
Verified appointment
Cedric Wahl Holzapfel
Professor
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Matriculation Certificate (Cape Province) 1952 – with distinctions in mathematics, science and history (Jan van Riebeeck High School, Cape Town) 2. BSc (Chemistry, mathematics) – with distinct
Last reviewed: 2026/07/15
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ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Matriculation Certificate (Cape Province) 1952 – with distinctions in mathematics, science and history (Jan van Riebeeck High School, Cape Town) 2. BSc (Chemistry, mathematics) – with distinction, 1955. University of Stellenbosch 3. MSc (Inorganic chemistry) – with distinction, 1957. University of Stellenbosch 4. PhD (Organic chemistry) - with distinction, 1962. University of Manchester SCHOLARSHIPS, PROFESSIONAL HONOURS: 1. Queen Victoria Stipendium for post–graduate studies, 1960-1962 2. South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Scholarships: 1960-1962 3. ICI Research Fellowship, 1963 4. Ernest Oppenheimer University Travelling Fellowship: 1975, 1982 5. CSIR/FRD Overseas Bursary and Travel Grant:1975, 1982, 1992 6. Havenga prize for Chemistry (South African Academy for Art and Sciences) 1983 7. Jan van Riebeeck Medal for Science, 1988 8. Gold medal of South African Chemical Institute,1988 9. AECI gold medal of South African Chemical Institute, 1988 10. FRD/NSF Evaluation Status 1) 1993 A category 2) 1998 A+ category RESEARCH GRANTS: • NRF Research Grants : 1970-2000 • AEC Research Grants : 1980-1985 • FRD Comprehensive Research Grants : 1984-2000 • National Institute of Health Research Grants: 1983-2000 • Walker Cancer Research Trust Grants : 1985-2000 • SASOL Research Grants : 1992-2005 APPOINTMENTS: 1. 1958: Experimental Officer, Atomic Energy Establishment, Harwell, United Kingdom 2. 1959: Research Officer, Pharmaceutical Division, Imperial Chemical Industries, Alderley Edge, United Kingdom 3. 1963: ICI Research Fellow, University of Manchester, United Kingdom 4. 1964-1965: Research Officer, NCRL, CSIR, Pretoria 5. 1966-1968: Senoir Research Officer, NCRL, CSIR, Pretoria 6. 1969 - 1970: Chief Research Office, NCRL, CSIR, Pretoria 7. 1970 - 2002: Professor of Chemistry, Rand Afrikaans University, Johannesburg 8. 2003 - 2005: Extraordinary Professor in Chemistry, RAU (Contract appointment) 9. 2010 - Emeritus Professor (Honorary Appointment) OTHER RESEARCH EXPERIENCE: 1. Post-doctoral student: University of California, USA, 1963 2. Visiting Professor, Imperial College, London (collaboration with Nobel Prize Laureate Prof. Sir. Derek Barton): 1975 3. Visiting Professor, Arizona State University, Tempe, USA (collaboration with Prof. GR Pettit), Director, 1982 4. Visiting Professor, University of Waterloo, Canada (collaboration with Prof. V Snieckus), 1992 MAIN RESEARCH PROJECTS: 1. Synthetic methodology and homogenous catalysis 2. The synthesis of natural products using carbohydrates as chirons 3. The application organometallic reagents and catalysts in synthesis. 4. The chemistry of Indole and Thiazole 5. The development of anti-neoplastic agents 6. High pressure carbonylation reactions TRAINING OF POST-GRADUATE STUDENTS: Acted as promoter to 35 MSc and 34 PhD students who successfully completed their studies. PUBLICATIONS: 1) more than 200 in scientific journals 2) co-author of 4 specialised chemistry books 3) more than 10 patents 4) more than 200 contributions to national and international scientific conferences OTHER ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES - THESE INCLUDE: 1. Member of Organising Committee, Editorial Board/Assistant Editor S.A. J. Chem 1980 - 2000 2. Chairman RAU Library Committee, 1978 - 1992 3. Chairman Department of Chemistry, 1984 - 1985; 1989 - 1991 4. Member of Executive Committee, RAU, 1990 - 1992; 1993 -1995 5. Chairman / Vice-Chairman, RAU Research Committee, 1982 - 1984 6. Member of FRD Evaluation/Equipment /Industrial Research Committee, 1989 - 2000 7. Adviser to AECI R & D: 1990 - 1998 8. Adviser to SASOL R & D: 1997 - 2008 9. Advisor to CSIR: 1999 - 2005
