Bacterial contamination in cooling water towers poses significant risks to the cooling water infrastructure, contamination of natural water resources and health risks for individuals inside and near the affected buildings. Thus, efforts to prevent and address such contamination are critically important.
Dr Elzaan Booysen
As such the Water Research Commission (WRC) approved a R1-million grant to a postdoctoral fellow of the Institute for Microbial Biotechnology and Metagenomics (IMBM), Dr Elzaan Booysen.
Considering that Dr Booysen only joined the IMBM in 2022 and does not hold an academic appointment at the University, the award is a rare achievement and testimony to her scientific expertise and soft skills set.
The two-year interdisciplinary project is to improve the antibiofilm activity of a proprietary green biocide that the South African industry partner, Biodx (Pty) Ltd developed.
The award follows a previous WRC-funded project initiated in 2022 and led by the IMBM Director Professor Marla Trindade.
The development and production of natural and eco-friendly compounds for the treatment of industrial wastewater has been one of Prof Trindade’s research themes over the last 12 years in collaboration with industry, which has led to two patents that supported the project.
When this initial project concluded, Prof Trindade encouraged Dr Booysen to apply for further funding to test the initial outcomes of the formulation developed in the project at pilot scale, leading to the grant.
The success of this initial project is attributed to several factors which Dr Booysen managed in her role as the lead researcher.
This included her continuous engagement with different partners on the project (Stellenbosch University Water Research Institute, the CSIR and Biodx); the high quality of the research outputs; and ensuring that the project activities and outputs are aligned with national industrial wastewater priorities.
The interdisciplinary approach, the facilities and the expertise of the different partners on the project presents a unique opportunity for the development of innovative solutions to the problem, but requires Dr Booysen to continuously manage the needs and expectations of each partner and the funder.
As an early career scientist, it is these non-scientific aspects of a project that present an opportunity for personal and professional growth. It also presents an opportunity to demonstrate to postgraduate researchers the importance of a skill set that goes beyond the academic qualification.
About the new grant, Dr Booysen remarks: “We are very excited about the opportunity. If the high bacterial count in cooling water towers is not effectively managed, the bacterial growth results in the formation of biofilms, which is a community of microorganisms in which cells stick to each other and to a surface. These biofilms are difficult to disrupt and eventually leads to a reduced efficiency of the cooling towers.”
Dr Booysen also explained that “As an early career researcher it is incredibly important to secure funding for research. This grant is significant because it builds my track record in securing grants, which is crucial for my development as an emerging researcher and for establishing my footprint in the field.”
Over the next two years, Dr Booysen will continue to lead the collaboration between the IMBM and Biodx, and will have the opportunity to supervise one or two masters or doctoral students.
She hopes her success would inspire other students to pursue their research goals. “This achievement shows that if you put in the effort, you can seize these opportunities. Even if the chances of getting funding are low, you should always apply because there’s always a chance.”
Reflecting on her journey, Dr Booysen shared some advice for fellow researchers: “Research has its ups and downs. What works best for me is just getting up and doing it, even if you don’t feel like it. Motivation might wane, but progress only happens if you take action. Waiting around for opportunities won't get you anywhere—you must go out there and find them.”
Professor Trindade congratulated Dr Booysen on her achievement, adding that this grant was a testament to the importance of collaborative research and that an enabling and supportive research environment matched with dedicated researchers and funding opportunities is a trifecta for success and increasing one’s impact in the research field.
Dr Elzaan BooysenConsidering that Dr Booysen only joined the IMBM in 2022 and does not hold an academic appointment at the University, the award is a rare achievement and testimony to her scientific expertise and soft skills set.
The two-year interdisciplinary project is to improve the antibiofilm activity of a proprietary green biocide that the South African industry partner, Biodx (Pty) Ltd developed.
The award follows a previous WRC-funded project initiated in 2022 and led by the IMBM Director Professor Marla Trindade.
The development and production of natural and eco-friendly compounds for the treatment of industrial wastewater has been one of Prof Trindade’s research themes over the last 12 years in collaboration with industry, which has led to two patents that supported the project.
When this initial project concluded, Prof Trindade encouraged Dr Booysen to apply for further funding to test the initial outcomes of the formulation developed in the project at pilot scale, leading to the grant.
The success of this initial project is attributed to several factors which Dr Booysen managed in her role as the lead researcher.
This included her continuous engagement with different partners on the project (Stellenbosch University Water Research Institute, the CSIR and Biodx); the high quality of the research outputs; and ensuring that the project activities and outputs are aligned with national industrial wastewater priorities.
The interdisciplinary approach, the facilities and the expertise of the different partners on the project presents a unique opportunity for the development of innovative solutions to the problem, but requires Dr Booysen to continuously manage the needs and expectations of each partner and the funder.
As an early career scientist, it is these non-scientific aspects of a project that present an opportunity for personal and professional growth. It also presents an opportunity to demonstrate to postgraduate researchers the importance of a skill set that goes beyond the academic qualification.
About the new grant, Dr Booysen remarks: “We are very excited about the opportunity. If the high bacterial count in cooling water towers is not effectively managed, the bacterial growth results in the formation of biofilms, which is a community of microorganisms in which cells stick to each other and to a surface. These biofilms are difficult to disrupt and eventually leads to a reduced efficiency of the cooling towers.”
Over the next two years, Dr Booysen will continue to lead the collaboration between the IMBM and Biodx, and will have the opportunity to supervise one or two masters or doctoral students.
She hopes her success would inspire other students to pursue their research goals. “This achievement shows that if you put in the effort, you can seize these opportunities. Even if the chances of getting funding are low, you should always apply because there’s always a chance.”
Reflecting on her journey, Dr Booysen shared some advice for fellow researchers: “Research has its ups and downs. What works best for me is just getting up and doing it, even if you don’t feel like it. Motivation might wane, but progress only happens if you take action. Waiting around for opportunities won't get you anywhere—you must go out there and find them.”
Professor Trindade congratulated Dr Booysen on her achievement, adding that this grant was a testament to the importance of collaborative research and that an enabling and supportive research environment matched with dedicated researchers and funding opportunities is a trifecta for success and increasing one’s impact in the research field.
