Ms Shavani Naicker, a final year PhD student within the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, has recently been awarded the South African Women in Science Award (SAWiSA) under the category of the DSI- Esther Mahlangu Fellowship for doctoral students in the field of Astronomy.

Under the academic supervision of Professor Sunil Maharaj and Dr Byron Brassel, Naicker’s research focus is on gravitational dynamics in Lovelock gravity which is the study of the gravitational behaviour of static stellar models in Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet gravity by solving their governing equations.  ‘These equations are complicated and nonlinear however, I am able to solve these using an innovative approach not considered in earlier investigations,’ said Naicker.

Speaking about her recent award, Naicker highlighted that these awards were made to women who are currently involved in full-time study or research leading to master’s or PhD degrees. ‘The fellowships recognise the awardees’ outstanding ability and potential in research, enhance their research experience and output, and encourage more young women to complete research degrees.’

Living by the saying, “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if only one remembers to turn on the light” (Fictional character: Albus Dumbledore – Harry Potter book series.), Naicker is hoping that receiving such an award would serve as motivation for young aspiring female students who are interested in Astronomy.  ‘As an emerging young researcher in astronomy, this fellowship will help me fulfil my goals. I aspire to be a Professor of Astronomy and Mathematics, a well-established researcher and eventually the director of the Astrophysics Research Centre at UKZN. I am quite passionate about astronomy,’ said Naicker.

Naicker is undoubtedly a trail blazer in her field and is no newbie to success, with a string of awards already under her belt, her future plans include continuing at UKZN as a postdoctoral fellow in Applied Mathematics and Astrophysics and hopefully serve as an academic lecturer in the field of general relativity.

Words: Prashina Ramcharan