2026 SAWiSA Finalist Profile: Dr Hafsa Essop
As South Africa commemorates the 70th anniversary of the historic 1956 march of 20 000 women to the Union Buildings, the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) is proud to showcase the extraordinary finalists for the 2026 South African Women in Science Awards (SAWiSA).
Dr Hafsa Essop is a finalist in the Distinguished Young Woman Researchers category: Public Engagement with Science. She is a Senior Lecturer in Radiography at UP whose research focuses on radiation protection, with an emphasis on foetal dosimetry and occupational exposure among pregnant healthcare workers. She has contributed to the development of PregiDose, a prototype mobile application designed to improve foetal dose record-keeping and strengthen radiation safety practices. This transdisciplinary innovation integrates health sciences and engineering, addressing critical gaps in radiation monitoring and contributing to improved occupational health outcomes. Through her work, Dr Essop has actively contributed to public engagement with science by translating complex radiation protection concepts into accessible knowledge for healthcare professionals, students and communities, while helping to reduce fear and misinformation surrounding radiation exposure during pregnancy.
Dr Essop's work has attracted competitive funding, including grants from the DHET University Capacity Development Programme and the NRF's Black Academics Advancement Programme, as well as additional institutional support for research and teaching initiatives. Internationally, her research has been recognised by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), which awarded her the prestigious Cousins Award in 2023. Her work has also been profiled across institutional and national platforms, reflecting its relevance to both scientific advancement and healthcare practice.
Dr Essop has contributed to global research initiatives by serving as a mentee and the South African representative on ICRP Task Group 123, focusing on in-utero radiation effects, with outputs contributing to forthcoming international guidance. Her current postdoctoral research involves collaboration with international experts to develop policy-relevant recommendations for fetal dosimetry record-keeping. This research received member-state funding from the International Atomic Energy Agency to travel to its headquarters in Vienna in 2026.
Nationally, she serves on the Pregnancy and Paediatric Task Group of the Society of Radiographers of South Africa and has been appointed Scientific Chair for its 2027 Congress. She also serves on the scientific committee of UP's Faculty Research Day 2026, and as thematic lead for diagnostic imaging at the university's Centre for Development and Implementation of Point-of-Care Diagnostics, supporting interdisciplinary research and capacity development. Dr Essop is a member of the OWSD and the Gates Foundation Early Health Researcher Support Network. Her contributions extend to peer review for multiple accredited journals and to postgraduate research committees including doctoral committees, and master's and PhD supervision.
Dr Essop has published 15 peer-reviewed articles and presented at 16 international and national conferences and webinars. She was invited by the Vice-Principal of Research at UP to moderate the 7th Women in Science Symposium session titled "Closing the Gender Gap in STEM", and by the ICRP to participate as a panel member in the Emerging Experts Session on Radiation Protection in 2025.
