CARE-O-SENE Builds Future Talent: From Synchrotron Science to Industrial Practice

CARE-O-SENE Builds Future Talent: From Synchrotron Science to Industrial Practice

Sasol scientist and CARE-O-SENE researcher Dr Jerry Lamola recently participated in the 2026 HZB Photon School, a rare and valuable opportunity for an early-career South African researcher.

Hosted at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin’s BESSY II synchrotron, the programme brought together global talent for intensive training in advanced synchrotron techniques. A synchrotron is a large research facility that produces extremely bright X-ray beams, allowing researchers to study materials in detail. Jerry and his team (Mufudzi Chaza and Emmanuel Kipkorir, both from Southern Africa) presented beamline results in a poster that was recognised with an award by an expert HZB panel.

Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin’s Photon School 2026 brought together early-career researchers from all over the world for a training course on synchrotron techniques.

Während seines Aufenthalts nahm Jerry außerdem aktiv an einer einwöchigen Beamtime-Kampagne zu industriell relevanten Kobalt-Fischer-Tropsch-Katalysatoren teil, ermöglicht durch die enge Zusammenarbeit zwischen Sasol und dem HZB im Rahmen von CARE-O-SENE. Das Projekt verbindet Synchrotronforschung gezielt mit industrieller Anwendung und leistet damit einen konkreten Beitrag zur Entwicklung nachhaltiger Flugkraftstoffe. 

Dr Jerry Lamola conducts research into advanced synchrotron techniques for Sasol and CARE-O-SENE.

Before returning home, Jerry visited the Sasol Brunsbuettel site, gaining valuable exposure to commercial operations: including alumina, alcohols, and derivatives production and engaging with colleagues and CARE-O-SENE collaborators.

Ein eindrucksvolles Beispiel dafür, wie internationale Zusammenarbeit, fortschrittliche Forschungsinfrastruktur und Einblicke in die Praxis zukünftige wissenschaftliche Führungskräfte prägen.

A sincere thank you to Catalina Jimenez (Photon School organiser, CARE-O-SENE Work Package 1lead) and trainers Lucia Toscani, Ivo Zizak and Rosario Suarez at HZB for their guidance as well as The Sasol colleagues at Brunsbuettel (Christian Schrage & Martin Kuhn) for hosting him.