Y-RATED (Emerging Researchers)

• Dr Gbolahan Adekoya is a Post-Doctoral Fellow in the Department of Chemical, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering. His areas of expertise encompass polymer science and engineering, materials science, energy, and modelling and simulation. He has made significant contributions to the study of conductive polymers, polymer-based nanocomposites, MXene-hybrid materials, graphene derivatives, and their applications in energy storage, flexible electronics, and drug delivery.

  He has an h-index of 17, an i10-index of 21, and over 800 citations (total) for his work. Among his recent publications are reviews and original research on merging architectures of MXene hybrid conductive polymers for capacitive energy storage; graphene-loaded polypyrrole composites for lithium-ion battery applications; application of density functional theory (DFT) in polymer-based drug delivery systems; and advances in graphene, borophene, and MXene composites for flexible electronics and energy devices.

  Dr Adekoya has collaborated with other scholars, contributing to interdisciplinary projects spanning computational modelling, experimental materials synthesis, and performance evaluations.

  He holds a Doctor of Engineering in Polymer Engineering, an MSc in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, and a BEng in Polymer and Textile Engineering.

  Dr Adekoya is rated Y2 by the NRF.

• Dr Tope Adeyelure is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Informatics in the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology.

  He is an experienced business intelligence analyst, big data analyst, and business operation analyst who has done work in big data analysis, business/information system model design, business analysis and e-commerce management. 

  He has published several articles in accredited international journals and has taught and presented to the international audience on his area of expertise. He holds a PhD in Computer Science and Data Processing (BIS), an MSc in Business Information Technology, a BTech in Agricultural Engineering and a Diploma in Information Technology.

  Dr Adeyelure is rated Y2 by the NRF.

• Prof Anna-Marie Jansen van Vuuren is Associate Professor in the Department of Visual Communication specialising in Film (Motion Picture Production). She is a Fellow of the Department of Higher Education and Training Future Professor’s programme.

  Her research encompasses the history of the South African film industry, the role of representation and ideology in shaping South African film identities, and the influence of landscape in film. She currently supervises three Doctoral students and five Master’s students.

  She is a film critic, and since 2008 has been serving as Radio Sonder Grense’s (RSG) Current Affairs’ special film correspondent. In this capacity, she has twice won ATKV-Mediaveertjie-awards in the category “Best Insert for a Radio Journal and Current Affairs Show”.

  In 2014 she headed the jury for the Independent Mzansi Film Festival in Pretoria and in 2017 she formed part of the jury for the Cape Town International Film Festival.  

  She completed her practice-led PhD in Creative Writing, Screenwriting and Film Studies at the University of Pretoria. It consisted of writing a feature film screenplay while her thesis centred on the ideological representation of the hero in South African Anglo-Boer War films and drama series. Out of this research, she secured an invitation as plenary speaker at the Film and History-conference in Madison, Wisconsin, in 2019. She has presented guest lectures at the film programmes of Kingston University of the Arts (London) and Chapman University (Los Angeles).

  Her screenwriting credits include two feature film screenplays and three children’s television series. She is a member of the Writers’ Guild of South Africa.

  Prof Jansen van Vuuren is rated Y2 by the NRF.

• Dr Alliance Kubayi is a senior lecturer in the Department of Sport, Rehabilitation and Dental Sciences. He also a soccer coach and performance analyst.

  His research interests include sports coaching, talent identification and development, performance analysis and match analysis in football.

  He has published more than 50 articles in peer-reviewed journals. He is a research committee member of the International Council for Coaching Excellence and a Southern Africa Universities Coordinator for the Africa Student Football Union. 

  Dr Kubayi is rated Y2 by the NRF.

• Dr Peet Le Roux is a Senior Lecturer and the Cluster Group Leader over all campuses from exit subjects to post-doctoral research. He specialises in power systems, advanced protection, advanced control, and renewable systems.

  He received his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering in 2010. He pursued his Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering in 2012 at the Tshwane University of Technology. Simultaneously, he pursued his Master of Science in Electronic and Electrical Engineering through the French-South African Institute of Technology (F’SATI). Both qualifications were completed in 2013. He obtained his PhD in Electrical Engineering in 2018 from the University of Pretoria with honorary colours.

  After a few years in the field as a project engineer, design engineer and engineering consultant, he received his Professional Engineering status from the Engineering Council of South Africa.

  He has been registered with the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers since 2016. He received his senior membership with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers in 2024.

  He sourced 300 licences for software used for multi-disciplinary engineering from the Electrical Transient and Analysis Program (ETAP) software for TUT at no cost.

  He is a Chair at the Power Africa Conference which is held every year in Africa since 2021. The Super Chair invited him to be part of the organising committee for the 2024 edition of the conference.

  Dr Le Roux is rated Y2 by the NRF.

• Dr Yanga Majola is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Applied Linguistics and the Academic Manager for the Faculty of Humanities at the Mbombela Campus.

  His teaching and research interests are applied linguistics, language policy and planning, computational linguistics, digital humanities, sociolinguistics, isiBhaca, dialectology, and onomastics.

