Former Zululander receives doctorate
Empangeni resident Stefan van Wyk recently received his PhD in Biotechnology.
WITH more than a decade of studying under his belt, former Empangeni resident Stefan van Wyk recently received his PhD in Biotechnology.
Focusing mainly on the field of molecular plant physiology, Stefan has been keeping his nose in the books since 2004.
The former Grantham Park Primary and Empangeni High pupil and son of Grantham Park Primary Principal George van Wyk, started off with a BSc degree in Human Genetics at the University of Pretoria in 2004 and completed his Honours in Biotechnology in 2008.
During 2009, he completed an internship at Sylvean Biotech, a biotechnology start-up company based in Pretoria.
After completing his Masters degree in Biotechnology in 2011, Stefan’s research and knowledge resulted in a trip abroad when he was invited to visit the prestigious John Innes Centre in Norwich (UK).
He is now gearing up to head back to the University of Leeds towards the end of this year with his primary research interests being in the field of molecular plant physiology, especially enhancing active symbiotic nitrogen fixation and agronomical performance of soybean.