#FameLabSA 2019
- MBHG
- Feb 20, 2019
- 2 min read
From Bench to Bedside
On Friday, 8thFebruary, the Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis (TB) Research (CBTBR) and South African Medical research Council (SAMRC) Centre for TB Research within the Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics (MBHG) at Stellenbosch University (SU), together with Jive Media Africa co-hosted the 2019 FameLabSA science communication and public speaking heat at the SAMRC headquarters.
A total of 13 participants, from various disciplines within SU and SAMRC research units, took part in the FameLabSA heat. Each were given just three minutes to present their research to the judges and audience in a simple and understandable manner. Participants were judged according to talk content, clarity and charisma. The judges were Prof Nox Makunga from the Department of Botany and Zoology at SU and Paul Kennedy, a science communicator from Science Link and volunteer at SciBraai. Stephanie Lathe, a Master’s student within the Division of Clinical Anatomy at SU, won the competition. Sedzani Ndou, a Master’s student from the Immunology research group within MBHG, and Katrin Smith, a Master's student from the Animal TB within MBHG, tied in second place.
As the winner of the FameLabSA heat, Stephanie will represent SU at the national FameLab final in Gauteng in May. She will compete against 19 other FameLabSA finalists from all other heats hosted within South Africa. All the finalists will receive additional training in science communication sponsored by the British Council and the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement. The winner of the national final will compete against participants from 30 countries at the international FameLab competition in Cheltenham, UK in June.
Stephanie is researching the incidence of narrower pelvic regions within the South African Coloured population, when compared to other population groups, and the surgical difficulties associated with this, thereby impacting health care interventions for this population group. Commenting on her win, Stephanie said, “I’m very excited to have the FameLab Heat and proud to represent Stellenbosch University at the national competition. Science is my passion, and being able to share that passion with others is what keeps the fire alive. Communication, at the end of the day, is how humans form connections, so I would like to thank FameLab for helping me develop my communication skills, and I can’t wait to continue the process if Johannesburg.”
- Written by Dannielle K Moore
Photography by Dannielle K Moore
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