Department of Chemistry

People

Position: Professor/ NRF-FREF SARChI Chair
Tel: +27 21 959 4031
Email: lkhotseng@uwc.ac.za

Biography

Professor Lindiwe Khotseng is a Full Professor of Analytical Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and holds the National Research Foundation (NRF) South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) Tier 2 Chair in Agricultural Waste Valorisation for Sustainable Energy Transition. She leads the Nanomaterials for Renewable Energy Technology Research Group, whose research focuses on developing sustainable nanomaterials from agricultural waste for renewable energy applications. Her research spans fuel cells, solar energy conversion, energy storage, bioenergy, green hydrogen, and biomass valorisation within the framework of the circular economy.

Professor Khotseng obtained her PhD in Chemistry from Stellenbosch University in 2004. She is an NRF C2-rated researcher with an h-index of 28 (Scopus), more than 2,000 citations, and over 107 peer-reviewed publications, including journal articles, conference papers, book chapters and edited books. Her research has attracted funding from the National Research Foundation (NRF), Eskom Tertiary Education Support Programme (TESP), BRICS, the Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme (THRIP), and several national and international collaborative initiatives.

Her research is internationally recognised in the areas of nanomaterials, electrocatalysis, renewable energy technologies, biomass conversion and agricultural waste valorisation. She has established extensive collaborations with leading universities, research institutes and industry partners in South Africa and internationally, contributing to the development of sustainable energy technologies and advanced functional materials.

Professor Khotseng has edited scholarly books and authored numerous book chapters on fuel cells, electrocatalysis, biomass conversion, renewable energy and sustainable materials. She serves on the editorial boards of international journals and is a Guest Editor for several special issues focusing on renewable energy, nanotechnology and sustainable materials. She is also a reviewer for numerous high-impact international journals.

She has successfully supervised 19 PhD and 29 MSc students, in addition to numerous Honours research projects, and continues to mentor the next generation of researchers in renewable energy and nanomaterials. Her commitment to human capital development extends to supporting emerging researchers and promoting participation of women and students from historically disadvantaged backgrounds in science and engineering.

Professor Khotseng is an active member of several professional organisations, including the South African Chemical Institute (SACI), where she serves on the Western Cape Branch Committee, the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD), and the International Society of Electrochemistry (ISE). She is a sought-after keynote and invited speaker at national and international conferences and contributes to numerous national and international scientific review panels and funding evaluation committees.

Her current research under the SARChI Chair focuses on transforming agricultural waste into high-value nanomaterials for clean energy technologies, thereby advancing sustainable energy solutions, the circular economy and socio-economic development in South Africa and beyond.
 

Position: Senior Professor with SARChI (Tier 1)
Tel: +27 (021) 959 3054
Fax: +27 (021) 959 3055
Email: eiwuoha@uwc.ac.za

Bio:

Emmanuel Iwuoha is the South African Research Chair Initiative (SARChI) Chair (Tier 1) for NanoElectrochemistry and Sensor Technology and a Senior (Distinguished) Professor of Chemistry at the University of Western Cape (UWC). He has been a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) of UK since 1999 and a Chartered Chemist of RSC since 1990. He received the University of Western Cape Vice Chancellor's Distinguished Researcher Award for 2015. He was a finalist in the 18th National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF)-SOUTH 32 AWARDS 2015/16 which recognises excellence within the SET and innovation community. He was a Member of the University of Western Cape (UWC) Governing Council and its Executive Committee from 2005 - 2017. From 2010 - 2018 he was a member of the Senior Appointment Committee of UWC Council. He is the Founder and Director of SensorLab (UWC Sensor Research Laboratories) since 2002; and he was the Leader of the “Development of Catalytic Materials” Research Niche Area (2007-2011) under the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa’s Institutional Capacity Development programme. He led the establishment of the DST’s National Nanoscience Postgraduate Teaching and Training Platform as part of the implementation of the DST’s nanoscience pedagogical strategy. Accordingly, he coordinated the planning, development and implementation of the first interuniversity (involving NNMU, UFS, UJ and UWC) MSc Nanoscience degree programme in South Africa (as well as in Africa), with specialisations in NanoBiomed, NanoChem and NanoPhysics. In November 2013, Prof Iwuoha in collaboration with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) at The Hague, The Netherlands, formed the All-African Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Initiative (AANNI), under the auspices of OPCW’s Article XI of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The programme aims at developing nanoscience skills and nanoscience capacity building amongst scientists in the entire African continent.

From 1998 to 2000 Prof Iwuoha led the interdisciplinary team of scientists that developed the 1990 (baseline) and 1992 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventories of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago using the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) protocol. He also co-authored the country’s 2001 Initial National Communication on Climate Change to the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Prof Iwuoha is an electrochemist, and all his research work are done under the umbrella of SensorLab (the University of Western Cape Sensor Laboratories). His research work relates to the designing and production of ‘smart’ nanomaterials (polymeric, dendritic, graphenated and carbon nanotubes composite systems; as well as multi-metal nanoalloys and quantum dots) for application in the construction of sensors, reactors and energy-generating systems (such as batteries, supercapacitors and solar cells).  In 2017 SensorLab’s research team consist of Profs Iwuoha, Baker, Jahed and Drs Ngece-Ajayi, Ikpo, Ross and Ms Franke as staff, 7 Postdoctoral Fellows, 34 PhDs and 20 MSc.  SensorLab is equipped with two High Resolution NMR Spectrometers (500 MHz solid state spectrometer with triple resonance and double broad band probes and 400 MHz liquid state spectrometer: the solid state NMR is the only one in the country with triple resonance probe); Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) spectrometer; High Performance Research Grade Rheometer; Liquid Nitrogen plant that serves all spectrometers and electron microscopes in the university; Raman spectrometer; Atomic Force Microscopes; Scanning Electrochemical Microscope (SECM); and Multichannel Electrochemical Workstations; Tube Furnace and Reactors for Synthesis, as well as a suite of electrochemical workstations and a Sensorchip laboratory.

