In recognition of her outstanding academic and research ability, Ms Marilize Everts, a doctoral student in the Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Pretoria (UP), was awarded a TATA Scholarship for doctoral studies at the South African Women in Science Awards earlier this month.

Ms Everts received a BEng in Mechanical Engineering with distinction from UP in 2012 and was the top student in the School of Engineering at the University. Other awards she received in 2012 included Best Research Project in Mechanical Design, Most Meritorious Student in Mechanical Design, Most Meritorious Student in Advanced Heat and Mass Transfer, Most Meritorious Student in Thermo Fluids, the Sasol Merit Medal for Best Final Year Student in Mechanical Engineering, the Sasol Merit Medal for Excellence in Design, and the CA du Toit Medal and Prize for Excellence in Heat Transfer.

In 2013, Ms Everts completed her BEng (Hons) in mechanical engineering with an average of 90% (distinctions in all eight modules) and in 2014 she obtained 99% for her research master's degree in mechanical engineering. Ms Everts was the best student in her group for each of the three degrees she completed. She also received the University Award (open category) at the Eskom Chairman's Awards for the best Engineering student in the country. All universities and disciplines compete in this category.

Ms Everts is currently a doctoral student in the Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering at UP. Her research is on the heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics of developing flow in smooth and rough tubes in the transitional flow regime. At present there are no heat transfer and pressure drop correlations or experimental data available for developing flow in the transitional flow regime. During this study, correlations will be developed to predict the heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics of developing flow in smooth and rough tubes, as well as the relationship between heat transfer and pressure drop. This is a fundamental part of addressing the gap between laminar and turbulent flow and will enable engineers to better optimise heat transfer equipment used in the generation of energy, which is a major challenge both in South Africa and internationally.

Ms Everts has had five papers presented at conferences (three of which were international) and won an outstanding paper award for her last paper at the Third Southern African Solar Energy Conference.