Professor Thabo T.I Nkambule is the Head of the Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS) at the university of South Africa, where he is also a professor. He is a C3-Rated researcher by the National Research foundation (NRF) of South Africa. He is responsible for the strategic direction, operations, and consolidation of all the research activities on water and nanotechnology within the institute. He is registered with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) as a professional Natural Scientist (Pr.Sci.Nat.) and a member of the Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA), the International Water Association (IWA) and the American Chemical Society (ACS). Prof. Nkambule also serves as the current thematic area leader for the Urban Water Cycle and Water Treatment Technologies research niche at iNanoWS. His research interests are in the Urban Water Cycle, Conventional, Advanced and Integrated Water Treatment Technologies, Natural Organic Matter in Engineered Water Treatment Systems and Nanotechnology for Water Treatment. His research focus is specifically on Natural Organic Matter (NOM) in South African waters, studying its characterization, treatability, and method development for effective NOM removal from water. Dr. Welldone Moyo is a Senior Postdoctoral Fellow at iNanoWS. Dr. Moyo's commitment to academic excellence is evident through his extensive publication record, with over 25 journal articles and technical reports to his name; and over 15 national and international conference presentation as a speaker reporting on his own work. Dr Moyo has shown incredible research leadership in the following areas: Nanotechnology enhanced smart materials and their application in NOM treatment; Circular economy inspired innovations for water treatment; Natural organic matter in engineered water treatment systems; Emerging chemical and microbial pollutants in aquatic systems; Green chemistry inspired research and design of innovative water treatment technologies. Dr Moyo’s career highlights include the following: Recipient of the Exceptional Achievement Award in recognition of iNanoWS Excellence for best Academic Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Recipient of the Exceptional Achievement Award in recognition of iNanoWS Excellence for best Academic Doctoral student. Dr. Tshepo J. Malefetse has over 15 years’ experience in the academic, water treatment, mining & minerals processing, and renewable energy sectors. He is currently a Senior Lecturer and Thematic Area Leader of Urban Water Cycle and Water Treatment Technologies at the Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability at the Florida Science Campus, University of South Africa. Dr Malefetse’s research areas include circular economy of wastewater, removal of emerging pollutants from water resources; resource recovery from wastewater; and wastewater-based epidemiology. Dr Malefetse has a strong passion for mentoring young science, engineering and technology professionals, academic and scientific writing, and intellectual property and innovation He is the founding Director of TheEditingDoctor (Pty) Ltd, a company that specialises in providing proof-editing as well as academic writing workshops and consulting services in the areas of science, engineering, technology, and innovation sectors. Titus A.M Msagati is a full Professor at iNanoWS and the Water Sustainability (WS) Focus Area leader which comprises two thematic areas, namely Analytical and Environmental Research (AER) and Urban Water Cycle and Water Treatment Technologies (UWC&WTT). He specializes in the following key areas: (i) Teaching various chemistry courses at a university level (ii) Supervision of graduate students; (iii) Attracting research funding in form of student bursaries and research projects; (iv) Forming research collaboration networks with other eminent researchers whose specialization is diverse, within South Africa, Africa, and various parts of the world. He has more than 15 years of active teaching experience at University level in which together with teaching he has extraordinarily shown his presence in the areas of research globally and he has thus far published more than 250 papers in both regional and international peer reviewed journals. In addition to journal papers, Dr Msagati has also authored two (2) textbooks on Food Science and more than twelve chapters in books. Bhekie B. Mamba is Executive Dean of the University of South Africa’s College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Florida, South Africa. His research interest is in nanotechnology, polymer chemistry, and water treatment technologies, focusing on creating sustainable solutions that will ensure that water resources are maintained and preserved for future generations.
