Organising Committee - SAIP 2024

Prof Makaiko Chithambo is Professor of Physics and Head of the Physics Department and formerly, Deputy Dean of Science at Rhodes University.

He is an elected member of the Academy of Science of South Africa. Prof Chithambo is an NRF B2-rated research physicist. He obtained his PhD from The University of Edinburgh and his Masters, from The University of Sussex, UK.

His research interests span areas concerned with study of point-defects in materials using luminescence methods particularly using with the time-resolved optical stimulation. He is the author of the book An Introduction to Time-resolved Optically Stimulated Luminescence published by Morgan & Claypool Publishers. Prof Chithambo has served as an expert reviewer for several publishing Houses and research agencies worldwide and is a recipient of the Vice Chancellors Distinguished Research award at Rhodes University.

He is the immediate Past-President of the South African Institute of Physics.

Dr Kuja is a Senior Lecturer at Rhodes University, Department of Physics & Electronics, and an enthusiastic individual with a burning desire to achieve excellence in research, teaching and learning in engineering science. He holds an MSc in Physics (Fibre Optic Communications) from the University of Eldoret, Kenya, an MEng degree from Stellenbosch University (SU), South Africa, and a PhD in Electronic Engineering from SU.

Dr Kuja’s research focuses on electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) metrology, computational electromagnetic (CEM) modelling techniques, and laser/ fibre optics. This involves antenna design, propagation and communication applications, and radio frequency interference (RFI) mitigation strategies. EMC is an exciting field of research that plays a critical role in the advancement of new technologies, particularly in the development of efficient techniques for the rigorous testing and qualification of electronic devices to meet the demands of rapidly changing new technologies.

He believes in collaborative work (teamwork) in the classroom (teaching and learning) and research for academic excellence. Dr Kuja is an active member of the Radio Astronomy Techniques & Technologies (RATT) group, which recently won the NRF Science Team Award 2023 for outstanding collaborative research related to the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO).

He is also passionate about community engagement and is actively involved in an Outreach Campaign Program (OCP) in the Physics Department. OCP works closely with neighbouring secondary schools in Makhanda to provide academic support to students, especially in Maths and Physical Sciences.

Dr John Bosco Habarulema is a research scientist at the South African National Space Agency and the scientific Principal Investigator of the South African ionosonde network. He is a B2 rated scientist by the South African National Research Foundation.

In addition to his affiliation with Rhodes University, he is an Extraordinary-Professor at North West University in the Center for Space Science Research, Potchefstroom.

His research interests include low latitude ionospheric electrodynamics, ionospheric modelling for space weather applications, and studies of atmospheric gravity waves especially during geomagnetically disturbed conditions.

He works with postgraduate students at Hons, MSc and PhD levels as well as postdoctoral researchers.

Dr Zama Katamzi-Joseph is a space physics researcher at the South African National Space Agency (SANSA). She is also a research associate at Rhodes University and a NASSP guest lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

She completed her undergraduate training in Physics at the University of Cape Town in 2004 after which she joined the National Astrophysics and Space Science Programme for BSc Hon and MSc training. After completing her MSc with distinction at Rhodes University in 2007, she went on to do her PhD at the University of Bath (UK) and graduated in 2011.

Her main research interests include ionospheric dynamics and electrodynamics, thermosphere-ionosphere coupling, space weather, ionospheric perturbations, such as at traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) and plasma bubbles.

Dr Bryan is a graduate of Rhodes University, where her studies culminated with a PhD in quantum philosophy. She is currently employed at St Andrew’s College to teach IEB and Cambridge International courses in Physics.

The historic connection between the two institutions, and their proximity, has provided an excellent opportunity for collaboration and Dr Bryan is currently involved in an Academic Enrichment Program alongside several Rhodes University researchers. The program aims to expose high school students to a more realistic picture of academia and assess the effectiveness of learning in this environment. 

Noluvuyo (Vuyo) Matiwane is a science extended studies lecturer under the Centre for Higher Education Research in Teaching and Learning (CHERTL) at Rhodes University. Vuyo is a BSc and BSc(Hon.)  graduate of Rhodes University.

She is a Science education enthusiast interested in exploring innovative teaching and learning strategies.  Her particular interest is in Physics Education Research, focusing on teaching structured problem-solving strategies to first-year physics students at Rhodes University. 

Dr Marcellin Atemkeng is a senior lecturer at Rhodes University, Department of Mathematics where he is leading the Rhodes AI Research Group (RAIRG). Marcellin's research focuses on big data, statistical signal processing, artificial intelligence, and modern astronomical data processing and analysis.

His work is funded by Rhodes University and the NRF. Marcellin is registered as a professional physicist at the South African Institute of Physics.

Marcellin was awarded the Kambule Doctoral Award at the Deep-learning Indaba in 2019, recognising and encouraging excellence in research and writing by doctoral candidates at African universities in any area of computational and statistical sciences. He also received the Mathematical Sciences Early Career Fellowship Award in 2022 and is a fellow of the DHET Future Professors Programme (FPP). He holds a Y rating from the NRF.