Departments Applied Sciences
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Head of Department: Prof Feroz Mahomed Swalaha Tel: 031 373 2689 Email: fswalaha@dut.ac.za Campus: Steve Biko Campus ORCID ID: 0000-0002-9184-1360 SCOPUS ID: 6505713815 Qualification & Institution: DTech (DUT) Area of Expertise: Water and wastewater treatment, water-borne microbial pathogens, biostatistics . Short Bio: Prof. Feroz Mahomed Swalaha is the acting Head of the Department of Biotechnology & Food Technology, Durban University of Technology. He has worked extensively in the fields of biological wastewater treatment with the aid of mathematical modelling and statistical experimental design. Prof. Swalaha is has previously worked on modelling anaerobic digestion with genetic algorithms,… Readmore |
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Secretary: Mrs. Priscilla Phillips Tel: 031 373 5321 Email: phillipp@dut.ac.za Location: S9 Level 1 Campus: Steve Biko Campus Area of Expertise: Office Administration |
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Professor: Prof Kugen Permaul Tel: 031 373 5327 Email: kugen@dut.ac.za Location: S9 Level1 Campus: Steve Biko Campus ORCID ID: 0000-0001-5032-3092 SCOPUS ID: 15078201000 Qualification & Institution: PhD (UKZN) Area of Expertise: Expression and application of glycohydrolases . Short Bio : Prof K Permaul obtained his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. His early research projects focused on bacterial molecular genetics, especially plasmid biology. He graduated with a Ph.D in 1999 and spent a year as a postdoctoral fellow before being employed as a lecturer at the Durban University of Technology in 2000. Readmore |
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Professor: Prof Tukayi Kudanga Tel: 031 373 5286 Email: tukayik@dut.ac.za Campus: Steve Biko Campus ORCID ID: 0000-0003-0958-9846 SCOPUS ID: 56056164600 Qualification & Institution: PhD (TUGraz, Austria) Area of Expertise: Enzyme Biotechnology, Biocatalysis, Biomaterials . Short Bio: Professor Kudanga joined the Department of Biotechnology and Food Science as Associate Professor in September 2014 and was promoted to Full Professor in December 2018. His areas of expertise include enzyme Biotechnology, biocatalysis and biomaterials. His current research focuses mainly on enzymatic synthesis of bioactive compounds, enzymatic modification of food biopolymers, and development of green technologies for functionalization of lignocellulose materials. Readmore |
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Professor: Prof Eric Amosnou Tel: 031 373 5314 Email: eamonsou@dut.ac.za Campus: Steve Biko Campus Qualification & Institution: PhD Food Science (UP) ORCID ID: 0000-0001-6299-0466 SCOPUS ID: 26021735700 Area of Expertise: Functional food biopolymers . Short Bio: Prof Amonsou is currently a C2-Rated NRF Scientist in South Africa and the leader of the Food and Nutrition security research focus area at the Durban University of Technology. He won several awards including the DUT innovators of the year. Prof Amonsou research activities focused on plant protein characterisation and modification for improved functionality and application in emulsion stabilisation and formation of hydrogels. Readmore |
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Professor: Prof Oluwatosin Ademola Ijabadeniyi Tel: 031 373 5310 Email: oluwatosini@dut.ac.za Campus: Steve Biko Campus ORCID ID: 0000-0002-6283-8517 Qualification & Institution: PhD Food Science (UP) Area of Expertise: Food Safety and Quality . Short Bio: Professor Ijabadeniyi is a Professor in the Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Durban University of Technology. His current research focuses on incidence of food borne pathogens that constitute public health risk, including Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli OI57:H7 Salmonella and Aspergillus flavus. The use of different interventions to control persistent pathogens in foods also form a vital part of his food safety… Readmore |
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Associate Professor: Dr John Mellem Tel: 031 373 5592 Email: johnm@dut.ac.za Campus: Steve Biko Campus ORCID ID: 0000-0002-4784-699X SCOPUS ID: 41361686800 Qualification & Institution: DTech: Food Technology (DUT) Area of Expertise: Bioactive peptides to address non-communicable diseases . Short Bio: Prof John Mellem is an Associate Professor within the Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology at the Durban University of Technology (DUT). His role at DUT focuses on capacity development through teaching, research, and postgraduate supervision, and is one of three leading researchers within a relatively newly created research focus area in DUT,… Readmore |
