RESEARCH EXCELLENCE FOR SOCIETAL BENEFIT: A RETROSPECTIVE LOOK AT HIGHLIGHTS OF NRF STRATEGY 2020 (APRIL 2015-MARCH 2020) NRF 5 YEAR HIGHLIGHTS REPORT Advancing Knowledge. Transforming Lives. Inspiring a Nation. NRF 5 YEAR HIGHLIGHTS REPORT CONTENTS A Message from Dr Dorsamy Pillay, Acting CEO of the National Research Foundation .............................................4 Strategy 2020: Outcomes ...................................................................................................................................5 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................6 1. AN INFLUENTIAL AGENCY SHAPING AN INTErnatiOnally COMPETITIVE RESEARCH SYSTEM AND PROVIDING LEADING EDGE RESEARCH infrastructurE ................................................................10 1.1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................................10 1.2. Peer-Reviewed Published Articles ....................................................................................................10 1.3. Outcomes in Specific Research Areas ..............................................................................................12 1.3.1. Health Research .............................................................................................................................12 1.3.1.1. HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis ...............................................................................................................12 1.3.1.1.1. Tracking the Prevalence of HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis in South Africa ................................................12 1.3.1.1.2. New Hope for Young Women Exposed to HIV .....................................................................................13 1.3.1.1.3. New Diagnostic Tools for TB and Drugs Validation .............................................................................14 1.3.1.2. Cancer ...........................................................................................................................................14 1.3.1.2.1. Radiopharmaceuticals for Cancer Research, Diagnosis and Treatment ................................................14 1.3.1.2.2. Tracking HPV for Cervical Cancer Prevention ....................................................................................16 1.3.2. Food Security .................................................................................................................................17 1.3.2.1. Strengthening the Nutritional Quality of Food ....................................................................................17 1.3.2.2. Ensuring Food Safety Through Cost-Effective Innovation ....................................................................18 1.3.2.3. Research Findings on Food Market Distortion ...................................................................................19 1.3.3. Energy ...........................................................................................................................................20 1.3.3.1. Supercapacitors: The Future of Energy Storage .................................................................................20 1.3.3.2. Sustainable Solar Energy .................................................................................................................21 PAGE | 1 NRF 5 YEAR HIGHLIGHTS REPORT CONTENTS 1.3.3.3. Clean Energy for a Clean Future .......................................................................................................22 1.3.3.4. Making Conventional Energy Resources Better ..................................................................................23 1.3.4. Astronomy ......................................................................................................................................23 1.3.4.1. Radio Astronomy Uncovers New Secrets of the Universe ....................................................................23 1.3.4.2. SA Telescopes Look Deeper into the Universe SAAO ..........................................................................25 1.3.5. Ecosystem Research .......................................................................................................................27 1.3.5.1. Helping SA to Balance Conservation and Societal Needs ...................................................................27 1.3.5.2. Addressing Biodiversity and Environmental Pollution..........................................................................28 1.3.5.3. Influencing Policy in the Important Indian Ocean Region ....................................................................30 1.3.6. Researching the Human Condition in South Africa .............................................................................31 1.3.6.1. When Childhood Experiences Affect Adulthood ..................................................................................31 1.3.6.2. Poverty and South Africa’s Education System ....................................................................................31 1.3.6.3. Sexuality and Violence: Young Girls at School ....................................................................................32 1.3.6.4. Poverty, Inequality and Family Dynamics ...........................................................................................33 1.4. Patents Filed by SARChI Chairs and CoEs Help Build South Africa’s Knowledge Economy ....................34 2. A Transformed And Representative Research System ........................................................................37 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................37 2.1. The NRF Changes Lives: #myNRFstory .............................................................................................40 Dr Keleabetswe Lerato Mpye ...........................................................................................................40 Edith Phalane .................................................................................................................................41 Dr Nimmi Seoraj-Pillai .....................................................................................................................41 Prof Jeanetta Du Plessis ..................................................................................................................41 Dr Manoko Maubane-Nkadimeng.....................................................................................................42 PAGE | 2 NRF 5 YEAR HIGHLIGHTS REPORT CONTENTS Tshepo Chabalala ...........................................................................................................................42 Jayson Ledwaba .............................................................................................................................43 Dr Kerry-Ann van der Walt ...............................................................................................................43 Prof Kebogile Mokwena ...................................................................................................................44 Stephanie Minnies ..........................................................................................................................44 Amy Steinhobel...............................................................................................................................44 Ndoni Mcunu ..................................................................................................................................44 3. A Scientifically Literate and Engaged Society ....................................................................................47 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................47 3.1. The Popularisation of Science ..........................................................................................................48 3.1.1. Science Engagement ......................................................................................................................48 3.1.2. Nurturing Talent in Science, Technology, and Mathematics and Engaging Educators ............................48 3.1.3. Higher Education Engagement .........................................................................................................49 3.1.4. Scientists and Researchers Engaging the Public ...............................................................................49 3.1.5. Science Olympiads..........................................................................................................................49 3.2. Astronomy and Education ................................................................................................................50 3.2.1. NRF-SARAO ...................................................................................................................................50 3.3. Environment and Education .............................................................................................................50 3.3.1. NRF-SAEON Environmental Science Education Programme ...............................................................50 3.4. Youth Science and Technology Journalism Programme ......................................................................51 PAGE | 3 NRF 5 YEAR HIGHLIGHTS REPORT