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Chancellor’s Fellows 2025
Dr Pumza Magangane
Dr Pumza Magangane is a senior lecturer at the Department of Anatomical Pathology in the School of Pathology. She coordinates the honours course and supervises postgraduate students. Her research focuses on biomarker identification, and understanding the molecular pathophysiology of cancer. Molecular characterization data is combined with clinical and histopathologic data, to identify predictive, diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Her primary focus is on lymphomas, but she also collaborates on other cancers including breast cancer, skin cancer, colorectal cancer, and oral cancer.
Boitumelo Moletsane
Boitumelo Moletsane is a teacher and practitioner of mathematics. Some of the projects that she is currently involved in is well-posedness, spectral analysis, and exponential stabilisability of nonautonomous networked pipe-flow systems with the Research Center for Complex Systems, Aalen University. The project looks to extend to networks the theory of quadratic operator pencils that model vibrating beams from her PhD thesis. Another project is the multivalued generators of linear semigroups which she is undertaking with CIMPA research-in-pairs program. Boitumelo is a product of the South African education system from cradle to date. She engages with the system as a learner, teacher and researcher. This experience has piqued her interest in theories such as the theory of multiple intelligences by Howard Gardner, E W Hobson’s view on democratisation of mathematics and David Rose’s Universal Design for Learning. While her locale is South Africa she is grateful for the support of the many humans of the world who contribute in material ways to the mathematician that she is becoming, particularly, Prof M Möller, Prof I Chalendar, Prof W Arendt, Prof F Ortegón Gallego and many others. These mathematicians embody the ethos of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, giving testament to mathematics as an activity undertaken by human beings on this planet earth.
Dr Celimpilo Dladla
Celimpilo Dladla is a lecturer in the Department of Translation and Interpreting Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. Her undergraduate and postgraduate studies are in Language Practice; Management; Translation and Interpreting Studies; IsiZulu Studies; and African Languages and Linguistics. Her postdoctoral research focuses on African language policies, translation, and interpreting in English and isiZulu. Her research interests are based on her 20 years of experience as an interpreter and translator at the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, the Office of the Premier, and a government parastatal. Her contributions to the development of African languages includes writing an isiZulu novel; contributing to the development of Blind Society of South Africa’s isiZulu text-to-speech synthesizer to help the visually impaired community have access to literature and other written works; and pioneering the development of the isiZulu Language Guide and the Sesotho Language Guide for students studying African languages at Wits.
Ella Linganiso-Dziike
Ella Linganiso-Dziike is a Senior Instrument Scientist at the Microscopy and Microanalysis Unit of the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). She is also an Associate Researcher of the School of Chemistry at Wits and at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU). She holds a PhD in Materials Chemistry with a special focus on green chemistry approaches for semiconductor nanomaterial synthesis and the application of these materials in gas and chemical sensors. Her current research focuses on creating high value products from waste biomass as well as addressing environmental pollution and renewable energy. These are demonstrated in more than 40 peer-reviewed publications, and many conference and workshop presentation contributions. Her current work involves the training of postgraduate researchers and staff from Wits, nearby institutions and private companies on the use of electron microscopes (TEM and SEM), X-ray diffraction, photoluminescence spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. She is also involved in MSc and PhD postgraduate student supervision at Wits and SMU.
Dr Linganiso-Dziike is a member of various science organisations and a liaison person for the Wits-CIVIS Alliance-partnership for Climate, Environment and Energy. She has also received various awards for her research including the NRF Thuthuka (2018-2023), Knowledge, Interchange and Collaboration (2017 & 2019), Centre of Excellence in Strong Materials Research Grant (2017-2022), Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility ((023 & 2025), Wits Female Academic Leaders Fellowship Grant (2025), and NRF Competitive Support for Unrated Researchers (2025-2027).
Her interests include use of science to solve societal and global challenges, poverty alleviation, economics, law and travelling.
Dr Nikki Gentle
Dr Nikki Gentle is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of the Witwatersrand, where she teaches Bioinformatics and Computational Biology. Since completing her PhD in the field of Immunogenetics, her research has focused on using both computational and experimental approaches to understand immune responses to viral infection, with the goal of identifying novel therapeutic targets.Aside from her academic duties, Mrs Langa is a part-time PhD student. Her research focus is on South African medicinal plants with anticancer potential. She is a recipient of the 2024 Carnegie Doctoral grant and Female Academic Leaders Fellowship (FALF) grant which will help in timeous completion of her PhD project and career progression. In 2014, Mrs Langa was a recipient of DAAD-NRF scholarship for her Master of Science degree during which she investigated the antimicrobial efficacy of medicinal plants used in northern KwaZulu-Natal to treat skin diseases.