A total of 41 SensorLab outgoing and 20 incoming student research exchanges with universities in Africa, Europe and USA were implemented by SensorLab from 2012 to 2016. SensorLab research PhD students have won at least 13 international PhD fellowships including the L'Oréal-UNESCO Fellowships for Women Scientists from Sub-Saharan Africa for 2012 (G. Mbambisa), 2013 (S. Tombe), 2014 (C. Rassie) and 2016 (U. Feleni); and the DST-TATA PhD Fellowship for 2016 (U. Feleni). The 2012 Award is very significant because it represented the first time a non-medical project won the PhD Fellowship. Also in 2014, the L’Oreal laureate was the only South African winner of the PhD Fellowship.

From 2002 to 2018 Prof Iwuoha supervised/co-supervised 51 PhD (31 South African and 20 Non-South African) and 52 MSc (37 South African and 15 Non-South African) graduates. He has more than 250 ISI-cited journal publications, book and encyclopaedia chapters; i10-index of 138 and h-index of 40. He is currently in the editorial board of Analytical Chemistry (the ACS’s flagship Journal for analytical chemistry), Bioelectrochemistry (the official journal of the Bioelectrochemical Society), and Springer Nature Applied Sciences; and served as the Guest Editor of the Special Volume of the Journal of Nano Research Volume 44 (2016) on “Nanomaterials for electrocatalysis and electrochemical energy applications “. He has Science Direct’s 25 hottest papers, such as those of October - December 2008 (Reactive & Functional Polymers 2008, 68, 1239), April-June 2009 (Bioelectrochemistry 2009, 75, 117-123), and October – December 2012 (Procedia Chemistry, 2009, 1, 1279-1282).

Among many others, Prof Iwuoha gave plenary lectures at the 1995 Heyrovsky Discussions, Prague; the 4th World Biosensor Congress of 1996 in Bangkok; the Caribbean Conference of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering of 2001 in Havana, Cuba; ElectrochemSA Symposia of 2008, 2011, 2013 and 2015; the 10th International Symposium on Kinetics in Analytical Chemistry (KAC-10), Cape Town, South Africa, 2-4 December, 2009; the South African Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Summer School (SANNSS) (theme: “Nanotechnology: Impact on water treatment and the environment”), 24–29 November 2013, Cape Town (Guest Lecturer); the 41st Convention of the South African Chemical Institute (SACI) (“Chemistry for Africa: New Perspectives in the 21st Century“) East London, 1-6 December, 2013; the 5th Southern and Eastern African Network of Analytical Chemist (SEANAC 2014), “From Wet Chemistry to Nano-Chemistry”, Mombasa, Kenya, 9–13 June, 2014; the 8th International Conference of the Kenya Chemical Society (KCS) (Theme: “Applied Chemistry and Technology in Industry”), Nairobi, Kenya, 5-8 May, 2015, the 81st Prague Meeting on Macromolecules (81 PMM): Polymer Optoelectronic, 20-14 September 2017, Prague, Czech Republic, the OPCW Seminar on Chemical Safety and Security Management for the Member States of the OPCW in Africa, 9 – 11 October 2018, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and the 43rd SACI National Convention: Chemistry for a sustainable African economy, 2-7 December 2018, Pretoria, South Africa.      

He made Keynote Presentations at numerous occasions at international conferences including the 13th Topical Meeting of the International Society of Electrochemistry (Advances in Electrochemical Materials Science and Manufacturing), 7-10 April, 2013, Pretoria, South Africa; 7th International Workshop on Biosensors for Food Safety and Environmental Monitoring  (IWBFSEM), Erfoud, Morocco, 19th - 21st November, 2015; the 42nd National Convention of the South African Chemical Institute (SACI 2015), Durban, South Africa, 29 November - 4 December 2015; Electrochem 2015, Durham, UK, 13-15 September 2015; and the 16th International Conference on Electroanalysis (ESEAC 2016), Bath, UK,   12-16 June 2016. Some recent important Invited Presentations he made include those of the 14th Topical Meeting of the International Society of Electrochemistry, Nanjing, China, 29 March-1 April 2014; International Conference on Polymer Composites (ICPC-2014), Surathkal, Mangalore, India, 19-20 December 2014; and the 7th International Symposium on Macro- and Supra-molecular Architectures and Materials (MAM-2014), 23-27 November 2014, Johannesburg, South Africa. He also made many oral presentations in electrochemistry and sensors conferences.

He was a Principal Investigator (PI) in the consortia that obtained the European Union EU FP-7 IRSES SMARTCANCERSENS PIRSES-GA-2012-318053 grant. He is also a PI in the recently awarded European Union EU H2020-MSCA-RISE-2017-INFINITE-CELL-DVL-777968 grant for next generation kesterites-recycled silicon photovoltaic cell. He is a PI in the South African Consortium for the TB-Protec Project 2014-2018 for the development of ultra-sensitive electrochemical biosensors for TB biomarker under the South African Medical Research Council’s (MRC’s) Strategic Health Innovation Partnership (SHIP) programme.

