Agriculture and Science

Prof Mahlambi holds a PhD in Chemistry, with 2years postdoctoral experience. She is a leader of Environmental Analytical Chemistry research group at PMB campus. As an NRF C rated Scientist with more than 10 years teaching and research experience; a recipient of UKZN Best Researcher Award 2023, Future Professor Program 2023, she continuously strives to improve analytical methods in the Environmental Analytical Chemistry discipline. She is currently involved in industrial and international collaborations with researchers working on water pollution assessment and remediation. Water pollution is a worldwide problem and even more pronounced in developing countries including South Africa. Therefore, this collaboration will result in a possible collaborative solution towards the worldwide water pollution problem. She is also involved in the preparation of biopesticides for pre and post-harvest loss management. Her future plan is to produce effective, greener, sustainable and affordable materials that can be employed in the wastewater treatment processes to reduce pollution of water sources. Also, to produce highly effective biopesticides that can be used in agriculture to reduce contamination, and food loss while safeguarding human health.

Prof Mahlambi is also involved in teaching basic chromatography theory and application, and environmental analysis at UKZN. She is also voluntarily involved in awareness campaign, educating high school learners and the community about environmental pollution and reduction remedies. She is supervising and mentoring postgraduate students with the aim of grooming them to be researchers of value as they acquire industry sought after skills, experience and knowledge.  She has graduated about 20 MSc and PhD students, hosted 3postdoctoral fellows, and has published over 60 research articles in peer reviewed journals. She has received a number of NRF funding in different categories, various industry funding and recently received Norway-SA bilateral funding 2025-2028 which is assisting in reaching her valuable research goals.