Dr Nehemiah Latolla from Nelson Mandela University has been selected as one of 25 winners of the Commonwealth Chemistry Poster competition for 2022.
Gqeberha, South Africa (04 November 2022) – Dr Nehemiah Latolla has been selected as a winner for the Commonwealth Chemistry Poster competition, winning in the Biodiversity and Natural Products theme. His winning poster explains the anti-diabetic activity of Eastern Cape plants Cissampelos Capensis and Strychnos henningsii.
Dr Nehemiah Latolla works in the Department of Chemistry, at the Faculty of Science, Nelson Mandela University. He worked with Buyiswa Hlangothi to author the poster. The medicinal plants researched were looked into for their anti-diabetic properties. Diabetes is a significant health issue in South Africa, making the research vital.
With access to medical care limited and traditional medicines playing a vital role in care, the study into these medicinal plants to see if they can help will help many. According to some of the findings in the study, “the study contributes new knowledge as it validates the use of these plants by locals to manage diabetes.”
The Commonwealth Chemistry Poster competition is an annual event that was started three years ago. The Federation of Commonwealth Chemical Sciences Societies hosts the competition and invited scientists from all the Commonwealth countries to design educational posters that fall within six themes. These include Biodiversity and Natural Products, Energy and Materials, Food and Agriculture, Green Chemistry and Catalysis, Health and Well-being, and Water and Environmental Chemistry.
The Federation works to champion equal opportunity, drive innovation, and promote excellence in the chemical sciences for the benefit of the Commonwealth nations and their people.
The competition took place in September 2022 and saw 180 entries from 31 countries.
“These 25 early career researchers from 17 Commonwealth nations show the breadth of excellent research being conducted across the Commonwealth and represent the diversity of Commonwealth Chemistry.
We are honoured to support these chemists in their future career and personal development.”
You can view Dr Nehemiah Latolla’s winning poster here.
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