Empowering the Future: Meet the master’s 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 master’s candidate shaping the future of science in South Africa.
Ms Nolwazi Thabile Gazu obtained a BSc in Applied Chemistry (2020) and an honours degree in Chemistry (2021) from UKZN. She is currently pursuing an MSc in Chemistry at Unisa under the Institute of Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability, specialising in Applied Electrochemistry. Her research, titled "An Electrochemical Aptasensor for the Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein in Wastewater", focuses on developing a rapid, sensitive biosensor using a nanocomposite of polyaniline and GdTeSe quantum dots combined with a SARS-CoV-2 specific aptamer. This aptasensor is designed to detect viral proteins in wastewater, offering an innovative tool for real-time disease surveillance and early outbreak detection.
Ms Gazu hopes her research will not only enhance understanding of alternative Covid-19 transmission routes but will also contribute to public health monitoring systems that support rapid, low-cost diagnostics in resource-limited settings. Her vision includes facilitating collaborations with government and municipalities to integrate wastewater-based epidemiology into public health planning, contributing to both economic and societal development. Ms Gazu was recognised as a top-achieving student at the 2016 Mayoral Awards. She has since published two peer-reviewed articles in ChemistrySelect and Electrocatalysis.
She has also presented her work at prestigious academic forums, including the Annual Young Scientist Conference on Climate Change and Earth Systems (Kathmandu, 2023), and national conferences such as the International Water Association (IWA) 8th Conference on Natural Organic Matter and IWA Particle Separation Conference and the Electrochemistry Masterclass Series, In 2023 and 2024, she participated in the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement FameLab Regional Heat and the China International College Students' Innovation Competition. Ms Gazu's work exemplifies innovation at the intersection of chemistry, nanotechnology and public health.