Position: Senior Professor with SARChI (Tier 2)
Tel: +27 (021) 959 3051
Fax: +27 (021) 959 3055
Email: pbaker@uwc.ac.za

Bio:

Trending research
The ubiquitous use of pharmaceuticals, both prescribed and over the counter, has resulted in continuous discharge of pharmaceuticals and their metabolites into wastewater. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified pharmaceuticals in drinking-water as an “emerging issue” which requires constant monitoring and re-assessment of guidelines for safe water use. The use of electrochemical sensors as sensitive and selective analytical tools has been established unequivocally for the evaluation and monitoring of analyte species in the environment; in food; in water and the health industry. Semi-conductive polymers and polymer composites may be readily synthesised as electrochemical transducers onto screen-printed electrodes in the design of highly specific and sensitive analytical devices, that are capable of multi-element analysis, are cost effective and remotely deployable for species evaluation and quantitative analysis. The primary focus of the SARChI chair in Analytical Systems and Processes for Priority and Emerging Contaminants (ASPPEC) is the integrated application of analytical tools and technology to develop early warning systems for trace-level detection and quantification of critical contaminants. These systems are primarily electrochemically driven but draw on a wide range of supporting analytical techniques and energy sources for feasible outcomes.  In a revolutionary partnership with University Cergy-Pontoise (Paris, France), Baker is Co-director of the first International Associated Laboratory (IAL) established between SensorLab (UWC) and an esteemed external research, teaching and training laboratory.  Baker was appointed as Fellow in Residence on the Paris-Seine Initiative for Excellence (March-June 2020) to cement this partnership, which will offer internationalisation opportunities for many researchers and students alike. The IAL will pursue the synergy of new and renewable energy sources as a complement for sensor operations in the greater scheme of the Internet of Things.

Research Fields
Analytical chemistry, electrochemistry, environmental science, materials engineering, material science, nanomaterials, nanoscience, pharmaceutics and sensors for priority and emerging pollutants.

Position: Professor of Physical Chemistry
Tel: +27 (021) 959-3049
Fax: +27 (021)  959-3055
Email: fngece@uwc.ac.za

Bio:

Prof. Fanelwa Ngece-Ajayi is a C2-rated Professor of Physical Chemistry and Deputy Dean of Research and Innovation (2023-2026) at the Faculty of Natural Sciences based at the University of the Western Cape. Leading research at SensorLab, she focuses on green and sustainable nanotechnology, particularly the development of drug metabolism sensors using green nanomaterials with additional interests in water purification, plant enhancement and the eradication of harmful microbes. She mentors postgraduate students, hosts workshops, and contributes to academic and funding panels globally. She is a director of various non-profit organisations, a consultant at Lady in Red Opera Pty Ltd and is a member of the South African Young Academy of Sciences (SAYAS) Advisory Committe while promoting STEM education through her non-profit organisation, AmaQawe ngeMfundo NPO and podcast; The Sociable Chemist Podcast. She is recognised with multiple awards for her research and community engagement work, including the 2018 South Africa Inspiring Fifty Women in STEM, the 2019 NRF Research Excellence Award for Early Career / Emerging Researchers, the 2019 UWC Institutional Engagement Award and the 2025 NGO NSTF award. Her international recognition has led to her appointment as a journal reviewer for Food Research International, MethodsX, Springer Nature Microfluidics, Nanofluidics, Springer Analytical, Bioanalytical Chemistry among others. Since 2023 Prof Ngece-Ajayi is the chairperson of the Department of Physics Advisory Committee at the University of Zululand and the editor for Nano Trends-A Journal of Nano Technology and Its Applications, and the International Journal of Nanomaterials and Nanostructures. Prof Ngece-Ajayi is an alumnus of the following prestigious programmes; AIMS Next Einstein Forum (NEF), Africa Science Leadership Programme (ASLP), TechWomen and the Department of Higher Education and Training’s Future Professors Programme (FPP).

Links:
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=DgSUUIkAAAAJ&hl=en
https://www.linkedin.com/in/fanelwangeceajayi/
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rachel-Ngece-Ajayi-2
https://www.youtube.com/@thesociablechemist
https://www.instagram.com/thesociablechemist/
https://www.instagram.com/fanelwaa/

Position: Associate Professor
Tel: +27 (021) 959 4020
Fax: +27 (021) 959 3055
Email: ebeukes@uwc.ac.za

Bio:

Prof. Edith M. Antunes is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of the Western Cape, South Africa. With a PhD in Chemistry from Rhodes University, Prof. Antunes has an NRF C-rating (2025-2030) and she is focused on natural products chemistry, green nanomaterials synthesis, and advanced NMR spectroscopy. Her research bridges marine and terrestrial natural product discovery, bioactive compound isolation, solid-state and solution NMR, and the sustainable synthesis and characterization of functional nanomaterials. She has made contributions to developing eco-friendly techniques for synthesizing nanomaterials and exploring their applications as catalysts and bioactive agents, closely aligning with global sustainability goals.

Prof. Antunes has published over 100 peer-reviewed publications, several book chapters, and invitations to speak at national and international conferences. She supervised numerous MSc and PhD students and serves as a member of organizations such as CATSA, the American Society of Pharmacognosy and the South African Chemical Institute.
 

Position: Professor
Tel: +27 (021) 959 3052
Cell: +27 72 038 9005
Email: amishra@uwc.ac.za

Areas of research interest:

• Nanotechnology towards to the development of smart materials for applications in the field of Materials Science, Polymer Science and wastewater research.
• Synthesis of multifunctional nano-materials, nano-composites, biopolymer and/or petrochemical based biodegradable polymers and polymers-based materials/composites
• Biopolymer-metal/ metal oxide nanocomposites. Designing of novel conducting polymers and their copolymers/composites.
• CNT and graphene based composite materials for technological applications.
• Advanced oxidation process/photocatalysis for the remediation of textile waste.

