As the Western Cape battles a critical water shortage the research conducted by Prof Vernon Somerset, a leading researcher in Environmental Chemistry, has become ever more urgent.

Somerset recently joined the Chemistry Department, and holding a NRF-C3 rating he joins the ranks of high profile researchers and innovators at CPUT who are using their skills to address the numerous challenges facing local communities, South Africa and the rest of the continent. Describing water as a fascinating field, Somerset says ultimately all his research work is aimed at ensuring South Africa’s water resources are adequately protected and that communities have access to safe drinking water.

“This research is important, because nationally we don’t have a lot of water and on the other hand we have a lot of mining and agriculture activities, which impacts on our water resources. The more we know about the impact of these anthropogenic activities, the better we can advise. There is also the area of emerging pollutants, such as pharmaceutical and personal care products, xenobiotics, antimicrobials, endocrine disruptors, etc. We are becoming much more aware of these components. It’s important for us to know more about it so that we can protect our water resources and safe guard people from being exposed to these pollutants," he says.

Hailing from the highly respected Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Somerset, who has a PhD in Electro-analytical Chemistry from UWC, will drive environmental related research that has an impact on aquatic ecosystems and human health at CPUT. While based at the CSIR he has also investigated the fate and transport of heavy metals in the freshwater ecosystems of South Africa, especially the global pollutant called mercury. He is currently involved with other researchers across the country, assisting the Department of Environmental Affairs with South Africa’s ratification of the Minimata Convention on mercury.

Somerset says he looks forward to training the next generation of researchers.
“I’m here because we need to make sure that students are trained adequately and are equipped to apply their knowledge of environmental chemistry to protect the environment for future generations.”

Written by Candes Keating
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Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.

The first of two inaugural professorial lectures in 2023 to take place at the Faculty of Applied Sciences was delivered recently at the Bellville Campus.

So successful was the inaugural lecture of Prof Vernon Somerset, a professor in Environmental Chemistry, that he was hailed as a scholar of note and was congratulated for setting the bar high for upcoming inaugural lectures at the University.

The theme of the event was: From Atoms to Biosphere. A perspective from pollution assessment. In his official opening address, Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, said it was good to be at an Applied Sciences Faculty, “this faculty is my academic home”. “I am here today to celebrate with the family of Professor Somerset because a lot of work went into what he is achieving here tonight,” Nhlapo continued

“It’s a good thing to recognise and celebrate the contribution that people are making while they are still alive. Very often we tell good stories about people when they are dead and cannot hear us, At CPUT we frown upon that tradition, that’s why we are talking about ‘oneness, about ubunye, about ukungafani, because we wanted to build One Smart CPUT...

“Hence, we are here today to celebrate the Inaugural Lecture of Prof Vernon Somerset.”

Nhlapo also acknowledged the presence of some of the distinguished guests such as Professor of Chemistry, Emmanuel Iwuoha, University of Western the Cape (UWC), Dr Natasha Ross, Senior Lecturer at UWC, Dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof Andile Mji, Dean of Applied Sciences, Prof Joseph Kioko and the CPUT staff members who attended the event.

“It’s my singular honour and privilege to welcome you all at this important gathering this evening at CPUT. We will be learning about one of the most important pressing issues of our time, a perspective on pollution assessment. And we know that this is very important.”

Somerset’s career in chemistry teaching started as a high school teacher in Mathematics and Physical Science “that is something that is very dear to the Faculty and the Institution”. He also has BEd (Hons), from University of South Africa. Somerset also obtained his Master’s degree in Chemistry from UWC. The distinguished professor also obtained his PhD in Electro-analytical Chemistry in 2007 at UWC. He has also received numerous awards nationally and internationally.

“To date Vernon has a publication record that started in 2002, and that includes 65 peer reviewed journal articles, 10 publications in conference proceedings, 15 project and technical reports, four books, 22 book chapters and four popular articles,” Kioko said.

Kioko who read the citation, said: “Thanks Prof Somerset for setting the bar. We are hoping that this sets a nice tone, a nice example for our colleagues to follow that lead.”

In his inaugural address, Somerset said: “It’s indeed a pleasure to stand here and speak to you about what I have been doing over the last 20+ years. He acknowledged his family and “close friends” and those who played a critical role in terms of his achievements. “We have been in this journey for over 20 years and thank you for assisting me, and guiding me, mentoring me in terms of all the aspects that we have sometimes painstakingly discussed, assessed, and trying to make sure we all understand the aim of our research as to what it is that we want to add and contribute to those who we work with, those who will come after us and in terms of our journey.”

In his response, Iwuoha said the impact of Somerset’s work in the national and international environmental sustainability policy arena is “highly commendable”. Somerset also acknowledged Prof Merrill Wicht, Head of the Chemistry Department.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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