Nicola Engelbrecht, University of Pretoria Graduate Remembered for Academic Excellence, Courage, and Lasting Hope After Passing on May 5, 2026
The University of Pretoria community, family, and friends mourn Nicola Engelbrecht, who passed away on May 5, 2026, at age 23.
Nicola Engelbrecht graduated from Afrikaans Hoër Meisieskool with eight distinctions, played first-team tennis, and performed as a clarinettist.
Nicola Engelbrecht earned a BSc degree at the University of Pretoria and completed an Honours Degree in Bioinformatics with distinction, awarded posthumously during the Autumn Graduation Ceremony.
Nicola Engelbrecht focused research on computational cancer genomics and worked to improve prediction of pathogenic genetic variants linked to breast cancer.
In 2023, Nicola Engelbrecht received a brain cancer diagnosis and continued academic work through surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and ongoing medical challenges.
Family members include parents Drs. Thys and Cornel Engelbrecht, brother Hanru Engelbrecht, fiancé Christiaan Els, and grandparents including Prof. Johann Engelbrecht and Heloise Engelbrecht.
The Engelbrecht family will announce funeral arrangements and memorial service details at a later time.
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