SAYPT Juror and Moderator Team

SAYPT Organiser and Senior Juror: Don Duffield

Don Duffield is an award-winning science educator, innovator, and international collaborator whose work spans the classroom, the laboratory, and the cosmos. As Co-ordinator of the Parklands College STAR Programme (Science, Technology, Astronomy, and Research), he has fostered a culture of scientific inquiry among learners in South Africa, connecting them to authentic research experiences such as high-altitude balloon experiments, rocketry projects, and International Space Station payload investigations in partnership with MaxIQ.Space, the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Rocketry Department (ASRI), and the Sakhikamva Foundation.

With 34 years of teaching experience, Don is a Senior Physical Science and Further Studies in Physics Teacher at Parklands College. He serves as Team Manager for the South African IYPT Team, having led teams to Warsaw (2019), Timișoara (2022), and Lund (2025), and represents South Africa on the IYPT Organising Committee.

A passionate communicator of science, Don believes learners thrive when challenged to explore, question, and create. His work brings together learners from diverse backgrounds for hands-on discovery, reflecting his commitment to excellence, inclusivity, and the transformative power of science education.

International Moderator: Dr Falk Ebert

Dr Falk Ebert is an applied mathematician by training and has been teaching high school and university Physics and Mathematics in Berlin since 2001. He leads one of the most successful German Young Physicists’ Tournament (GYPT) centres - one that has produced numerous members of Team Germany, many of whom have gone on to win Gold Medals at the IYPT.

Over and above teaching he is currently working part-time at a pupils' lab at the Free University of Berlin. A place that aims at providing workshops and scientific experience to groups of students from all over the region.

An accomplished scientist, Falk has also conducted environmental research aboard a polar research vessel deep within the Arctic Circle. A passionate advocate for science education, he has made a lasting impact not only in Germany but also through his support of Team South Africa and Team Sweden. We are honoured to have him serve as our International Moderator.

(Above photograph taken by Olga Jarugski, FU Berlin)

Local Moderator: Dr Alistair Douglas

Dr Douglas serves as an IYPT Team Leader and experienced IYPT Juror, having participated in the tournaments held in Warsaw (2019), Timișoara (2022), and Lund (2025). A professional experimental physicist by training, he is currently a Senior Physical Science and A-Level teacher at St John’s College in Johannesburg.

He obtained his PhD from the University of Port Elizabeth (now Nelson Mandela University) and began his career as a scientist in the Physical Metallurgy Division at Mintek, where he conducted research on high-temperature alloys and nanomaterials. His area of expertise lies in transmission and scanning electron microscopy, and he has published several peer-reviewed papers in international journals.

After transitioning from research into scientific sales, Dr Douglas ultimately found his calling in education. He is deeply passionate about inspiring and nurturing students’ curiosity in science beyond the classroom, believing that such engagement is essential to addressing the complex challenges facing our world today. We are privileged to have him serve as both moderator and seasoned IYPT Juror.

Chief Juror and Organiser: Frank Smuts

Frank is a previous German Young Physicist Tournament (GYPT) participant (2017). He is presently completing his PhD in Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics at UCT. He has been an IYPT Team South Africa Leader at IYPT 2022 (Timisoara, Romania) and IYPT 2025 (Lund, Sweden) where he was also an IYPT Juror.

Senior Juror: Jeanne-Claire Trickett

Jeanne-Claire Trickett is the Head of Physical Science at Herschel Girls’ School in Cape Town, where she teaches IEB Physics and Chemistry. With a background in geophysics and more than two decades of experience spanning academia, mining research, and education, she brings a wealth of technical and scientific expertise to our juror team.

Before moving into education, Jeanne-Claire founded and managed MeerCAT Geophysics, a consultancy serving the Southern African exploration industry, and worked with leading institutions such as the CSIR and Schlumberger. She holds an MSc (Engineering) in Geophysics from the University of the Witwatersrand.

Jeanne-Claire has also served as a STEP UP Ambassador for the American Physical Society, promoting inclusivity and diversity in physics education, and has presented several of her research papers at international conferences. We are privileged to have her on our juror team.

Senior Juror: Devon Crowther

Devon was part of the first team that participated in the German Young Physicists’ Tournament (GYPT) in 2017. He has a master’s degree in theoretical physics which focused on particle physics - specifically, on solitons within the Nambu–Jona-Lasinio model. He currently works at Munro Forensic Actuaries as a programmer and project developer.

