FameLab is a competition challenging young researchers, to explain their work to the public, in just three minutes. Lutho, a final year MSc student in the Pharmacy department under the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI)-nanomedicine platform, captivated with her clear and passionate delivery, making complex science effortlessly accessible.
Lutho now heads to the FameLab SA semi-finals which will be held in Pretoria later this year. The semi-final winner will be flown to Switzerland to compete internationally.
2025 FameLab Nelson Mandela University participants.
Her journey into scientific exploration began during her final undergraduate year, with her mini-thesis, Nanotechnology in cancer treatment. This academic requirement soon became a personal mission. “I became interested in nanotechnology, but then saw the huge gap in cancer treatment,” she explained. “And because my family has a history of cancer, I felt like this was something I could truly pursue.”
Her research delves into innovative nanomedical approaches to make cancer treatment more targeted, accessible, and cost effective, not just for patients but also for healthcare systems. “There’s great difficulty in cancer management,” she said. “Governments spend huge amounts of money, so the easier and more accessible, we make treatment, the better for everyone”.
One particularly surprising finding in her research involves hemoglobin nanoparticles. “They’ve proven to have the same oxygen-carrying capacity as red blood cells,” she shared. “That means we can potentially use them to deliver oxygen within the body opening doors to advanced drug delivery methods,” said Lutho.
From left to right, Musa Aminu- 1st Runner up, Lutho -winner, and 2nd runner up - Minyonne Verster
Lutho described her win as a deeply emotional moment. “I am so excited. I prayed about this, I worked hard and look at what happened! I’m just grateful to my community, my entire family everyone who supported me.” When asked for advice for future FameLab hopefuls, her message was enthusiastic: “Just enter. Don’t overthink it. They will provide training, and it will, really help.”
Joining Lutho in the top three were, third-year PhD Physiology student Musa Aminu and second-year MSc Zoology student, Miyonne Verster, who were first and second runners-up, respectively.
Musa Aminu’s research is grounded in personal transformation. “I struggled with drugs for 10 years, but I’ve been clean for 15 years,” he revealed. “That lived experience drives my work.” His research focuses on substance use and cannabis regulation, aiming to help communities better understand and respond to drug-related health issues. “It’s important we have conversations around safe medicinal use of cannabis and responsible regulation, especially since it can affect mental health differently for people,” said Musa.
“I feel very excited, I came to share my work, which I’m very passionate about, with the Nelson Mandela University community,” said Musa.
Miyonne Verster, the second runner-up, shared her lifelong fascination with marine ecosystems, particularly estuaries. “I spent time in estuaries as a child during family vacations. They bring so much joy and life but are often underrepresented and under-protected.” Her research is dedicated to preserving these vital ecosystems. “They provide life for so many beautiful things,” she said.
Reflecting on her experience in the competition, she said: “It took a lot to step out of my comfort zone, but now I can walk away knowing I can pitch my research confidently.”
The 2025 FameLab SA competition highlights not only scientific excellence but also the power of personal connection and public engagement. All three finalists demonstrated that science is not just about data, it’s about stories, people, and hope.