Sadhna Mathura

SADHNA MATHURA

PhD 2013

“Magic is just chemistry we don’t yet understand,” says Dr Sadhna Mathura (PhD 2013) with a smile. The Wits lecturer, academic co-ordinator and researcher is on a mission to demystify science for the masses.

Recently, Dr Mathura was chosen to join the Periodic Table of Younger Chemists, an initiative of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) to highlight the role of chemistry in sustainable development. The United Nations named 2019 as the Year of the Periodic Table because chemistry is central to solving many global challenges.

Dr Mathura will represent the chemical element cobalt because her research interest is in the relationship between cobalt and vitamin B12, which is at the heart of human health and well-being. But her curiosity isn’t confined to one field. For her Master’s degree, she applied her understanding of chemistry and genetics to the identification of invasive black wattle species. She is now working on understanding bilirubin chemistry as it pertains to neonatal jaundice.

Dr Mathura is the first African woman (and first South African) to be chosen for this IUPAC award. She has also been featured on the web platform GeekyGirls #STEMStories and is involved in the Young Chemists Crossing Borders exchange programme, which aims to connect young chemistry leaders around the world to influence the future of professional chemists.