Dr. Lekgowa Collen Makola (Ph.D. Chemistry)
Wilgeheuwel, Johannesburg
Summary
Dedicated to fostering a culture of progressive hard work, characterized by exceptional interpersonal skills and a commitment to continuous development. Extensive experience includes research development, project conceptualization, materials characterization, teaching, and mentoring of undergraduate and postgraduate students. Strong scientific research capabilities in data acquisition, conceptualization, interpretation, and report writing are demonstrated by publications in DHET high-impact factor journals. Research specialties include nanotechnology, photoelectrochemistry, photocatalysis, photodynamic therapy, sustainable energy and water remediation, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and materials science. Currently serves as a Senior Scientist at Mintek (Council for Mineral Technology, South Africa), conducting research and development for commercial and internal mineral/chemical processing and mineralogical projects. Completed doctoral studies in chemistry (nanotechnology and materials sciences) at the University of Johannesburg (2025), and served as a research laboratory technician (specializing in analytical and Electron Microscopy instruments) at the University of the Witwatersrand within the School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Scientist
Mintek
Johannesburg, South Africa
01.2026 - Current
Conducting research and development work as a lead investigator in the mineral sciences and mineralogy division.
- Research and development through project conceptualization and proposal drafting.
- Analytical instruments operation, data acquisitions, analysis, and reporting to clients, and manuscript drafting for publications.
- Internal and external proposal drafting for funding applications.
- Training and mentoring of other staff members and students from other institutions.
- Engaged with customers to better understand needs and deliver excellent service.
- Identified issues, analysed information and provided solutions to problems.
- Prepared range of written communications, documents, and reports.
- Conducted electron microscopy and chemical analysis for both internal and commercial projects.
- Supported project proposal drafting and conceptualisation.
- Operated analytical instruments for data acquisition and provided analysis and reporting to clients.
- Contributed to manuscript drafting for publications.
- Aided in preparing funding applications through internal and external proposal drafting.
- Provided training and mentoring to staff and students from partner institutions.
- Collaborated with customers to understand their needs and deliver satisfactory service.
- Identified issues and analysed information to propose solutions.
- Prepared various written communications, documents, and reports.
Laboratory Technician (Electron Microscopy)
University of the Witwatersrand
Johannesburg, South Africa
05.2023 - 12.2025
Managing the analytical research instruments of the Wits School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering. Electron microscopy and analytical instruments specialist for chemical characterizations (nanostructured materials), materials development, and research investigations.
- Assisting students, academic researchers, and external or industry clients with analysis and reporting of data generated in the laboratories.
- Managing the instruments inventory online booking system for users, scheduling maintenance, ordering laboratory consumables, conducting users training, and report writing for industry clients.
- A wide range of areas of research, from hydrogen production, photocatalysis, carbon capture, photoelectrocatalysis, pharmaceutical formulations, metallurgical alloys, energy and water emerging technologies, and materials characterization.
- A plethora of samples: Nanomaterials, biological specimens, metallurgical mineral specimens, metals/alloys, fracture/failure analysis, and nanomaterials/nanocomposites.
- Trained new associates in laboratory procedures and standards.
- Conducted routine equipment maintenance, ensuring optimal performance and reducing downtime.
- Streamlined sample processing for faster turnaround times and improved customer satisfaction.
- Performed complex analyses using various instrumentation, delivering reliable data for informed decision making.
- Interpreted laboratory results to provide technical advice to scientists
- Manage students' accounts and conduct administrative duties related to laboratory research and teaching.
Assistant lecture and Laboratory Assistant
University of Johannesburg
08.2021 - 05.2023
- Assisting my Ph.D. Supervisor with lecturing of chemistry modules (First-year to final-year students) and demonstration of Organic chemistry third-year practicals.
- Conduct online and contact lessons.
- Preparation of assessments, tutorials, tests, and final year general chemistry exams.
- For practical demonstration, duties involved the preparation of chemical reagents and laboratory apparatus for organic and analytical chemistry practicals.
