Dr Shavani Naicker is UKZN's youngest PhD graduate

In a remarkable achievement, Dr Shavani Naicker has made history as the youngest PhD graduate at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) during the 2025 Autumn ceremonies. At just 26 years old, Naicker earned her doctorate in Applied Mathematics, specialising in Astrophysics, marking an extraordinary milestone in her academic journey.

From her undergraduate studies to her doctoral work, Naicker has exclusively charted her educational path within the esteemed halls of UKZN. Her academic odyssey includes a Bachelor of Science (BSc), BSc Honours, and a Master of Science (MSc) degree, all achieved with the highest distinction—summa cum laude.

Under the supervision of Professor Sunil Maharaj and Dr Byron Brassel, Naicker conducted her groundbreaking research at the Astrophysics Research Centre (ARC), recognised as South Africa’s foremost research group focused on gravity and its applications. Her PhD research delved deeply into Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet (EGB) gravity, a subclass of Lovelock gravity. This extension of Einstein’s theory enabled Naicker to explore complex gravitational behaviours associated with stellar models.

"Lovelock gravity introduces higher-order curvature terms into the equations of gravity," Naicker elaborated. "Studying these helps us understand gravitational interactions in extreme conditions, such as near black holes or in the early universe. My work contributes to uncovering the gravitational dynamics of astrophysical objects in higher dimensions, which could address some of the unresolved questions in cosmology and quantum gravity.”

Professor Maharaj, the Director of ARC, commended Naicker’s achievements, noting, “Shavani has been working on Lovelock gravity, an extension of Einstein’s theory, which is critical in understanding gravitational phenomena. She has obtained novel solutions to the field equations, providing deep insights into stellar models.” Dr Brassel praised her astuteness as a student, having witnessed her growth since she first excelled in his Mechanics course during her second year.

Inspired by her childhood fascination with the cosmos and the legacies of great physicists like Einstein and Newton, Naicker’s academic pursuits have been influenced by a strong foundation in Mathematics, Astronomy, and Applied Mathematics. It was in her honours year, after encouragement from Dr Brassel, that she firmly committed to a career in research. Her impressive body of work has already resulted in four peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals.

Naicker’s research holds significance beyond theoretical implications, intersecting with substantial national and international astronomical efforts such as the MeerKAT and the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope projects. Her work aligns seamlessly with initiatives aimed at probing the large-scale structure of the universe and assessing the limits of gravitational theories.

Currently a postdoctoral fellow at ARC, Naicker is supported by the National Research Foundation Scarce Skills Postdoctoral Fellowship and continues her research with the ambitious goal of one day becoming a professor and Director of ARC—a position from which she hopes to mentor future generations of scientists.

Recognised nationally, Naicker received the South African Women in Science Award in the doctoral student category for Astronomy. She is also an active participant in UKZN’s STEM MentHer programme, dedicated to empowering young women in science with academic mentorship.

Reflecting on her accomplishments, Naicker remarked, “Obtaining a PhD in Applied Mathematics with a specialisation in relativistic Astrophysics is the realisation of a lifelong dream. It stands as a testament to years of hard work, resilience, and an enduring curiosity about the universe. I hope my journey inspires others—especially young women—to explore the fascinating world of STEM.”

When not investigating the mysteries of the universe, Naicker enjoys indulging in her hobbies—reading, dancing Zumba, watching movies, and unwinding with music.