Senior Juror: Jessica James

Jessica is currently pursuing her MSc in Applied Mathematics at the University of Cape Town. Her research focuses on oscillons in nonlinear field theories and combines analytical and computational techniques from both mathematics and physics. She is deeply passionate about mathematics and physics education and has extensive tutoring experience at high school, A-levels, and undergraduate level.

International Juror: Kristina Pahor

Kristina holds a Masters Degree in Educational Physics with her dissertation having focused on teaching nuclear reactor physics to high school children. She is currently an IB Physics Teacher in Ljubljana, Slovenia. A passionate physicist, teacher, skier and mountaineer, we are privileged to have her as an international juror on our team.

Local Juror: Enzo Afonso

GYPT (2018). Enzo is an Astronomy and Physics student at the University of Cape Town, as well as an independent researcher and astronomy intern. His current work focuses on the restoration and robotisation of the ROTSE-IIIc telescope at the H.E.S.S. site in Namibia and the development of machine learning tools to discover new planetary nebulae in archival infrared data. With a background in instrumentation, electronics, and data analysis, Enzo is passionate about sharing the excitement of scientific discovery and helping young people explore the universe through curiosity and creativity.

Local Juror: Juhi Sewchurran

IYPT Team South Africa Captain and Participant (IYPT 2019, Warsaw). Juhi is currently a final-year Applied Mathematics and Computer Science student at the University of South Africa. Since 2022, she has been tutoring matric Physics and Mathematics, driven by her passion for problem-solving and inspiring others to develop a love for STEM.

Local Juror: Franklin Human

Franklin is a passionate experimentalist with over 30 years of teaching experience across South Africa, the UK, and New Zealand. Currently teaching Natural Science, Physical Science, and Further Studies in Physics at Parklands College, he also brings expertise in Life Sciences and A-level Physics and Chemistry. Trained in experimental science at King’s College London, Franklin is exceptionally qualified to assess advanced experimental projects and has served for many years as an Eskom Expo Regional Judge and mentor to ISF candidates. We are privileged to have him on our team.

Local Juror: Seth Vogler

Seth Vogler was a member of the first South African team to participate in the German Young Physicists’ Tournament (GYPT) in 2017 and returned to compete again in 2018. He is an Applied Mathematics and Physics graduate from UNISA and is currently pursuing his Honours degree in Applied Mathematics, focusing his thesis on computational finance.

Curiosity-driven and interdisciplinary in his thinking, Seth enjoys reframing problems using methods from different fields to uncover fresh insights and innovative solutions. Professionally, he works as a SysOps Engineer, specialising in reliability, automation, and transforming complex systems into dependable, observable services.

As a judge, Seth brings the same analytical precision and builder’s mindset to his evaluations - seeking clear problem statements, robust methodology, reproducible results, and thoughtful communication. Above all, he values projects that bridge scientific curiosity with real-world impact.

Local Juror: Mthawelanga Nhuku

Mtha Nhuku or as he is affectionately known, "Mtha" was a member of Team South Africa at the International Young Physicists’ Tournament (IYPT 2022) in Timișoara, Romania. As of 2025, Mtha is a second-year Mechatronic Engineering student at the University of Stellenbosch, where he combines academic excellence with leadership.

He is currently contracted to Eskom and serves as a tutor for first-year engineering mathematics across both semesters. In addition, Mtha holds a student leadership position at the university, demonstrating his commitment to supporting peers and contributing to the academic community. Mtha is passionate about encouraging and guiding the next generation of scientists and jurors. We are privileged to have him as one of our Local Jurors.

Local Juror: Jordyn Henning

Jordyn Henning was a member of Team South Africa at the International Young Physicists’ Tournament (IYPT 2019) in Warsaw, Poland. Jordyn’s passion for physics remains strong, even as he has explored other fields. After initially studying physics at the University of Pretoria (Tuks) for a year, he moved to Cape Town in 2022 and pursued his passion for cooking at Silwood Culinary School, where he will graduate in 2025 as a fully qualified chef.

Looking ahead, Jordyn plans to continue his education at the University of Cape Town, studying business to enter the corporate side of the food industry, focusing on product development at companies such as Woolworths or Pick n Pay. Despite his time away from formal academia, Jordyn remains deeply connected to the IYPT community and is enthusiastic about contributing as a juror for upcoming tournaments, combining his enduring love of physics with his professional and academic experiences.

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