Professor tebello nyokong biography of alberta

Clinicians then shine a strong laser light on the diseased areas, which causes a chemical reaction to occur between the drugs and oxygen molecules in the cancer tissues. Toxic oxygen is generated which then destroys the tumor cells. We use nanotechnology to enhance PDT. The drugs for PDT are loaded into nanoparticles since the latter are preferentially retained in the tumour tissue due to reduced lymphatic drainage in tumours.

Thus, the nanoparticles do not release the drug until they reach the cancer. This stops the drugs from damaging healthy tissues around the tumour. The mostly used nanoparticles are the gold nanoparticles.

Professor tebello nyokong biography of alberta: University Professor, Departments of

Gold nanoparticles have a rich history, dating back to ancient Roman times where they were used to stain glasses for decorative purposes. They have a high surface area to volume ratio, and can carry the drugs efficiently to the cancer area. Because of microbial resistance we also use PDT to eradicate bacteria, fungi and viruses. Microbes have no chance of developing resistance with PDT.

The most important contribution is that we are addressing the innovation chasm — the inability of academic research to reach the markets as products — in South Africa and around the continent. Currently, there is insufficient research that is directly influencing economies. We use the dyes and nanomaterials used for PDT to treat antimicrobial resistance and treat pollution.

The nanomaterials we use here are nanofibers which are fibrous like cotton materials containing catalytic material that can translate solar light into antimicrobial effects and can degrade organic contaminants in water. The nanofibers are used as support for recovery after use. The catalysts are designed to kill bacteria and to degrade the organic pollutants in water sources.

The catalyst must absorb as much sunlight as possible, use this energy efficiently, be based on non-toxic, earth-abundant materials, have exceptional performance longevity, be easy to produce in large quantities, be heterogeneous and suitable to operate under conditions of flowing water. For up-scaling, we work with an industrial partner, Mintek in South Africa.

All awards are important. They are a privilege. But the awards that give me an opportunity to educate the public have huge significance. For example, ina motion was passed in the National Assembly acknowledging my role in transformation of science in South Africa, this gave me an opportunity to address the Parliament portfolio committee on Science and Technology.

Professor tebello nyokong biography of alberta: Lecturer at Middlesex University, Professor at

In post-apartheid South Africa, it was important for the university systems and institutions of research to create more inclusive and effective environments. This still has not happened. What is important for most people who were protected by apartheid is to maintain their privilege. For this reason, I can say that I have suffered academic loneliness in my career.

I have been on my own with no one to share your happiness with and no one to talk to when things are wrong because it is not my world. I think it is only because I am slightly insane that I have the courage to go on! Seeing my students succeed. Training of high level manpower for the continent of Africa. Capacity building for Africa. My students are in academia, industry etc.

Nyokong says that one of her childhood ambitions was to own her own pair of shoes. When she started school she was steered away from science as she was told that it was too hard. Nyokong earned her bachelor"s degree in both chemistry and biology from the University of Lesotho in After earning her Doctor of Philosophy, she received a Fulbright fellowship to continue her post-doctoral studies at the University of Notre Dame in the United States.

She is currently researching photo-dynamic therapy, an alternative cancer treatment method to chemotherapy.

Professor tebello nyokong biography of alberta: Professor Dr Tebello Nyokong.

After finishing her Fulbright fellowship in the United States, Nyokong returned to Lesotho, briefly as it turned out, to take a position at the University of Lesotho. Inshe took a position as a lecturer at Rhodes University. The National Research Foundation gave her a high rating and helped Nyokong obtain a research laboratory at the university.

Soon, she moved from lecturer to professor, and then distinguished professor She is known for her research in nanotechnology, as well as her work on photo-dynamic therapy. She has been honored extensively for her research. She has also been featured in 21 Icons. Doing what people thought was hard. Being challenged. I also like to know HOW things around us work.

I like to break things and put them back together. I did my Science and Maths over two years in high school while others took five years. I even enrolled in advanced Maths. Doing Maths and Science also opens more opportunities. With a Maths and Science background, one can go into any profession. Early life and education [ edit ]. Career [ edit ].

Scholia has a profile for Tebello Nyokong Q References [ edit ].

Professor tebello nyokong biography of alberta: – Distinguished Professor Tebello

The Presidency, Republic of South Africa. Archived from the original on 21 November Retrieved 9 November Forbes Africa. The African Academy of Sciences. Archived from the original on 5 October Rhodes University. Archived from the original on 26 January AIP Conf. Bibcode : AIPC.