Two UCT researchers chosen for WEF project
UCT SCIENTISTS Dr Sarah Fawcett and Professor Salome Maswime have been hand-picked for the prestigious Young Scientists programme. Every year, the World Economic Forum selects an elite group of researchers under the age of 40 to take part.
Fawcett, a senior lecturer in the Department of Oceanography, and Maswime, the head of Global Surgery, will be joining others from across the globe on a three-year journey of growth and impact.
The scientists have been selected for their contribution to advancing the frontiers of science in the areas of health, sustainability, inclusiveness and equity.
In the four years since Fawcett’s appointment as a lecturer, she has been establishing a research group and raising funds to build a new marine biogeochemistry lab at UCT. It will be a first for the continent
Fawcett’s research seeks to understand the connections between the components of Earth’s climate system, as well as the impacts of human activities on marine environments.
Fawcett says the goal of this new laboratory is to facilitate high-quality, high-impact research and train the next generation of African scientists.
“I am committed to shifting the centre of gravity with regard to perceived scientific excellence by conducting research of significant relevance to Africa in an African laboratory, using… techniques that also push the frontiers of global knowledge.”
She says being part of this programme holds promise for gaining deeper and broader insight into global interventions for overcoming the barriers to sustained transformation, and to contribute meaningfully to conversations around this.
“My ultimate goal is to catalyse sustainable transformation in a whiteand male-dominated field and support the development of women scientific leaders and role-models.”
Maswime’s research ensures that all African mothers and their babies survive childbirth.
“My key research area is Caesarean sections and interventions to reduce maternal mortality in African women. This is also a part of global surgery, as Caesarean sections are the leading surgical operation in the world,” she says.
Her other research area is stillbirths: understanding their placental causes and the foetal inflammatory response related to infections like HIV.
Maswime is co-principal investigator on a national study looking at Covid-19 in pregnancy. She also engages with policy makers, investors, non-governmental organisations and communities to find ways of improving surgical outcomes.
“I have a passion for finding African scientific solutions for the challenges we face. Being part of this community will give me an opportunity to engage with a range of policymakers, stakeholders and important leaders in Africa and across the world.” |