Eurinah Koeras Image: SANORDUniversity of the Western Cape (UWC) researcher, Eurinah Koeras, from the Department of Sport, Recreation and Exercise Science, has placed third in the 2025 Matariki Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition. The international event challenges doctoral candidates to present their research in just three minutes to a non-specialist audience, highlighting the importance of clear and engaging science communication.
Koeras represented UWC with her presentation titled, “A Natural Approach to Prostate Health.” Her research explores the use of medicinal plants known for their reproductive health benefits to develop safer and more sustainable treatments for prostate cancer (PCa) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) - two of the most common conditions affecting men as they age.
UWC Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Robert Balfour, congratulated Koeras on her achievement. “This is an outstanding accomplishment that showcases UWC’s growing global research excellence,” he said.
Using advanced laboratory techniques, Koeras investigates how natural compounds can slow the progression of cancer while protecting healthy cells, regulate hormone levels such as testosterone, and reduce prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels - a key marker for prostate disease. Her work bridges the gap between natural medicine and modern science, aiming to provide men with effective treatments that also preserve their quality of life.
The Matariki 3MT competition brings together doctoral researchers from across the Matariki Network of Universities (MNU) - a global partnership of seven leading research-intensive institutions: UWC, Durham University (UK), Dartmouth College (USA), Queen’s University (Canada), University of Otago (New Zealand), University of Tübingen (Germany), and Uppsala University (Sweden).
As a researcher in male reproductive health and andrology, Koeras focuses on prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and hormonal signalling pathways. She is also an experienced cell biologist, associate lecturer, and curriculum developer in reproductive physiology, systems-based physiology, exercise physiology, and human anatomy. In addition, she serves as a postgraduate supervisor and mentor and is an experienced science communicator, having presented at national conferences and community engagement initiatives.
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Koeras’ other accolades include:
- Southern Region Winner - Three-Minute Thesis SANORD
- Institutional Winner - Three-Minute Thesis at UWC Research Week
- Fifth Place - Top 21 Qualifier for the Three-Minute Thesis National Competition hosted by the University of the Free State.
- Top 10 - Falling Walls Lab organised by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, hosted by the University of Cape Town.
- Selected as one of 12 speakers at the Soapbox Science Cape Town 2025 event.
