The high calibre of postgraduate research at the North-West University (NWU) has been nationally recognised. Seven NWU students were awarded top honours at the South African Institute of Physics (SAIP) annual conference, the country’s leading platform for physics scholars.

The awards span three fields: space science, astrophysics and condensed matter physics. Six students from the NWU’s Centre for Space Research (CSR) and one student from the Physics subject group walked away with the spoils.

“These awards are a strong endorsement of the calibre of research conducted by our postgraduate students,” says Prof Amare Abebe, director of the CSR. “The SAIP conference is a competitive space, and to see this level of recognition is very significant.”

Jonathan Troskie won the best PhD oral presentation in space science for his work on how cosmic particles move through the heliosheath. “I used simulations in synthetic turbulence to derive new diffusion coefficients. This helps improve how we model cosmic ray environments,” he explains.

The award for best MSc oral presentation in astrophysics went to Trevor Nyambe for combining three models to study pulsars. “By integrating radio, gamma-ray and nebular data we improve how we constrain pulsar properties.”

Lobone Dire was awarded best MSc poster presentation in astrophysics. “His analysis of star HD 68695 revealed abnormal emissions from key elements”, says Prof Thebe Medupe, the deputy dean for teaching and learning in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences and Lobone’s supervisor. “This points to active accretion, which is important in understanding star formation.”

Nicholas Snyman took home the best honours poster presentation in condensed matter physics for developing a new composite material for radiation protection in low earth orbit. “The material shows promising UV and semiconducting properties, ideal for satellite coatings,” he says.

Kenny Monontsi’s presentation on space science earned him the runner up spot for MSc oral presentations, while Christo Pretorius won the best honours poster presentation in astrophysics. Thembalethu Zulu received the honours encouragement prize in space science.

“These achievements raise the students’ academic profiles,” says Prof Abebe. “It increases their competitiveness for postgraduate opportunities and draws attention from the wider physics community for future collaboration and support.”

The recognition is also motivational, he says. “It shows our students that their work matters and sets a benchmark for what is possible. It encourages a culture of research excellence at the NWU.”

Seven NWU students received awards for their research at the South African Institute of Physics annual conference.