Why visibility and mentorship matter in academia
- Jan 1, 2026
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 2
Dr Piwai Tshuma maintained regular communication with her supervisor, mentor, and research assistants to ensure alignment with the project. Her procurement was completed: All consumables for MOF synthesis were delivered at the start of the quarter.
Experimental work progressed well: the synthesis of monolithic MOFs was completed. Characterisation using PXRD, TGA, UV-VIS DRS, and FTIR was conducted, with UV-VIS DRS and FTIR performed at UP with mentor support. BET analysis is pending as the instrument was down from September to December. TEM analysis was partially completed at the University of Pretoria; the remaining samples await processing. SEM/EDX has been rescheduled for January/February 2026 at UP. Reusability & Stability Testing: Pending completion of all characterisations.
Delays in sample analysis were due to shared instrument access at UP and to downtime on the BET instrument at her institution. Despite a second visit arranged by her supervisor, not all samples were analysed. This resulted in rescheduling the CUT visit (for catalysis) to one week in December 2025 and three weeks in January 2026. She describes: "During a lab visit, our supervisor admired the glossy monolithic MOFs and humorously named them 'sparkle-lits', reflecting both their appearance and functional promise in solar-driven water purification".
Overall, while instrument-related delays have shifted some activities into Q3, experimental progress has been maintained, and the project remains on track to complete core synthesis and characterisation milestones in early 2026. She is currently preparing her first manuscript.
Dr Tshuma was awarded the first runner-up position for the Best Female Researcher award at Midlands State University, and tells of a curious incident: "A first-year female student approached me to ask how she could pursue research in environmental science. I wasn't expecting to become a role model so soon, but it was a touching and motivating experience that reminded me why visibility and mentorship matter in academia."
Dr Piwai Tshuma reporting on her progress for the following research project: Solar-Driven Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Pollutants: Utilising Monolithic MOFs for Sustainable Water Remediation.
Edited by Heidi Sonnekus & Leti Kleyn for the FAR-LeaF programme.
