An Mthatha student’s cancer research has earned him a top spot in a prestigious postgraduate symposium.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch, Olamide Daramola, a Walter Sisulu University (WSU) Masters chemistry student, said the recognition from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) for his attempts to develop cost-effective cancer medication felt fantastic.
“I feel like I’m contributing something to the development of the community.”
He chose to research cancer as the disease is among the top killers and so far there is no breakthrough in finding a cure. “I’m trying to see how we can bring a simple method to cure this disease, using cost-effective material that’s not too toxic to the human body and the environment,” he said.
The research is still work in progress. Provincial health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said he couldn’t comment on the research before it had been presented to the Medicines Control Council.
WSU spokeswoman Angela Church said: “This is the first time in over a decade and since the merger in 2005 that a WSU student achieved this feat.”
The symposium, organised by the Eastern Cape branch of the SA Chemistry Institute, sees postgraduate chemistry students from NMMU, Fort Hare, Rhodes, WSU, and Innoventon – a research unit based at NMMU – compete for the top spot. The second-year master’s student beat seniors in his category.
“This was such a welcome surprise because sometimes you’re so consumed by your work you fail to recognise your own achievements.
“This award is significant in that it signals the gains the university is making in research that could change people’s lives,” he said.
Daramola said his work, “The synthesis of Type II CdTe core shell nanoparticles for bio-labelling application focusing on cancer cells”, aimed to make it easier to identify cancer cells in the body.
Nanoparticles are also known as quantum dots.
“They have good optical and photo-physical properties, which allows them to be used in opto-electronics, photovoltaic devices and most importantly bio-applications.”
The research also aims to find answers on how to cure and locate cancerous cells in the human body without operating on the patient; how to produce a drug for cancer imaging in the body; and how to produce less toxic materials for use on the human body.
Dr Potlaki Tseki, head of WSU’s chemistry department, was thrilled with the achievement. “We are constantly amazed by the potential to create such knowledge from our humble laboratories compared to the laboratories of our sister institutions,” he said. “The university’s staff can no longer be ignored for their potential to effectively contribute to frontier knowledge in chemistry.” — vuyiswav@dispatch.co.za
WSU student earns nod for symposium
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch, Olamide Daramola, a Walter Sisulu University (WSU) Masters chemistry student, said the recognition from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) for his attempts to develop cost-effective cancer medication felt fantastic.
“I feel like I’m contributing something to the development of the community.”
He chose to research cancer as the disease is among the top killers and so far there is no breakthrough in finding a cure. “I’m trying to see how we can bring a simple method to cure this disease, using cost-effective material that’s not too toxic to the human body and the environment,” he said.
The research is still work in progress. Provincial health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said he couldn’t comment on the research before it had been presented to the Medicines Control Council.
WSU spokeswoman Angela Church said: “This is the first time in over a decade and since the merger in 2005 that a WSU student achieved this feat.”
The symposium, organised by the Eastern Cape branch of the SA Chemistry Institute, sees postgraduate chemistry students from NMMU, Fort Hare, Rhodes, WSU, and Innoventon – a research unit based at NMMU – compete for the top spot. The second-year master’s student beat seniors in his category.
“This was such a welcome surprise because sometimes you’re so consumed by your work you fail to recognise your own achievements.
“This award is significant in that it signals the gains the university is making in research that could change people’s lives,” he said.
Daramola said his work, “The synthesis of Type II CdTe core shell nanoparticles for bio-labelling application focusing on cancer cells”, aimed to make it easier to identify cancer cells in the body.
Nanoparticles are also known as quantum dots.
“They have good optical and photo-physical properties, which allows them to be used in opto-electronics, photovoltaic devices and most importantly bio-applications.”
The research also aims to find answers on how to cure and locate cancerous cells in the human body without operating on the patient; how to produce a drug for cancer imaging in the body; and how to produce less toxic materials for use on the human body.
Dr Potlaki Tseki, head of WSU’s chemistry department, was thrilled with the achievement. “We are constantly amazed by the potential to create such knowledge from our humble laboratories compared to the laboratories of our sister institutions,” he said. “The university’s staff can no longer be ignored for their potential to effectively contribute to frontier knowledge in chemistry.” — vuyiswav@dispatch.co.za
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