Elected: 2013
Country (Nationality)
South Africa
Discipline
Chemical Sciences
Bio
Prof Steyn PhD (UNISA, 1967) and PhD, h.c. (UNISA 2010) an organic chemist, has distinguished himself in the area of fungal toxins (mycotoxins) and plant toxins (particularly the bufadienolides).
He carried out research at the CSIR in Pretoria, at the North West University, and lately at the University of Stellenbosch. The research of Steyn culminated in the publication of more than 190 papers in the international scientific journals. The international status of Steyn in chemistry led to his election as President of the International Association of Cereal Science and Technology (ICC, Vienna) for 1992-1994 as well as to his election President of IUPAC for 2002 – 2003. It is remarkable that he was the first person from Africa to serve the international fraternity as President of IUPAC and of ICC.
Steyn is the recipient of the top medals of The SA Chemical Institute, The National Science and Technology Forum, The SA Association for the Advancement of Science, The SA Academy of Science, Die SA Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns (Afrikaans Academy), as well as the coveted Friedrich Schweitzer Medal of ICC (1993). The Republic of South Africa honoured Steyn in 2012 by the Award of the National Order of Mapungubwe (Class Silver) for his excellent contributions to and achievements in the chemistry and biosynthesis of mycotoxins.