 

Bio:

Professor Ajay Kumar Mishra, MPhil, PhD, CSci, FRSC, is the SARChI Chair, Professor, Director, and Group Leader of the Sustainable Materials Laboratory in the Department of Chemistry at the University of the Western Cape, South Africa. He is a National Research Foundation (NRF) B-rated researcher, recognized for his significant contributions to nanoscience, nanotechnology, sustainable materials, and water research.

Professor Mishra also serves as Director of the Academy of Nanotechnology and Wastewater Innovations (ANWI), South Africa, and is affiliated as a Professor at KIIT Deemed University, Bhubaneswar, India. In addition, he holds several international academic appointments, including Visiting Professor positions at Robert Gordon University (UK), Bashkir State University (Russia), and Hebei University of Science and Technology (China). He also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Jiangsu University (China) and Vaal University of Technology (South Africa), as well as an Honorary Research Professor at Durban University of Technology, South Africa. These collaborations have fostered joint research initiatives, co-supervision of postgraduate students, and numerous high-impact publications.

With an extensive academic and research career spanning multiple institutions, Professor Mishra has previously held positions as Professor at Durban University of Technology, KIIT Deemed University, and the University of South Africa (UNISA). He also served as Associate Professor and Senior Lecturer at the University of Johannesburg, where he was Director of the Centre for Nanomaterials and Chair of the IEEE Nanotechnology Council South Africa Chapter.

Professor Mishra is internationally recognized for his outstanding scholarly contributions. He has authored and co-authored more than 500 peer-reviewed publications, including journal articles, conference papers, books, and book chapters. He has edited over 40 books and contributed more than 80 book chapters published by leading international publishers. His research has attracted over 16,600 citations on Google Scholar and has achieved an h-index of 61, reflecting the significant global impact of his work.

An active contributor to the global scientific community, Professor Mishra has delivered more than 165 plenaries, keynote, invited, and guest lectures at universities, conferences, seminars, and workshops worldwide. He has hosted numerous international visiting researchers and established research collaborations with leading institutions across the globe.

Professor Mishra has successfully supervised and graduated 21 doctoral candidates and 22 master's students, many of whom graduated with distinction. He has also mentored approximately 13 postdoctoral fellows. His commitment to research excellence and capacity development has played a significant role in advancing the next generation of scientists and researchers.

His pioneering research in nanoscience, nanotechnology, sustainable materials, and water treatment has earned him international recognition. Since 2019, he has consistently been listed among the world's top 2% most-cited scientists, according to data published by Stanford University, USA.

Professor Mishra actively contributes to the academic community as a reviewer for numerous leading international journals and serves as an external examiner for master's and doctoral theses at national and international institutions. He is also an Associate Editor and Editorial Board Member for several peer-reviewed journals and books and serves on advisory boards for various international scientific societies, conferences, and workshops.

Throughout his career, Professor Mishra has secured substantial research funding from both national and international sources, establishing numerous strategic collaborations worldwide. His achievements have been recognized through several prestigious awards and honors, including Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC), Chartered Scientist (CSci), and the Chancellor's Prize for Research Excellence from the University of South Africa (UNISA).

He has also been a finalist for the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) Awards in multiple categories, including Capacity Development (2016), TW Kambule Researcher and Water Research Commission categories (2023), and the Water Research Commission category in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Professor Mishra continues to drive impactful research and innovation, contributing significantly to the advancement of nanoscience, nanotechnology, membrane technology, sustainable materials, and water research at both national and international levels.

ORCID Links: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3743-8669
Scopus ID: http://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.url?authorId=55445633100
Google Scholar ID: https://scholar.google.co.za/citations?user=5Um1GE4AAAAJ&hl=en
Web of Science/ Researcher ID: http://www.researcherid.com/rid/A-4668-2015
 

Position: Associate Professor in Analytical Chemistry
Tel: +27 (021) 959 3053
Fax: +27 (021) 959 1316
Email: njahed@uwc.ac.za

Biography

Prior to completing my doctorate, I have had 14 years of industrial experience in polymer, pharmaceutical and forensic laboratories during which, I gained extensive experience in spectroscopic, chromatographic and electroanalytical methods of analysis. After completing my PhD in 2001, I took up a Postdoctoral Research position in Prof. Krzystof Matyjaszewski’s group (inventor of, atom transfer radical polymerization, ATRP) at Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, USA), from 2002 to 2004. In April 2006, I joined the Chemistry Department as a lecturer teaching Analytical Chemistry. In 2010, I started the Graphene laboratory, which is one of five laboratories within SensorLab group.

Research

Electro-analytical techniques are characterized by their simplicity, low cost and portability. The combination of electro-analytical techniques with graphene nanocomposites creates a portal for the development of analytical procedures for determining a myriad of analytes that are of importance at the parts per billion level. My research current interest involves the development of graphene and graphene-polymer nanocomposites for electrochemical sensing platforms for determining heavy metals and organic pollutants.  The evolution of this research is now progressing towards paper microfluidic devices (PuFDs) with electrochemical detection for toxic pollutants determinations.

