Associate Professor

Qualification(s): PhD (SMU)

Tel: +27(12) 521 3959

E-mail: liziwe.mugivhisa@smu.ac.za

Field of Expertise: Environmental Sciences

Research Interest: Environmental Management and Education:

Research focus is on Environmental Management and Education. She is interested in the use of organic fertilizers as alternative amendments for soil nutrients in crop production. She is currently working on the effectiveness of organic fertilizers on the growth of leafy vegetables and the toxic effects which might be associated with the use of the organic fertilizers. The goal of her research work is to enhance food security and livelihoods of the peri-urban poor communities through improved agricultural productivity and sustainable waste management. She is also interested in disseminating information and creating awareness on various environmental issues affecting human health and the ecosystem.

Associate Professor

Qualification(s): PhD (UP)

Tel: +27(12) 521 5662

E-mail: nqobile.mkolo@smu.ac.za

Field of Expertise: Para-Clinicals

Research Interest: Multi-omics Studies:

Research focus is on multi-omics studies of human traits, including type 2 diabetes and neuroblastoma and rotavirus traits. She works with various types of omics data, including Metabolomics, Proteomics and Lipidomics. She also has an interest in Molecular docking, Acarology and Anti-diabetic activities of drugs.

Senior Lecturer

Qualification(s): PhD (UL)

Tel: +27(12) 521 5894

E-mail: jeffrey.lebepe@smu.ac.za

Field of Expertise: Aquatic Health

Research Interest: Research focus is on freshwater ecosystem health. He explores the fate and effect of metals in aquatic ecosystems, bioaccumulation and fish edibility; histopathologic, biochemical and/or enzymatic response to contaminants exposure. I also look at macroinvertebrate response to change in physical habitat, climatic conditions and pollution level.

Senior Lecturer

Qualification(s): PhD (UKZN)

Tel: +27(12) 521 5662

E-mail: duduzile.buthelezi@smu.ac.za

Field of Expertise: Plant/Botanical/Horticultural and Environmental Sciences

Research Interest: Research focus is on establishing and promoting environmentally friendly techniques such as natural biostimulants for enhancing plant production, particularly medicinal plants. Her research areas include the impact of nanotechnology on eliminating or reducing environmental problems e.g., heavy metals in water and soil, as well as on reducing or controlling food diseases. She mainly focusses on the cultivation and sustainable practises or uses of medicinal plants, including natural resources. She also works on processing of medicinal plants including other botanical and horticultural plants e.g., for healing or medicine and encapsulation.

Lecturer

Qualification(s): MSc (UL)

Tel: +27(12) 521 3919

E-mail: caswell.mavimbela@smu.ac.za

Field of Expertise: Fisheries and Conservation Genetics

Research Interest: Conservation Genetics

Research focus is on cyanobacteria, fish biology and ecology of aquatic organism, particularly with reference to the impact of freshwater fishes and the influence of anthropogenic factors on aquatic ecosystems. My current research focus at SMU is geared towards providing information with which to better understand the aquatic biodiversity. Current interests are fisheries, aquatic invertebrates like crabs’ biology, ecology and parasites. The influence of cyanobacteria in relation to human health and impacts; relationship between different mechanisms driving the ability of cyanobacteria to adapt to extreme temperature etc. As a result, my research is multidisciplinary and includes not only research on natural systems and processes but also research on understanding how humans alter and benefit from aquatic systems.

Lecturer

Qualification(s): MSc (UL/Medunsa Campus)

Tel: +27(12) 521 4675

E-mail: elizabeth.modise@smu.ac.za

Field of Expertise: Parasitology

Research Interest: Fish Parasitology Monogenea

Research is centred on fish and amphibian parasitology. Parasitic infections are presently becoming threats for fish health in aquaculture, therefore knowledge of parasites, their hosts and prevalence is an essential prerequisite of preventative procedures for the parasite problem in aquaculture. The research involves parasites identification and morphological descriptions using various techniques (e.g. Scanning Electron Microscopy). She also focuses on traditional medicinal plant extracts as an optional chemical to treat and control high parasitic infections on fish.

