NRF Youth Month 2025: Dr Shavani Naicker

The NRF supports the growth of the next generation of researchers and scholars to sustain South Africa’s knowledge enterprise. June is Youth Month, and this year the NRF is celebrating the youth who are shaping tomorrow through research today. We thank all participants for sharing their stories with us.

Dr Shavani Naicker is a postdoctoral Fellow in Applied Mathematics at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She received funding from the NRF for her PhD and postdoctoral Fellowship.

How did your journey start?

From a young age, I loved gazing up at the night sky; the beauty was captivating, and it has always made me wonder about what lies beyond the stars. This curiosity urged me to ponder the galaxies and the universe in its entirety. I then started reading up about the cosmos, watching NASA documentaries, and was soon engaged by the ideas and concepts formulated by Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking. I also loved Mathematics and Physics in high school and had always excelled in them.

During my grade 11 school year, my school was invited to a career day hosted by the Astrophysics Research Centre (ARC) at UKZN. This event was a turning point in my life as I knew then what I was planning to study and where. I was very much inspired by the members and researchers of ARC; the talks were very enlightening. Moreover, UKZN offers a well-structured programme in Astronomy, with strong coursework in Mathematics, Physics, and Astrophysics. After completing matric with eight distinctions, I was able to enrol for a Bachelor of Science M-stream degree with majors in Mathematics and Astronomy. This undergraduate path was a natural fit, as it nurtured both my passion for Astronomy and my deep curiosity about the universe. I completed this three-year Bachelor of Science in 2019 and graduated summa cum laude.

I received numerous accolades in my undergraduate years, one was being in the top three of my second-year degree in the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science at UKZN. I also received the Hanno Rund award for the top third-year Applied Mathematics student in the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science at UKZN.

During my undergraduate studies at UKZN, I had the privilege of engaging with several academics and researchers within the Astrophysics Research Centre (ARC), including Professor Kavilan Moodley, Professor Sudan Hansraj, Dr Byron P. Brassel, and Professor Rituparno Goswami. These interactions were instrumental in inspiring me to pursue further studies. Dr Byron Brassel, in particular, played a pivotal role in shaping my academic path. He encouraged me to pursue an Honours degree in Applied Mathematics as I found the research he had been conducting on radiating stars and gravity quite captivating. He has remained an academic role model to me since the early days of my undergraduate journey. His guidance, along with the continued support and inspiration from both Dr Brassel and Professor Sunil D. Maharaj, motivated me to pursue a Master’s of Science and ultimately a PhD in Applied Mathematics.

I graduated with a Bachelor of Science Honours in Applied Mathematics Summa Cum Laude in 2020 and was named the top Honours student in Applied Mathematics within the School of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science. Building on this momentum, I enrolled in a MSc in Applied Mathematics at UKZN in 2021, graduating summa cum laude. My research focused on general relativity and modified gravity theories—areas that deepened my fascination with using mathematics as a tool to explore the universe. I particularly enjoyed solving differential equations, which underpin the modelling of gravitational behaviour in stellar structures. Driven by this passion, I began a doctoral degree in Applied Mathematics under the supervision of Professor Sunil D. Maharaj and Dr Byron P. Brassel in 2022, completing it in 2024 as part of the 2025 graduating class. I am currently a Postdoctoral Fellow in Applied Mathematics, a role that allows me to further develop as an emerging researcher in both Applied Mathematics and Astrophysics.

I chose to pursue my academic journey at UKZN because it is home to the Astrophysics Research Centre (ARC), the largest and leading expert research group on gravity and its applications in South Africa. Given that my doctoral work focused on modified gravity theories, specifically Lovelock gravity, UKZN offered the ideal environment to advance my academic and research ambitions. Collaborating with leading experts within ARC and engaging with top-rated researchers has been instrumental in shaping my research trajectory and career development.

How has your affiliation with the NRF impacted your studies/career?

The National Research Foundation (NRF) has played a pivotal role in supporting my academic journey through various funding opportunities. Most notably, I was awarded the NRF Scarce Skills Doctoral Scholarship, which funded my PhD studies for three years. This support was truly life-changing, as it allowed me to focus entirely on my research without the burden of financial stress.  Thanks to the NRF, I was able to complete my PhD in minimum time. It also significantly eased the financial pressure on my family, enabling my parents to focus on supporting my younger sibling’s education. The NRF’s support was instrumental in helping me turn a lifelong dream into reality.

In 2024, I was also the recipient of the NRF Knowledge Interchange and Collaboration (KIC) travel grant. This funding enabled me to attend the prestigious 17th Marcel Grossmann Meeting in Italy, an international conference dedicated to developments in gravitation and astrophysics. There, I had the opportunity to engage with leading experts and young researchers from around the world, which helped me build a strong international research network and foster new collaborations.

Currently, I am supported by the NRF as a postdoctoral fellow under the Scarce Skills category at UKZN. This prestigious fellowship continues to provide the financial stability necessary to focus on advancing my research. Additionally, it supports conference travel—an essential part of academic development for any early-career researcher.

