Tyrique Byroo, 16, is an impressive young lad with his feet firmly on the ground and a room full of accolades to show for his achievements.
A particularly worthy accomplishment was his participation in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Pennsylvania, USA at age 15.
The Star College grade 11 learner from Westville near Durban, has excelled in several science fairs including the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists Regional Science Fair where he bagged gold for four consecutive years – 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
The Eskom Expo International Science Fair (ISF) saw him take home bronze, four company special awards plus R5 000 in 2013; gold, R8 000 plus a Rhodes University Scholarship in 2014 and silver, Best Eskom Energy Award plus R6 000 in 2015. In addition, he received gold at the FFS Expo every year from 2013 to 2015.
He was quick to confess that a keen interest in science experimentation and Information Technology was a motivating factor in leveraging the Eskom Expo as a platform to realise his full potential.
The Eskom Expo for Young Scientists is SA’s largest science fair for school students from grades five to 12, offering them a golden opportunity to showcase their innovation and ingenuity through projects about their own scientific investigations.
The aim is to stimulate youth interest and participation in fields related to Sciences, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Innovation (STEMI) through regional and national expositions which are hosted across 35 regions in all nine provinces.
Successful participants are awarded gold, silver and bronze medals as well as special awards and university bursaries in excess of R1.3 million. In addition, selected projects will qualify to participate at various International Science Fairs (ISF).
Approximately 550 learners from 35 regions will be selected to represent their provinces at the national competition to be held in Johannesburg at the Birchwood Conference Centre from 4 to 7 October 2016.
The Central Region Expo in KwaZulu-Natal was presented in partnership with FFS Refiners, a key sponsor of the Durban event.
Coming from a family of engineers, microbiologists and IT specialists, Tyrique too was gripped by his passion for the science field. So much so, that he has his sights set on becoming a neurosurgeon one day.
“Participating in the Eskom Expo has developed and refined my ability to undertake scientific research, has enhanced my confidence and expanded my social and intellectual circles. The numerous medals and accolades are the cherry on top.
“The Expo has taught me to strive for the best. Participating in the ISF has exposed me to the standards of overseas peers and has opened doors for me to interact with other like-minded students.”
His research topic of choice was: “An exploration into the effectiveness of clinical and herbal modalities in the treatment of heroin addiction in the South African health care system”.
In his analysis of both treatment models – conventional/clinical model and herbal/Ibogaine model – the two options were found to be equally effective and safe.
Key findings of the herbal detoxification treatment were that it was shorter, more comfortable for patients as it reduced the overall time for side effects that were experienced and more cost-effective.
Amidst all his achievements and successes, he humbly admitted that balancing an enormous academic workload whilst also undertaking the research project was particularly challenging.
Attributing his success to an extremely supportive family, he said that while his parents accompanied him at various Expos, they also respected his need for independence.
On his opinion of the importance of maths and science subjects, he said: “Firstly, these subjects form the basis for successful daily living and if one has aspirations for any career, these subjects are compulsory. It stimulates the mind, helps you to think logically, solve problems and ultimately you feel a sense of accomplishment.
“Secondly, scientific and technological advances today are remarkable and one needs to understand the basics by studying these subjects in school in order to better understand the modern world and perhaps even make contributions to it.”
The younger of two siblings, Tyrique describes himself as an industrious learner, independent, helpful, jovial, friendly and goal-driven with a balanced outlook on life.
“Appreciate the better things in life and always strive for excellence but never forget the strong foundation of your roots,” is his philosophy on living a fulfilling life.
His advice for participants in the Expo is to believe in their abilities; be confident; know your project well for the interview segment; analyse; play the devil’s advocate and convert challenges into turn-around strategies and future research.
Tyrique’s additional achievements include, among others, the Royal Society of Chemistry First Place Award in 2015; gold for three years in the FSS Science Expo; third place in the 2016 WESSA Eco-Quiz; gold in the 2016 IT Olympiad and silver in the Genius Science Olympiad, and Project Expo in New York where he received a nine thousand dollar scholarship to study at the State University of New York.