Three new researchers join TUT’s growing NRF-rated list

The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) is proud to add two new emerging researchers and one established researcher to its thriving list of National Research Foundation-rated researchers.The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) is proud to add two new emerging researchers and one established researcher to its thriving list of National Research Foundation-rated researchers.

Dr Jabulani Ngcobo is rated Y by the NRF Dr Jabulani Ngcobo and Dr Regan Dunne have been awarded Young Promising Researchers (Y) ratings for the period of 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2031. Meanwhile, Prof Adewale Olutola has been awarded a new Established Researcher (C) rating for the same period.

Dr Jabulani Ngcobo
Dr Ngcobo is a lecturer and researcher specialising in livestock animal reproductive physiology, with a strong focus on improving reproductive performance, animal productivity, and sustainability in livestock production systems. His research interests encompass livestock reproductive physiology, assisted reproductive technologies, reproductive efficiency, semen biology and strategies to enhance animal production and food security.

His current research places particular emphasis on applying nanotechnology to improve livestock semen quality and on investigating novel nano-based approaches to enhance sperm viability, functionality, preservation and fertility outcomes. He is also actively involved in research on the use of sex-sorted semen as a tool to improve genetic advancement, reproductive efficiency and sustainable livestock production. 

Dr Regan Dunne is rated Y by the NRF Dr Regan Dunne
Dr Regan Dunne is a mechanical engineering lecturer specialising in acoustics, noise control, vibration and predictive model development. His work focuses on sustainable natural-fibre and porous materials for automotive sound absorption, with predictive modelling applied broadly across this field, including but not limited to thin, low-density absorbers.

He has also developed patented composite materials and authored over 20 publications, including peer-reviewed journal articles, conference papers and book chapters, reflecting both experimental and numerical expertise. He serves as a reviewer for numerous academic journals and has served on scientific committees for conferences. He is registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa.

Prof Adewale Olutola
Prof Olutola is an Advocate of Law and Associate Professor of Policing. He is currently the Programme Coordinator for Postgraduate Studies at the Department of Law, Safety and Security Management in the Faculty of Humanities.

His research interests include comparative criminal justice systems, crime reduction, and policing studies. He combines lecturing undergraduate students in policing with postgraduate supervision. He serves as an external examiner for several universities in various areas of law, police science, criminology and criminal justice. He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association and the Criminological and Victimological Society of Africa (CRIMSA). Prof Olutola was also a member of the council and editorial board of the Victimological and Criminological Society of Africa (2018-2023).

Prof Adewale Olutola is rated C by the NRF Three researchers, Prof Georgina Phillipina Coetzee, Prof Mandla Msimanga and Prof Thierry Regnier received a re-rating of C (Established Researchers).

Prof Georgina Phillipina Coetzee
Prof Coetzee is an Associate Professor in the Department of Auditing. Before taking up this position, she was the deputy executive dean of the College of Accounting Sciences at the University of South Africa. She was also the coordinator of the internationally accredited Central of Internal Audit Excellence at the University of Pretoria and has received numerous awards recognising her contribution to the programme and the profession from both academia and the profession. Her research interests are governance, auditing and risk management.

Prof Mandla Msimanga

Prof Mandla Msimanga is an applied nuclear physicist and Associate Professor of physics. He heads the Photovoltaic NanoComposites Research and Development Platform at TUT, which currently focuses on the development of perovskite materials for photovoltaic and opto- Prof Mandla Msimanga is rated C by the NRF electronic device applications. His current research work is at the confluence of applied nuclear physics and materials research wherein ion beams are used to modify and enhance structural and electrical properties of photovoltaic materials.  

Prof Thierry Regnier
Prof Thierry Regnier is a Full Professor in the Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology. His main research interest is cellular agriculture and food safety. His current projects encompass cellular agriculture, sustainable environment, biocontrol, food development of underutilised indigenous fruits and nuts, screening of microorganisms for new antibiotics, flagrances, pigments and biogas production. 

The new ratings and re-ratings bring the total number of NRF-rated researchers at TUT to 73.

Prof Thierry Regnier is rated C by the NRF Prof Georgina Phillipina Coetzee is rated C by the NRF