The National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences

Join the next NITheCS Colloquium:
'Boosting the Predictability of the Market Risk Premium'
🎙️ Prof Jens Jackwerth (University of Konstanz, Germany)
📅 Monday, 22 June 2026
⏰ 16:00–17:00 SAST
Attend in person or online.
https://mailchi.mp/nithecs/jjackwerth

On this day in science 17 June in 1917, Atle Selberg was born. He became a major mathematician known for work in number theory and for an elementary proof linked to the prime number theorem.

Thanks for joining NITheCS colloquium "Smart Crawlers for Infectious Disease Modelling: Automating Data Acquisition in the Digital Age " led by Prof Dephney Mathebula-Periola (University of Fort Hare) . We appreciate both audiences.

Prof Dephney Mathebula-Periola recently announced her NITheCS Colloquium on radio. Her talk, “Smart Crawlers for Infectious Disease Modelling,” explores how intelligent digital crawlers can improve data collection for disease modelling and support faster public health decisions. The colloquium takes place on Monday, 15 June 2026, 16h00–17h00 SAST

Reminder: Join us today for the NITheCS Colloquium:
"Smart Crawlers for Infectious Disease Modelling: Automating Data Acquisition in the Digital Age" presented by Prof Dephney Mathebula-Periola (University of Fort Hare).
📅 Mon, 15 June
🕓 16:00–17:00 SAST
📍 Attend in person or online
https://mailchi.mp/nithecs/dmpr2

On this day in science 15 June In 763 BC, an Assyrian solar eclipse was recorded. It became one of the important ancient astronomical records used by historians and astronomers.
Why it matters: Eclipse records help scientists and historians model celestial motion and anchor ancient timelines.

On this day in science 12 June in 1937, Vladimir Arnold was born. He became a major figure in mathematics, known for work in dynamical systems, differential equations, and mathematical physics.

Winners of the 2026 NITheCS FameLab SA Heat

The 2026 NITheCS FameLab SA Heat celebrated young researchers who used the stage to make complex science clear, engaging, and meaningful.

Winner: Kaela Kokkas
Kaela Kokkas uses artificial intelligence to investigate links between microbes and cancer. She will go on to represent NITheCS at the FameLab SA Final, where she will compete for a place at the international FameLab competition in Poland later this year.

As Kaela explained:
“We’re working towards reducing cancer incidence. Less cancer and fewer deaths caused by it would be incredible.”

First Runner-Up: Vitalis Mbayo
Vitalis Mbayo uses a supercomputer to identify potential new breast cancer treatments and explore ways to make drug discovery more affordable.

Third Runner-Up: Courtney Brown
Courtney Brown is exploring how quantum computing could one day help researchers better understand and treat neurological diseases.

On 11 June 1910, ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau was born.He helped bring ocean science to the public through underwater exploration and documentaries.