Prestigious international award for Prof Marena Manley
Prof Marena Manley, from the Department of Food Science, has been named the 2025 recipient of the prestigious Tomas Hirschfeld Award (THA) by the International Council for Near Infrared Spectroscopy (ICNIRS) — making her the first South African to receive this honour.
Funded by BÜCHI, the award was presented during the 22nd International Conference on Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR2025) held in Rome, Italy, on 10 June.
A leading researcher in food science, Prof Manley has made significant contributions to the advancement of Near Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging, particularly in cereal grain research. Since joining Stellenbosch University in 1997, she has supervised over 75 postgraduate students, published 135 peer-reviewed papers, and helped establish SU as a prominent NIR spectroscopy research hub in Africa.
Currently a full professor in SU’s Faculty of AgriSciences, Prof Manley has been instrumental in pioneering research focused on the characterisation of heterogeneous cereal samples using NIR spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging. Her work has significantly influenced the understanding and application of these technologies in food and agricultural sciences.
She also played a vital role in the establishment of Africa’s only Vibrational Spectroscopy Unit equipped with advanced hyperspectral imaging capabilities. Her efforts have not only elevated Stellenbosch University’s global profile in this field but have also earned her international acclaim, as reflected in her impressive H-index of 39 (Scopus) and 47 (Google Scholar).
Prof Manley has served in various leadership roles within ICNIRS and continues to contribute actively to the global spectroscopy community. In addition to this international recognition, she has received several national accolades, including Stellenbosch University’s Chancellor’s Award (2022) for her excellence as both an educator and researcher — with particular recognition for her role in advancing NIR spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging in South Africa and beyond.
Prof Marena Manley receives the Tomas Hirschfeld Award from Prof Dolores Pérez Marín, President of ICNIRS, and Marcel Plans Pujolras of BÜCHI.
