to mentor with purpose, and to lead with intellectual generosity. My heartfelt congratulations to our colleagues who have received recognition from the academy. You make the UFS proud.”

Prof Serges Kamga: Human rights and inclusive development

For Prof Serges Kamga, being elected to ASSAf is both an honour and a validation of his lifelong commitment to the advancement of human rights and social justice. “My election demonstrates that I am on the right track in terms of scientific knowledge and activity to remove barriers between people and obstacles to full development of their intellectual capacity,” he says.

His research focuses on the human right to development, socio-economic inclusion, and equality, particularly for vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities. “I rely on scientific evidence to stress the need to build an equalitarian world, a world without barriers to the full development of human potential,” he explains. Personal experience in witnessing poverty and underdevelopment across Africa inspired him to ask: “If development is a human right inherent to all, why are we poor in Africa? Who pulls the strings of poverty nationally and globally, and why?”

Prof Kamga intends to use his ASSAf membership to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration and foster responsible societal futures. “My engagement with colleagues will seek ways to break down artificial barriers between disciplines, institutions, and sectors to foster groundbreaking discoveries at the intersection of fields. Modern lawyers should bridge the gap between theory and practice to ensure relevance to their environments.” He also hopes to guide the next generation of legal scholars to combine strong theoretical foundations with practical relevance: “They should connect across disciplines, generate new knowledge, and advance innovative, sustainable solutions to society’s contemporary and future challenges.”

Prof Carlien Pohl-Albertyn: Exploring the frontiers of fungal biology

Prof Carlien Pohl-Albertyn describes her election as “a meaningful recognition of my contributions to the national research landscape”. Her research investigates bioactive lipids in pathogenic fungi, focusing on molecules such as oxylipins and prostaglandins that influence fungal virulence and host-pathogen interactions. “By exploring these pathways, I hope to uncover novel targets for antifungal therapies, especially in the context of rising antifungal resistance,” she says. Her work has already shown how polyunsaturated and marine-derived fatty acids can inhibit biofilm formation, a key virulence factor, in Candida species.

Her research also has public health significance through the South African Fryer Oil Initiative (SAFOI), which monitors the quality of frying oils nationwide. “My research on fungal lipids and edible oils is connected by a central theme: understanding how lipids influence health, whether through microbial pathogenicity or human nutrition,” she explains.

Mentorship is equally central to her work. “I foster collaboration and encourage open exchange of ideas, with shared credit and authorship as a non-negotiable principle. Students are supported to publish in reputable journals and present at both local and international conferences, and I actively connect them with global collaborators to help them see themselves as equals on the international stage. Over the years, I have had the privilege of mentoring a diverse group of students and postdocs (many of them first-generation scholars) who have gone on to lead in academia, industry, and government. Our current group reflects a rich diversity of cultures, languages, and identities, and I am committed to continuing the tradition of care and excellence that was instilled in me by my own mentors.”

Prof Pohl-Albertyn is optimistic about future discoveries in her field. “Advances in lipidomics and systems biology are allowing us to study bioactive lipids with increasing precision. Understanding how fungi adapt their lipid pathways in response to environmental pressures, such as climate change or antimicrobial exposure, could reveal new strategies to combat fungal infections and predict emerging pathogens.” She also hopes to use her ASSAf platform to advocate for greater awareness and investment in fungal disease research and to promote equitable access to research funding for African scientists.

Dr Mutshidzi Mulondo: Public mental health in a digital age

Dr Mutshidzi Mulondo’s research focuses on mental health, particularly the implementation of digital strategies for public mental health. Mental health, a silent pandemic of our generation, continues to receive limited attention. “My current research looks at digital public mental health strategies, allowing for holistic care and support, particularly in lower- and middle-income countries.” This research is an effort to advance public health strategies that prioritise mental health and health equity.

Dr Mulondo sees the academy as a platform to influence national scientific dialogue and shape policy through emerging efforts such as science diplomacy. “This opportunity allows me to impact policies, specifically in public health, for the betterment of people’s lives. Young scientists need more opportunities to interact with established scientists for intergenerational collaboration. This platform provides young scientists with mentorship as future national and global leaders. Furthermore, the platform provides young scientists with access to other leading scholars for interdisciplinary collaboration to address some of the wicked challenges of our generation.” 

Through SAYAS, Dr Mulondo hopes to contribute to programmes that support the growth of young scientists, increase public understanding of science, and foster sustainable development. “I look forward to participating in these efforts to better place our nation and continent.”

A growing legacy of scholarship