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Associate Professor: Prof Viresh Mohanlall Tel: 031 373 5426 Email: vireshm@dut.ac.za Location: B Block, 1st Floor Campus: ML Sultan Campus ORCID ID: 0000-0002-0103-7089 SCOPUS ID: 14825471800 Qualification & Institution: B. Tech – Food Technology Area of Expertise: Phytochemistry and drug development . Short Bio: Prof. Mohanlall joined the department in 1996 and is an Associate Professor. His areas of expertise include biochemistry, phytochemistry, indigenous plant knowledge, nanotechnology, drug development and discovery and analytical chemistry. Prof. Mohanlall and the Plant Biotechnology Research Group have isolated new lead compounds from plant species and chemically synthesized analogues of the natural compounds to enhance its biological activity. Readmore |
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Associate Professor: Prof Santhosh Kuttan Pillai Tel: 031 373 5329 Email: santhoshk@dut.ac.za Campus: Steve Biko Campus ORCID ID: 0000-0003-3474-1555 SCOPUS ID: 57194010507 Qualification & Institution: DTech: Biotechnology (DUT) Area of Expertise: Microbial Biotechnology, Enzymology, Plant Pathology . Short Bio: Prof Santhosh K Pillai is an Associate Professor at the Department of Biotechnology and Food Science. His passion lies in teaching and training undergraduate students in Fermentation Science, Mycology and Bacteriology. Prof Pillai is actively involved in research, and his current research area encompasses bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass to bioenergy and other value-added products (biohydrogen,… Readmore |
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Senior Lecturer: Dr Sabiu Saheed Tel: 031 373 5330 Email: sabius@dut.ac.za Location: S9 Level1 Campus: Steve Biko Campus Qualification & Institution: PhD (UFS) ORCID ID: 0000-0001-7209-9220 SCOPUS ID: 56530797400/56534012900 Area of Expertise: Drug Discovery/Development, Phytotherapeutics, and Viral Metagenomics . Short Bio: Dr. Saheed is an NRF Y-rated researcher and currently researching into the detailed concepts of therapeutic mechanisms of secondary metabolites in degenerative and microbial diseases while reporting health benefits in a way that will provide valuable data which will lead to new small molecule targets that could potentially be lead for drug discovery. Readmore |
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Senior Lecturer: Biotechnology: Ms Sarla Juglal Tel: 031 373 5642 Email: sarlaj@dut.ac.za Location: B Block, 1st Floor Campus: ML Sultan Campus Qualification & Institution: MTech: Biotechnology (DUT) Area of Expertise: Microbiology, Medical Mycology . Short Bio: Ms Juglal delivers the modules in Food Microbiology and Food Biotechnology, and team teaches Bacteriology 3 for the Degree program. She is the undergraduate staff-student liaison for Biotechnology and co-ordinates the admissions for the Advanced Diploma in the Biotechnology program. She is part of the team that developed, and hosts the short course on Good Microbiological Practices. Ms Juglal’s current research study involves filamentous fungal respiratory infections. |
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Lecturer: Mrs Sharlynn Beekrum Tel: 031 373 5326 Email: sharlynn@dut.ac.za Campus: Steve Biko Campus ORCID ID: 0000-0002-4430-0422 Qualification & Institution: MTech: Food Technology (DUT) Area of Expertise: Food product development, food processing and preservation, food quality assurance and control . Short Bio: Mrs Beekrum is a graduate from DUT (MTech: Food Technology). Her teaching responsibilities include Food Quality Management, Food Product Development, Food Legislation and Advances in Food Science. In addition, she is the staff student liaison for the Food Science students as well as the coordinator of the Advanced Diploma Program. She is also involved in facilitating short courses for the food industry. Her current research area focuses on the characterization of microalgae for food applications. |
