Scientia Ladies Artical

Scientia - Harnessing the healing power of our land

Medicinal plants are known to produce several active compounds that play important roles in several of the plant’s natural biological functions. Man has long since been aware of the potential plants hold in helping to maintain physical well-being and for centuries, plants have served as a natural source of therapy for a range of illnesses. In Africa alone, it is estimated that between 60 and 90 percent of the continent’s total population rely on phytomedicine to treat and manage an extensive range of ailments.

New advances in biotechnology have the potential to change the way we view the role plants play in our health – not just in the treatment of common ailments but also more serious, life-threatening illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer. Through the innovative application of biotechnology, specific plant species can now be enabled to produce therapeutic proteins at a commercial rate – essentially helping to harness the power of plants in a safer, more efficient, and more cost-effective manner to that of traditional medicine. 

Scientia is a new phytopharmaceutical spin-out company strongly supported by Innovus – SU’s technology transfer office. Scientia is currently in the process of commercialising a plant extract found to be beneficial in aiding the treatment of breast cancer. We spoke to the ladies of Scientia about the role they hope to play in shaping the future of healthcare and what it means to them to be a female entrepreneur in 2022.

Prof Anna-Mart Engelbrecht

Prof Anna-Mart Engelbrecht is one of Scientia’s co-founders and an integral part of the research team involved in the development of new products for the company. With a working relationship spanning over a decade, Nox and Anna-Mart saw a niche in the market with regards to the development of phytopharmaceuticals based on the immense diversity of the flora found in southern Africa and the untapped wealth of knowledge that lies in ethnobotany and South Africa’s indigenous people.

Anna-Mart’s educational background is diverse – she initially studied an undergraduate degree in Nature Conservation with the goal of becoming a Game Ranger. From there, she took up a research assistant position at Free State University (UFS) before completing her Master of Medical Science (MMedSc) at UFS. All this before finally moving back to the Cape to complete her PhD in ischemia/reperfusion injury in the heart at Stellenbosch University.

When asked about the superpower she brings to the Scientia team, Anna-Mart believes her superpower lies in her love of bringing people together. She is always searching for the optimal outcome from any endeavour, and so finding others’ strengths and using them to creatively solve problems is what she does best.

The two women she credits as having made a lasting impression on her is her PhD supervisor – Prof Amanda Lochner – who managed a very productive career in academia whilst simultaneously raising a family – and Prof Zahra Zakheri – the president of the International Cell Death Society – who Anna-Mart credits as being an excellent scientist but also a remarkable person.

If Anna-Mart could travel back in time, the advice she would give to her younger self would be simple: to not be afraid to ask, not be afraid to speak to people, to make connections and build meaningful relationships, and to always listen with attention.

Prof Nox Makunga

Prof Nox Makunga’s education began in the Eastern Cape – where she spent her primary and high school years. At the (then) University of Natal, Nox completed her undergraduate and postgraduate studies all the way through to her PhD in Plant Molecular Biology. She joined Stellenbosch University in 2005 where she currently holds the position of associate professor. Furthermore, Nox was also a Fulbright scholar at the University of Minnesota in 2017 and 2018.

Nox is the other of Scientia’s co-founders. While within the multifaceted and complex process that is drug discovery, Nox’s primary contribution rests in providing the in-depth understanding of plant biochemistry and the specific plant specimens under study, she also plays an important role in social and cultural consciousness. In working within the realm of ethnobotany, Nox believes that it is important to acknowledge that as scientists and entrepreneurs, we are merely custodians of both South African biodiversity and also the incredible heritage held within the extensive knowledge of South Africa’s indigenous people.

A master in scientific communication, Nox believes her entrepreneurial superpower lies in her ability to capture an audience and to be able to speak to and connect with people – irrespective of their position they hold. A quality she attributes to her deep love and passion for plants and conservation.