Position: Associate Professor of Analytical Chemistry
Tel: +27 (021) 959 4038
Fax: +27 (021) 959 3055
Email: kpokpas@uwc.ac.za

Bio:

Prof. Keagan Pokpas is an Associate Professor of Analytical Chemistry and Researcher in Nanoelectrochemistry at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). He holds an MSc in Nanoscience and a PhD in Electroanalytical Chemistry. His research focuses on developing accessible diagnostic and environmental monitoring technologies for underserved African communities, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. 

Prof. Pokpas leads the NanoVolt Analytics (NoVA) hub, within the SensorLab research group, pioneering advanced electroactive nanomaterials research and low-cost sensing platforms to detect environmental pollutants and disease biomarkers. The hub engineers carbon nanostructured materials to enhance the sensitivity, portability and performance of (i) conventional, (ii) paper-based microfluidic, (iii) colorimetric, and (iv) electrolyte-gated organic field-effect transistor (EGOFET)-based detection systems, paving the way for affordable, high-performance devices tailored to Africa’s unique challenges. Outside of this, Prof. Pokpas has built a strong reputation for his work on analytical systems for monitoring water pollutants and environmental health. His work pioneers two national-niche areas of research and is aimed at improving access to crucial diagnostic and monitoring tools for under-served African communities. His research is supported by various funding bodies including the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa.

Prof. Pokpas leads the NanoChemistry portfolio of the DSI’s MSc Nanoscience National Nanoscience Postgraduate Teaching and Training Platform across four African Universities (UWC, UJ, UFS, and NMU). He is a Fellow of the DHET/UCDP Future Professors Programme, and an NRF Y-Rated researcher. To date, he has completed over 25 peer-reviewed publications, graduated numerous MSc and PhD students, served as guest editor for a number of international peer-reviewed journals and as a member of the International Editorial board of Inorganic and Nano-Metal Chemistry, and is a frequent keynote/invited speaker at international conferences. His work is conducted in collaboration with partners in the USA, Canada, France, Germany, Vietnam, Namibia, and more.

Keagan is a member and former EXCO member of the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS), the International Society of Electrochemistry (ISE), and the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), among others. He has served on the steering committee of the Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies (SAGE) and lead the sub-committee on Water and Sanitation, contributing to national policy and water security efforts. His accolades include the AGNES Young Research Award (2018-2019), the UWC Emerging Lecturer Award (2022), and nominations as an NSTF Emerging Researcher in 2024 and 2025.
 

Position: Associate Professor in physical chemistry
Tel: +27 (021) 959 4037 
Cell: +27 847 586 583
Fax: +27 (021) 959 3055
Email: nross@uwc.ac.za

Bio:

Prof. Natasha Ross is a dynamic and dedicated research group leader within the SensorLab in the Department of Chemistry at the University of the Western Cape. Her research focuses on the design and development of innovative “smart” nanostructured materials aimed at reducing costs and enhancing the performance of lithium- and sodium-ion batteries for renewable energy storage.

An NRF-rated scientist and Senior Lecturer since 2013, Prof. Ross leads cutting-edge research in eco-friendly energy conversion, sustainable storage systems, and nanosensor technology. Her work contributes meaningfully to the advancement of renewable energy storage and conversion systems, while her growing body of publications and successful postgraduate supervision reflect her strong commitment to both scientific excellence and human capital development.

Prof. Ross is actively involved in teaching across undergraduate and postgraduate levels, lecturing Physical Chemistry to first-, second-, and third-year students, as well as at Honours level. She is equally passionate about science outreach and community engagement, having volunteered in initiatives such as SAASTA school programmes and the UWC SEMU Smart Project to support student enrolment and retention in the sciences.

Her contributions have been recognised through several prestigious nominations and awards, underscoring her role as a catalyst for innovation, transformation, and community development. In 2024, she was awarded the Good Hope FM Warrior Women Award in the Innovation and Technology Pioneer category. She was a nominee for the DVC Emerging Scientist Award (2022/2023) and the NSTF-South32 Emerging Researcher Award (2020). In 2021, she was named among the Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans in the Science and Technology category.

Beyond her academic achievements, Prof. Ross is a committed mentor who actively supports and empowers the next generation of scientists, particularly women from disadvantaged backgrounds;helping them succeed as confident and impactful professionals.
 

Position: Associate Professor of chemistry
Tel: +27 (021) 959 3060/ 3056
Fax: +27 (021) 959 1316
Email: twaryo@uwc.ac.za

Bio:

Prof Tesfaye Waryo obtained his Chemistry BSc & MSc degrees from Addis Ababa University and a PhD degree from K.F. University of Graz before he joined the SensorLab research group led by Professor E. Iwuoha/ co-led by Prof P. Baker at University of the Western Cape (UWC), successively winning the Free Standing NRF and  the NRF/DST/UWC grant holder postdoctoral fellowships and the UWC-DVC-Niche research area (special projects) positions. Later joining the Department of Chemistry (UWC) as a Senior Researcher, he is currently an associate professor of Chemistry. With a total of about 50 publications and h-index of 20 - 25, his research spans molecularly/ nano/ bio-modified electrodes and electrified membranes/liquid-liquid interfaces (ITIES/ HIT voltammetry) for chemical sensors/biosensors (immuno/ enzymatic/ apta/geno/sensors) for clinical analytes, pathogen-originated biomarkers, toxins, as well as electrodeposited thin films for photovoltaic & electro-chromics. The full list of his co-authored publications can be accessed via this ORCID link: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1267-1998. A selection of recent ones are listed at the end of the bio.