  He is affiliated with the African Languages Society of Southern Africa, the Linguistics Society of South Africa and the South African Translators Institute. He has contributed to academia through the publication of 13 journal articles and a book chapter in Department of Higher Education and Training-accredited journals, in addition to reviewing papers for various academic journals.

  He serves as an editorial board member of the South African Journal of Africa Languages (SAJAL). Dr Majola supervises Master’s and Doctoral students. He also serves as an external examiner for Master’s and Doctoral studies at various South Africa universities and has shared his research insights by reading over 20 papers at both local and international conferences in countries such as South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Malaysia and the United States of America.

  Dr Majola is rated Y2 by the NRF.

• Dr Mpho Makaleng is a Lecturer and Section Head in the Department of Marketing, Supply Chain and Sport Management.

  Her research interests are in logistics and supply chain.  She completed her PhD in Reverse Logistics at Nelson Mandela University, becoming the first PhD graduate in Logistics at the University. She completed her Master’s in 2017 at TUT. She also obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education from the University of Pretoria in 2017.

  She started her career as a lecturer in 2014 at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). She joined the University of South Africa in 2018 as a lecturer and section head. She was awarded the Facilitator of the Year in 2018 by SAPICS, the professional body for supply chain management.

  She contributes to the broad supply chain management discipline through textbook authoring, curriculum development, and research publications. She has presented several papers at international conferences related to logistics and supply chain. She is an external examiner for various tertiary institutions, acts as a supervisor for Master’s research projects, and is an external reviewer for national academic journals.

  Dr Makaleng is rated Y2 by the NRF.

• Dr Washington Mhike is a Lecturer and Section Head in the Department of the Chemical, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE). He is also the Principal Investigator in the research for the development of sustainable intervention tools against malaria in the Polymer Technology Division at FEBE.

  His research focuses on solving prevailing societal problems through applied materials research. He is currently working on the development of next generation, long-lasting insecticide treated mosquito nets for the prevention of malaria, among other research areas which include applications of polymeric materials in water treatment, development of cost-effective compostable medical devices, and the development of “green” flame retardant additives for polymers.

  He obtained his PhD in Chemical Technology at the University of Pretoria in 2016.  He has an MSc in Applied Science (Chemical Technology), BSc Honours in Applied Science (Chemical Technology) and a BEng Honours (Chemical Engineering). 

  Dr Mhike is rated Y2 by the NRF.

• Dr Takalani Mpofu is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Animal Sciences and TUT’s Animal Research Ethics Chairperson. He holds a PhD in Science (Animal Production) with a specialisation in Animal Health and Genetics from TUT.

  His research interests include all aspects of genetic resistance of farm animals to diseases and parasites, specifically small ruminants (goat and sheep). He has a particular interest in developing a genetic testing kit for the selection of genetic resistant animals. He is also involved in research on the sustainable application of livestock water footprints in different production systems and regions of South Africa as well as green agriculture and its impact on skills requirements.

  His PhD thesis explored the health status of the indigenous goat populations owned by small-holder farmers against gastro-intestinal parasite infections using the coprological (study of faces to determine a wide range of biological information about a creature) and haematological (study of the physiology of the blood) examination. The study earned him a 2020 Doctoral Student of the Year Award.

  Dr Mpofu has authored and co-authored more than 20 peer-reviewed scientific publications and 30 conference proceedings. He currently supervises 13 Master’s and PhD students while he teaches Animal Science Research at Postgraduate Diploma level and Small Stock Production to senior Diploma students.

  He serves as a Technical Advisor and in the Peer Review Panel for the NRF. He is also a reviewer of several DHET-accredited peer-reviewed journals.

  Dr Mpofu is rated Y2 by the NRF.

• Dr Khethiwe Mtshali is a Lecturer in the Department of Biomedical Sciences in the Faculty of Science. Her research expertise spans molecular parasitology, molecular microbiology ecology, and phytomedicine. She has graduated 12 postgraduate students and is currently supervising two PhD and five master’s candidates.

  She has published nine peer-reviewed research articles, with several in the pipeline.  She began her career in academia as a laboratory assistant at the University of the Free State (UFS before joining TUT as a lecturer in 2013, where she was instrumental in teaching Veterinary Parasitology, Animal Anatomy, and Physiology.

  She has earned numerous accolades, including “Best Oral Presentation” awards at the International Conference on Veterinary Biology and Microbiology in the Netherlands (2022), the Parasitological Society of Southern Africa (2012), and the Annual Symposium of the National Zoological Garden of South Africa (2010).

  She holds a PhD in Science (Zoology) from North-West University (2022), an MSc in Zoology (cum laude, 2013), BSc Honours in Zoology (cum laude, 2011), and BSc in Zoology (2009) from UFS.

  She has secured several funding awards, including the National Research Foundation Thuthuka PhD Funding Track. She is affiliated with the Parasitological Society of Southern Africa, Zoological Society of Southern Africa, and she is a Professional Natural Scientist under the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions.