Adjunct Professor Karen Petersen
MBBCh (WITS), DCH (SA), DTM&H (WITS), FCPaed (SA), MMed (WITS), Cert Neph Paed (SA)
Adjunct Professor Karen Petersen is the Clinical Head of Paediatric Nephrology at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital and the Academic Head of the Division at the University of the Witwatersrand. In addition to her clinical, leadership, and academic responsibilities, she is also involved in undergraduate and postgraduate training. Her leadership vision is to enhance the clinical and research components of the Paediatric Nephrology Unit to improve patient outcomes. She established the Kidney Buds Research Unit at the WITS Health Consortium. Her research interests include hypertension in children and inherited kidney diseases.
Dr. Nomkhosi Radebe
Dr. Nomkhosi Radebe is a dedicated researcher and lecturer at Witwatersrand University's School of Business Sciences. With a passion for advancing knowledge in the field, Dr. Radebe focuses her research on Strategic Management, Business Models, Intrapreneurship, Dynamic Capabilities, and Innovation. Dr Radebe comes from a background of entrepreneurship, having had businesses within the property space and construction and management consulting, where she offers strategic management consulting services. Her entrepreneurship journey has not been without challenges; hence, her research passion involves a lot of business improvement in the ever-changing business world. Dr Radebe is also a Board member for a prominent construction company and a Body at the industry level within the same sector. DrJ is a qualified statistician, facilitator, public speaker, and researcher. She holds a PhD in Entrepreneurship (Wits Business School) and an MSc in Mathematical Statistics - Risk analysis (University of the Free State). She also holds a certificate in Effective Mentoring and Coaching (Wits Business School) and is currently studying towards her masters, researching the role of coaching in the development of Black women entrepreneurs in South Africa.
Jabulile is an award-winning author, entrepreneur, business and executive coach, case writer, and mentor. She published her first book, Dear Mr Entrepreneurship: A Conversation between Ms. Entrepreneur and Mr. Entrepreneurship in 2022 and was recognised by the AfriCAN Honoree Authors' Awards for her book and the Africa Startup Ecosystem Builders (ASEB) as the 2022 entrepreneurs’ Mentor and Coach of the Year. DrJ is currently the Managing Director of DrJ Business Support, and co-founder of the non-profit think tank African Institute for Entrepreneurship (AIfE). Recently, she co-authored the second volume of Dear Mr Entrepreneurship: Journeys of Women Entrepreneurs with thirteen aspiring and emerging businesswomen leaders.
Dr Manoko Maubane-Nkadimeng
Manoko Maubane-Nkadimeng, known to her peers and students as “Dr Manox”, is a Senior Instrument Scientist and Researcher at the University of The Witwatersrand (Wits), Johannesburg, South Africa. She graduated her MSc in Chemistry Cum Laude in 2010, followed by a PhD in Chemistry (2013) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education (2020) from Wits. Her research interests are in structured nanocarbons, with emphasis on their production and applications in energy and water through which she graduated about 30 MSc/PhD students. She serves as the board member of the African Materials Research Society, and she also serve as the Advisory Board Member of the Faculty of Education at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. Dr Manox holds membership to many professional societies such as the IUPAC, SACI, CATSA etc. She is the deputy chairperson of both the Employment Equity (Research Office) at Wits and the South African Chemical Institute Central Division, a member of the ARUA Centre of Excellence and a Fulbright alumna.
Outside the university walls, Dr Manox is passionate about mentorship, and she is part of the STEM MentHER programme, which was designed to support Grade 12 female learners interested in pursuing careers in STEM, aiming to assist them in various aspects, including career development, well-being, general life skills etc. She also hosts outreach programmes such as the Science Engagement events, to nurture the young talent, and promote careers in STEM, with her last event attracting about 500 learners from 14 secondary schools in Ekurhuleni North District.
Dr. Nonkuselo Madlakana
Dr. Nonkuselo Madlakana is a passionate metamorphic petrologist with expertise in critical metals and their environmentally sustainable extraction. She completed her PhD in geology at Stellenbosch University in 2021, where she investigated Archean and Paleoproterozoic metamorphic processes in the Limpopo Belt, specializing in the detailed analysis of reaction textures in metapelites from the Bandelierkop Formation.
