NRF Youth Month 2026: Lungisani Phakathi

The NRF is committed to growing South Africa’s next generation of researchers and science communicators. June is Youth Month, and this year the NRF celebrates the youth whose work contributes to meaningful change in South Africa and beyond. We thank all participants for sharing their stories with us.

Mr Lungisani Phakathi is a Doctoral student in Physics at the University of the Witwatersrand. He received funding from the NRF for his Honours, Master’s and Doctoral studies.

Tell us about your academic journey

My academic journey has been shaped by perseverance, adaptability, and a growing passion for physics. After I completed my matric in 2013, I enrolled at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in 2014 to study Biological Sciences. However, due to financial difficulties, I was unable to continue beyond my first year.

In 2015, I took a gap year and worked as a server at John Dory’s to save money for my studies. During that time, I also applied to other universities in case I could not raise enough funds to settle my outstanding fees at UKZN. Fortunately, I received an offer from the University of Zululand to study Applied Mathematics and Physics. Given my financial circumstances, I accepted the offer and enrolled in 2016. A few months later, I received NSFAS funding, which enabled me to continue my studies without interruption.

I completed my Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematics and Physics in 2019. Mathematics had always been one of my strongest subjects, and I enjoyed both mathematics and physics, making it difficult to decide which field to pursue at postgraduate level. With encouragement from the Head of the Physics Department, I chose Physics and completed my Honours degree with the support of an NRF bursary. My Honours research project was titled A Modified Zinc Oxide (ZnO) Gas Sensor Approach to Detect Oxidizing Gases.

My academic interests then shifted towards high-energy physics when I enrolled for an MSc in Physics. My research, titled Continuous Analysis of the ATLAS Tile Calorimeter Temperature Data for Enhanced Performance and Stability Using the Tile-in-One Platform, focused on the development of a temperature monitoring plugin and the analysis of the impact of temperature variations on photomultiplier tube (PMT) gain stability within the ATLAS Tile Calorimeter. This experience introduced me to CERN and the ATLAS experiment, sparking a deep interest in particle physics and detector systems.

After completing my MSc, I enrolled for a PhD in 2025 at the University of the Witwatersrand. My current research focuses on Applications of Machine Learning Techniques to Enhance Quality Assurance of the Phase-II Upgrade of the ATLAS Hadronic Tile Calorimeter Low Voltage Power Supply. This work combines my interests in physics, data analysis, and emerging technologies, particularly the growing role of artificial intelligence in scientific research and engineering applications.

Growing up, I did not envision myself following this exact path. My journey has evolved through challenges, opportunities, and exposure to new areas of science. What began as an interest in biological sciences eventually led me to applied mathematics, experimental physics, particle detector technologies, and machine learning. Looking back, each stage of my journey has contributed to shaping the researcher I am today.

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

The NRF has played a significant role in my academic journey. I received NRF funding during my Honours and MSc studies. I am currently supported for my Doctoral studies through the SA-CERN programme, which is funded by the NRF and the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), and hosted by NRF-iThembs LABS.

This support has had a profound impact on both my academic career and personal life. Academically, it allowed me to focus on my studies and research without the constant stress of financial constraints. The funding enabled me to fully engage in my research projects, attend academic activities, and gain valuable experience in high-energy physics through my involvement with the ATLAS experiment and CERN-related projects.

The NRF’s support also provided stability during challenging times. Coming from a background where financial resources were limited, the bursary relieved a significant burden and allowed me to pursue postgraduate studies that may otherwise have been difficult to achieve. Beyond support for my own needs, it also enabled me to assist my mother financially whenever she required help, which was personally meaningful to me.

Most importantly, the NRF funding gave me the opportunity to progress from Honours to MSc and now PhD level, helping me develop as a researcher and pursue a career in particle physics. The support has allowed me to focus on achieving my academic goals while contributing to internationally recognised research collaborations such as the ATLAS experiment at CERN.

What is your research focus or area of expertise?

My current research focuses on the application of machine learning techniques to enhance the quality assurance of the Phase-II upgrade of the ATLAS Hadronic Tile Calorimeter Low Voltage Power Supply (LVPS) system at CERN. The research aims to develop intelligent data-driven methods for detecting anomalies, identifying potential faults, and improving the reliability of LVPS components used in one of the world’s largest particle physics experiments.

My area of expertise lies at the intersection of high-energy physics, detector instrumentation, data analysis, and machine learning. Building on my MSc research, which involved monitoring and analysing temperature data within the ATLAS Tile Calorimeter through the Tile-in-One platform, my current work expands into the use of artificial intelligence to optimise detector performance and quality assurance processes.

The broader goal of my research is to contribute to the long-term stability and reliability of the ATLAS detector as it prepares for the High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider era. Through this work, I am gaining expertise in particle detector systems, large-scale data analysis, machine learning applications, and scientific computing.

What purpose drives your research/work, and how do you hope it will contribute to meaningful change?

The driving purpose behind my research is to improve the reliability, efficiency, and long-term performance of particle detector systems used in fundamental physics research. The ATLAS experiment at CERN generates vast amounts of data and relies on highly reliable detector components to operate successfully. By applying machine learning techniques to the quality assurance of the Tile Calorimeter Low Voltage Power Supply (LVPS) system, I aim to develop smarter methods for the detection of faults and prediction of potential failures before they impact detector performance.

Beyond the technical aspects, I am motivated by the desire to contribute to scientific discoveries that deepen our understanding of the universe. Reliable detector systems are essential for exploring fundamental questions in particle physics, including the nature of matter and forces beyond the Standard Model.

I also hope that my work will demonstrate how advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence can be integrated into scientific instrumentation and engineering processes. The methods developed through my research may have applications beyond particle physics, particularly in industries where predictive maintenance, quality assurance, and data-driven decision-making are critical.

As someone who overcame significant financial and personal challenges to pursue higher education, I also hope my journey and contributions will inspire other young people from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in science, technology, and research. My goal is not only to contribute to scientific advancement but also to help build a future where knowledge and innovation create opportunities for others.

Being a young researcher can be demanding. What keeps you motivated and grounded throughout your journey?

What keeps me motivated throughout my journey is my mother. Despite facing significant challenges and having to leave school in Grade 3, she has always valued education and encouraged me to pursue opportunities that she never had. From a young age, she constantly reminded me to keep pushing forward and to make the most of every educational opportunity available to me.

Her sacrifices and unwavering support have been a constant source of motivation, especially during difficult periods of my academic journey. Whenever I face challenges, I remember her words and the hopes she has for our family and me. She believes that education has the power to change our circumstances, and that belief has inspired me to persevere through financial hardships, academic challenges, and personal setbacks.

Beyond my own ambitions, I am motivated by the desire to create a better future for my family and to honour the sacrifices my mother has made. Staying grounded comes from remembering where I come from, appreciating the opportunities I have received, and understanding that my success is not only for myself but also for those who have supported me along the way.

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