  She also serves on various committees, including the TUT Senate, and is a board member of the Society for Postgraduate Development and Advancement.

  Dr Mtshali is rated Y2 by the NRF.

• Dr Mpho Muloiwa is a Lecturer in the Department of Civil Engineering.

  Dr Muloiwa is rated Y2 by the NRF.

• Dr Tebogo Rakgogo is a Senior Lecturer and the Head of Department of Applied Linguistics. His research interests are onomastics, dialectology, sociolinguistics, historiography, language culture and identity, language and gender, language policy and planning, language and politics, and language and law.

  He has authored and published over 20 articles in Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET)-accredited journals and presented more than 40 papers at local and international conferences. He serves as an external examiner for various local universities as well as the National University of Lesotho. 

  He was a member of the Sesotho sa Leboa National Language Body, a substructure of the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) and served on the Board of Directors for the Sesotho sa Leboa National Lexicography Unit (PanSALB sub-structure). 

  He serves on the DHET Review Panel on the implementation of the Language Policy Framework for Public Higher Education Institutions. He is the Deputy Chairperson of the African Languages Association of Southern Africa board. He is one of the founding members of the Linguistic Society of South Africa. He chairs the National Terminology Policy Steering Committee instituted by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.

  He holds a PhD in Onomastics from University of the Witwatersrand and Master’s, BTech and National Diploma in Language Practice from the Tshwane University of Technology. He has a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Senior Phase and FET), Bachelor of Education Honours specialising in Educational Management and BA Honours in Translation Studies from the University of South Africa. 

  He is involved in the PanSALB as a Board Member on the Sesotho sa Leboa National Language Body and Sesotho sa Leboa National Lexicography Unit.  He is the President of the Humanities and Social Sciences Alumni Association under the umbrella of the National Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences.

  Dr Rakgogo is rated Y2 by the NRF.

• Dr Juan Scheun is a lecturer in the Department Nature Conservation. While his lecturing is focused on wildlife ecology and conservation, his research stretches to how wildlife species cope with natural and anthropogenic factors, including management within the natural and urban environments. This includes ecological reactions as well as physiological responses required to survive well-known and novel stressors.

  He completed his MSc in Zoology and PhD Zoology, monitoring the reproductive and stress-related endocrinology of African wildlife species. Both degrees were obtained from the University of Pretoria. This was followed by a one-year postdoctoral fellowship at the same institution wherein he was responsible for managing the Kalahari Meerkat sample bank in partnership with Cambridge University, in the UK.

  From 2016, he was a Conservation Endocrinology postdoctoral fellow at the National Zoological Garden.  His research focused on the endocrine (reproduction/stress) response of mammal, reptile, amphibian and avian species to anthropogenic activities within captive and free-ranging environments.

  He joined the University of South Africa as a postdoctoral fellow in 2020 and main research focus during this fellowship was monitoring the adaptive response of amphibians, birds and reptiles to climate change, using physiological and ecological monitoring techniques, as well as laboratory analyses.

  Dr Scheun is rated Y2 by the NRF.

• Prof Pfunzo Sidogi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Fine and Studio Arts and the Assistant Dean for Postgraduate Studies, Research and Innovation in the Faculty of Arts and Design. He co-edited, together with Denis Ekpo, The De-Africanization of African Art: Towards Post-African Aesthetics (Routledge, 2022) and authored Mihloti Ya Ntsako: Journeys with the Bongi Dhlomo Collection (Javett Art Centre at the University of Pretoria, 2022).

  Mihloti Ya Ntsako won the 2024 Arnold Rubin Outstanding Publication Award at the Arts Council of the African Studies Association Triennial in Chicago, USA, and the Best Non-Fiction: Monograph prize at the 2023 Humanities and Social Sciences Awards. He is the Chairperson of the Sasol New Signatures Art Competition and serves on the councils of the South African Visual Arts Historians Association and the Association of Arts Pretoria.

  He also serves on the editorial boards for de arte, Image & Text, and the South African Journal of Art History and is a member of the art committees at several museums. His research interests are in South African visual culture and art history.

  Prof Sidogi is rated Y2 by the NRF

• Dr Portia Sifolo is a Senior Lecturer for management, business leadership and entrepreneurship subjects in the Department of Tourism Management. She is also the Director of Sustainable Tourism and Innovation.

  She was a candidate in the Future Professors Programme by the Department of Higher Education and Training (2021-2023). She has a passion for tourism leadership and tourism supply chains in Africa as economic development initiatives in the continent.

  Her research interests include digital procurement of tourism establishments for sustainability purposes in the Southern African Development Community region.

  She completed her Doctorate in Business Administration at the University of KwaZulu-Natal which focused on the nexus between supply chain management and stakeholder management for the balanced and optimal development of the tourism sector.

  She has co-authored several books, published research papers in academic journals, and participated in both domestic and international conferences. Currently, she is part of the team working on the Innovation for African Universities project titled: “Accelerating Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation for Sustainable Tourism in Africa”.

  Dr Sifolo is rated Y2 by the NRF.