The Council for the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings has announced that 9 young scientists from South Africa are to participate in the 72nd Lindau Nobel Laureate meeting taking place from the 25-30th June 2023 in Lindau, Germany. Ms Ramakgahlela Betty Sebati, a Research Assistant from the SAMRC / University of Johannesburg’s Pan African Centre for Epidemics Research (PACER) Extra Mural Unit was selected as one of the 600 young scientists worldwide to attend the meeting with this year’s focus being dedicated to Physiology and Medicine.
In Lindau’s quest to continuously strive to increase the quality and internationality of the candidates, their scientific review panel selected 635 of the most qualified young scientists from more than 90 nationalities to participate in this year’s Lindau Meeting. The candidates will experience and contribute to the unique atmosphere of the Lindau Meetings, with about 40 Nobel Laureates also scheduled to attend the meeting and welcome the outstanding qualifications and the great diversity of nationalities of the applicants.
About being selected to attend the meeting, Ms Sebati said “I am greatly honoured and grateful for being selected to attend this once in a lifetime prestigious event. I look forward to connecting with other young scientists and the Nobel Laureates, as well as to inspiring and educating while learning from them as well. This is the kind of event that once you become part of you can never come out the same. I am greatly looking forward to all the experiences and exchanges. I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to the SAMRC for their support towards my studies and achievements. Great appreciation to my mentors and supervisor Prof Refilwe Phaswana-Mafuya and co-supervisor Dr Edith Phalane of the SAMRC/UJ PACER Extra Mural Unit for their unwavering support, lessons and great mentorship which made it possible for me to be part of the life-changing 72nd Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting”.
The nominating partner, the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) in partnership with the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) hosted a pre-travel meeting and science communication training on 15-16 May 2023 for the selected young scientists in preparation of the 72nd Lindau Laureate Meeting. During the pre-travel meeting, the 9 young scientists interacted with the alumni of the Lindau Laureate meetings who shared their experiences, and the opportunities post participating at this prestigious life changing meetings. The meeting featured high-level speakers from the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), and from partner organisations and entities.
In Lindau, the young scientists will experience a six-day programme with numerous lectures, panel discussions and science walks. They will also have the opportunity to meet the biggest science names in Physiology and Medicine when they are introduced to the Lindau Nobel Laureates. The young scientists are set to travel from 23 June 2023 to the 72nd Lindau Laureate Meeting in Germany and they will be accompanied by the Executive Officer at the ASSAf, Prof Himla Soodyall.
On behalf of the SAMRC we would like to congratulate Ms Ramakgahlela Betty Sebati on this excellent achievement. We look forward to hearing more about this exciting opportunity as she flies high the flag of South African young and early career scientists at this prestigious event.