Meet our 2023 South African Women in Science Awards finalists
Ms Gizelle Roque van Niekerk
Ms Gizelle van Niekerk obtained a BSc in environmental science, with chemistry as a second major, and a BSc honours in chemistry (both cum laude) from the University of Pretoria (UP). She is currently enrolled for an MSc in chemistry at the same institution with a focus on materials chemistry.
Van Niekerk's current research focuses on waste valorization through the conversion of waste eggshells to porous calcium-based metal-organic frameworks with applications in gas adsorption. Her research adopts a green chemistry synthetic approach, ensuring environmentally safe methods that can be upscaled for the industry. Her research aims to alleviate environmental and human health concerns associated with waste eggshell disposal in dumping sites, namely the proliferation of pathogens and release of toxic gases upon eggshell decay. Additionally, the gas adsorption application enables carbon dioxide capture from the atmosphere and can reduce global warming in line with the Paris Agreement. Van Niekerk hopes that her research will safeguard the health of human populations living near dumping sites in South Africa and provide a means to mitigate the consequences of global warming.
She graduated her BSc degree at the top of her class and received the Bruker prize for being the top BSc (honours) physical chemistry graduate. She was on the Dean's List of Exceptional Academic Achievers for obtaining an undergraduate average placing in the top 1% of students in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences. She received honorary academic colours at UP for both degrees.
She presented her MSc research at the 14th International Green Chemistry Summer School in Venice, Italy, on a full scholarship funded by the Green Sciences for Sustainable Development Foundation and the Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. She also presented her research at SACI's Young Chemists' Symposium, where she achieved second place for best MSc oral presentation.
