Prof Akerman has worked at UKZN for 10 years engaging in both teaching and research. His primary research areas are the applications of metals in medicine and using single crystal X-ray diffraction to rationalize the chemical structures of chemotherapeutics. Lead drug candidates are developed into radiopharmaceuticals. He has more than 75 publications and one patent and is an NRF Y-rated researcher. He was the recipient of the School distinguished teacher award in 2017 and the UKZN young researcher award in 2017 and 2018. He was the head of Teaching and Learning for the School from 2016 to 2018.