South African astrophysicist Nicole Thomas studies black holes
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on IOL
Illustrative image · David Dibert · Pexels · Licence PexelsSouth African astrophysicist Nicole Thomas, from Bellville South, studies supermassive black holes and galaxy evolution after earning a doctorate in astrophysics. Her path from the University of the Western Cape to the 2019 Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting illustrates young South Africans’ access to international scientific careers, according to IOL.
South African astrophysicist Nicole Thomas, a graduate of the University of the Western Cape (UWC), researches supermassive black holes and the evolution of galaxies, IOL reports.
After studying physics at UWC, she continued her training in the National Astrophysics and Space Science Programme at the University of Cape Town, before returning to UWC, where she obtained a doctorate in astrophysics. Her work focuses in particular on the growth of black holes, the energy they release and their effects on galaxies.
Originally from Bellville South, Cape Town, and a former pupil of Kasselsvlei High School, Nicole Thomas attended the 2019 Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany. She told IOL that her interest in astronomy developed through television documentaries, as she did not have internet access at home.