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Lecturer: Dr Algasan Govender Tel: 031 373 5355 Email: algasang@dut.ac.za Location: S9 Level1 Campus: Steve Biko Campus ORCID ID: 0000-0003-1107-7110 SCOPUS ID: 36504152900 Qualification & Institution: PhD (UKZN) Area of Expertise: Molecular Biology/ Enzyme Technology . Short Bio: My current interests include the production of industrially relevant products using novel enzymes. The genes for that code for these enzymes are cloned are cloned into suitable host for high levels of expression. . Academic Interests: Enzyme Technology; molecular cloning |
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Junior Lecturer: Ms. Zikhona Truth Nyawose Tel: 031 373 5332 Email: ZikhonaN@dut.ac.za Campus: Steve Biko Campus Qualification & Institution: MAppSc (Food Sci & Tech) (DUT) Area of Expertise: Food Science . Short Bio: She joined DUT as an undergraduate student in 2011. She completed her Masters in 2019 and currently pursuing her PhD in Food Science and Technology. Currently, her research focuses on the anticancer potential of plant peptides. . Academic Interests: Research, Food Chemistry, Food Science and Technology. Readmore |
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Senior Laboratory Technician: Research: Dr Adarsh Kumar Puri Tel: 031 373 2349/ 062 702 3091 Email: adarshp@dut.ac.za Location: S9 Level1 Campus: Steve Biko Campus ORCID ID: 0000-0002-2261-413X Qualification & Institution: Ph.D. (Microbiology) – University of Delhi, India Area of Expertise: Environmental Biotechnology, Enzyme Technology, Microbiology . Short Bio: Dr Puri joined the Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology as a postdoctoral fellow in the Enzyme Technology Research group during April 2013. His area of expertise include Enzyme Technology, Environmental Biotechnology, Fermentation and Microbiology. Readmore |
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Senior Research Technician: Mr Melvin Makolomakwa Tel: 031 373 5108 Email: gaositwem@dut.ac.za Campus: Steve Biko Campus Qualification & Institution: MAppSci – DUT Area of Expertise: Enzyme technology . Short Bio: Mr Melvin’s academic background is on production, purification, characterization and application of enzymes. Currently, he is managing the research laboratories and actively involved in the day-to-day running of the labs. He assists research students with their experiments and operating laboratory equipment. . Academic Interests: Bioentrepreneurship |
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Senior Technician: Biotechnology: Ms Rena Brijlall Tel: 031 373 2061 Email: renab@dut.ac.za Campus: Steve Biko Campus Qualification & Institution BTech: Biotechnology (DUT) Area of Expertise: Biotechnology . Short Bio : Ms R Brijlal is a senior technician in one of the laboratories in the Biotechnology sector in the department of Biotechnology and Food Science. Ms Brijlal previously worked as a medical technologist at pathology laboratories, specializing in Microbiology. In the department, Ms Brijlal assists the head of department in supervising the undergraduate laboratory as well as assisting in the practical teaching of students in the various qualifications offered by the department. . Academic Interests: Microbiology, Bacteriology, Mycology |
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Senior Technician: Food Technology: Ms Samantha Govender Tel: 031 373 2738 Email: govends@dut.ac.za Campus: Steve Biko Campus Qualification & Institution: MTech: Food Technology (DUT) Area of Expertise: Food processing, Food chemistry |
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Lab Technician: Mr Vee Dilrajh Tel: 031 373 5309 Email: veed@dut.ac.za Location: S9 01 Food tech laboratory Campus: Steve Biko Campus Qualification(s): NHD Food technology (NT) Area of Expertise: Food science & technology . Short Bio: Food technologist 21 years experience in Food industry and 20 years in Academia. Proficiency areas-Food product development, analytical testing of food products ,ingredients, packaging (microbial ,physical and chemical), industrial food processing and staff training. Working with food technology students and also assisting start up food companies and entrepreneurs. |
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Technician: Food Technology: Mrs Ravika L Mohanlall Tel: 031 373 5746 Email: ravikam@dut.ac.za Campus: Steve Biko Campus Qualification & Institution: BTech: Food Technology (DUT) Area of Expertise: Food science & technology . Short Bio: Mrs Mohanlall joined the department in 2012 in the Food Technology department as a food technology laboratory technician. Her area of expertise is food science and technology, food product development, quality assurance in the food industry and food safety and legislation. Readmore |
