Midlands State University lecturer and top researcher in the Chemical Technology Department, Dr Gift Mehlana continues to distinguish himself as a young chemist par excellence. This time, the FLAIR Research Fellow has been selected by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) to represent Californium on the Periodic Table of elements.
In celebration of its 100th anniversary, IUPAC in partnership with the International Younger Chemists Network (IYCN) created a Periodic Table of Younger Chemists, which honours a diverse group of 118 outstanding younger chemists from around the world who embody the mission and core values of IUPAC. This means that Dr Mehlana is among world’s most esteemed young chemists and his achievement is no mean feat as his name together with those of other awardees will be engraved on the IUPAC Periodic Tale for the next century.
The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry’s Periodic Table of Younger Chemists is also in line with the United Nations (UN) General Assembly’s declaration of 2019 as the International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements (IYPT).
The announcement was made in Ghent, Belgium during the 14th IUPAC International Congress of Crop Protection on the 19th of May 2019. Speaking on his achievement, Dr Mehlana said he was grateful for being awarded the honour.
‘I am very humbled to have been chosen to represent Californium on the Periodic Table of Young Chemists. I am extremely happy to put Zimbabwe and Midlands State University on such a distinguished global platform,’ he said.
Midlands State University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Victor Muzvidziwa said, the accolade is emblematic of the outstanding global impact of Dr Mehlana`s research.
‘MSU is exceedingly proud of you for according us high visibility on a global platform. Through you, MSU will be etched on the periodic table of young chemists for the next 100 years and this is no mean achievement,’ said the Vice-Chancellor.
Dr Mehlana is a recipient of several prestigious scholarships and grants including the recent £300 000 grant by the African Academy of Sciences and Royal Society and the PhosAgro/IUPAC/UNESCO research grant (2018).
Congratulations, Makorokoto, Amhlophe!!!
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