A doctoral scholar from the Water and Health Research Centre at the University of Johannesburg recently won the regional heat of the FameLabSA Competition.
Clarissa van der Loo also qualified for the semifinals which will be hosted at Wits on 24 March.
Young scientists were welcomed from around the country and competed to be named best science communicator.
Biotechnology enthusiast Van der Loo said the director from her research group informed her about the competition and at first she was hesitant, as public speaking does not come naturally to her.
“Biomedical technology is cool. All the CSI and forensic TV shows have a very large element of biomedical technology in them. I decided to study biomed as I love science and human health, but I’m too squeamish to work with patients like a doctor,” said Van der Loo.”I prefer small parts of the patients in tubes. I’m looking forward to learning about science communication and how to use that for the benefit of vulnerable communities.”
The contestants were required to compile a three-minute presentation on a topic of their choice. Van der Loo decided to speak about the water sector which, in her opinion, is a universal topic.
“We are all so reliant on water, so I think people can identify with that. I want to believe that my passion for the subject shone through and touched the judges.”I hope to one day use my passions for science and people to work in human rights and make life a bit easier for some. You shouldn’t suffer just because you weren’t born in the right country.”
Besides environmental issues, Van der Loo is also passionate about human rights and food.
All the heat winners will come together later this month for a masterclass presented by a science communicator from the BBC and FameLab, and this will be followed by the semifinals.
The winner of the semifinals will compete in April and the national winner will go to the Cheltenham Science Festival in the UK, where the competition first began in 2005.
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