Tebello Nyokong (b 1951) Chemist currently researching photo-dynamic therapy

Tebello Nyokong (OMB, FRR, Hon FRSC, FRSSAf) is a South African chemist and distinguished professor at Rhodes University.
INCREDIBLE to think that in her childhood she had to wear second-hand clothes and was barefoot- her ambition was to own a pair of shoes.

As a young child she went to live with her grandparents in the mountains of Lesotho. She learned science observing the wildlife as an 8 year old while caring for sheep. School one day, sheep next day.

When she started university she was originally steered away from, science - told it was too difficult. She changed direction and in 2 years with perseverance, completed the science course.
1977 earned BSc degree in chemistry and biology.
!987 earned an MA and Ph.D in chemistry
Received a Fulbright fellowship to continue her post-doctoral studies at the university of Notre Dame in US.

Returned to Lesotho. 1992 began to lecture at Rhodes University.
Moved rapidly through the ranks from lecturer, to professor, to distinguished professor.

Tebello is known for her research in nanotechnology as well as her work in photo-dynamic therapy. She is paving the way for safer cancer detection without the debilitating side effects of chemotherapy. She researched alternative cancer treatment to chemotherapy. She developing a drug that combined with photodynamic therapy can be injected into the patient and activated by light.

She has had 100s of articles published.

She has invested her time in training a new generation of chemists, and in programmes to supply unused lab equipment to schools.

Tebello has received many awards and honours. She has paved the way for other women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

She now has her shoes and many are trying to follow in her footsteps.

Sources
Wikipedia
RISE: Extraordinary Women of Colour Who Changed the World by Maliha Abidi