Dr Shavani Naicker Becomes UKZN's youngest PhD Graduate

At just 26 years old, Dr Shavani Naicker has made history as the youngest PhD graduate at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) 2025 Autumn graduation ceremonies.

Earning her doctorate in Applied Mathematics with a specialisation in Astrophysics, Naicker’s academic journey has been one of brilliance, dedication, and ground-breaking research.

Having completed her BSc, BSc Honours, and MSc degrees at UKZN — all summa cum laude — Naicker’s rise through the academic ranks has been nothing short of stellar. Her PhD research, conducted under the supervision of Professor Sunil Maharaj and Dr Byron Brassel, was carried out at UKZN’s Astrophysics Research Centre (ARC), South Africa’s leading research group focused on gravity and its applications.

Dr Naicker’s doctoral work delved into Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet (EGB) gravity, a complex subclass of Lovelock gravity — a higher-dimensional extension of Einstein’s theory of General Relativity. Her research involved solving notoriously difficult nonlinear field equations to better understand how stellar models behave in scenarios where classical relativity might not apply, such as near black holes or during the early stages of the universe.

“Lovelock gravity introduces higher-order curvature terms into the equations of gravity,” explained Dr Naicker. “Studying these helps us understand gravitational interactions in extreme conditions. My work contributes to uncovering the gravitational dynamics of astrophysical objects in higher dimensions, which could help address unresolved questions in cosmology and quantum gravity.”

Professor Maharaj, Director of ARC, praised Naicker’s contribution to the field. “She has obtained novel solutions to the field equations, providing deep insights into the behaviour of stellar models. This is impactful work, and we are proud to support her ongoing research.”

Dr Brassel, who has mentored Naicker for eight years, commended her consistency and excellence. “She has always stood out — from scoring among the highest marks in second-year Mechanics to producing insightful research as a doctoral candidate. Working with her has been an absolute pleasure.”

Dr Naicker’s academic path was inspired by childhood wonder. Fascinated by the night sky and the work of Einstein, Hawking, and Newton, she was drawn to mathematics and astrophysics early on. Her undergraduate focus on Mathematics, Astronomy, and Applied Mathematics laid the foundation for her research career, which took flight during her honours year under the guidance of Brassel.

Her research also connects with major national and international scientific initiatives such as South Africa’s MeerKAT and the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope projects — efforts that explore the large-scale structure of the universe and test the frontiers of gravitational science.

Dr Naicker is now a postdoctoral fellow at ARC, funded by the National Research Foundation’s Scarce Skills Postdoctoral Fellowship. She continues to work under Professor Maharaj’s supervision, with aspirations of becoming a professor and ultimately the Director of ARC — a role she hopes will allow her to both advance the field of astrophysics and mentor future generations.

With four peer-reviewed publications in leading scientific journals and recognition as a recipient of the prestigious South African Women in Science Award in the doctoral category for Astronomy, Naicker is quickly establishing herself as a rising star in the scientific community. She also actively supports young women in science through UKZN’s STEM MentHer programme.

She attributes her success to her mentors — Professor Maharaj, Dr Brassel, and Professor Rituparno Goswami — as well as to her family and her partner, Hari. 

“Obtaining this PhD is the realisation of a lifelong dream. It reflects years of hard work, resilience, and curiosity,” she said. “I hope my journey inspires others, especially young women, to explore the fascinating world of STEM.”

Away from academia, Dr Naicker enjoys reading, dancing Zumba, watching movies, and relaxing with music — a well-deserved balance for someone committed to solving the mysteries of the cosmos.