Jaynie Padayachee

Jaynie Padayachee is studying for her PhD in physics at University of KwaZulu-Natal

Her project involves the development of a computer program that automatically analysis images for the detection of tumours in mammograms (x-ray images of the breast). This will be useful for the detection of breast cancer. She loves her project for two reasons:

• the software written in this project will contribute to the current computer-based methods to improve early detection of breast cancer since successful treatment of breast cancer relies on early detection; and
• she can explain to anyone, even if they have never heard of physics, what the project is about since everyone knows about computers and breast cancer.

Inspiration
She was drawn in by the prospect that one day there might be clean nuclear energy from nuclear fusion. However, her physics career never actually headed down the nuclear fusion path.

Her future in physics
She hopes to apply her physics skills to solving problems in the real-world, not in some ideal laboratory. "My aim is to make at least one person's life a little bit easier."

Why encourage learners to study physics?
"All learners should be encouraged to study physics. Most importantly, physics must not be sold as a 'genius' subject. The abstract nature of physics teaches students to handle abstract problems and they are then better equipped to tackle problems of any kind from any sector."