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Laboratory Technician: Ms Sharon Govender Dhani Tel: 031 373 6305 Email: sharong@dut.ac.za Campus: Steve Biko Campus Qualification & Institution: MTech: Biotechnology (DUT) Area of Expertise: Biotechnology . Short Bio: Ms Govender obtained her M.Tech in Biotechnology from the Durban University of Technology in 2011. She joined Department of Biotechnology and Food Science in 2003.She is currently a technician in the microbiology laboratory. Her area of expertise is Microbiology. Ms Govender is involved in consultancy, comprising testing of water, food and environmental samples. . Academic Interests: Bacteriology, Bioprocessing, Medical Microbiology and Biology |
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Technician: Biotechnology: Ms Predeshini Naicker Tel: 031 373 5311 Email: naickerp@dut.ac.za Campus: Steve Biko Campus Qualification & Institution: BTech: Biotechnology (DUT) Area of Expertise: Biotechnology . Short Bio: Ms Naicker joined the Department in 1996 as a Biotechnology laboratory technician and currently holds a Bachelor of Technology degree in Biotechnology. Her areas of expertise include Food Microbiology, Mycology and Bacteriology. She is the co-ordinator of the tutorship programme that recruits post graduate students to assist with ‘at risk’ students in specific modules of the Biotechnology and Food Science programmes. She is also part of the team that conducts the short course Good Microbiological Laboratory Practice for the department. |
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Laboratory Technician: Mrs Siphiwengesihle Mbamali Tel: 031 373 5325 Email: siphiwengesihled@dut.ac.za Campus: Steve Biko Qualification & Institution: BTech: Biotechnology (DUT) Area of Expertise: Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnolo . Short Bio (limited to 1 paragraph): Mrs Mbamali joined the department as a Technician in 2010. She was previously employed as a Biology (DNA) Forensic Analyst. She obtained her BTech in 2006 before being employed in the public sector. She is currently completing her Master’s degree in Biotechnology, with a specific focus on Recombinant DNA Technology and Enzyme Technology. Mrs Mbamali is passionate in helping students grasp practical knowledge in the area of Molecular Biology. . Academic Interests: Molecular Biology, Recombinant DNA Technology, Analytical Biochemistry, Research projects |
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Technician: Biotechnology: Mrs Kameshnee Mellem Tel: 031 373 2475 Email: kameshneen@dut.ac.za Campus: Steve Biko Qualification & Institution: MTech: Biotechnology (DUT) Area of Expertise: Biotechnology . Short Bio: Mrs Mellem joined the department as a Laboratory Technician in 2010. She was previously employed in industry as a Microbiology Laboratory Supervisor. She obtained her MTech: Biotechnology in 2010 within the Research Focus Area of Enzyme Technology. Mrs Mellem has supervised and assisted several undergraduate and postgraduate students. Readmore |
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Technical Assistant: Mr. Zwelakhe Elliot Ncayiyana Tel: 031 373 5283 Email: zwelakhen@dut.ac.za Location: B Block, 1st Floor Campus: Steve Biko Qualification & Institution: PG Dip: Management (UKZN) Area of Expertise: Local Economic Development |
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Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Dr Depika Dwarka Tel: 031 373 5283/ 084 551 3479 Email: depikad@dut.ac.za Campus: Steve Biko ORCID ID: 0000-0001-8386-8056 Qualification & Institution: PhD Biology (UKZN) Area of Expertise: Drug discovery, human cell culture, Electron microscopy, phytochemistry . Short Bio: Dr Depika Dwarka completed her PhD at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and developed an exceptional grasp on the importance of medicinal sciences in the success of a nation and industry. Her extensive laboratory techniques are a tremendous advantage in designing and implementing new projects. Readmore |
