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Emerald Resort, Vanderbijlpark
Dr. Kushal Qanungo is a distinguished Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University Institute of Science, Chandigarh University, located in Gharuan, Mohali, Punjab, India. With an extensive background in research and academia, Dr. Qanungo brings a wealth of experience to the field of chemistry, particularly in research involving advanced materials and energy applications.
Dr. Qanungo’s teaching career spans several esteemed institutions, where he held various positions from Lecturer to Professor. He began his teaching journey at NC College of Engineering, Panipat, before moving to Indo Global College of Engineering, Punjab, and Mody University of Science and Technology, Rajasthan, where he was later promoted to Associate Professor. He also served as Dean of Students Welfare at MJRP University, Jaipur. Since July 2018, Dr. Qanungo has been a Professor at Chandigarh University, where he continues to inspire and mentor the next generation of scientists. His leadership extends beyond the classroom, as he has taken on roles such as Visiting Faculty at Maharishi Arvind Institute of Engineering and Technology, Jaipur, and engaged in various academic initiatives. His diverse background in research, teaching, and leadership makes him a valuable keynote speaker, with insights into the interdisciplinary nature of chemistry, the evolving landscape of material sciences, and the importance of fostering innovation in scientific education.
Dr. Qanungo’s research career is marked by notable international and national fellowships, including positions as a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA, and at Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique, France. He also served as a Research Scientist at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, and as a Fellow at the National Institute of Science, Technology, and Development Studies under the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India. Throughout his career, Dr. Qanungo has been the recipient of prestigious fellowships, including the KS Krishnan Department of Atomic Energy Fellowship, Government of India, and the CNRS Post-doctoral Fellowship from the Government of France. He also qualified for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) in 1992, further emphasizing his academic excellence.
Professor Edward Nxumalo is a professor in the Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability in the College of Science, Engineering and Technology in the University of South Africa (UNISA) (Johannesburg, South Africa). His areas of expertise span from materials chemistry to membrane science and technology and to the application of nanostructured membranes and novel nanomaterials in diverse applications such as desalination, nanofiltration, photocatalysis, energy-related applications and others. He has authored and co-authored a wide range of peer-reviewed scientific journal papers in these fields including book chapters and conference proceedings. Further, he is a co-editor of scientific journals. Prof Nxumalo is a speaker in top international, government, community and scientific meetings. His partnerships and collaborators have grown to industries, governments and academic institutions locally, regionally and internationally. Prof Edward Nxumalo is the previous president of the South African Nanotechnology Initiative (SANi) and current Vice President of the African Membrane International Society (AMSIC) having previously served as a director of international relations. He is also a steering committee member of the South African Research Infrastructure Roadmap at the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI). In addition, he seats on boards of various local and international entities including companies in manufacturing, production and education.
Prof. Kizek is a distinguished professor of chemistry specializing in molecular biology, bioelectrochemistry, biosensors, metallomics, nanotechnology, and nanomedicine. He has held numerous prestigious positions in academia, including professor and head roles at Mendel University (MENDELU) and Wroclaw Medical University. He leads cutting-edge research in metallomics and nanomedicine, with a focus on developing innovative biosensors and exploring the biochemical roles of thiol compounds.
Prof. Kizek is also a prolific researcher with over 280 publications, more than 8,000 citations, and an H-index of 70. He has led and coordinated several high-profile international projects, such as the EU’s H2020 “FILODIAG” project and COST Action programs on nanomedicine and anti-microbial coatings. His international collaborations span institutions across Europe, Asia, and Africa, including longstanding partnerships with the University of Granada, Wroclaw Medical University, and South Africa’s Prof. Ofomaja.
In addition to his academic achievements, Prof. Kizek is an active member of several prestigious scientific societies and editorial boards, and has earned multiple awards for his contributions to sensors, oncology, and nanotechnology. He is also involved in industry as the co-founder of Prevention Medicals, contributing to the development of medical innovations.
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Olushola S Ayanda is an Associate Professor of Industrial Chemistry, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. He graduated from the University of Ilorin with a Bachelor of Science B.Sc. (Hons) and Master of Science (M.Sc.) Industrial Chemistry in 2005 and 2009, respectively. He holds a doctorate degree in Chemistry at Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa. He was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Environmental and Nanoscience Research Unit, University of the Western Cape, South Africa (2013-2014) and Vaal University of Technology, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa (2017-2019). He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Chemist of Nigeria.
Over the years, OS Ayanda has been involved in Hydrometallurgy, Nanoscience Research and the Advanced Oxidation Technology (AOT). In hydrometallurgy, he focuses on the extraction of valuable metals such as nickel, cobalt, tantalum, niobium etc. from ores and solid waste using aqueous chemistry, and in Nanoscience and AOT Research, OS Ayanda is dedicated to the development of nanoparticles and composite materials including the synthesis, modification, characterization and application of novel materials for the remediation of environmental pollutants. He is presently working on the application of nanomaterials combined with advanced oxidation treatment techniques for the removal of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), emerging micropollutants, pharmaceuticals, endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), etc. from contaminated drinking water and wastewater.
Olushola S Ayanda heads the Nanoscience Research Unit of the Department of Industrial Chemistry, Federal University Oye-Ekiti where he currently supervises undergraduates, MSc. and PhD students. He is an active reviewer, editor, and editorial board member to more than 40 international peer-reviewed journals and has published over 100 journal articles in accredited peer-reviewed journals.
He was the recipient of the 2019 NYA National Young Scientist Award/Prize in Chemical Sciences, Nigeria. He is currently the Head of Digital Transformation & Technology, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, as well as the Secretary to the Board, Federal University Oye-Ekiti Innovation Hub (FUOYE iLab).
My research is centred around using a multidirectional approach that combines the areas of biotechnology, ethnopharmacology and phytochemistry. During my tenure at Stellenbosch University (2005 to current), I established the area of medicinal plant biotechnology. In my group, we use cutting edge multi-omics technologies where we try and understand plants how plants function at genetic and biochemicals levels in relation to the production of specialized metabolites that are impart health-beneficiating properties to medicinal plants. We also aim to better characterize responses of medicinal plants to the environment to assist with the production of quality assured, economically suitable phytopharmaceutics. Several current projects employ in vitro plant propagation methods as a scientific tool to resolve from a genetic-to-metabolome effects on various plant species. Exploitation of such technologies also provides a tool that allows the conservation of indigenous medicinal plants that may face an overharvesting from wild populations. I have an interest in people-plant interactions and so my research is also focused on medicinal plants, their cultural significance and opportunities presented for socioeconomic development. This has led to me a collaborative partnership with the Cape Bush Doctors organization and this group of bush doctors holds deep knowledge with regards to medicinal plants of the greater Cape Floristic Region.
In 2011, I was a recipient of the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) Annual Award under the category Distinguished Young Black Researcher (Female), TW Kambule NRF award for 2011/12, and a Fulbright Research Scholar where I was positioned at the University of Minnesota in 2017 to 2018. In 2022, I was a finalist in the NSTF Awards for science communication. I am a founding member of the social advocacy movement founded in 2020, Black Botanists Week that aims to bring greater visibility to Black, Indigenous and People of Colour who may be formally and informally trained in terms of their interests in plants.