Dr Nicole Vorster

Position: Senior lecturer and Formulation Science coordinator

Department: Chemistry

Phone: +27(0)41 504 3599

Email:  nicole.vorster@mandela.ac.za

 

Biography

Dr Nicole Vorster is a formulation chemist specialising in cosmetic, skin and haircare formulation. She developed, coordinates and teaches the B Sc Honours programme in Formulation Science. She is based at Innoventon in Gomery Rd where the course is offered. Dr Vorster also consults for the Technology Station at Innoventon to solve formulation problems for SMMEs and assists with new product development. Dr Vorster is also involved in applied research specialising in natural extracts and their application in various formulated products. She supervises Honours, Masters and Doctoral projects in the field of natural extracts and formulation. She currently holds a TIA Technology Development Grant for the application of olive pomace extracts in aquaculture fish feed. She was awarded the NMU Innovation Excellence Award for Emerging Innovators in 2019.For her olive pomace extract commercialisation efforts she has also taken part in various innovation/entrepreneurship programmes and competitions: in 2016 she was a finalist in the Swiss-TIA Venture Leader programme and a regional winner in the GAP Biosciences Innovation programme and in 2020/21 she was a semi-finalist in the GCIP innovation programme.