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Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Dr Nkosikho Dlangamandla Tel: 083 8719 509 Email: nkosikhod@dut.ac.za Location: B Block, 1st Floor Campus: Steve Biko ORCID ID: 0000-0002-5653-519 SCOPUS ID: 57193389390 Qualification & Institution: DEng Chemical Engineering (CPUT) Area of Expertise: Chemical Engineering, Enzymology and Bioprocessing . Short Bio: I am a Chemical Engineer, and a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at Durban University of Technology. I hold a Doctoral of engineering in chemical engineering from Cape Peninsula University of Technology. My current research interests are on bioprocessing, enzymatic technology, renewable energy, and biocatalysts. Readmore |
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Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Dr Prashant Bhagwat Tel: 073 296 8278 Email: prashantb@dut.ac.za Campus: Steve Biko Campus ORCID ID: 0000-0001-5790-7824 SCOPUS ID: 55817440600 Qualification & Institution: PhD Microbiology (Shivaji University) Area of Expertise: Bioremediation, Microbial enzymology, Bioactive peptides . Short Bio: For a sustainable future, there is a call to increase the market share of bio-based products. Innovative enzyme solutions can potentially improve efficient biomass utilization by offering environmentally friendly technologies to produce bioactive products from biomass resources. Readmore |
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Laboratory Assistant: Mr. Azwimpheleli Arnold Mudzanani Tel: 031 373 5283 Email: azwimpheleliM@dut.ac.za Campus: Steve Biko Campus Qualification & Institution: BTech: Biotechnology (VUT) Area of Expertise: Biotechnology |
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Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Dr Abimbola Motunrayo Folami Email: Abimbolaf@dut.ac.za Campus: Steve Biko Campus ORCID ID: 0000-0001-5862-1465 SCOPUS ID: 39261289000 Qualification & Institution: PhD Biotechnology (DUT) Area of Expertise: Computational and molecular biotechnology; Environmental health/virology; Bioenergy and phytoremediation |
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Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Dr Freedom Tshabuse Tel: 031 373 5283/ 072 903 8889 Email: freedomt@dut.ac.za / freedomvincent@gmail.com Location: B Block, 1st Floor Campus: Steve Biko ORCID ID: 0000-0002-9183-3379 Qualification & Institution: PhD (Molecular and Cell Biology); UCT Area of Expertise: Microbial Ecology and Metabolomics . Short Bio: I received my undergraduate education at the University of Venda, where I completed a BSc (Hons) degree in Microbiology. I then moved to the University of the Western Cape, Department of Biotechnology, for further studies, earning both an MSc and then a PhD from the University of Cape Town. While waiting for my PhD results,… Readmore |
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Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Dr Londiwe Simphiwe Mbatha Email: prashantb@dut.ac.za Campus: Steve Biko Campus ORCID ID: 0000-0003-2310-9714 Qualification & Institution: PhD (UKZN) Area of Expertise: Biotechnology |
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Postdoctoral Research: Dr Karishma Singh Email: k1008.singh@gmail.com Tel: 076 315 5751 Campus: Steve Biko Campus Qualification & Institution: Ph.D (Biological Sciences) UKZN, Westville Area of Expertise: Plant Biotechnology . Short Bio: I attained an undergraduate and Honours degree at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth. I continued with a Master’s degree at the same University in the field of Nature Conservation. I then completed my Ph.D. at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in the field of Biological Sciences focusing on medicinal plants. Readmore |
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Lecturer: Dr Charlene Pillay Tel: 031 373 5324 Email: charlenep@dut.ac.za Campus: Steve Biko Campus Qualification & Institution: PhD: Microbiology (UKZN) Area of Expertise: Microbial Biotechnology . Short Bio: Dr Pillay have graduated with a PhD in 2013 from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Since 2015, she has been employed at the Durban University of Technology as a lecturer and Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Coordinator. Dr Pillay has taught numerous modules at the undergraduate level with supervision of four BTech students and co-supervision of one Master student. Readmore |
Post Doctoral Fellows
| Dr Jetendra Roy | Enzyme Technology | jetendrar@dut.ac.za | 031 373 5355 |
| Dr Algasan Govender | Enzyme Technology | algasang@dut.ac.za | 031 373 5355 |
| Dr Adarsh Puri | Enzyme Technology | adarshp@dut.ac.za | 031 373 2349 |
BIOTECHNOLOGY & FOOD TECHNOLOGY – STAFF PROFILES