The Department of Biotechnology and Food Science successfully recently hosted the third edition of its annual Three Minutes Flash Facts (3MF2) Competition, attracting over 50 attendees including staff members, students, and guests.

The competition challenged postgraduate students to present their research in accessible language for non-specialist audiences, with each presenter given just three minutes to outline their work with focus and clarity.

The event featured 17 presentations covering diverse topics from food innovation to biotechnology, demonstrating how disciplined inquiry translates into practical solutions. Ten Master’s candidates and seven Doctoral candidates competed, with presentations assessed by two external judges: Dr Karabelo M Moloantoa from The University of KwaZulu-Natal and Dr Nishani Ramdhani from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

The Master’s Category winners are:

• First Place: Judith L. Bulambo – “Co-immobilisation of microbial lipase and laccase for plastic degradation” (Supervisor: Prof T Kudanga).
• First Runner-up: Nosipho Wendy S’thebe – “When plants speak, bacteria go silent: The power of phenolics” (Supervisor: Prof S Sabiu).
• First Runner-up: Selaya Govender -“Cancer combating potential of bioactive peptides from Bambara groundnut” (Supervisor: Prof J Mellem.)
• People’s Choice: Judith L. Bulambo.

Doctoral Category winners are:

• First Place: Abayomi Baruwa-“Gene cloning, production and characterization of recombinant lipase for environmental remediation” (Supervisor: Prof K. Permaul).
• First Runner-up: Munyaradzi Changara -“Green gold: Unlocking lignin for health and wellness” (Supervisor: Prof T Kudanga).
• Second Runner-up: Nondumiso Ntuli –”Pharmacognosy: Against Microbial Menace” (Supervisor: Prof S Sabiu)
• People’s Choice: Thembeka Thwala -“Antifungal-drug resistance and virulence factors of opportunistic fungal pathogens from wastewater treatment plants” (Supervisor: Prof SK Pillai).

Head of Department Professor F M Swalaha opened the event with welcoming remarks, thanking the organizing committee led by Professor S. Sabiu for sustaining the initiative through its third year with noticeable annual improvements. This year introduced cash prizes for award winners, building on the gift-only prizes offered in previous editions.

The departmental postgraduate coordinator, Prof K Permaul, applauded students for their presentations and encouraged participants to be more passionate and energetic in their delivery. He emphasized the importance of regularly presenting research results within groups, learning from peers, and simplifying complex work for diverse audiences. Prof. Permaul committed to driving stronger participation in next year’s competition.

Convener Professor Sabiu expressed appreciation to the judges, staff, and organizing team, including Dr C Pillay, Ms P Pillips, Ms Z Mdluli, Ms Nomvuselelo Ngcobo, Mr A Lanrewaju, and Ms B Ajani. He congratulated all participants and encouraged wider participation next year, noting that prize values are expected to increase in the next edition.

The competition required participants to address three core research questions: What is the problem? How is it being tackled? Why does it matter? Only static visual aids were permitted, ensuring focus remained on clear, effective communication.

Pictured: Winners of the Three Minutes Flash Facts (3MF2) Competition.

Photography: Nompumelelo Mpungose

Professor Sabiu Saheed/Silindile Buthelezi