For Dr Daniella Moore, the final stretch of her PhD in Mathematics at Stellenbosch University (SU) became something she could not have anticipated – a test not only of intellectual endurance, but of emotional strength.

At the beginning of the year, as she was nearing completion of her doctorate, her father, Stephen, died suddenly from a ruptured aneurysm. The loss was devastating. “Losing my dad left me feeling very alone and helpless,” Moore says. “At the time, the thought of finishing the last little bit of my PhD felt impossible.”

Yet it is precisely this moment when everything seemed to unravel that has come to define her story.

A foundation built on curiosity

Moore grew up in Hout Bay in Cape Town, where her early years were shaped by a close-knit family and a quiet curiosity about how things work. Her father, a software developer, played a central role in nurturing that curiosity. “He loved building things with me as a kid,” she recalls. “That sparked my interest in the sciences.”

From an early age, mathematics felt like a natural fit. She remembers enjoying the subject as early as Grade 1, encouraged by a teacher who recognised her enthusiasm and nurtured her confidence.

That early sense of wonder never faded. As she progressed through school – first at Herzlia Constantia and later at Cedar House – mathematics remained a constant thread.

“I always knew that I wanted to study mathematics,” she says. What began as enjoyment gradually became a calling.

Moore’s academic journey unfolded step by step. Each degree led naturally to the next, driven less by a fixed plan than by a genuine love for the subject. “Every time I completed a degree, I just wanted to carry on studying because I enjoyed it so much,” she says with a smile.

Her doctoral research focused on abstract algebra, specifically on mathematical structures known as near-vector spaces – a generalisation of vector spaces. It is a field that requires patience, precision and sustained concentration. By the time she entered the final phase of her PhD, Moore had spent years immersed in complex theoretical work. 

Then, suddenly, everything changed.

Loss, grief and perseverance

The unexpected loss of her father brought her progress to a halt. “I felt like giving up, even though I was so close to the finish line.”

In the months that followed, completing her PhD felt almost impossible. Grief reshaped her daily life, making even small tasks feel overwhelming. What sustained her was the memory of her father and knowing what he would have wanted for her. “My dad was a gentle and sweet soul. He always believed in me and was proud of me.” 

That belief became a source of strength. “I kept reminding myself that he would have wanted me to finish my degree.”

Gradually, she found a way forward. “I reminded myself that even though my dad is no longer physically here, he is still watching over me and will always be proud of me.”

A community of support

Moore did not walk this path alone. In the most difficult period of her studies, she was supported by family, friends and mentors who helped her navigate both the emotional and practical challenges she faced.

Her mother, Sharon, her brothers, her partner Rysiu Moscicki, and close friends formed a network of care around her. “They supported me with reassuring words and even helped with everyday tasks like cooking, cleaning or walking my dog,” she says. Her academic supervisors, Prof Sophie Marques and Prof Zurab Janelidze, also provided understanding and support during this period.

At SU, Moore says she learned lessons that extended far beyond mathematics. “The University taught me how to handle difficult situations, both academic and personal. I learnt how to persevere, remain positive and trust that everything will work out.”

Among her fondest memories of student life is a special moment from her first week on campus – sitting on the Rooiplein and meeting a fellow student, Emma Theart, who would become one of her closest friends and now is also graduating with a PhD in Mathematics.

Moore will be entering a new chapter soon. While she had initially planned to pursue a career in academia, she has chosen instead to move into the technology sector. “I want to do programming courses and get involved in the tech industry,” she says.

Graduation day was a moment of subdued celebration, shared with her mother, brother and close friends. It was also a moment of remembrance.

For Moore, mastering a challenging PhD is a tribute to the man who first sparked her curiosity, who believed in her without hesitation, and whose presence continues to guide her even in his absence.