Staff Faculty: Science and Technology

Dr. Moshoeshoe is an analytical chemistry lecturer at NUL. His research interests are mainly on the water resources, water use and waste management. In particular, he focuses on the availability of clean water, concentrating on the cleaning and recycling of available water sources and the recycling and application of waste material in the production of potable water. His research interests are in conjunction with the 6th UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), which seeks to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. The availability of water will also benefit the agricultural sector, contributing directly to the 2nd and the 1st UN Sustainable Development Goals in the provision of adequate food for all and the elimination of poverty throughout the whole world. Dr Moshoeshoe has conducted research on the development of simple methods for the determination of water pollutants, including biomarkers which can be used for the determination and/or tracing of water pollution. In addition, Dr Moshoeshoe is a fellow of the Organisation of Prevention of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and has participated in the proficiency tests. He is also a member of the African Network of Analytical Chemists (SEANAC) and the Sustainable Sanitation Alliance (SUSANA)

Mr. Khoabane teaches Analytical Chemistry. His research interests are in Wastewater treatment requires rapid and simple methods for determination of pollutants, especially those pollutants of human faecal origin. Tryptophan and tyrosine are highly fluorescent amino acids that are always present in faecal matter. There is a possibility of using tryptophan and tyrosine to monitor faecal pollution of water sources using fluorescence spectroscopy. His current research interest centres on developing analytical methods based on fluorescence spectroscopy to be used as a rapid and simple tool for monitoring faecal pollution of water resources.

I teach Analytical Chemistry, Modern Separations and Research Methods at Under/Postgraduate levels. Research interests include chemical education, science & technology policy, separation science in particular applications of chromatography and mass spectrometry in drug-drug interactions with reference to traditional medicines with TB and ARV drugs. I have collaborations in several universities in the region, in particular University of Johannesburg where I hold a position of Visiting Research Fellow since 2018. In 2017, I received Meritorious Award (Minister of Science and Technology) and Excellence Awards (NUL Vice Chancellor) respectively for promotion of science, technology and innovation in the University and country at large. I led a ProVerde Laboratory, a subsidiary of a US-based lab as a Founding Director and Chief Scientist I hold membership of numerous professional societies: SACI, SEANAC, ChromSA, SAAMS, just to mention a few. I am founding President of the Chemical Society of Lesotho. I serve(d) in numerous committees/boards in and outside of the University including LSI, Smart Partnership Hub, OPCW National Authority, and the 13th NUL Council. I have presented over 50 papers in conferences/symposia and published close to 50 articles in international and regional journals (see my GoogleScholar account on: https://scholar.google.co.za/citations?hl=en&user=fc7Kz9oAAAAJ&view_op=list_works.

Dr. Thamae teaches Chemical Engineering courses under the Chemical Technology program of the Department. His research interests are in Engineered and Artificial Stones, Natural Fibre Composites and Ceramics and he has published widely in these areas. He is the coordinator of NUL Innovations Committee which oversees innovation activities of the NUL Innovation Hub, among others. His leadership of the NUL Innovation Hub and interest in commercialisation of university derived knowledge has seen tens of start-up companies forming and their products joining the mainstream markets in Lesotho.

Prof. Alemayehu teaches organic Chemistry. His research interests are in Natural products chemistry

Associate Professor MantoaSekota is an associate professor of chemistry. She teaches inorganic chemistry and introduction organometallic chemistry at undergraduate level. She also teaches advanced inorganic chemistry and organometallic chemistry at post-graduate level (MSc), and General Chemistry at year 1 level. Her research expertizeinclude, synthesis and characterization ofphthalocyanines and porphyrines for application in chemical sensors and biosensors. She has successfully supervised undergraduate and post-graduate students and collaborated with researchers locally and internationally. She has published more than ten peer reviewed publications. She has externalized some MSc and PhD Theses and peer reviewed journal publications and proposals for research grants. She has held several administrative positions including Coordinator of Pre-entry science programme, Deputy Dean and acting Dean (FOST). She is currently the chairperson of NUL admission committee. She is a member of African Laser Center (ALC),She is a member of Lesotho Chemical Management Committee and a member of Stockholm Convention’s Persistent Organic Pollutants Committee (PORC) representing SADC region and Africa. She is a chairperson of Women in Science Engineering and Technology (WISET), Lesotho Chapter.

Prof. Alemu teaches Physical Chemistry. His research interests are in Electrochemistry (ion and electron transfer at liquid/liquid interfaces, electrode kinetics and electrocatalysis, Electroanalytical Chemistry (modified electrodes,flow-injection analysis at conventional and screen printed electrodes), Material Science (synthesis of nano-materials, characterization and applications)and Environmental Electrochemistry (determination of heavy metals, fluoride, etc.).