News
By Priscilla Mafa
A Midlands State University researcher has been nominated for the prestigious RCZ Female Researcher Award in recognition of her innovative work that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate the discovery of breast cancer drugs.
Speaking to MSU Radio News, Dr Zinyama said artificial intelligence is helping researchers overcome some of the major challenges associated with conventional drug development processes.
“Drug discovery is often a very long and expensive process that can take more than 15 years before a medicine reaches patients. By combining chemistry and artificial intelligence, we are able to analyse large amounts of data and identify potential drug candidates much faster,” she said.
Dr Zinyama explained that her research focuses on using computational models to predict how different chemical compounds may interact with cancer cells, allowing scientists to prioritise the most promising options for further laboratory testing.
“Our goal is to develop smarter and more efficient approaches to finding treatments for breast cancer while reducing both the time and cost involved in the discovery process,” she added.
The nomination is a significant milestone for both Dr Zinyama and Midlands State University, reflecting the institution’s growing contribution to scientific innovation and healthcare research. It also highlights the increasing role of women researchers in advancing solutions to global health challenges.
Speaking to MSU Radio News, Dr Zinyama said artificial intelligence is helping researchers overcome some of the major challenges associated with conventional drug development processes.
“Drug discovery is often a very long and expensive process that can take more than 15 years before a medicine reaches patients. By combining chemistry and artificial intelligence, we are able to analyse large amounts of data and identify potential drug candidates much faster,” she said.
Dr Zinyama explained that her research focuses on using computational models to predict how different chemical compounds may interact with cancer cells, allowing scientists to prioritise the most promising options for further laboratory testing.
“Our goal is to develop smarter and more efficient approaches to finding treatments for breast cancer while reducing both the time and cost involved in the discovery process,” she added.
The nomination is a significant milestone for both Dr Zinyama and Midlands State University, reflecting the institution’s growing contribution to scientific innovation and healthcare research. It also highlights the increasing role of women researchers in advancing solutions to global health challenges.
Published
June 5, 2026 at 8:00 AM
