Lydia Makhubu
Lydia Makhubu | |
|---|---|
| Born | Lydia Phindile Makhubu 1 July 1937 |
| Died | July 24, 2021 (aged 84) |
| Nationality | Swazi |
| Alma mater | University of Toronto |
| Occupation | Chemist |
Lydia Phindile Makhubu (1 July 1937 - July 2021) was a Swazi chemist and former professor of chemistry, dean and vice-chancellor of the University of Swaziland now the University of Eswatini).[1]
Life
[edit]She was born at the Usuthu Mission in Swaziland. Her parents were teachers, but her father also worked as an orderly in health clinics. Her early exposure to medicine had a great influence on her choice of career; she initially wanted to become a doctor, but then switched to chemistry.[2]
Makhubu graduated from Pius XII College (now the National University of Lesotho) in Lesotho with a B.Sc. in 1963. With a Canadian Commonwealth scholarship, she obtained an M.Sc. in organic chemistry from the University of Alberta in 1967, followed by a Ph.D. in medicinal chemistry from the University of Toronto in 1973,[3] becoming the first Swazi woman to earn a doctorate.[1]
She returned to her homeland and joined the faculty of the University of Swaziland, becoming a lecturer in the chemistry department in 1973, the dean of science from 1976 to 1980, a senior lecturer in 1979, a full professor the following year, and vice-chancellor from 1988 to 2003.[1] Her research focused on the medical effects of plants used by traditional Swazi healers.[1][2]
From its inception in 1993 until 2005, Makhubu was the President of the Third World Organization for Women in Science, which provides fellowships for postgraduate study.[4][5] She was the first woman chairperson of the executive committee of the Association of Commonwealth Universities.[3] She also served in numerous other organizations, such as the United Nations Advisory Committee on Science and Technology for Development.[3]
She received numerous grants and honours, including a MacArthur Foundation grant (1993–1995),[6] and honorary doctorates from various universities,[7] including a doctor of laws from Saint Mary's University in 1991.[8]
She married the surgeon Daniel Mbatha; they have a son and a daughter.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Yount, Lisa (2007). A to Z of Women in Science and Math. Infobase Publishing. pp. 187–188. ISBN 9781438107950. Retrieved 24 October 2016.[unreliable source?]
- ^ a b Campbell, Neil A.; Reece, Jane B. Biology (7th ed.). Archived from the original on 2017-09-30. Retrieved 2016-10-23.
- ^ a b c "Lydia P. Makhubu". Saint Mary's University.
- ^ "Nature World Conference on Science". Nature. 29 June 1999. Retrieved 25 November 2009.
- ^ "'Women must be encouraged to take up science'". The Hindu. 19 October 2007. Archived from the original on 24 February 2005. Retrieved 25 November 2009.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Oakes, Elizabeth H. (2007). Encyclopedia of World Scientists. Infobase Publishing. pp. 477–478. ISBN 9781438118826.
- ^ "Curriculum Vitae". United Nations University. 2000.
- ^ "Honourary Degrees 1990 - Present". St. Mary's University.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
- 1937 births
- 2021 deaths
- Fellows of the African Academy of Sciences
- Swazi scientists
- 20th-century chemists
- 20th-century women scientists
- Women chemists
- University of Toronto alumni
- University of Alberta alumni
- National University of Lesotho alumni
- Swazi women academics
- Swazi academics
- Academic staff of the University of Eswatini
- Heads of universities and colleges in Africa