Winner Dr Philiswa Nosizo Nomngongo

Dr Philiswa Nomngongo is a lecturer of analytical chemistry at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), where she obtained her PhD.

Nomngongo’s main research objective is to develop and apply different sample preparation methods for the extraction and preconcentration of trace organic and inorganic analytes in different sample matrices prior to the chromatographic or spectrometric determination. Her research also focuses on the application of nanotechnology for environmental pollution monitoring, desalination and water treatment.

In 2014, Nomngongo received a L’Oréal-Unesco For Women in Science postdoctoral fellowship. She is author/co-author of two book chapters and 34 peer-reviewed articles (from 2011 to 2017) in highly rated and high impact factor journals, including TrAC (Trends in Analytical Chemistry), Chemical Engineering Journal, Analytica Chimica Acta, Microchimica Acta, Food Chemistry, Chemosphere Talanta.

She served as a guest editor for the special issue of the International Journal of Analytical Chemistry, and as well as being a reviewer for several international and local journals and conference proceedings.

Although she has not been at UJ long, Nomngongo has successfully supervised or co-supervised six master’s students. She is currently the main supervisor of one BTech student, eight master’s students and seven PhD students. She is also co-supervising two MTech students and five PhD students.

Nomngongo is a member of the South Africa Chemical Institute, the South African Spectroscopy Society, and the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World.