Dr completed his Bachelor of science and honors studies with the University of Limpopo (Medunsa campus). He holds a Master of Science degree in nanoscience from University of Johannesburg and a doctoral degree in chemistry from Rhodes University. He does research in advanced drug delivery systems using metallic nanoparticles as drug carriers and photoactive dyes such as phthalocyanines as target drugs for photodynamic therapy of cancer. He has published in internationally scientific indexed peer reviewed journals amounting to 13 articles to date, with over 120 citations with H-Index of 7 on Google scholar, Scopus and Research Gate.

Dr Matlou has given oral talks at various international conferences and was a visiting student researcher at the Shinshu University, Ueda, Japan in 2016. His many accolades include being listed as one of the 2021 Top 200 Young South Africans, Mail and Guardian, under the Science and Technology category and attending the 2022 71st Lindau Nobel Laureate meeting, Lindau, Germany. Dr Matlou aspires to be a leading scientist/researcher within his specific subject in a near future. His skill set, determination, laser-focus and innovativeness are what sets him apart from the rest.

He recently joined the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University within the school of pharmacy (pharmaceutical sciences department) as a postdoctoral research fellow focusing on development of target drugs conjugated to nanoparticles for effective delivery and efficacy on diseased site. NRF-Y rating is awarded to early career scientists/researchers who held the doctorate for less than five years at the time of application, and who are recognized as having the potential to establish themselves as researchers within a five-year period after evaluation, based on their performance and productivity as researchers.