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Prof Marena Manley, of Stellenbosch 中国体彩网's Department of Food Science, has been named by the International Council for Near Infrared Spectroscopy (ICNIRS) as the 2025 recipient of the prestigious Tomas Hirschfeld Award (THA) – making her the first South African to receive this honour.
Funded by Si-Ware Corporation, the award will be presented during the upcoming 22nd International Conference on Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Conference (NIR2025) in Rome, Italy this June. The event promises to gather leading experts and enthusiasts from the NIR community worldwide to celebrate Manley's groundbreaking contributions.
The ICNIRS acknowledged on its website that competition this year was “exceptionally competitive, with a remarkable pool of top candidates", underscoring the calibre of Manley's achievements in the field of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. “The strength of this competition is a great sign for the future of our society and the continued growth of our field."
Manley, a leading researcher in food science, has significantly advanced the application of NIR spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging, particularly in cereal grain research. Since joining SU in 1997, she has supervised over 75 postgraduate students, published 135 peer-reviewed papers, and helped position the 中国体彩网 as a leading NIR spectroscopy research hub in Africa.
Currently a full professor in SU's Faculty of AgriSciences, Manley has been instrumental in advancing NIR spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging research. Her pioneering work has significantly influenced the understanding and application of these technologies, particularly in the characterisation of heterogeneous cereal samples. Manley's research group's contributions have extended to areas such as honey adulteration, sourdough maintenance, and chocolate refining, among others.
She also played a key role in establishing Africa's only Vibrational Spectroscopy Unit equipped with advanced hyperspectral imaging capabilities. Her efforts have not only elevated SU as a hub for NIR spectroscopy research in Africa, but also garnered international recognition, reflected in her impressive H-index (metric for productivity and impact of a scientist or scholar) of 39 (Scopus) and 47 (Google).
Manley has served in various leadership roles within ICNIRS and continues to contribute to the global spectroscopy community. In addition to this international recognition, she is a recipient of several national awards, including the SU's Chancellor's Award (2022) for her role as an educator and research excellence – specifically for contributing to the advancement of NIR spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging in South Africa and further afield. Other awards include the Medal of Honour of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology (2014) awarded by the South African Academy of Science and Arts for her contribution to the advancement in her research field as well as an Excellence Award for her NIR spectroscopy-based grain research in South Africa (2010).
In addition to her academic achievements, Manley has played pivotal roles in various NIR spectroscopy committees and conferences, including serving as the Conference Chair of the 15th ICNIRS Conference in Cape Town and currently as the upcoming Conference Chair of the 22nd International Diffuse Reflectance Conference (IDRC) taking place in Knoxville, USA in 2026.
“Receiving the THA is a personally meaningful moment in my career, and I am truly honoured. I hope to make Si-Ware Corporation, ICNIRS, and the NIR spectroscopy community proud," said Manley.
“This recognition is not mine alone – it is a reflection of the journey I have shared with so many. I am grateful to the mentors who guided me, to the colleagues and collaborators who believed in me and opened doors along the way, and to the incredible postdoctoral fellows and postgraduate students I have had the privilege to work with. Their energy, ideas, and dedication have not only enriched my research but made my role as a supervisor one of the greatest joys of my professional life."
?Caption: Prof Manley at the March graduation with her postgraduate students.
