Mrs Kimberly Coetzer-Hugo, a PhD candidate within the Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences at Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Science has been selected as one of seven laureates for the 2024 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science South Africa Young Talent programme.
Kimberly is an aspiring bioinformatician with a deep commitment to harnessing computational tools to uncover new insights into complex biological systems. Passionate about integrative research, she applies her expertise in bioinformatics and human genetics to explore novel approaches in analysing biological data. As a dedicated and adaptable PhD candidate in the Bioinformatics research group, her current research focuses on developing innovative multi-omics pipelines using cutting-edge tools like Nextflow. An advocate for the reproducibility of scientific research, Kimberly is devoted to promoting transparency and the use of open-source code within the bioinformatics community.
Her academic journey began with a B.Sc. in Chemistry and Microbiology from the University of the Free State, followed by a B.Sc. Honours in Biotechnology from the University of the Western Cape. During her honours research, she delved into the use of proteomics data and protein structures to generate new insights into celiac disease. She then completed her master’s degree with distinction at Stellenbosch University, working with the Rare Disease Genomics in South Africa (RDGSA) research group, led by Professor Shahida Moosa. Here, she developed and optimised a bioinformatics pipeline to aid the diagnosis of South African patients with osteogenesis imperfecta, contributing significantly to rare disease genomics in the region.
About L’Oréal South Africa
L’Oréal South Africa, was established in the country in 1963, based in Johannesburg. We market and distribute 29 brands (including Dark & Lovely, Maybelline, Yves Saint Laurent, Kiehl’s, Lancôme, Vichy, La Roche Posay, and Mizani) within four divisions, namely Consumer Products, Professional Products, L’Oréal Luxe, and L’Oréal Dermatological Beauty. Our manufacturing plant, located in Midrand, Gauteng. This plant is responsible for the production of African beauty brands and select Garnier, L’Oréal Elvive products that are exported throughout Africa. L’Oréal South Africa serves as a hub for the company’s eighth global Research & Innovation Center. Our R&I Sub-Saharan Africa center focuses on understanding the needs of African consumers and developing beauty innovations tailored for the African consumer preferences and requirements. This signifies L’Oréal’s South Africa commitment to diversity and inclusion in its product development and its recognition of the unique characteristics of the African market.
About L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science
The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science programme is a global initiative aimed at recognising and supporting women in scientific research. Established in 1998, it seeks to promote gender equality in science by celebrating the achievements of outstanding female scientists and encouraging more women to pursue careers in scientific fields. The programme awards fellowships and grants to women scientists at various stages of their careers, from doctoral students to established researchers, providing financial support and international recognition. Each year, the programme honours five laureates—one from each major region of the world—who have made groundbreaking contributions to science. Additionally, national and regional programmes, such as the one in Southern Africa, offer local awards and fellowships to young female scientists, helping them advance their research and overcome gender barriers in STEM fields. Through these efforts, L’Oréal-UNESCO aims to empower women and enhance their representation and impact in science.