PROF BERT KLUMPERMAN
Photo: Supplied
What is your field of specialty, and could you please give a brief explanation of it?
My field of specialization is Polymer Chemistry, which is a sub-discipline of chemistry, and it focuses on the synthesis and investigation of polymers or macromolecules. Within Polymer Chemistry there are still very many sub-disciplines, and in my group, we largely focus on polymers that are synthesized via radical polymerization techniques. In this field we do fundamental investigations into the polymerization process itself, but also a wide variety of more applied studies that are in many cases focused on bio-applications.
How would you say does your research contribute to the concept of “research for impact”?
For impact in the broader sense, our more applied research has the largest contribution. In the past we have developed polymers that possess intrinsic antimicrobial properties. These polymers can be used to coat surfaces of textiles or other materials in order to prevent bacterial contamination. We are currently in the process of exploring possibilities of commercial applications of these antimicrobial polymers in collaboration with industrial parties. More recently we have developed a material that has potential as a non-hormonal reversible male contraceptive. We believe that this material has all the right properties for the application, but as a material in the biomedical field we will have to follow the long trajectory of testing and getting approval before this may lead to an actual commercial product. Finally, our recent and current research has a strong focus on the isolation of membrane proteins from cells. In collaboration with various groups around the world we develop polymers that can isolate membrane proteins in their fully functional form. This research has a large impact, since membrane proteins are among the most important drug targets for the pharmaceutical industry. Even the well-known spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes Covid-19) was isolated with the technology for which we develop dedicated polymers.
What does attaining an A-rating mean to you professionally, and personally?
The NRF rating system is a South African system, which means that its impact is most significant within South Africa. Within the country an A-rating puts you among the most respected scientists. In the rating process, the NRF asks the input from national and international scientists, some of who are among the world leaders in the respective field as well. The fact that they judge you as a world leader in your field is professionally meaningful and personally very rewarding.
What do you enjoy most about your job and what are the aspects that you find challenging?
Most enjoyable is doing research with students who are eager to learn and who you can see growing as scientists and developing their own critical thinking skills and problem solving abilities. The other benefit that I enjoy strongly in doing academic research is that you are in control of your own research directions. This provides a lot of freedom to explore novel concepts or new applications of technologies and materials. The most challenging aspect is to properly manage your time so that all the things that you have to do and all the things that you want to do get sufficient attention.
What is the biggest piece of advice that you would give early-career researchers and those who are aspiring to become leaders in their respective research fields?
By far the most important advice is to follow your dreams! You have to find a topic that you are passionate about and aspire to become the world’s most knowledgeable person on that topic. More practical advice is that you must work with people who can act as a role model and who can be a mentor in your early stages of career. For example, doing your PhD and/or post-doc under the supervision of world leaders in their respective fields helps to give you the right mindset for a successful career in academia.
What do you do for fun (apart from research!)?
Ever since I was 10 years old, I have played musical instruments and that is still my greatest hobby. I initially played the clarinet in a wind orchestra and then switched to oboe, which I played in a symphony orchestra. Most recently, which is about three years ago, I switched to playing French horn. Until now I have just been practicing, but at some point, I really would like to play in an orchestra again!