From Bellville South to black holes: How Nicole Thomas found her place among the stars - IOL

Dr Nicole Thomas’s journey into astrophysics began in Bellville South and took her to the 2019 Lindau Nobel Meeting in Germany, where she joined leading young researchers and Nobel laureates.

The former Kasselsvlei High School and University of the Western Cape (UWC) student, now researches supermassive black holes and galaxy evolution. She went on to earn a PhD in astrophysics, building a career that has taken her from local classrooms to the international scientific community.

Her story is one of curiosity, determination and the opportunities that education can create, offering an example to young people who may not see themselves represented in fields such as astrophysics.

Thomas said her interest in science began with a desire to understand how things worked, particularly when the answers were not immediately obvious.

“I always had a fascination with the world; I wanted to know how and why things worked - the more confusing and incomprehensible it was, the better,” she said.

Without internet access at home at the time, television documentaries helped introduce her to astronomy and space.

“We didn't have the internet at home at that time, but I recall my father always watching documentaries on the Discovery Channel and National Geographic, which is where I first even heard the concept of astronomy and when this fascination then extended to outside our world and into space,” she said.

That early curiosity eventually developed into a pursuit of the physics behind some of the universe’s most complex phenomena.

After studying physics at UWC, Thomas continued her studies through the National Astrophysics and Space Science Programme at the University of Cape Town before returning to UWC for further postgraduate research.

She ultimately earned her PhD in astrophysics at UWC, specialising in supermassive black holes and their influence on galaxy evolution.

Her field of research examines how black holes grow, how they release enormous amounts of energy and how their activity can affect the galaxies in which they exist.

Understanding these processes helps scientists investigate how galaxies develop and change over time.

Thomas’s academic path demonstrates how a science education in Cape Town can lead to research addressing questions of international significance.

Thomas said she never viewed her surroundings as an obstacle to her ambitions.

“I never saw my environment as a limitation because, to me, it was simply normal life. So why would I view it any differently?” she said.

Although pursuing astrophysics may have surprised some people, she said her parents, friends and school encouraged her interest in science.

One stereotype she encountered was the idea that girls could not do mathematics. However, she said she was not made to feel that her gender, race or background should determine what she could achieve.

“I was raised not to make excuses,” she said.

Thomas also acknowledged the role that opportunities and personal circumstances played in her journey. Although she could not attend the university where she had initially been accepted to study astronomy, she was still able to pursue a university education.

Her career has opened up opportunities, but it has also involved sacrifices, including time spent away from home and the challenge of balancing personal priorities with the demands of scientific research.

Thomas believes young people interested in astronomy and other scientific fields have more ways than ever to explore their interests.

“We have so much knowledge at our fingertips today, whether it be on social media, Google, or using AI. These can all be powerful tools to learn about specific interests,” she said.

She also pointed to opportunities in Cape Town for young people to engage with scientists and professionals working in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

“Cape Town is a fantastic location to interact with many astrophysicists, space scientists, or other STEM professionals. Some events do, however, have a small cost associated, such as the Planetarium and Iziko Museum, but various free events happen throughout the year,” she said.

Thomas added that many science facilities work with schools to provide outreach programmes, while universities offer open days and other events that can introduce learners to scientific careers.

Her advice highlights the value of asking questions, exploring interests and making use of learning opportunities, whether online, at school or through local science institutions.

From the classrooms of Kasselsvlei High School to research into some of the universe’s most complex objects, Thomas’s journey shows how an early fascination with the world can develop into a career exploring what lies beyond it.