The DSTI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Food Security (CoE-FS) is proud to celebrate a major national honour awarded to our Co-Director and Food Safety Lead, Professor Lise Korsten. At the 2025 NSTF–South32 Awards ceremony, held on 31 July, Professor Korsten received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising her extraordinary contributions to science, policy, and society over the course of her distinguished career.
Known as the “Science Oscars” of South Africa, the NSTF Awards honour excellence in science, engineering, technology, and innovation. Professor Korsten’s recognition highlights more than three decades of pioneering work in plant pathology, sustainable agriculture, and food safety fields where her influence continues to shape national and continental outcomes.
From developing South Africa’s first biological control agent for fruit crops to leading research that has reduced post-harvest losses and improved food safety systems, Professor Korsten has consistently translated academic research into real-world impact. At CoE-FS, she heads the Health, Nutrition & Safety research programme and leads the food safety and regulatory control portfolio, advancing food security across South Africa and beyond.
Professor Lise Korsten accepts the NSTF South 32 Lifetime Achievement Award
Her work extends far beyond the lab. Professor Korsten has actively informed national policy, contributing to key dialogues on food safety regulation, public health, and integrated food control systems. She has provided expert advice to Parliament, chaired committees for global organisations such as the FAO, WHO, and the AU, and continues to guide regional action on antimicrobial resistance and foodborne disease surveillance.
In 2023, she made history as the first woman elected President of the African Academy of Sciences, a position from which she champions African science, inclusion, and global collaboration. She has launched continent-wide initiatives such as the African Frontiers Planet Prize, and remains a driving force behind building the science systems Africa needs.
Prof. Korsten accepts the NSTFSouth-32 Lifetime Achievement Award.
Professor Korsten is also a passionate mentor, having supervised over 50 MSc students, 20 PhDs, and 11 postdoctoral researchers, many of whom now lead in academia, government, and industry. Her own research excellence is reflected in an H-index above 50, with more than 12,000 citations, placing her among the most influential researchers in her field. This scholarly impact is matched by her unwavering dedication to capacity-building and empowerment of the next generation of scientists.
The DSTI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Food Security is honoured to celebrate Professor Lise Korsten’s achievements and lasting legacy. Her visionary leadership, groundbreaking science, and deep commitment to societal well-being continue to inspire and shape the future of food security in South Africa and across the African continent.
Congratulations, Professor Korsten, on this well-deserved Lifetime Achievement Award!
