How the Unit Works
The Unit provides three levels of support to users depending on their needs and interest in Electron Microscopy:
Level 1: EMU personnel provide a complete service as per the users’ instructions.
TARGET USERS: Project has very short-term electron microscopy requirements; researchers who reside outside of Cape Town; commercial users.
NO TRAINING REQUIRED
Level 2: Users participate with EMU personnel through the imaging and analysis process.
TARGET USERS: Frequent electron microscope users who are inexperienced in the operation of the microscopes and/or require support for advanced analytical microscopy.
TRAINING REQUIRED
Level 3: Users are fully engaged in operating the microscopes and acquiring imaging and analytical data. EMU personnel provide support for access to the instruments.
TARGET USERS: Highly trained and expert electron microscopists.
NO TRAINING REQUIRED
About our Staff
Map and Directions
The EMU is located on the first level (room 1.01) of the New Engineering Building on Madiba Circle on the Upper Campus.
For general directions to UCT: https://www.uct.ac.za/contact/directions/
Contact Us
| Email Address | Contact Details | Physical Address | |
| Prof. Robert Knutsen (Director) |
robert.knutsen@uct.ac.za | x4959 | Room 1.01 |
| Dr Nasheeta Hanief (Materials Science Applications) |
nasheeta.hanief@uct.ac.za | x1764 | Room 1.06 |
| Soraya von Willingh (General Enquiries and SEM Applications) |
soraya.vonwillingh@uct.ac.za | x2818 | Room 1.06 |
| Dr Jeremy Woodward (Cryo-EM Applications) |
jeremy.woodward@uct.ac.za | - | Room 1.03 |
| Mohamed Jaffer (TEM Applications) |
mohamed.jaffer@uct.ac.za | x3354 | Room 1.06 |
| Michael Woodward (Maintenance and Service Engineer) |
michael.woodward@uct.ac.za | x2409 | Room 1.04 |
| Sean Karriem (Departmental Assistant) |
sean.karriem@uct.ac.za | x2819 | Room 1.06 |
Prof. Robert Knutsen, Director
Robert Knutsen has been the Director of the Electron Microscope Unit since January 2020. His research interests lie in the microstructure-property relationships of metallic materials with current interests particularly directed at titanium alloys and power plant steels. Advanced materials characterisation is critical in these studies and Robert continues to make extensive use of SEM-Based electron backscattered diffraction, a technique that he introduced to South Africa as far back as 1994.
Dr Nasheeta Hanief, E-Beam writing and Materials specialist
Nasheeta has a Masters degree in Materials Engineering and a PhD in Physics. She is responsible for E-Beam writing on the MIRA Scanning Electron Microscope as well as general SEM and TEM work.
Phone: (021) 650 1764
E-mail: nasheeta.hanief@uct.ac.za
Dr Jeremy Woodward, Bioscience and Cryo-Microscopy
Jeremy has a PhD in Structural Biology and is responsible for bioscience and cryo-TEM in the E.M. Unit.
E-mail: jeremy.woodward@uct.ac.za
Ms Soraya von Willingh, General Enquiries and SEM applications specialist
Responsible for Scanning Electron Microscopy, Lab Management and Routine Services.
Phone: (021) 650 2818
E-mail: soraya.vonwillingh@uct.ac.za
Mr Mohammed A. Jaffer, TEM applications specialist
Responsible for Transmission EM and Ultramicrotomy - cryo and conventional.
Phone: (021) 650 3354
E-mail: mohamed.jaffer@uct.ac.zaMr Michael Woodward, Maintenance Technician
Responsible for equipment maintenance.
Phone: (021) 650 2409
E-mail: michael.woodward@uct.ac.za
Mr Sean Karriem, Technical Officer
Responsible for security, general lab management, health and safety, laboratory logistics and waste disposal.
Phone: (021) 650 2818
E-mail: sean.karriem@uct.ac.za
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