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In February 2023, Sofia LAZAR, part of the "Afro Innovators" team from Rhodes University's Institute for Water Research, demonstrated exceptional problem-solving skills during the 5th W4F Hackathon in Montpellier, France. Competing against 69 teams from 17 countries, their innovative solution, the ISHLUZO sand water filter, earned them the third-place position. Judges praised the team's dedication and creativity in addressing local water pollution challenges. This cost-effective and sustainable solution aims to provide affordable and equitable access to safe drinking water.
Supported by the African Water Resources Mobility Network, their success underscores their commitment to long-term socio-economic and environmental development. Figure 1 shows Sofia LAZAR and other member of the Afro-Innovators team.
In March 2023, Sofia LAZAR took part in an international training program on "Portable Molecular Diagnostics for On-site Water Quality Monitoring". Hosted in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia, the five-day training was conducted under the guidance of Prof. David Werner from Newcastle University in the UK. The mornings were dedicated to hands-on activities, ranging from sampling at Kality WWTP to mastering DNA extraction techniques. Afternoons delved into crucial processes, including DNA quantification, library preparation, and advanced assays for gene quantification. The program encouraged collaboration among participants, such as YeeChu, George, Franella, and others, bringing together diverse backgrounds. The immersive experience concluded with a symposium where research findings on water quality monitoring were presented. This dynamic journey, spanning from March 6th to March 10th, 2023, not only equipped Sofia with practical skills in molecular diagnostics but also nurtured a deeper understanding of environmental challenges and research opportunities in Africa.
Fig : Sofia LAZAR, MSc student, actively participated in the Portable Molecular Diagnostics for On-site Water Quality Monitoring program held in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia.
In June 2023, Sofia LAZAR took part in the SASAqS 2023 conference in Cape Town, South Africa. The MSc student shared research findings on water quality modeling with the aquatic scientific community, alongside discussions with engineers and experts in water quantity and quality modeling. Following the presentation, Sofia actively engaged in discussions about her research and provided insights into future recommendations. On the conference's final day, Sofia participated in a field trip led by Prof. Dana Grobler and a hydrogeologist for the Steenbras Dam, which taps into the TMGA aquifer. Leveraging her engineering background, Sofia had meaningful discussions with Structural Engineers, acquiring valuable information about the Dam's structure and characteristics.
Fig: Sofia LAZAR participated in the SASAqS Conference 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa, alongside her fellow AWaRMN scholars.
In September 2023, Sofia LAZAR took part in the CPGS 2023 conference at Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa. During the conference, the MSc student shared insights into her research, focusing on scenarios related to the influence of climate change on water quality. Engaging in discussions, Sofia explored the impact of mining areas on water quality, aligning with another researcher's focus on the same topic. Drawing on her own research, Sofia provided a brief description of the impact of mining areas on water quality.
Last Modified: Fri, 01 Dec 2023 09:29:29 SAST