Empangeni nanotechnologist goes global

MEN love to wonder, and that is the seed of science.

But for Empangeni Professor Neerish Revaprasadu (42), it is this passion for the minute particles unseen to the naked eye that has resulted in him leading the South African research team of nanotechnology.

The professor of chemistry at the University of Zululand (Unizulu) has been part of an international research programme for a second consecutive term, sponsored by the Royal Society UK and the National Research Foundation South Africa.

Nanotechnology is the science of small particles which are in nano size.

‘We study, make and manipulate materials,’ explains Neerish.

‘In layman’s terms, it is building structures out of materials that are very small, about one millionth the size of a strand of hair. When materials go into that size they have new properties.’

At Unizulu, Neerish trains post graduate students and conducts high quality research.

‘Youngsters are not well informed about careers and generally just follow the trend but getting a PhD is a passport to the world. I have visited over 25 countries all because of my job in science. You meet people from different backgrounds but science is the one common ground,’ added Neerish.

But apart from being a world-renowned nanotechnologist, the modest Zululander is also a husband and father of five-year-old triplets.

‘Zululand is my home. Being at Unizulu has had its positives and I find the environment stimulating. There are no distractions and my family is happy!’

Studied

Born in Stanger, Neerish graduated in 1993 from the University of Natal with an Honours degree in Chemistry and later registered at UNISA to complete his Post Graduate Certificate in Education.

In 1996, Neerish applied for a position as a Lab Technician at Unizulu. During that time, there was a programme led by the late Head of the Chemistry Department, Mack Zulu in collaboration with the United Kingdom (UK).

‘I spent one year as a lab assistant and then in 1997, I was sent to London to do my PhD in nanomaterial chemistry at the Imperial College which is ranked second best in the UK.’

He returned to South Africa in 2000 and was eventually promoted to senior lecturer at Unizulu.

‘I also started a research group in that year. It all just grew from there! To think, all I wanted was a job.’