AN aspiring medical student from Hermanus was among seven young South Africans scientists to attend the Science and Engineering Fair in the US.
Passionate about access to basic health care, Ra’ees De Witt from Curro Hermanus was chosen among thousands of hopefuls to go and represent South Africa at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) held in Atlanta this past week.
It was impressive research into increasing drug absorption to reduce treatment time during illness that got him noticed.
The group, consisting of pupils from four schools based in the Western Cape, competed alongside 1 748 pupils, from more than 75 countries, for nearly R126 million in prizes, including bursaries and various gadgets.
De Witt’s research was based on finding the most optimum site for drug absorption in the human digestive tract to reduce the treatment time during illnesses.
“I studied how to improve the conditions necessary for the sustainable increase in absorption of a selected drug (paracetemol),” he said.
“I did this to shorten medical treatment and make access to basic healthcare more affordable.”
The Grade 11 pupil said his keen interest in biology, medicine and health equity inspired this project.
“People cannot afford to be held back from work, or school because they are ill. This reality is especially valid when considering socio-economic issues in South Africa and on the continent,” he said.
“With scientific research and development to healthily increase one’s medicinal drug absorption, we can ensure optimal functioning in people.”
De Witt said his project required a lot of reading and research.
“I found the experiment design process to be the most fun because I got to combine my creativity with analytical thinking,” he said.
“I feel proud of my dedication throughout the journey and how it has translated into my final project.”
The young scientist said he was raised to develop a work ethic centred around hard work.
“This aspect of my upbringing nurtured a mind hungry for new information,” he said.
“My teachers are remarkably articulate which taught me the necessary competencies to write a well-constructed scientific report.”
The 18-year-old also had the opportunity to attend symposia and networking events related to the translational medical sciences category that he was competing in.
De Witt said he felt privileged to discuss science in a community of passionate individuals and was grateful for the experience.
“I love meeting people from across the world and discussing their projects, developments in research and learning about everyone’s cultural heritage, political climate and education systems,” he said.
“This experience has been surreal from the get-go. I am humbled and conscious of the magnitude of what it means to represent my school, province and country.”
In future, De Witt wants to study medicine at either the University of Cape Town or the University of Pretoria.
“I find the medical programme to be intellectually stimulating and challenging. The medical field offers an amalgamation of my passions: science, ethics, zeal for volunteering and problem solving through collaboration.”