I am deeply grateful for the NRF’s continued support and look forward to maintaining this relationship as I work toward becoming an NRF-rated researcher in the near future.

What is your research focus/area of expertise?

I consider myself as a relativistic Astrophysicist. My research area of expertise focuses on studies in Lovelock gravity; a class of gravity that is a natural extension of Einstein’s theory of general relativity to dimensions greater than the standard four.

More particularly, I study the gravitational behaviour of stellar models in Lovelock gravity. This is done by analysing the resulting nonlinear differential equations. These equations are challenging and quite complicated to solve in comparison to conventional Einstein gravity, however, I am able to use innovative mathematical methods that are original and allow us to obtain solutions to such equations. This is a fundamental process that gives insights into the gravitational behaviour of stellar structures and helps determine the effects of the additional mathematical terms, describing curvature, introduced by Lovelock gravity.

My recent research endeavours have been centred around finding a systematic approach to solve an Abel differential equation of the second kind that arises in Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet (EGB) gravity, which is a subclass of Lovelock gravity. The solutions obtained can be applied to astrophysical objects such as stars. Furthermore, I am now extending this work to consider the general Lovelock gravity theory.

How is your research helping to shape a better future?

South Africa has several national research projects that involve Astronomy and Astrophysics. My research is directly aligned with the scientific goals of these projects, such as the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) and the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT).

Furthermore, my research involves using innovative mathematical methods to solve complicated differential equations. I believe this work contributes meaningfully to South Africa’s growing knowledge economy in astronomy and astrophysics and strengthens its research stature on a global level.

In addition, exploring Lovelock gravity will allow us to deepen our understanding of the universe, which can influence technological advancement and thereby create more job opportunities in the field of Astrophysics. Research in this field also promotes deep analytical thinking, mathematical modelling, and problem-solving skills. These skills are essential to innovation and influence how we educate and prepare the next generation of scientists.

Furthermore, my research contributes to a global effort to solve a fundamental problem in cosmology, which is the late-time expansion of the universe.

Being a young researcher often means juggling numerous responsibilities and expectations. How do you stay motivated and/or balanced?

As a young researcher, I often had to balance a wide range of responsibilities and expectations. From producing high-quality research, publishing in reputable journals, and attending conferences, to tutoring and teaching students, and meeting academic deadlines. There was also the added pressure of establishing a research identity, a strong research profile and networking within the scientific community, all while continuing to learn and grow. Although these demands could be overwhelming, they provided a valuable learning curve that helped me develop effective time management skills and appreciate the importance of self-discipline.

I have also received support and encouragement from mentors and peers who recognise the importance of diversity in research. These positive relationships have been instrumental in helping me build confidence and grow as a scientist. I believe it’s important to create inclusive environments where young women feel empowered to pursue STEM careers without bias or limitation. Representation matters, and I hope that through my work and achievements, I can inspire other young women to pursue their passions in science and mathematics.

To stay motivated and balanced, I focused on setting small, achievable goals and celebrating progress along the way. I made time to rest and follow my hobbies. My favourite hobby is, in a fact, a physical activity, known as Zumba. I absolutely love dancing; it is a fun and enjoyable way to de-stress and also get some physical exercise after sitting for long hours studying.

I also made time to connect with fellow doctoral students, as this kept me grounded whenever I faced self-doubt. I also interacted with friends and family, which helped me to recharge and maintain perspective. Most importantly, remembering why I started, my curiosity and passion for discovery, kept me grounded during tough times. I remind myself that it’s okay to ask for help and that growth often comes from setbacks as much as from success.

Throughout my academic journey, I have been fortunate to receive guidance and support from several exceptional mentors who have played a significant role in my development as a researcher.

Dr. Byron P. Brassel has been an especially influential figure since my undergraduate years at UKZN. His encouragement was pivotal in my decision to pursue an Honours degree in Applied Mathematics, and he has continued to be a source of inspiration and academic guidance throughout my postgraduate studies.

Professor Sunil D. Maharaj also played a key mentoring role during my Honours, Master’s and PhD research. His expertise, encouragement, and leadership within the Astrophysics Research Centre (ARC) have had a profound impact on my academic growth and research direction.

I am also grateful for the mentorship and insights provided by my Honours lecturers. Their contributions, collaborative discussions, or academic example have each helped shape my approach to research and problem-solving in the fields of applied mathematics and astrophysics.

Their collective support has not only enriched my academic experience but also strengthened my confidence and passion for contributing meaningfully to the scientific community.

What has been your proudest achievement to date?

My proudest achievement to date is completing my entire academic journey, from my undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree through to my Doctoral degree in Applied Mathematics, all within the minimum time, without any failures or gap years.

In addition to this academic progression, I was honoured to receive the South African Women in Science Award (SAWiSA) in the doctoral category for Astronomy (2024). This national recognition affirmed the impact of my research and the contribution I am making as a young female scientist in a competitive and evolving field.

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