Women in science | Womanity

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Dr Therese Fish , who is the Vice Dean of Clinical Services and Social Impact in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Stellenbosch University. Dr Fish reflects on some highlights from her career, in effect coming full circle, from training as a medical doctor herself to now being responsible for teaching upcoming generations of healthcare professionals. She shares key aspects of her role, emphasising the development of partnerships between universities and the public health sector to strengthen social impact. By straddling the intersection between health and higher education and engaging different communities the university ensures it is of service to society. Approximately 45% of the South African population lives in rural areas. It is therefore important that students are familiar with working in remote spaces and resource-constrained environments. Through successful partnerships in the Western and Northern Cape numerous training sites have been established in rural areas to accommodate students. By immersing students into these communities, they are able to attain a strong understanding of how people live in rural areas and potential impediments to treatment. Reflecting on her leadership role, Dr Fish encourages diversity of thought and work practices in the environment. She notes that sometimes the same behaviours exhibited by men and women are interpreted differently by audiences because of gender biases, i.e. a male leader may be seen as assertive whereas a female leader is perceived to be aggressive. We discuss the importance of ensuring that women thrive, and this necessitates understanding the complexities of various societal roles women play and cultural demands placed on them. We consider the idea of changing systems to enable women to fulfil their professional and family roles. Dr Fish also advocates for leading beyond authority, a concept where everyone can lead in their own space irrespective of the position they hold. In closing, Dr Fish reminds us that to succeed we cannot do things alone, we need to find our clan and nurture relationships. As someone who has actively driven institutional transformation, she states that you can change systems from within, by being present and being the change you want to see. Tune in for more…

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May 2, 2024

Dr Therese Fish – Vice Dean of Clinical Services and Social Impact: Stellenbosch University – Delivering Partnerships

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Dr Therese Fish , who is the Vice Dean of Clinical Services and Social Impact in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Stellenbosch Univers...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Dr Karin-Therese Howell who is the Academic Director of Mathematical Sciences at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, which is Africa’s first network of centres of excellence in mathematical sciences. The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences brings together some of the most gifted students in the continent and uses the slogan, “We believe the next Einstein will be African”. Dr. Howell narrates her journey into mathematics, in particular studies in abstract algebra and algebraic biology. Dr. Howell is passionate about her field and developing female mathematicians. She founded the African Women in Mathematics (AWiM) Conferences and Virtual Seminars, which was instrumental in establishing the Women in Mathematics division of the South African Mathematical Society. These organisations and the programmes they present are not only about the discipline, but address soft skills like how to market yourself, how to pitch your research and how to look for collaborators. Dr Howell shares how these types of communities show that everyone has a different journey in maths and has their own place in the field. Historically, women tend to be underrepresented in the field of mathematics but through mentorship, support from their peers and leaders they have the space to develop their skills and self-believe to pursue growth and overcome imposter syndrome. Part of Dr Howell’s recipe includes, “Step out, be brave, turn up and become comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Tune in for more…

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February 16, 2024

Dr Karin-Therese Howell – Academic Director of Mathematical Sciences at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Dr Karin-Therese Howell who is the Academic Director of Mathematical Sciences at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, which is Africa’...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Professor Resia Pretorius, Department Head and Distinguished Research Professor in the Physiological Sciences Department, Faculty of Science, at Stellenbosch University. She is also an Honorary Professor at the University of Liverpool. Additionally, she is Managing Director of BioCODE Technologies. Prof. Pretorius highlights the diverse research areas in her department that focus on a variety of illnesses and methodologies to study various conditions and identify solutions for them. Prof. Pretorius’s research centres on blood and blood related diseases, and more recently on clotting pathology in patients with Covid and long-Covid. We discuss the commercialisation of research and innovations at universities, acknowledging access to resources from a variety of institutional disciplines to support development, whether it be legal advice for patents or business skills to operate companies. For example, BioCODE Technologies, a spin of company of the University of Stellenbosch develops point-of-care smart sensing solutions that detect novel circulating inflammatory molecules in the blood. BioCODE also provides a place for students to have their first experience in industry and prepare them for the external job market. Women are making an impact in STEM, notably in physiological sciences. Although they may be equipped with the skills and capabilities they need access to opportunities to realise their full potential. To help women on their career paths Prof. Pretorius advises seeking out a mentor that is in or near your field of interest for support, direction and networking; she also recommends learning how to market yourself and speak the language of your prospective employer; going for interview training to present and sell yourself and create demand for your skills and services with a potential employer. In closing Prof. Pretorius reflects on the value of keeping an open mind, “to join the dots” in new ways and derive new outcomes. She also embodies that sentiment that if you find your passion and make it your vocation you will never “work” a day in your life, because you enjoy what you are doing. Tune in for more…

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March 8, 2023

Prof. Resia Pretorius – Head Physiological Sciences – Stellenbosch University

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Professor Resia Pretorius, Department Head and Distinguished Research Professor in the Physiological Sciences Department, Faculty of Science, at S...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Professor Mmamosheledi (Mamza) Mothibe, who is Head of the Division of Pharmacology, in the Faculty of Pharmacy, at Rhodes University. We discuss some of her responsibilities in this role, from teaching and developing a curriculum that meets the criteria of the Pharmacy Council to managing the pharmacology division. Prof. Mothibe shares a few of her pharmacology research interests, which includes indigenous knowledge systems - focussing on the pharmacology and toxicology of medicinal plants/herbal medicines particularly African Traditional Medicine. She also discusses her work with the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) to better regulate commercial products that arise from traditional medicine that are safe and efficacious. Prof. Mothibe is a member of several professional organisations, namely South African Society for Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (SASBCP); South African Association of Health Educationalists (SAAHE); Toxicology Society of South Africa (TOXSA) and South African Society of Clinical Pharmacy (SASOCP). She shares how being part of various professional bodies accelerated her development, exposed her to peers and leaders, and enabled her to be part of steering the future of disciplines. Education has played a prominent role throughout Prof. Mothibe’s career, and she reminds us that life is not a straight line, there will be challenges in our paths as well as opportunities, but if you keep focussing on your dreams the vision will come to fruition. Tune in for more…

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February 8, 2023

Professor Mmamosheledi (Mamza) Mothibe – Head of the Division of Pharmacology, in the Faculty of Pharmacy, at Rhodes University

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Professor Mmamosheledi (Mamza) Mothibe, who is Head of the Division of Pharmacology, in the Faculty of Pharmacy, at Rhodes University. We discuss s...

Tag: Women in science

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Dr Therese Fish – Vice Dean of Clinical Services and Social Impact: Stellenbosch University – Delivering Partnerships

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Dr Karin-Therese Howell – Academic Director of Mathematical Sciences at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences

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Prof. Resia Pretorius – Head Physiological Sciences – Stellenbosch University

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Professor Mmamosheledi (Mamza) Mothibe – Head of the Division of Pharmacology, in the Faculty of Pharmacy, at Rhodes University

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Tag: Women in science

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Dr Therese Fish – Vice Dean of Clinical Services and Social Impact: Stellenbosch University – Delivering Partnerships

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Dr Karin-Therese Howell – Academic Director of Mathematical Sciences at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences

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Prof. Resia Pretorius – Head Physiological Sciences – Stellenbosch University

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Professor Mmamosheledi (Mamza) Mothibe – Head of the Division of Pharmacology, in the Faculty of Pharmacy, at Rhodes University

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