Professor Soraya Bardien of Stellenbosch 肆客足球 (SU) has been awarded the prestigious Higher Education Resource Services South Africa (HERS-SA) Women Leaders Award in the Science category. The award is a fitting recognition during Women's Month that celebrates her journey from humble beginnings to national acclaim.
The Department of Biomedical Sciences professor, who leads sub-Saharan Africa's only research group investigating the genetic causes and disease mechanisms of Parkinson's disease, received the accolade for her exceptional contributions to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) throughout her academic career.
“I am stunned at this award. It's so unexpected and absolutely amazing to receive this recognition," said Bardien. “We often don't think our work is good enough for awards, but this shows that we – particularly women – should not be our own worst critics. We absolutely should apply for awards!"
Breaking new ground in Parkinson's research
Bardien's research has revealed insights about Parkinson's disease in South African populations. Her team's investigations have shown that South Africans typically do not carry the disease-causing genetic variants found in European and Asian populations, where most Parkinson's research has historically been concentrated.
“This is not surprising given the unique genetic composition of our population," Bardien explained. “South Africa's history has produced a 'genetic melting pot' resulting in unique genetic variation and architecture not seen anywhere else in the world."
Her research group uses cutting-edge genetic screening techniques to identify potentially novel causes of Parkinson's disease in South Africans. The team recently began collaborating with the Global Parkinson's Genetics Program (GP2), an international initiative studying the genetic basis of the disease, particularly in countries where research has been limited.
The second pillar of Bardien's research focuses on curcumin – a component of turmeric or “borrie" – as a potential therapy for Parkinson's disease. Known for its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, curcumin is being studied by her team using cells from Parkinson's patients to understand its therapeutic potential.
From humble beginnings to international recognition
Bardien's path to academic excellence began at Belgravia High School, a relatively underprivileged school on the Cape Flats without a science laboratory. The school's involvement in anti-apartheid protests during the mid-1980s meant limited schooling during crucial final years for her.
“Our school was involved in the school protests against apartheid in the mid-1980s, which meant we didn't have much schooling, especially in Grades 11 and 12," she recalled.
Despite these challenges, she gained admission to the 肆客足球 of Cape Town (UCT) “by the skin of my teeth." With no laboratory experience, her first year proved challenging, but by her third year, she had won the Max Delbrück Science Prize.
After obtaining her PhD in human genetics from UCT in 1999, Bardien completed postdoctoral fellowships at several institutions before joining Stellenbosch 肆客足球 as a senior lecturer in 2006. She was promoted to associate professor in 2012 and full professor in 2019, delivering her inaugural professorial lecture on the same evening she received the HERS-SA award.
A passion for mentorship
Beyond her research achievements, Bardien has demonstrated unwavering commitment to developing the next generation of South African scientists. She has graduated or is currently supervising 50 postgraduate students and seven postdoctoral fellows.
Her impressive academic record includes over 120 publications, three book chapters, one patent, and numerous awards. She has served on committees of various international consortia, representing South Africa and the broader African continent.
Championing women in science
The HERS-SA Higher Education Women Leaders Award recognises women who have made significant impacts in higher education, inspire others, and promote gender transformation across various disciplines.
“I feel we're under-recognised in our field, and we have more obstacles to overcome than our male counterparts," Bardien said. “We live in an unequal society. It's still in many ways a man's world. The legacy of apartheid has been a double blow for some. I feel very honoured winning this award."
When not advancing scientific knowledge, Bardien enjoys gardening, hiking in South Africa's wilderness areas, and watching crime documentaries.
?