Prof Waryo’s technical expertise set includes: hands-on operation, troubleshooting, application-improvisation and management of several advanced analytical chemistry measurement systems and corresponding software, among which are subtractively normalized interfacial FTIR, UV/Vis/NIR absorption and fluorescence spectroelectrochemistry, electrochemical scanning probe microscopy, dc scan and pulse voltammetry, electrochemical ac impedance spectroscopy, and electrochemical quartz micro-balance; drop shape/ contact angle analyzer, and Raman spectrometer.

Prof Waryo supervises MSc and PhD students and is also involved in lecturing and as lab instruction in General/Physical Chemistry (Undergrad, Faculty of Natural Sciences - CHM126); Electrode Kinetics (B. Hons Chemistry in CHM704) and Chemical Sensors & Bionsensors - in Specialist Topics CHM708 (B. Hons Chemistry); Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (MSc nanoscience chemistry in NSS821) and laboratory-based Nanochemistry module (MSc nanoscience Chemistry - NSS822 Techniques in nanochemistry).

Prof Waryo’s involvement in institutional leadership at the Department level  include: Chemistry Health & Safety Representative & Chairperson ChemsSafe; Coordinator for General chemistry CHM126; Coordinator for Techniques in nanochemistry NSS822; and Management coordinator SensorLab Laboratories. He maintains the websites he has created for SensorLab-UWC and ChemSafe for internal information purposes.

Selected recent publications:

• Duga, M.M., Latief, T., Shaik, T., NJ Smerdon, O Uhuo, E. Iwuoha & TT Waryo. A heterogeneous ion transfer NH4+ detector-core amperometric genosensor method with sandwich nanohybridization coupled enzymatic signal-on amplification. Discover Electrochemistry 3, 3 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44373-025-00089-9

 

• O. Uhuo, T. Waryo, et al., Interferon gamma (IFN‐γ)‐sensitive TB aptasensor based on novel chitosanindium nano‐kesterite (χtCITS)‐labeled DNA aptamer hairpin technology, Bioelectrochemistry 2024 (158) 108693. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioelechem.2024.108693 .

 

• Uhuo, U.V., Waryo, T.T., Douman, S.F., Januarie, K.C., Nwambaekwe, K.C., Ndipingwi, M.M., Ekwere, P., Iwuoha, E.I., Bioanalytical methods encompassing label-free and labeled tuberculosis aptasensors: A review, Analytica Chimica Acta, 2022, 340326, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2022.340326 .

 

• Fomo, G., Waryo, T., Feleni, U., Baker, P., Iwuoha, E. (2019). Electrochemical Polymerization. In: Jafar Mazumder, M., Sheardown, H., Al-Ahmed, A. (eds) Functional Polymers. Polymers and Polymeric Composites: A Reference Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-92067-2_3-1

 

•  1. N.G.E.R. Etsassala, T. Waryo, O. K. Popoola, A. O. Adeloye, E. I. Iwuoha, A. A. Hussein. "Electrochemical screening and evaluation of Lamiaceae plants species from South Africa with potential tyrosinase activity" Sensors 19 (2019) 1035. https://doi.org/10.3390/s19051035

 

• T. T. Waryo, S. Qwesha, P. G. Baker, E. I. Iwuoha (2016) Electrode Material Properties and Modelling of 1-Methyl-3-octylimmidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide Ionic Liquid/ Paraffin Carbon Pastes, Int. J. Electrochem. Sci., 11: 4410-4426. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S145239812317489X

 

• A. Tsegaye, T. T. Waryo, P. G. Baker, E. I. Iwuoha (2016) Electropolymerization and spectroelectrochemical properties of poly(4,7-dithien-2-yl-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole) films in three 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium ionic liquids, Materials Chemistry and Physics 171: 57-62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchemphys.2015.10.059

 

• Gertrude Fomo, Tesfaye T. Waryo, Priscilla Baker, Emmanuel I. Iwuoha (2016) Electrochemical Deposition and Properties of Polyaniline Films on Carbon and Precious Metal Surfaces in Perchloric Acid/ Acetonitrile,  Int. J. Electrochem. Sci. 11: 10347 – 10361. www.electrochemsci.org/papers/vol11/111210347.pdf

 

• G. Fomo, T.T. Waryo, C. Sunday, A.A. Baleg, P. Baker, E. Iwuoha, Emmanuel I. (2015) Aptameric Recognition-Modulated Electroactivity of Poly(4-Styrenesolfonic Acid)-Doped Polyaniline Films for Single-Shot Detection of Tetrodotoxin, Sensors 15: 22547-22560. https://doi.org/10.3390/s150922547

 

• A. A. Tsegaye, T. T. Waryo, S. Admassie, E. I. Iwuoha (2014) Poly(3-methoxythiophene/ 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) Films Electrodeposited in Two Hydrophilic/ Hydrophobic Imidazolium Ionic Liquids: Voltammetric, UV/Vis Spectroelectrochemical, and AFM Morphology Comparison, Int. J. Electrochem. Sci. 9: 4840 – 4853. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1452398123081361

Position: Lecturer
Tel: +27 (021) 959 2613
Fax: +27 (021)  959 1316
Email: cikpo@uwc.ac.za

Bio:

Position: Lecturer
Tel: +27 (021) 959 2262
Email: lmciteka@uwc.ac.za

Bio:

I recently joined the Chemistry Department at UWC in January 2018 as a Synthetic Organic Chemist from Rhodes University where I completed my Phd in Chemistry. My Phd at Rhodes entailed the following:

1. Synthetic Methodology
   Novel applications of Morita-Baylis-Hillman methodology in asymmetric synthesis of a series of varied camphor-derived acrylate esters and elaboration of their medicinal potential.
2. Medicinal Chemistry
   Design and synthesis of hetetrocyclic ‘cinnamate-like’ AZT conjugates which were to serve as dual-action HIV-1 integrase-reverse transcriptase (IN-RT) inhibitors.
3. Physical Organic Chemistry
   Kinetic-mechanistic studies of intramolecular trans-esterification reactions of monoacrylate esters using spectroscopic methods.

