Nine Members of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) are among the Finalists in the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF)-South32 Awards for 2018/2019 with no fewer than four nominated in more than one category.

Referred to as the ‘Science Oscars’ of South Africa, these awards are the largest, most comprehensive, and most sought-after national awards of their kind in the country. They were also the first science awards in South Africa.

This year in its 21th year, the awards recognise outstanding contributions to science, engineering and technology (SET) and innovation for researchers and other SET-related professionals. This includes experienced scientists, engineers, innovators, science communicators, research and engineering capacity builders, organisational managers/leaders, and research managers. 

The ASSAf Members in the different categories among the finalists are: 

Contribution over a Lifetime

Prof Jill Adler
Department of Science and Technology (DST)/National Research Foundation (NRF), South African Research Chair Initiative (SARChI) Chair of Mathematics Education, School of Education University of the Witwatersrand (Wits).

Prof Robin Crewe
Senior Research Fellow: Centre for the Advancement of Scholarship, University of Pretoria (UP).

Prof Bavesh Davandra Kana
Professor: Research and Teaching; Co-Director: DST/NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis (TB) Research, Research Associate: Centre for AIDS Prevention Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Wits.

Prof Alison Lewis
Dean: Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of Cape Town (UCT).

Prof Valerie Mizrahi
Director: Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine; Professor: Dept of Pathology; Director: South African Medical Research Council / National Health Laboratory Service/UCT Molecular Mycobacteriology Research Unit; Co-Director DST/NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research; UCT.

Prof Kenneth Ikechukwu Ozoemena
Professor: Materials for Energy and Electrochemistry, School of Chemistry, Wits.

Prof Beric Skews
Director: Flow Research Unit, School of Mechanical, Industrial and Aeronautical Engineering, Wits.

Prof Xiaohua Xia
Professor: Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering Dept, UP. 

Contribution through Management and Related SET Activities

Prof Robin Crewe
Senior Research Fellow: Centre for the Advancement of Scholarship, UP.

Prof Mammo Muchie
Research Professor: DST/NRF SARChI (Tier1) Chair Innovation Studies, Tshwane University of Technology.

Engineering Research Capacity Development Awards

Prof Alison Lewis
Dean: Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, UCT.

Innovation Awards: Corporate Organisation

Prof Bavesh Davandra Kana
Professor: Research and Teaching; Co-Director: DST/NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical TB Research, Research Associate: CAPRISA, Wits.

Special Annual Theme Award

Prof Alison Lewis
Dean: Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, UCT.

Prof Kenneth Ikechukwu Ozoemena
Professor: Materials for Energy and Electrochemistry, School of Chemistry, Wits.