The top 10 finalists of

MSOMichael Bondurin: Winner of the Science Forum South Africa Heat

ichael Bondurin is a postgraduate student in the school of chemical and metallurgical engineering, University of the Witwatersrand. His research is centered on the development of lowcost titanium alloys for land-based applications. Bondurin’s research is supported by the University of Witwatersrand’s African Materials Science and Engineering Network and the DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Strong Materials. His article “Titanium: metal of the future” was selected among South Africa’s best postgraduate science writing in 2016 by Science Today, a writing and training project run by award-winning science journalist Sarah Wild.

Saneliswa Magagula: First Runner-up at the Science Forum South Africa Heat

aneliswa Magagula is a master’s candidate at Unisa’s material and process synthesis engineering research unit. Her work focuses on the efficient conversion of biomass to energy through thermochemical processes. She is a member of Engineers Without Borders, where she contributes to the empowerment of communities through access to sustainable energy and the transfer of engineering skills. Magagula is inspired to achieve her goals by the words of Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, who says: “Ulala kanjani ungena PhD?” (How do you sleep without a PhD?) .

Oluwasegun Kuloyo: Winner of the UFS/ Central University of Technology Heat

luwasegun Kuloyo is a Nigerian-born scientist with a burning passion for contributing to the growth of science, having majored in microbiology after completing his high school education, and later achieving his dreams by obtaining a BSc in microbiology at Babcock University, Nigeria. He is currently a doctoral student at the University of the Free State (UFS) and a member of the pathogenic yeast research group with a special interest in opportunistic pathogens, in particular Candida Albicans. He is currently investigating how fatty acid arachidonic acid influences the vulnerability of Candida Albicans to antifungal drugs.

WTWynand van Losenoord: Winner of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Heat

Wynand van Losenoord is originally from Hoedspruit, in Limpopo and started his career in science in the Eastern Cape, at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. He is currently doing his MA in biochemistry, in which he is specifically focusing on diabetes and the treatment thereof. He is very passionate about science and was part of HIP2B2, a science and technology initiative. He is actively involved in tutoring science and mathematics after university hours and loves scubadiving and playing the piano.

Nanji Sheni : Winner of the Mintek heat

Nanji Sheni completed her BSc in Chemical Engineering at UCT and then did her MSc with the centre for minerals research of the department of chemical engineering, also at UCT. Her master’s thesis focused on flotation in minerals processing. Sheni currently works at Mintek as an engineer-in-training. She enjoys good books, idea generation talks and meeting new people.

Tshepo Makgoba: Winner of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Heat

shepo Makgoba is from Geluksdal, east of Johannesburg, and works at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in the Molecular Diagnostics Group. He has a bachelor of science in biochemistry and microbiology, and a BSc honours (with distinction) in microbiology. He was awarded membership to the Golden Key International Honour Society,