“Science in Africa” is the first popular on-line science magazine for Africa and is sponsored by the editorial staff, by SAASTA, (South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement), Merck and Sasol.

From Cape To Cairo, scientists in a broad range of fields report on their research, giving their expert views on topical issues in science and providing the right information to an African public seeking a deeper understanding of science and of the dynamic role it plays in everyone’s lives. One of the missions of “Science in Africa” is to give young scientists the opportunity to showcase their research to Africa and beyond.

Dr Janice Limson, the editor-in-chief of “Science in Africa” and a lecturer in biotechnology at Rhodes University, discussed the possibility with Prof Brenda Wingfield, FABI, University of Pretoria, of using one of FABI’s students as the subject of a photo shoot for a photo essay on “a day in the life of a biotechnologist at FABI”. This photo essay would be used as promotional material to show the general public what a biotechnologist does, as well as accentuate the opportunities available for young people.

Happy Maleme, an MSc student at FABI supported through the DST/NRF Centre of Excellence in Tree Health Biotechnology (CTHB), whose title for her thesis is “ A survey of native Botryosphaeria species in Eucalyptus”, was chosen to “star” in the title role!

Happy was photographed in her home environment at the University residence, in the laboratory environment with her supervisors and fellow students, in her social environment both in the lovely FABI courtyard and with her friends and colleagues.

Happy’s comment is: “It was a marvellous experience and was one of the highlights of my first few months at FABI”.