Profiles of the rental pool programme grant holders

	Professor Tebello Nyokong The treatment of tumours in cancer therapy is an important part of the recovery process from the effects of cancer. Professor Tebello Nyokong is involved in the synthesis of novel phthalocyanine molecules (Pc) for photodynamic therapy for the treatment of cancerous tumours.

	Heidi Abrahamse Professor Heidi Abrahamse, head of the laser research group at the University of Johannesburg, is studying the actual effect of laser irradiation on biological tissue as applied in cancer therapy, wound healing and tissue regeneration.

	Egmont Rohwer Professor at the University of Pretoria’s Chemistry Department, Dr Egmont Rohwer, is involved in research into laser-spectroscopic analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

	Muzi Ndwandwe Passionate about energy conservation, Professor Muzi Ndwandwe, at the University of Zululand, is involved in research into laser deposition of materials that he hopes will result in less pollution in the materials manufacturing industry; and the use of an alternate fuel source via another project.

	Themba Mathe Physics lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Themba Mathe, is conducting research into the preparation of thin films that could be used in the manufacture of solar cells or photovoltaic devices using laser evaporation.

	Ian Robert Jandrell Ian Robert Jandrell, an internationally renowned scientist, is Professor and Head of the School of Electrical and Information Engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand.

	Christien Strydom Christien Strydom, Director at the North-West University's School of Physical and Chemical Sciences and participant in the CSIR National Laser Centre's rental pool programme, is involved in femtochemistry and laser spectroscopy research.