We welcome as a speaker, Dr Hafsa Essop, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Radiography at the University of Pretoria and an emerging leader in radiation protection and health sciences. She holds a PhD in Diagnostic Radiography, awarded with a Merit Certificate from the SRC, and has built a career defined by innovation, academic excellence and global impact.

She is the founder of PregiDose, a prototype mobile application designed to improve fetal dose monitoring and support pregnant radiation workers. This innovation earned her international recognition, including the Best Young Scientist and Professional Award at a global conference in Tokyo, Japan.

Dr Essop represents South Africa on the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and serves as a mentee on Task Group 123, contributing to the revision of classifications for harmful radiation‑induced outcomes. Her postdoctoral research, supported by leading international experts, aims to inform evidence‑based policy at national and global levels.

She is a member of the Gates Foundation Early Health Researcher Support Network and has been an invited moderator at the Women in Science Symposium, facilitating discussions on closing the gender gap in STEM. She has also served as co‑chair of the Next Generation of Scientists at the ICRP Conference in Abu Dhabi and delivered the keynote address at the Sefako Makgatho University School of Medicine oath‑taking ceremony.

Dr Essop has published several peer‑reviewed articles and is committed to public engagement, regularly presenting at national and international conferences to ensure that scientific research remains accessible and impactful for both industry and academia.