Empowering the Future: Meet the Doctoral students of the SAWiSA DSTI–Dr. Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri Fellowship
The South African Women in Science Awards (SAWiSA) not only celebrates excellence among distinguished and emerging women scientists — it also paves the way for the next generation of innovators. Meet the brilliant doctoral candidates shaping the future of science in South Africa.
Ms Jaymi January obtained an MSc in Nanoscience in 2022 and is currently pursuing a PhD with a focus on disease-based nano biosensors at UWC. Her research investigates the unique electrical, structural and catalytic properties of perovskite nanomaterials to improve the sensitivity and selectivity of nanobody-based electrochemiluminescence biosensors for disease detection. By integrating materials science, bioengineering and analytical chemistry, Ms January's interdisciplinary work addresses real-world healthcare challenges. Her research has the potential to revolutionise disease diagnostics, particularly for conditions such as cancer, infectious diseases and autoimmune disorders, by enabling earlier detection, personalised treatments and improved patient outcomes.
Ms January's academic excellence has been recognised through numerous awards from UWC, including the Golden Key International Honour Society, Dean's Merit awards, Best Honours Student, and DVC Excellence Award. She also ranked among the top three students in the Faculty of Natural Science and earned first place for overall best performance in her department.
Aligned with the "Her Voice in Science" theme, Ms January is committed to advancing innovation at the intersection of nanotechnology and healthcare. She aims not only to break new ground in biomedical science but also to inspire future generations of women in STEM to pursue careers in cutting-edge fields. Her work exemplifies how women scientists are driving transformative solutions through creativity, persistence and excellence.
She has published 10 peer-reviewed articles in prominent journals, including Biosensors, Journal of Applied Electrochemistry, Materials Today Sustainability, and Bioelectrochemistry. Nationally, she has presented at leading conferences such as MedChem, the South African Chemical Institute (SACI) International Symposium on Electrochemistry, and the SACI Young Chemists' Symposium, at which she was awarded Best PhD Flash presentation. Ms January's research contributes meaningfully to the future of health technology grounded in scientific innovation and driven by inclusive excellence.
