Popular science talks in the Ericsson Auditorium

Balancing the technological societal benefits with potential risks: a case of nanotechnology
Dr Ndeke Musee
Wednesday 25 August @ 18:30

Dr Musee will introduce and discuss the benefits of nanotechnology to the society within the context of addressing societal challenges such as improving water provision, enhancing the treatment of diseases and addressing the rising demand for energy.  He will also look at how the safe, responsible and sustainable exploitation of a technology should offer comfort to the society by ensuring that unintended consequences are addressed adequately at the early stages of the technology's development.


Ndeke Musee is a researcher at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in the Pollution and Waste Division.  He earned a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Stellenbosch in 2004.  He has authored several peer reviewed journal artivles in the fields of risk assessment of environmental pollutants including nanomaterials.  He is a registered professional scientist with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions, a member of two professional organisations, three national scientific steering committees, and a former holder of several highly competitive postgraduate and research fellowships.  Since August 2007, as the leading scientist and project leader he has championed the development of South African National Risk Assessment Framework of nanomaterials for the Department of Science and Technology.  He is the former chair and organising convenor of the First South African National Workshop on Nanotechnology Risk Assessment held in April 2009.  Recently, he has presented papers, or invited presentations concerning rhe risk assessment of nanomaterials in biological and environmental systems in different forums in South Africa.

There is no charge to attend, but booking is essential.  Call 021 529 8100 to book your seat.