- Analytical instruments operator (UV, PL, NMR, FT-IR, Melting point analyser).
- Performed routine maintenance on laboratory equipment to uphold operational standards.
Chemistry Practicals Demonstrator
Rhodes University
02.2019 - 11.2020
- Assisting with chemistry and pharmacy undergraduates' practicals.
- Deliver preparatory talks before practicals, prepare chemical reagents and laboratory apparatus, and operate analytical laboratory instruments for qualitative and quantitative analysis.
- Enforce health and safety laboratory protocols.
- Facilitated hands-on sessions for students, enabling practical learning and confidence in chemistry.
Chemistry Laboratory Assistant
University of Limpopo
02.2018 - 11.2018
- Assisting with 3rd year chemistry (Physical and analytical) undergraduates' practicals.
- Deliver preparatory talks before practicals, prepare chemical reagents and laboratory apparatus, and operate analytical laboratory instruments.
- Assisted in the collection and analysis of samples, following strict safety protocols.
- Maintained a clean and organised laboratory environment to facilitate efficient workflow.
- Conducted daily preparation of laboratory reagents and solutions for various experiments.
Education
Master of Science - Chemistry
Rhodes University
Eastern Cape, Grahamstown 2019 - 2020
Doctor of Philosophy - Chemistry (Nanotechnology and Photoelectrocatalytic Material Sciences)
University of Johannesburg
Johannesburg 2021 - 2025
Bachelor of Sciences Honours - Chemistry
University of Limpopo
Limpopo, Polokwane 2018 - 2018
Bachelor of Science - Physical Sciences
University of Limpopo
Limpopo, Polokwane 2015 - 2017
Skills
- Ongoing professional development
- Efficient chemical handling practices
- Adaptability to multidisciplinary fields
- Management and organizational skills
- Clear verbal and written expression
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Numerical and theoretical learning
- Effective team contributor
- Laboratory equipment upkeep
- Analytical and organic chemistry
- Lab result interpretation
- Specimen preparation
- Research and documentation
- Multitasking and flexible
- Strong communication
- Innovative thinking
- Public speaking
- Project execution
- Lecturing proficiency
- Lecturing to large audiences
- Project management
- Research development
- Mentorship
Languages
English
Proficient
C2
Sepedi
Proficient
C2
IsiZulu
Intermediate
B1
Publications (Peer reviewed)
1. Exploring the intrinsic properties of a melamine-based covalent organic framework/nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide composite for advanced supercapattery applications, Journal of Energy Storage 154, Part C (2026) 121141.
2. Carbon nanotube/Bimetallic oxide-Copper-MOF (PdO-NiO-Cu-MOF-MWCNTs) composite for efficient hydrogen production from formic acid coupled with CO₂ utilization, International Journal of Electrochemical Science 21 (2026) 101250.
3. Photocatalytic Degradation of Hydroxychloroquine with a Multifunctional Cucurbit [7] uril-based Double Transition MXene (TiNbCTx@ α-Bi2O3/ZnSe) S-Scheme Heterostructure, Hybrid Advances Volume 11 (2025) 100540.
4. The Removal of Hydroxychloroquine and Oseltamivir from Wastewater Using a Simulated Lab-scale Bio-photocatalytic Wastewater Treatment Plant: Activated Sludge coupled with Calixarene@Nb2CTx@g-C3N4 Photocatalytic System, Chemical Engineering Journal Advances, Chemical Engineering Journal Advances 23, 100781.
5. Fabrication of a hyphenated S-scheme and Schottky-junction photocatalyst based on a ternary TiNbCTx@α-Bi2O3/ZnSe heterostructure with enhanced optical and photoelectrochemical properties, Surfaces and Interfaces, 51, 2024, 104766, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfin.2024.104766.
6. An insight into a novel calixarene-sensitized Calix@Nb2CTx/g-C3N4 MXene-based photocatalytic heterostructure: Fabrication, physicochemical, optoelectronic, and photoelectrochemical properties, Journal of Science: Advanced Materials and Devices, 8, 2023, 10.1016/j.nanoso.2022.100934.
