Karen Cloete is a Global Young Academy member, past SAYAS Co-Chair, Young Scientist Community alumnus of the WEF, and successful ICTP-TRIL fellow and TWAS-UNESCO research associate applicant. She has also volunteered as ambassador for the New York Academy of Sciences. As a senior researcher appointed at the UNESCO-University of South Africa Chair in Nanosciences-Nanotechnology and the Nanosciences African Network-iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, her research focuses on the chemical fingerprinting of biological material with ion beam and synchrotron radiation technologies for multidisciplinary applications and the agricultural applications of nanotechnology.  She is also a visiting assist. prof at the University of Nova Gorica and has developed e-learning material for the International Atomic Energy Agency. She has received various scholarships, grants, and awards, published interdisciplinary research papers, and her work has been highlighted in popular media including DOSTv and at international academic and non-academic conferences where she has served as a session chair, panellist or invited speaker. She has contributed to the formulation of statements on topical issues in science and has also served on various committees including as editorial advisory board member. She is passionate about science teaching, mentoring, and communication, and strongly believes in the power of science to transform society.