My current research interests involve the following:

1. The synthesis of metformin and its analogues to support other research disciplines within the Department.
2. The synthesis of a variety of novel natural products which possess biological and/or pharmacological activities to support the natural product chemistry discipline within the Department.
3. The synthesis of novel sulphonamides as anticancer agents to support parallel studies within the Department.

Research activities will be carried out using various chromatographic techniques, NMR, MS, UV, and IR spectroscopy.

Position: Lecturer
Tel: +27 (021) 9593057
Fax: +27 (021)  9593055
Email: numohamed@uwc.ac.za

Bio:

I am a fulltime lecturer at UWC since 2011. Currently completing my PhD.

Position: Senior Lecturer
Tel: +27 (021)  959 2254
Fax: +27 (021) 959 3055
Email: fntumba@uwc.ac.za
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-4171-5083 

Bio:
Dr. Francis N. Muya is a Senior Lecturer of Analytical Chemistry at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). He completed his foundational training (National Diploma and BTech) at Cape Peninsula University of Technology before earning his BSc Honours, MSc, and Ph.D. in Electro-Analytical Chemistry from University of the Western Cape, South Africa. 

Dr. Muya’s research specializes in bridging the gap between materials science, nanotechnology, and environmental sustainability. His core focus lies in the fundamental design of advanced biological, immuno-, and chemical sensors, coupled with the advantages of chromatographic techniques for both biomedical and environmental applications.

His pioneering work includes the synthesis of advanced polymeric derivative materials such as polysulfone, polyaniline, polypyrrole, PEDOT:PSS, and polythiophene which serve dual roles as transducers for biosensors and high-efficiency membrane materials for wastewater remediation. By integrating cutting-edge electrochemical techniques with advanced spectroscopy (FTIR and Raman) and microscopy (AFM and SEM), his laboratory comprehensively evaluates and treats emerging pollutants in wastewater.  His academic contributions include more than 20 peer-reviewed publications and the successful mentorship of numerous MSc and PhD students. In addition to serving on the International Editorial Board for analytical  Chemistry and acting as a guest editor for various international journals, he is a frequent keynote and invited speaker at global conferences. 

Dr. Muya is an active global collaborator, working with institutions across China, France, Belgium, the USA, Italy, Namibia, the DRC, and Kenya. He frequently disseminates his impactful research in esteemed international journals, including Water Science and Technology, Electrochimica Acta, Membrane Technology, and the Journal of Nanoscience.

Position: Senior Lecturer
Tel: +27 (021) 959 4029
Fax: +27 (021) 959 3055
Email: oalexander@uwc.ac.za

Position: Lecturer
Tel: +27 (021) 959 4033
Email: smkhize@uwc.ac.za

Position: Lecturer
Tel: +27 (021) 959 2217
Email: sbrigg@uwc.ac.za

Bio:

Dr Siobhan Brigg joined UWC as a Lecturer of Organic Chemistry in 2024. She completed her MSc in Medicinal Chemistry at Stellenbosch University, which looked at developing novel non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors for treatment of HIV-1. Her PhD was completed in the Department of Biochemistry at Stellenbosch University in 2021 and focused on the development of antimicrobial agents against problematic drug resistant pathogens, with a focus on hijacking the coenzyme A biology of these organisms. Thereafter, she undertook postdoctoral research fellowships at the University of Cape Town at the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, honing her skills in drug development and screening. She was awarded the NRF Scarce Skills Postdoctoral Fellowship for 2023/2024. She was also the co-chair of the University of Cape Town Postdoctoral Association from 2022–2024.

Dr Brigg’s research interests revolve around small molecule antimicrobial drug development for the treatment of bacterial infections. She has a holistic approach to drug development and her research involves organic synthesis, computational drug design and analysis, recombinant protein expression and purification, in vitro antimicrobial screening (both enzyme and bacterial assays), microbiology, assay development and mode of action studies.

Dr Brigg was awarded the HB Thom Award in 2018 for her community engagement work and is co-founder of Science Café Muizenberg.
 

Position: Chief Scientific Officer
Tel: +27 (021) 959 2545
Fax: +27 (021) 959 1453
Email: tlesch@uwc.ac.za

Position: Senior Technical Officer
Tel: +27 (021) 959 3048
Fax: +27 (021) 959 3055
Email: amantyi@uwc.ac.za

Position: Senior Technical Officer
Tel: +27 (021) 959 3082
Fax: +27 (021) 959 3055
Email: bcdewet@uwc.ac.za
Qualification: BSc (Hons) Chemical Science UWC
 

Position: Technical Officer
Tel: +27 (021) 959 3081
Fax: +27 (021) 959 3055
Email: bmakhoba@uwc.ac.za

Position: Technical Officer
Email: nnnako@uwc.ac.za

Position: Departmental Administrator
Tel: +27 (021) 959 4040
Fax: +27 (021) 959 1316
Email: nmkokeli@uwc.ac.za

Position: Departmental Administrator
Tel: +27 (021) 959 3056
Fax: +27 (021) 959 1316
Email: jsanton@uwc.ac.za

Position: Professor
Email: stitinchi@uwc.ac.za

Bio:

Salam Titinchi is a Full Professor of Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis Research Group leader at the Department of Chemistry, University of the Western Cape (UWC). He obtained his PhD from Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee in 2004. He is C2 NRF-rated researcher and serves on the editorial board of Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry journal since 2018. His h-index = 20 (Scopus) with over 1000 citations.

