A Welkom girl has been afforded the opportunity of a lifetime, and has embarked on an adventure most young scientists can only dream of – a Fulbright scholarship to the prestigious University of California, Davis (UC Davis).
Vickey Harris (31) has left South Africa to attend the UC Davis for nine months as a visiting researcher in the protein biochemistry laboratory. She is the only South African scientist to receive this distinguished honour in 2024.
Harris was selected because of her trailblazer work in the field of ecotoxicological research at the North-West University’s (NWU) Potchefstroom campus.
Harris is completing her PhD in environmental science, with a focus in ecotoxicology. She aims to complete her doctorate by December 2024, but it is her field of research towards this doctorate that caught the attention of the Americans.
The Fulbright scholarship is one of the most prestigious scholarships available to postgraduate professionals globally.
With only about 20% of applicants being selected each year, receiving a Fulbright is a significant achievement. It is a symbol of excellence, awarded to outstanding individuals based on their academic and professional achievements. It provides recipients with unparalleled opportunities for international exchange.
Starting in October, Harris will represent South Africa at the UC Davis as a visiting researcher.
Her research will focus on the interactions between environmental toxins, and membrane transporters and other transport mechanisms in organisms.
Her doctorate at the NWU entails research on soil from the moon and Mars.
“I want to determine whether I can alter substrates to support plant growth on the moon and Mars. This would be used in a futuristic situation when humans colonise other planets. So far, I have successfully recreated soil samples like those found on both.
“Through my research, the moon samples have successfully supported life and plants. The Mars samples are a work in progress, but some success has been achieved,” says Harris.
She says she is working towards the perfect recipe that will enable human life on those two planets, and also to enable life in arid soils in Africa and elsewhere in the world.
“I have worked hard on my doctorate and to now be able to add Fulbright scholarship in the field of sciences to my CV is totally insane. I will use the nine months at the UC Davis to prepare for a post-doctorate in ecotoxicology.”
Harris matriculated from the St Dominic’s College in Welkom in 2010.
After leaving school in 2011, Harris completed a year at the Youth With A Mission (YWAM) organisation in Worcester and then an outreach mission to India.
Throughout her studies Harris has done missionary work in Malawi and recently completed a few weeks in Zimbabwe.
She then completed her Bachelor of Theology (BTh) in Pastoral Counselling in 2014. Her extra subject was sign language. During this period, Harris was invited into the Golden Key Society, and is still involved on the different levels. She recently became a Golden Key student advisor.
After the completion of her Theology degree, Harris changed direction and started her journey in the field of sciences.
She completed her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, and then she went on to do her honours and master’s in Environmental and Biological Science.
“I believe God will use me in this new direction my life has taken. As we read in Matthew 28: ‘Go with what God has given you’,” says this vibrant and driven young woman.
