This week on Womanity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Professor Priscilla Baker from the Department of Chemistry in the Faculty of Natural Sciences at the University of Western Cape. She holds the South African Research Chair for Analytical Systems and Processes for Priority and Emerging Contaminants (ASPPEC) and is co-director of multiple prestigious research platforms including SensorLab and Synergy Lab, and the director of the Nano Micro Manufacturing Facility. This year, she was awarded the 2025 L’Oreal UNESCO Laureate for Africa and the Arab States.

The conversation opens with a reflection on one of her early quotes: “Nobody gives you opportunities; they present themselves to you, and it's up to you to see them and seize them.” This sentiment has shaped a career defined by self-initiative, strategic thinking, and a determination to create opportunity not only for herself, but for generations of scientists to come.

Early Foundations: From Oceanography to Analytical Chemistry

Professor Baker recounts her educational journey, navigating life choices in the latter years of apartheid in South Africa, a time of deep political unrest and educational disruption. She describes how, despite being a “C-average” student, she was accepted into UCT, where she originally studied physical oceanography and pivoted into analytical chemistry. Her story underscores the importance of allowing young people to evolve academically, and of creating space for non-linear career paths in STEM.

The Power of Focused Excellence

At the core of Professor Baker’s work is a deep belief in pursuing excellence with a niche specialisation. For Prof. Baker, it’s analytical chemistry. This discipline intersects with manufacturing, health, water quality, food safety, and climate science. She emphasizes that her work is not simply about scientific discovery, but about translating science into practical tools that improve people’s lives, particularly in resource-constrained communities. Her philosophy of science is rooted in service, ethics, integrity, and impact.

On Winning the L'Oréal-UNESCO Award

Receiving the L'Oréal-UNESCO Award (from approximately 500 nominees) was a deeply humbling moment for Professor Baker. She sees the award not as an endpoint but as a platform to inspire others, elevate African science on the global stage, and reaffirm that excellence can come from anywhere when purpose meets preparation. It’s not the trophy itself, she says, but the journey, the sacrifices, and the support of her university, mentors, and family that made the moment so meaningful.