Senior Lecturer

Qualification(s): PhD (SMU)

Tel: +27(12) 521 4683

E-mail: ntebo.lion@smu.ac.za

Field of Expertise: Ecology and Environmental studies

Research Interest: Environmental Health and pollution

Field of interest is in Environmental Health with special reference to trace metal pollution and toxicity to plants, animals and humans. Her research also focuses on how the environment influences human health and diseases. This involves things in the natural environment like air, water and soil including all the physical, chemical, biological and social features of our surroundings. Her resent involvement includes the use of biological fluids to check the health status of humans in areas of pollution and link the human race with its interaction between the internal (occupational and/or residential) and external (pollution) environment. In essence her ultimate goal of research is to explore all aspects that contribute to “One Health”.

Lecturer

Qualification(s): MSc (SMU)

Tel: +27(12) 521 5662

E-mail: tshegofatso.modise@smu.ac.za

Field of Expertise: Environmental Sciences

Research Interest: Phytoremediation and monitoring of pollution

Research focus is on biomonitoring of trace metals using plants and small mammals. This involves the assessment of trace metals bioaccumulation in the environment and its impacts on the ecosystem. Currently, dealing with the assessment of microplastics occurrence and distribution in the freshwater systems.

Lecturer (Part-time)

Qualification(s): MSc (SMU)

Tel: +27(12) 521 5662

E-mail: nyathisenzeni@yahoo.co.uk

Field of Expertise: Environmental Management

Research Interest: Research focus is mainly on solid waste management, how mismanagement of waste can lead to adverse effects on human health and the environment. Currently dealing with recycling and composting as a form of waste management and as a source of income. Have also focused on the impact of COVID-19 on waste management.

Lecturer 

Qualification(s): PhD (SMU)

Tel: +27(12) 521 3947

E-mail: olawole.aina@smu.ac.za

Field of Expertise: Environmental Health

Research Interest: Biomonitoring and Bioremediation

My research focuses on the bioremediation and biomonitoring of environmental pollutants with the aim of safeguarding food systems and promoting sustainable agriculture. Specifically, I investigate the mechanisms through which organic and inorganic contaminants accumulate in soils and transfer into food crops, and I evaluate remediation strategies that can mitigate these risks. By integrating environmental toxicology, soil science, and crop physiology, my work seeks to develop evidence-based interventions that restore soil fertility, reduce pollutant bioavailability, and enhance the nutritional and microbial safety of agricultural produce. Ultimately, this research provides a scientific foundation for policy frameworks and best practices that ensure safe and sustainable food production in the context of growing global demands and environmental change.

Lecturer 

Qualification(s): MSc (SMU)

Tel: +27(12) 521 5662

E-mail: cherly.motshudi@smu.ac.za

Field of Expertise: Phytomedicine and Metabolomics

Research Interest: Metabolomics, Transcriptomics and Proteomics

Research focus is on plants with some form of medicinal properties. Researching phytochemicals, antioxidants and anti-microbial activities of plants. Using transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics for analysis of various samples to discover vital and fundamental core properties of specified sample.

Lecturer 

Qualification(s): MSc (SMU)

Tel: +27(12) 521 5660

E-mail: nkululeko.mnisi@smu.ac.za

Field of Expertise: Phytomedicine

Research Interest: Research focus lies in the field of phytomedicine, ethnopharmacology and microbial studies of medicinal plants against human pathogens. I am particularly interested in the management and treatment alternatives of non-communicable diseases.

Associate Professor

Qualification(s): PhD

Field of Expertise: Microbiology, Omics, Novel Endophytic Bioactives, Sustainable Greener Agriculture

Research Interest: Research interests, as evidenced in numerous publications, include:

Endophytic Microorganisms: He studies the potential of endophytic fungi and bacteria to produce novel bioactive compounds with applications in medicine, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture.

Novel Compounds for Resistant Pathogens: His work specifically investigates the isolation and characterization of new compounds from endophytes that demonstrate antibacterial and antifungal activity against resistant pathogens.

