Celebrating Excellence and Shattering Glass Ceilings

This Women’s Month, South Africa not only celebrates the legacy of women’s strength, but the brilliant minds actively shaping our future.

In a powerful testament to the impact of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), Professor Tricia Naicker, Director: Catalysis and Peptide Research Unit at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), has been awarded the Distinguished Young Woman Researcher in Natural and Engineering Sciences Award at the 23rd South African Women in Science Awards (SAWiSA).

Presented in Johannesburg by the Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTI), SAWiSA spotlights female trailblazers whose work drives innovation and paves the way for the next generation of girls in science.

Naicker exemplifies the spirit of female leadership in research. Heading a multidisciplinary team spanning synthetic chemistry, microbiology, and biochemistry, she tackles antimicrobial resistance, one of the greatest threats to global health. Her team has developed novel compounds that restore the power of existing antibiotics, with groundbreaking treatments now entering Phase 1 clinical trials.

A homegrown hero and proud UKZN alumna, Naicker earned her MSc (cum laude) in 2008 and her PhD in 2011. Following postdoctoral studies in Denmark, she returned to UKZN in 2013 and rapidly rose through the academic ranks.

Today, as an NRF C1-rated researcher, she boasts over 130 peer-reviewed publications, a patent, and major accolades, including the 2020 Raikes Medal and the 2018 NRF Research Excellence Award.

Beyond the lab, Naicker is dedicated to lifting other women as she rises. A co-author of Dear Woman in STEM: A Collection for the Next Generation, she actively mentors young female scientists. “This recognition honours not only my journey, but the perseverance and support behind it,” Naicker reflected. “I hope it inspires young women to believe in themselves, pursue their dreams, and know that they too can make a meaningful impact through science.”

Dr Normah Zondo, Executive Director: UKZN Corporate Relations, noted that Naicker’s triumph is a beacon of hope, proving that when institutions nurture female talent, women deliver world-class solutions to society’s most complex challenges.

*Visit our YouTube channel to watch our Women’s Month stories of inspiration and excellence.

Words: Hlengiwe Khwela

Photograph: Supplied