Celebrating youth excellence in science, technology and innovation
This Youth Month, under the theme "Actively embracing the socio-economic gains of our democracy", we mark 48 years since the student uprising against the Bantu Education Act. During June, the Department of Science and Innovation will showcase some of the increasing number of talented young black scientists and researchers that have emerged in the science system in the 30 years since our first democratic election.
Mr Milani Qebetu
This article is about Mr Milani Qebetu, currently working as a medical physicist at the Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure (NuMeRI).
Qebetu describes her fascination with medical physics as the result of a strong interest in both medicine and physics, along with a drive to innovate technological solutions that directly impact patient care.
"I am deeply dedicated to advancing medical physics and eagerly anticipate making meaningful contributions to its progress," he says.
He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of the Western Cape, and went on to postgraduate studies in medical physics at the University of the Free State. He is now doing a PhD at the University of Pretoria.
"My research interest is patient-specific internal dosimetry – a critical area in theragnostics that offers valuable insights into balancing treatment efficacy and potential toxicity for individual patients," explains Qebetu.
The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) has over the years invested heavily in scientific infrastructure, and South Africa is now home to several world-class research facilities. This work is driven under the South African Research Infrastructure Roadmap.
NuMeRI, launched in May 2024, focuses on drug development and clinical research. The facility, a first for South Africa and Africa, focuses on diseases like cancer and tuberculosis.
The Department encourages young scientists to get involved in research projects early on as this helps them learn, gain experience and build a network of contacts that will open further opportunities.
