MINTEK - South Africa
AUTHOR PROFILE
SCOPUS
ORCID
EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS:
Dr. Bulelwa Ntsendwana's academic journey commenced with distinction, earning a Cum Laude National Diploma in Analytical Chemistry from Walter Sisulu University in 2007. She continued her pursuit of knowledge, achieving a Cum Laude B-Tech in Analytical Chemistry from the same university in 2009. Her dedication to academic excellence continued as she completed her MSc in Chemistry at the University of the Western Cape in 2011. Dr. Ntsendwana reached the pinnacle of her academic journey with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Applied Chemistry from the University of Johannesburg in 2014.
PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS:
Following her academic achievements, Dr. Ntsendwana held postdoctoral positions at the University of the Western Cape from 2014 to 2016. During this period, she specialized in the development of advanced carbon-based electrocatalyst support materials for fuel cell applications, materials development for Mg-based hydrogen storage, and the fabrication of novel electrode materials for photoelectrochemical degradation of organic pollutants in water. Notably, she contributed to the field of sensor technology, leading the sensor platform at Mintek under the Advanced Materials Division. Prior to her role at Mintek, she served as a lecturer for organic chemistry at Walter Sisulu University and led a photoelectrochemical group at the Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS), University of South Africa (UNISA).
Dr. Ntsendwana's research focus spans a wide spectrum, including the development of advanced carbon-based composite electrodes for the detection and degradation of organic pollutants in water via electrochemical and photoelectrochemical processes. Her extensive expertise in sensor technology, energy materials (solar cells, fuel cells, hydrogen storage), and water treatment and monitoring is evident in her contributions to these fields. Her leadership of the sensor platform at Mintek emphasizes her commitment to technology development utilizing nanominerals for health, environmental, and air monitoring.
IMPACT AND INFLUENCE:
Dr. Ntsendwana's impact extends beyond academia, with technology development active participation in Africa bilateral co-operations, demonstrating her commitment to deriving economic value from nano-enabled products. Her recognition as a rising entrepreneur by Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies in 2019 highlights the influence of her work.
ACADEMIC CITES:
Dr. Ntsendwana's academic prowess is underscored by numerous scholarships and awards, including the DTI/THRIP, Technology Innovation Agency, Women in Research, and TESP from ESKOM. Her scholarships, awards, and funding from prestigious organizations like the National Research Foundation reflect the acknowledgment of her contributions to the scientific community.
LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS:
Dr. Bulelwa Ntsendwana's legacy is marked by a stellar academic journey, impactful research contributions, and leadership roles in both academia and industry. Her dedication to student supervision, evident in the list of ongoing and completed supervisions, showcases her commitment to nurturing the next generation of scientists. As she continues to lead the sensor platform at Mintek and engage in academic responsibilities, her future contributions are poised to further elevate her influence in the realms of sensor technology, nanomaterials, and environmental sustainability.
NOTABLE PUBLICATIONS
Development of nitrogen-doped graphene/MOF nanocomposites towards adsorptive removal 2023(5)
Fe-MOF derived graphitic carbon nitride nanocomposites as novel electrode materials 2023(2)
Recent advances in nitrogen-doped graphene oxide nanomaterials 2023(3)
Advances on sonophotocatalysis as a water and wastewater treatment technique 2023(4)
Cu-MOF/N-doped GO nanocomposites modified screen-printed carbon electrode 2022(22)