Madeleine has just returned from the Microscience Microscopy Congress (MMC) 2025 in Manchester in the United Kingdom, where she won the “Best Student Flash Talk Award”.
Winning the Most Promising Microscopist award, sponsored by JEOL/Angstrom Scientific, at the Microscopy Society of Southern Africa (MSSA) conference in 2024, supported her to attend the congress in Manchester. She was also awarded the Best Student Oral Presentation at this conference.
Deané Basson, Madeleine and Lily Mrwetyana at MSSA; Madeleine Badenhorst won the Most Promising Microscopist award, as well as the Best Student Oral Presentation, at the Microscopy Society of Southern Africa (MSSA) conference in 2024.
In June, she also won her first Best Student Poster award at the 22nd International Conference in Radiation Effects on Insulators (REI21) in Madrid, Spain.
Explaining her research, Madeleine says: In a nuclear reactor, parts of the machine are constantly hit by tiny high‑energy particles, which is called radiation. Those interactions cause damage within the materials and the material properties degrade with time.
“My research helps us to understand how the radiation induced damage heals when the material is being heated, to ensure the safety, as well as improving the performance of radiation-tolerant materials.
Madeleine does her research at the University’s Centre for High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy, housing four state-of-the-art electron microscopes, one of which is the only one in Africa.
The centre provides the country’s scientists and students with advanced instruments and expertise for materials research. Part of her study analyses were also performed at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) located in Dubna, Russia, a research partner of the CHRTEM.
Microscopy Society of Southern Africa
Attending her first conference was a memorable experience, for Madelein, an opportunity to present her research after countless hours of working. “Delivering my first oral presentation was both exciting and nerve-wracking, but the encouragement and support from the CHRTEM researchers and supervisors made it an unforgettable and rewarding experience.”
22nd International Conference in Radiation Effects on Insulators (REI21), Spain
Winning the Best Student Poster at REI21 in Spain and Madeleine together with her supervisor Dr Jacques O’Connell, in Toledo, during their excursion.
Having the support of her supervisor, Dr Jacques O’Connell, along with Dr Arno Jansen van Vuuren and Professor Mike Lee from CHRTEM and the Physics Department, helped guide Madeleine and eased her nerves through attending her first international conference.
“It felt like walking into the pages of my literature review, except all the authors were standing next to me. They gave me tips and suggestions for my master's as well as for future PhD work.”
“Winning the Best Student Poster award really meant a lot, especially as it was my first time presenting a poster. It was an unexpected but wonderful surprise, given the high quality of work from other students.”
Microscience Microscopy Congress (MMC) 2025, United Kingdom
Madeleine received the Best Student Flash Talk Award at the MMC conference in Manchester.
“This conference was the largest and most widespread regarding research that I have attended, featuring inspiring topics, such as 4D-STEM techniques and automated workflows.
“I felt overwhelmed by the scale, but the welcoming atmosphere and supportive community quickly put me at ease. I connected with fellow students and early-career microscopists from around the world, exchanging ideas and advice.
“A highlight was receiving the “Best Student Flash Talk Award”, it was unexpected and a deeply appreciated honour. I am especially grateful for the support from the JEOL/Angstrom Scientific team and Prof Mike Lee, who accompanied me during the conference and put my nerves at ease, by not feeling alone.
CHRTEM
“Studying at the CHRTEM isn’t just about pushing boundaries in radiation science; it’s about growing as a scientist and as part of a community that believes in the beauty and power of discovery.
I am incredibly grateful for the support from the staff and fellow students at CHRTEM,” Madeleine said.
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