PROFILE:

Professor Janice Limson a force in biotechnology

PROFESSOR Janice Limson joined the accelerated development programme at Rhodes 12 years ago. She received her PhD and is now a professor of biotechnology at Rhodes. She holds a South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) in science communication, focusing on advancing technology innovation and engaging society in science.

She is also the editor of Science in Africa magazine.

“In biotechnology we are graduating entrepreneurially-minded, socially conscientised, ethical leaders in science. It’s a highly active, innovative space that is attracting top Honours, Masters and ACCELERATED development programme lecturer Yusuf Motara is completing his PhD in computer science and is a lecturer in the computer science department at Rhodes University.

“In the overall theme of a changing South Africa, universities are not currently seen as viable career options for many graduates. This needs to change, and the way to change it is by making the most of the students we have right here,” says Motara who was born and bred in Grahamstown. He completed his PhD students, who are working towards creating products that change people’s lives in a real, tangible engagement with society,” said Prof Janice Limson, who grew up in Port Elizabeth.

“With My PhD supervisor at Rhodes, distinguished Professor Tebello Nyokong was a formidable driving force and remains an integral part of my life,” she said.

Limson’s research group, known as BioSENs, is engaged in three core research areas: biosensors, biofuel cells and nanobiotechnology.

The main goals for the research group, she said, were to develop specific and sensitive sensing undergraduate degree and postgraduate degrees at Rhodes.

The accelerated development programme afforded him the time he needed to devote to his PhD research.

“It has been a really good experience for me,” he says.

“My mentor and supervisor, Prof Barry Irwin, has played a big part in this. He trusts me and leaves me to get on with my work, but is always there in a supportive role.”

Motara regards academia is one of the most exciting and technology for a range of urgent problems, including fuel cell technology for alternative/green energy. Limson goes out of her way to find funding for excellent postgraduate students and new lecturers. Her formal mentor on the accelerated development programme was the late Dr Winston Leukes, an exceptionally talented and entrepreneurially-minded scientist who encouraged her to pursue a career in biotechnology.

Limson is mentoring a current accelerated development programme lecturer in biotechnology, Dr Earl Prinsloo. rewarding careers. “It offers an incredibly rare opportunity to be paid to pursue creative, fulfilling, trailblazing work,” he says. Motara backs up his point by adding that you only need to ask students what it is they want to do when they graduate, and most invariably say they want to do something innovative and fulfilling.

“This fades away as they enter the job market and are seduced by money, often to the detriment of their true potential, talent and brainpower,” says Motara, who was determined not to allow this to happen to him.

He worked in information security and privacy in Joburg for four years, from 2006 to 2010, before choosing to come back to Rhodes and academia.

“At some point it just isn’t fun making more money for people who already have more than enough money,” continues Motara who has a compelling drive to teach computer science to students in a way that is accessible, simple and empowering.