Currently, Dr. Madlakana is a lecturer at the School of Geosciences at the University of the Witwatersrand. She teaches metamorphic petrology to second- and third-year students, while also managing the TIMA lab, where she dedicates a significant portion of her time to guiding postgraduate students in their data analysis, ensuring their research progresses smoothly and successfully.
In addition to her teaching and mentorship roles, Dr. Madlakana has built a thriving research group supported by Thuthuka funding. Her research focuses on critical metals, including lithium petrogenesis, rare earth elements, and the direct, environmentally friendly leaching of platinum group elements. Through her work, she aims to drive innovations in ore deposit research and sustainable mining practices.
Dr Mothopi-Peri is a Prosthodontics specialist with special interest in maxillofacial rehabilitation. Her research interests include the rehabilitation of the head and neck defects using the ‘Appropriatech concept’ which emphasises on the need for using cost effective methods and materials when rehabilitating patients, especially those from low socio-economic backgrounds. Her passion is to bring the speciality of Prosthodontics to all the citizens of South Africa.
Dr Mothopi-Peri is a member of the International College of Prosthodontists (ICP) and the Academy of Prosthodontists in South Africa (APSA). She has presented at numerous conferences both locally and internationally in countries such as Germany, United Kingdom, Chile, Netherlands, United States of America, Serbia and others. She won the best poster presentation awards at the ICP conferences in Chile (2017) and South Korea (2015).
Dr. Sibongile Zwane
Dr. Sibongile Zwane is a dedicated academic, researcher, and built environment specialist with a strong foundation in real estate investment, construction, and financial market dynamics. She holds an MSc in Building (Property Development and Management), earning distinctions in Real Estate Finance, Applied Macroeconomics, and Research Methodology, as well as a BSc (Honours) in Quantity Surveying and a BSc in Construction Studies.
Sibongile began her career as a quantity surveyor before transitioning into academia, where she recently completed her PhD in Real Estate. Her research focuses on REITs, green infrastructure, and sustainability, exploring the intersection of real estate investment, construction, and economic policy. She has presented her work at leading international conferences, including AFRES, and is committed to fostering interdisciplinary collaborations.
Passionate about bridging the gap between academia and industry, Sibongile actively mentors emerging professionals in the built environment. She aspires to inspire and guide the next generation of academics and industry leaders, contributing to sustainable development and innovative built environment solutions.
In work and in life Josephine, believes in the power of servant leadership as a key construct for personal development and social change. Having worked with young people for most of her life, Josephine is passionate about developing leaders. Her personal research vision is to become a leading researcher in the built-environment who will also develop other built-environment researchers who will bring solutions to developmental challenges to create an inclusive future.
Josephine is a nature lover who enjoys the outdoors and is committed to playing her part in conserving natural resources in manner that will “support the wellbeing of current and future generations.” Besides nature, Josephine supports a number of philanthropic initiatives especially those that support the development of children and youth.
Dr Anwynne Kern
Dr Anwynne Kern began her career in education as a primary school teacher, where she developed a heart for teaching and developing others, as well as a passion her own continued learning. This early experience, combined with her Educational Psychology master’s degree, paved the way for her transition to higher education.
In July 2014, Anwynne joined the University of the Witwatersrand, where she embraced the opportunity to teach at a higher level. Since then, she has built a foundation in teaching and community engagement. She has continued to develop her research niche in the field of inclusive education, and her commitment to academic excellence and professional development has been a characteristic of her career.
Anwynne attained her doctoral degree in psychology in 2022, marking a significant milestone in her academic journey. Her time at the University has been both meaningful and diverse, enriched by interactions with students and colleagues.
Sanelisiwe Thinasonke Duze
Sanelisiwe Thinasonke Duze is a Medical Scientist and Lecturer in the Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases at the University of Witwatersrand. Passionate about fighting infectious diseases, her work bridges the laboratory and the community, focusing on understanding how pathogens like Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes adapt and survive in challenging environments. Her doctoral research project investigates the viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state of Salmonella in water, a critical factor in understanding pathogen survival and transmission. She also leads projects on the molecular characterization of Listeria monocytogenes from food and environmental samples, contributing to South Africa’s post-outbreak surveillance efforts. When she’s not decoding bacterial genomes, Ms Duze mentors the next generation of scientists at the Honours and Master’s level as well as train Medical Intern scientists, sharing her love for microbiology and her mission to improve public health through science.