Plant Growth Promotion: He explores how endophytes can enhance plant growth and improve stress tolerance in host plants.

Phytoremediation: His work explores how endophytes can assist plants in cleaning up contaminated environments.

Medicinal Plants: He has conducted research on the use of medicinal plants as natural catalysts for food waste decomposition and their potential for use in cosmeceutical products.

Lecturer 

Qualification(s): PhD (UKZN)

Field of Expertise: Biological Sciences with specialization in Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, and Nanotechnology.

Research Interest: Research focuses on the scientific exploration and validation of South African medicinal plants, integrating traditional knowledge with modern biological and chemical approaches. Her work encompasses plant micromorphology, secretory structures, and phytochemical profiling to understand bioactive compounds and their therapeutic potential. She applies metabolomics, in silico modelling, and green nanotechnology for the synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles, aiming at antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, and dermo-cosmetic applications. Passionate about ethnopharmacology, sustainable healthcare, and innovation, Dr. Naidoo seeks to bridge indigenous knowledge systems with cutting-edge technologies to develop community-beneficial and globally relevant natural products.

Junior Lecturer

Qualification(s): BSc (Hons) (NMU)

Tel: +27(12) 521 5662

E-mail: Nnenna.nodlaba@smu.ac.za

Field of Expertise: Environmental Health

Natural Scientist

Qualification(s): PhD (UP)

E-mail: callies.selala@smu.ac.za

Field of Expertise: Aquatic Ecology

Research Interest: My research focuses on assessing drug metabolites and derivatives of cosmeceutical products in aquatic resources. The immersion of adsorbent materials at exit points of final treated effluent from various wastewater treatment plants destine to the river catchments, and entry point into the dam catchment acting as a pollution sink trapping these chronic health hazard pollutants. Characterizing and quantifying these adsorbed pollutants then compare operational efficiency of individual wastewater treatment plants to South African quality guideline limits permissible for ecosystem. The project will establish a baseline dataset and an approach to rehabilitate aquatic resources and establish a biodiverse ecosystem.

Senior. Laboratory  Assistant

Qualification(s): MSc (SMU)

Tel: +27(12) 521 3306

E-mail: kagiso.mooki@smu.ac.za

Field of Expertise: Palaeontology

Research Interest: Research focus is on comparative anatomy of ancient vertebrates, predecessors of birds and crocodiles of the South African Karoo.

Senior Technical Officer

Qualification(s): MSc (UFS)

Tel: +27(12) 521 4683

E-mail: nomasonto.dlamini@smu.ac.za

Field of Expertise: Ecotoxicology

Research Interest: Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecotoxicology

Intern

Qualification(s): BSc (Hons) SMU

E-mail: praise.mthombeni@smu.za

Field of Expertise: Environmental Sciences

Research Interest: The research focuses on medicinal plants and natural biostimulants as sustainable solutions for health and agriculture. I am interested in exploring the phytochemical and pharmacological potential of medicinal plants, while also investigating their use as eco-friendly biostimulants to improve crop growth, stress tolerance, and soil health. This approach promotes green alternatives to synthetic chemicals, supporting human well-being, food security, and environmental sustainability

Post-doctoral fellow

Qualification(s): PhD (UP)

Tel: +27(12) 521 5662

E-mail: oyinlola.olaokun@smu.ac.za

Field of Expertise: Paraclinical Sciences Phytomedicine

Research Interest: Medicinal plant research; Cell culture research

The research focus is on the hypoglycaemic efficacy of plant with medicinal plants in respect to biomarkers of diabetes in in vitro and in silico models as well as cytotoxicity. This includes cell culture assays techniques, antidiabetic assays techniques, anti-inflammatory assays techniques, phytochemical screening methods, and antioxidant assays techniques, metabolomics, molecular docking and molecular dynamics studies. Discovery of new active chemical entity from plants for potential drug production. Cell culture assays include working with cells/tissues culture as of primary cells isolated from animals and established commercial cell lines, production of immortalised cells from chicken and production of recombinant proteins in cell culture model for treatment of specific diseases