Tebello Nyokong
Tebello Nyokong | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 20, 1951 Maseru, Lesotho |
| Occupation(s) | Chemist, academic |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Known for | Photodynamic therapy, nanotechnology, cancer research |
Tebello Nyokong (born 20 October 1951) is a South African chemist who holds the title of distinguished professor at Rhodes University. Her primary research area is photodynamic therapy, which offers an alternative approach to cancer treatment compared to traditional chemotherapy. In 2007, she was recognized as one of the top three most published scientists in South Africa.
Early life and education
Nyokong was born in Maseru, Lesotho, but spent the majority of her childhood in South Africa. Growing up in humble conditions, she balanced her education with responsibilities such as tending sheep while living with her grandparents. She later wrote an open letter to her younger self at age 18, underscoring how perseverance and a strong passion for science enabled her to overcome financial challenges and societal expectations, ultimately achieving both career success and a fulfilling family life.
Initially enrolled in arts, she transitioned to science studies two years prior to completing her matriculation, earning her Cambridge Overseas School Certificate in 1972. She obtained a bachelor's degree in chemistry and biology from the National University of Lesotho in 1977, followed by a Master's degree in Chemistry from McMaster University, Canada, in 1981. Nyokong earned her Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Western Ontario in 1987. Afterward, she was awarded a Fulbright fellowship to conduct postdoctoral research at the University of Notre Dame in the United States.
Career
Following her Fulbright fellowship tenure in the U.S., Nyokong briefly returned to Lesotho before joining Rhodes University as a lecturer in 1992. The National Research Foundation acknowledged her with a prestigious rating and supported her efforts to establish a dedicated research laboratory. Progressing through academic ranks, she advanced from lecturer to professor and ultimately achieved the status of distinguished professor. Nyokong is widely recognized for her contributions to nanotechnology and photodynamic therapy, developing innovative cancer detection and treatment techniques that minimize adverse effects associated with chemotherapy.
Her research team focuses on creating multifunctional nanodrugs for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes by chemically attaching metallic, magnetic, or semiconductor nanoparticles to photoactive phthalocyanine photosensitizers. These nanoparticles exploit the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect to selectively target tumors and can be engineered either as photosensitizers or drug carriers. This approach produces integrated therapeutic systems that utilize low-intensity light and reduced drug dosages to precisely eradicate tumor cells. Nyokong has emphasized the difficulties involved in designing hybrid materials that function as photocatalysts with therapeutic efficacy and antimicrobial properties while remaining environmentally benign.
By 2014, she held a professorship at Rhodes University located in Grahamstown. Nyokong was also featured in Adrian Steirn's photographic series 21 icons, which portrayed her transformation from a child shepherd to an esteemed chemist; prints from this series were sold to raise funds for charitable causes.
In 2021, Nyokong co-wrote an article published in Nature Materials discussing obstacles encountered by African scientists. The piece highlighted that although governmental funding covers salaries and operational expenses, international collaborations are crucial for securing research funding. It further underlined the significance of fostering partnerships to create a unified scientific community across Africa and bridging the divide between academic discoveries and commercialized innovations—the so-called innovation gap.
Awards and recognition
Nyokong was honored with South Africa's most prestigious accolade, the Order of Mapungubwe. In 2009, she represented Africa and the Arab States as the recipient of the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Award. The South African Chemical Institute bestowed upon her their Gold Medal in 2012, and IT News Africa listed her among the Top 10 Most Influential Women in Science and Technology across the continent. She was also the recipient of the National Research Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013. Additional distinctions include the 2016 African Union Kwame Nkrumah Award for Scientific Excellence in Basic Science, Technology and Innovation, as well as the Black Science, Technology & Engineering Professionals (BSTEP) Excellence Award in 2017.