Durban, South Africa – At just 26 years old, Dr Shavani Naicker has made history by becoming the youngest PhD graduate at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) during its 2025 Autumn graduation ceremonies. Her trailblazing academic journey culminated in a doctorate in Applied Mathematics, with a special focus on Astrophysics.
A Stellar Academic Journey
Naicker’s academic career is a model of consistency and excellence, having completed all her tertiary education at UKZN. From her Bachelor of Science (BSc) to BSc Honours and Master of Science (MSc)—each obtained summa cum laude—her intellectual discipline has remained unmatched.
Supervised by Professor Sunil Maharaj and Dr Byron Brassel, Naicker completed her PhD through the Astrophysics Research Centre (ARC), South Africa’s premier institution for gravitational research. Her doctoral work tackled Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet (EGB) gravity, a sophisticated extension of Einstein’s general theory of relativity.
Breaking Boundaries in Theoretical Physics
“Lovelock gravity introduces higher-order curvature terms into the equations of gravity,” Naicker explained. “By studying these, we gain a deeper understanding of extreme cosmic conditions—like black holes and the early universe. My work contributes to understanding how astrophysical objects behave in higher-dimensional space.”
Professor Maharaj applauded her research, stating:
“Shavani has obtained novel solutions to the field equations, offering groundbreaking insights into stellar models.”
Dr Brassel, who mentored her early on, remarked on her brilliance and growth, noting her outstanding performance since her second-year Mechanics course.
Awards, Recognition, and Impact
Naicker’s academic excellence has already translated into four peer-reviewed publications in high-impact scientific journals. Her work complements large-scale global astronomy projects such as MeerKAT and the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), which aim to map the universe’s structure and test the limits of current gravitational theories.
Her contributions earned her the South African Women in Science Award (doctoral category for Astronomy). She also actively mentors young women through UKZN’s STEM MentHer programme, advocating for more female participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Looking Ahead
Now serving as a postdoctoral fellow at ARC, Naicker is funded by the National Research Foundation Scarce Skills Postdoctoral Fellowship. With aspirations of becoming a professor and Director of ARC, she hopes to shape the future of theoretical physics and inspire the next generation of scientific minds.
“Obtaining a PhD in Applied Mathematics with a specialisation in relativistic Astrophysics is the realisation of a lifelong dream,” she said. “I hope my journey inspires others—especially young women—to explore the fascinating world of STEM.”
Beyond the Lab
Outside her academic pursuits, Dr Naicker enjoys reading, watching movies, dancing Zumba, and relaxing to music—striking a balance between the cosmos and the comforts of everyday life.