When asked about the female role-models that made a lasting impact on her, Nox mentions her mother and her biology teacher at school. While her mother nurtured a deep love for gardening within Nox and offered the sage advice that would ultimately inform her career trajectory, Nox credits her biology teacher with fostering her curiosity for exploring the world around her.

In terms of the greatest barriers to entry facing women in entrepreneurship, Nox believes the problems to be complex and multifactorial, and that solutions lies in dismantling the gender stereotyping that still exists today. Her advice to her younger self: “to be an active participant in your future – to visualise what you want a lot more and truly have confidence in making it happen”.

Dr Catherine Kaschula

While Dr Catherine Kaschula is formally trained as an organic and medicinal chemist at Wits University, she completed her PhD and doctoral experience at UCT medical school and UCLA medical school, with the latter giving her years of medical expertise. Catherine’s role at Scientia is predominantly involved with the research side of product development, along with a team of other academics. She also assists in the grant writing process to help secure funding as well as progress reports which are provided to Scientia’s stakeholders.

Catherine’s unique superpower she brings to the Scientia team is the insight she has into both the chemical and biological spheres of the research Scientia does. Because product development for Scientia is multidisciplinary – drawing from various fields including chemistry, pharmacology, and physiology – having a team member that is versed in both chemistry and biology holds a significant advantage for the team.

Catherine’s female role-models are diverse and include the likes of Serena Williams, Angela Davis – the American activist, philosopher, academic, and author – Marie Curie, and Jung Chang – the Chinese-British writer. She also believes that the most important skills any entrepreneur needs are flexibility and the ability to adapt quickly to the ever-changing world around us.

Her advice to her younger self: to always make sure you take time for yourself and to spend enough time with family and friends.

Michelle van der Merwe

After completing her undergraduate and honours degree at the Department of Physiology at Stellenbosch University, Michelle is currently in the process of completing her master’s degree under the supervision of Prof Anna-Mart Engelbrecht at the university.

Michelle is currently involved in the product development, grant application, and marketing facets of Scientia and feels incredibly fortunate to be so intimately involved with the research side of the company, creating products that have the potential to impact people’s lives. She believes the superpower she brings to the Scientia team is her love for research and her creative thinking ability.

As for the skills she believes every entrepreneur needs in their toolkit, Michelle believes enthusiasm, drive, creativity, and being an out-of-the-box thinker are her non-negotiables. While she is still in the early stages of her career, her advice to herself would be to trust herself and the next step in the process – even if you cannot see the entire journey.

While Michelle admits that it can often be difficult to claim your space in an entrepreneurial world as a woman, she believes that being a female in a male-dominated environment has its advantages – based on the nurturing, empathetic, and caring characteristics women often demonstrate. The aforementioned which become of even greater importance when working in a healthcare setting.

Kamano Mochoele

Kamano Mochoele is a master’s student at the Department of Physiological Sciences at Stellenbosch University where she is currently in the process of completing a research project investigating the links between hormone replacement therapy and breast cancer. Her current role in the company includes being involved in research and product development, as well as the marketing of the company – including market research.

While she has only recently joined the Scientia team, Kamano hopes the superpower she will bring to the Scientia team is her unbridled enthusiasm and positivity, as well as her inherent curiosity for the world around her.

She credits Prof Anna-Mart Engelbrecht – her honour’s and master’s supervisor, Dr Annadie Krygsman – the tissue culture laboratory manager at the Physiology Department, and her mother as three of her most influential female role-models in her life. While her mother taught her the unbelievable strength and commitment it takes to raise three children in a modern world, she credits Anna-Mart with having taught her to always think about the person first and to always approach any situation with empathy.

The tools she plans to employ as she undertakes the new phase of her entrepreneurial journey: to always do the work, always hold the end-goal in her sight, to embody a growth mindset, and to cultivate hobbies that are entirely unrelated to her work. Her advice to her younger self: “whatever it is you do in life, if you’re really going to do it, then give it your all.”