TPCP AND CTHB WOMEN WIN AWARDS
Not one, nor two, but three winners for the TPCP/CTHB!!
Prof. Brenda Wingfield (standing), Dr. Marieka Gryzenhout (sitting left) and Professor Jolanda Roux (sitting right) with their trophies.
Globally the lack of gender equity in science is well recognised. Furthermore, it is also becoming increasingly obvious that there are significant benefits in having a gender balance in science as women have different strengths to their male colleagues. Celebrating particularly the success of women in science is regarded as one of the ways South Africa can inspire girls to consider careers in science.
August is “women’s month” in South Africa and as part of celebrating women’s part in society there are a number of awards for women in Science. This year three of the women scientists in the TPCP/CTHB walked off with prizes.
Dr. Marieka Gryzenhout, who is well known for her passion for fungi, received the L’Oreal Fellowship. This is an award given jointly by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and L’Oreal with the support of the National Commission for UNESCO to prominent young scientists.
Profs. Brenda Wingfield and Jolanda Roux received the top two awards for research in Forestry. These awards are given by the Department of Forestry to recognise excellence in research in Forestry. Both Prof Wingfield and Roux are internationally recognised for the research that they have published on tree pathogenic fungi. Prof Wingfield was also nominated for the DST Distinguished Women Scientist award and was the 2nd runner up for 2007.