Prof Titinchi has more than 25 years of lecturing in the higher education sector at University of the Western Cape and University of Basrah.

Professor Titinchi’s research interests are focused on the fields of heterogeneous catalysis and coordination chemistry and entail innovative designs for the synthesis of inorganic and hybrid organic-inorganic materials, coordination polymers and organometallic complexes for catalysis applications.  Another part of his research interest is focusing on synthesizing new organic compounds as anticancer agents.  Over the past years, new research directions have been established with a specific emphasis on advanced nano-materials for energy and environmental applications that focus on catalysts for other applications (Carbon Capture & Utilization and surface-modified nano-magnetic particles for water treatment).

Prof Titinchi has published more than 70 articles and conference proceedings in the fields of catalysis and materials as well as organic compounds for medicinal applications. He edited a book “Advanced Catalytic Materials” WILEY, LLC, USA, 2015 and authored three book chapters: “Nano-catalysis and their Application in Water & Wastewater” in “Nanocatalysis: Applications and Technologies” CRC Press-Taylor & Francis, 2019; “Zeolites: Smart materials for novel, efficient, and versatile catalysis” in “Advanced Catalytic Materials” WILEY, LLC, USA, 2015 and “Advanced materials for biomedical application & drug delivery” in “Advanced Materials: Health Care", WILEY, LLC, USA 2014.

He serves as a reviewer for 46 international peer-reviewed journals and he has presented his research work at over 30 international and national conferences. He delivered several invited talks at various symposia at:

• South African Centre for Carbon Capture and Storage Workshop: Identification and Quantification of the Potential of Carbon Mineralisation for CO2 Emissions Reduction in South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa, 9 Sept. 2018
• The 4th South African Carbon Capture and Storage Conference (CCS), Johannesburg, South Africa, 20-21 Oct 2015
• 1st International Congress on Advanced Materials, Jinan, China, 7-9 May 2011 and
• The 1st National Conference on Chemistry, University of Basrah, Iraq, 22-23 Feb 2000.
• He also chaired a session at the International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Technologies (GHGT) Austin, Texas, 5-9 October 2014, and organised international workshops on Carbon Capture at UWC 2014-2019.
• Carbon Capture & Storage workshop 2019” University of the Western Cape and UK academia and industry under Industry Academia Partnership Programme (IAPP) funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering 4-8 Feb 2019. https://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/opinion/uk-sas-top-researchers-at-uwc-to-tackle-climate-change-19164889
• Carbon Capture and Utilisation workshop, University of the Western Cape - Missouri University joint workshop, University of the Western Cape, South Africa 5-7 June 2017 https://www.umsystem.edu/media/president/southafrica/umsaep-newsletter-201801.pdf
• 2nd Carbon Capture workshop, University of the Western Cape, South Africa 2-4 March 2015.
• 1st Carbon Capture workshop, University of the Western Cape, South Africa 24-26 March 2014.

Prof Titinchi is leading the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between University of the Western Cape and Coventry University, UK (2019) and University of Malaya, Malaysia (2018) to promote joint research and postgraduate students training.
 

Email: mdavies-coleman@uwc.ac.za

Bio:

Emeritus Professor Michael Davies-Coleman, now retired, was
the former Dean of Natural Sciences at the University of the Western Cape
(2012-2021). He is an Emeritus Professor of both the University of the Western
Cape and Rhodes University and currently holds an Honorary Visiting Professorship in the School of Chemistry at the University of Bristol, UK. A former B-rated NRF researcher, Professor Davies-Coleman has published widely in the field of marine natural products chemistry, atmospheric chemistry and chemistry education. He is a Member of the Academy of Science of South Africa, a Fellow of the Royal Society of South Africa and the South African Chemical Institute and was recently recognised as a Distinguished Alumnus of Rhodes University. 

Smart worksheets to probe and support scientific numeracy proficiency of first-year chemistry students. Sewry, J., Coyte, E., Williams, L., Barker, A., Suryawanshi, S., Shallcross, D.E., Davies-Coleman, M. T. South African Journal of Science, 2025, 121, 96-103. doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2025/20172
 
Fimsbactin siderophores from a South African marine sponge symbiont, Marinomonas sp. PE14-40.
Ikegwuoha, N.P.P., Hanekom, T., Parker-Nance, S., Davies-Coleman, M.T., van Zyl L. J., Trindade, M. Microbial Biotechnology, 2025, 18:e70155, pp 1-15. doi.org/10.1111/1751-7915.70155
 
A Pollutant’s Tale: An interactive talk on the chemistry of the Earth’s climate and its response to pollutants. Harrison, T., Davies-Coleman M.T., Rivett, A., Khan, M. A., Sewry, Wajrak, M. J., Barker, N., Furze, J., Franklin, S., Sellou, L., Shallcross, N., Shallcross, D. E. Journal of Chemical Education, 2025, 102, 2235-2242. doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.4c00532.
 
Smart Worksheets and their positive impact on a first-year quantitative chemistry course.
Shallcross, D. E., Davies-Coleman, M.T., Lloyd, C., Cattoz, J., Dennis, F., Mcarthy-Torrens, A, Heslop, B, Eastman, J., Baldwin, T., Thistlethwaite, I.  Journal of Chemical Education, 2025, 102, 1062-1070. doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.4c00705
 

Email: d.e.shallcross@bristol.ac.uk