Two South African learners were awarded with medals after successfully showcasing their research projects in Turkey.
The two were awarded at the Eskom Expo for Young Scientist International Science Fair
at this year’s İzmir International Innovation Science Energy Engineering Fair (IISEEF) in Türkiye.
Thiedu Du Preez, 17, from Vredenburg High School on the West Coast, was awarded a Silver medal for his project, ‘Seal to Heal: Economical natural alternatives for wound healing’.
The objective of the project was to identify a formulation of natural products that can serve as a viable alternative to chemical solutions for sealing wounds and providing protection against harmful infections.
Du Preez said “it was an incredibly proud moment for me to walk onto the stage, collect my Silver medal, and hold the South African flag high with immense pride. While it’s a personal achievement, it’s also a shared success for Eskom Expo, my hometown, my school, and South Africa. I had an amazing experience at the IISEEF. It was fascinating to explore diverse projects addressing simple yet overlooked problems.
Meeting young scientists from around the world and learning about their cultures was truly a highlight, along with forging new friendships.”
Aadil Dawood, 17, from Bishops Diocesan College in Cape Town, was awarded a Bronze medal at the IISEEF, for his project titled
“spectro-metrical analysis of urinary metabolic by-products forming as a result of exercise.”
His research aims to understand how exercising impacts the human body at the molecular-level by analysing urine metabolites.
Dawood said “it feels incredible to win a Bronze medal at the IISEEF. Being part of such an event is something I’ll always remember. The IISEEF was a lot of fun. Meeting people from different countries and sharing ideas was inspiring. Everything was well-organised, and there were plenty of fun activities as well. The highlight for me was meeting so many new people and experiencing the culture in Izmir. Seeing the historic sites, trying the food, and learning about traditions was really special.”
The fair, which hosted more than 143 young scientists from 10 countries, saw innovative research projects showcased across various science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) categories such as Physics, Biology, and more.
Mologadi Motshele, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Eskom Development Foundation (Acting), said “Eskom is proud and congratulates Aadil and Thiedu, who have successfully represented South Africa at the IISEEF in Türkiye. Their innovative research projects aim to advance our understanding of exercise physiology and the other emphasising the therapeutic potential of natural ingredients. The two young scientists are indeed unlocking exciting possibilities to resolve societal problems for the future.”
Registration to take part in Eskom Expo opens on 15 January 2025. Visit: www.exposcience.co.za for details.
Picture: Supplied