Four South African Young Scientists to Represent Nation at Global STEM Competition

Tuesday, 6 May 2025

Eskom Expo for Young Scientists has selected four exceptional South African students to represent the nation at the prestigious Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in the United States next week.

Global Stage for Local Talent

The Regeneron ISEF 2025, widely recognized as the world's largest pre-college STEM competition, will be held from 10 to 16 May in Columbus, Ohio. Celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, the event will showcase innovative research from more than 1,800 students representing over 60 countries worldwide.

The four South African participants will present cutting-edge research projects that span assistive technology, marine biology, plant science, and theoretical mathematics – demonstrating the diverse scientific interests and capabilities of the country's young researchers.

Meet South Africa's Young Innovators

The South African team, which will be accompanied by Eskom Expo's Mpumalanga Provincial Coordinator Innocent Marume, consists of:

• Ismaail (Miles) Hassen, 17 – Grade 11 student from Greenside High School in Johannesburg, who developed an affordable wearable assistive navigation device for the visually impaired called "Walk-Man." His innovation features real-time obstacle detection and GPS tracking capabilities at a fraction of the cost of existing solutions.
• Salusiwe Mxayiya, 17 – Grade 12 student from Luhlaza High School in Cape Town, whose marine biology research investigates infection rates of Hector's lantern fish by parasites and their impact on population dynamics. Her work involves collaboration with the South African Environmental Observation Network and the Department of Environment, Forestry, and Fisheries.
• Naveera Chana, 14 – Grade 9 student from Tesseract Homeschool in Johannesburg, who designed a low-cost gas exchange system for measuring CO2 assimilation and photosynthesis. Her invention makes scientific tools more accessible for students and researchers who cannot afford expensive commercial equipment.
• Binyameen (Bini) Mohamedy, 18 – Grade 12 student from UJ Metropolitan Academy in Gauteng South, whose mathematical research focuses on recursive prime generating functions, creating more approachable proofs for complex number theory concepts.

Nurturing Scientific Talent

Ms. Mologadi Motshele, Acting CEO of the Eskom Development Foundation, highlighted the significance of South African participation at this elite global event: "The Regeneron ISEF is a highly competitive science fair, renowned for showcasing cutting-edge projects in fields such as artificial intelligence and robotics. The inclusion of South African learners this year highlights the international calibre of local research."

Dr. Krishnie Naidoo, Eskom Expo Academic Director, emphasized how the students' work addresses contemporary challenges: "The research done by our four participants is an indication that our youth are indeed responding to the needs of our time: sustainability, environmental concerns, and inclusivity of differently abled persons."

Ongoing Commitment to STEM Education

The selection of these students comes as Eskom Expo's District Expos are currently underway across South Africa. The organization continues to encourage participation in scientific research among school learners in Grades 4 to 12 and TVET students.

While Eskom's power generation challenges remain a significant focus for the organization, its investment in developing young scientific talent through the Eskom Expo represents an important commitment to South Africa's future innovation capacity and technical expertise.

Key Terms Explained

• Regeneron ISEF: The International Science and Engineering Fair, the world's largest pre-college science competition, sponsored by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.
• STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics – the four disciplines considered fundamental for modern technological innovation and economic development.
• Eskom Expo for Young Scientists: A science fair program that encourages South African youth to engage in research and innovation, operated under the Eskom Development Foundation.
• Gas Exchange System: Scientific equipment that measures how plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen during photosynthesis, essential for understanding plant responses to environmental changes.