7. MXene mediated layered 2D-3D-2D g-C3N4@WO3@Ti3C2T multijunctional heterostructure with enhanced photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic properties, Nano-Structures & Nano-Objects, 33, 2023, 10.1016/j.nanoso.2022.100934.
8. Facile fabrication of a metal-free 2D-2D Nb2CTx@g-C3N4 MXene-based Schottky-heterojunction with the potential application in photocatalytic processes, J. of Alloys and Compounds, 916, 2022, 10.1016/j.jallcom.2022.165459
9. Photodynamic therapy activity of 5,10,15-tris(5-bromo-2-thienyl),20(phenylcarboxy)porphyrin conjugated to graphene quantum dot against MCF-7 breast cancer cells, J. Coordination chemistry, 2022, 10.1080/00958972.2022.2087515
10. Photodynamic activity of novel cationic porphyrins conjugated to graphene quantum dots against Staphylococcus aureus, J. of Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines, 2022, 10.1142/S1088424622500316
11. Amphiphilic axially modified cationic indium-porphyrins linked to hydrophilic magnetic nanoparticles for photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy against gram-negative strain, Escherichia coli, Dyes and Pigments, 192, 2021, 10.1016/j.dyepig.2021.109262
12. Impact of axial ligation on photophysical and photodynamic antimicrobial properties of Indium (III) methylsulfanylphenyl porphyrin complexes linked to silver-capped copper ferrite magnetic nanoparticles, Polyhedron, 193, 2021, 10.1016/j.poly.2020.114882
13. Enhancement of Photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy through the use of Indium Cationic Porphyrin Conjugated to Ag/CuFe2O4 nanoparticles, Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy, 30, 2020, 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2020.101736
Research Conferences
- 15th European Congress on Catalysis, EuropaCat 2023, MXene-mediated layered 2D-2D-3D g-C3N4@Ti3C2T@WO3 multijunctional heterostructure with enhanced photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic properties, 2023-01-01
- Virtual Conference on Chemistry and its Applications (VCCA-2023), MXene mediated layered 2D-3D-2D g-C3N4@WO3@Ti3C2 multijunctional heterostructure with enhanced photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic properties, 2023-08-07
- 11th SANI NANOSCIENCE YOUNG RESEARCHERS SYMPOSIUM, An Insight into a Novel Calixarenesensitized Calix@Nb2CTx/g-C3N4 MXene-based Photocatalytic Heterostructure: Fabrication, Optoelectronic, and Photoelectrochemical Properties, 2023-09-07
- University of Johannesburg Symposium, MXene Mediated Layered 2D-2D-3D g-C3N4@Ti3C2T@WO3 Multijunctional Heterostructure with Enhanced Photoelectrochemical and Photocatalytic Properties, 2023-10-01
Analytical Instruments
- Photoelectrochemical Work Station, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS)
- Photoluminescence Spectroscopy (PL)
- Scanning electron microscope (SEM)
- Transmission electron microscope (TEM)
- X-Ray diffraction analysis (XRD)
- FTIR Spectroscopy (FTIR)
- Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)
- X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)
- Raman Spectroscopy
- UV-Vis Spectrophotometry
- Atomic force microscopy
- HPLC-DAAD
- MALDI-TOF MS
- UV-Vis DRS
- Dynamic light scattering (DLS)
- Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), N2, CO2
- Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
- Other analytical techniques
Certification
- Certifications for Occupational Health, Safety & Environment (OHS&E) Representative (Expiry date: 2028-06-23)
- Certified Level 1 First Aider (Expiry date: 2028-06-11)
- Zeiss Electron Microscopy
References
- Prof. Lizelle Van Dyk, HOD CHEMET, The University of the Witwatersrand, lizelle.vandyk1@wits.ac.za, 0117177552.
- Prof. Langelihle N. Dlamini, Ph.D. supervisor, University of Johannesburg, lndlamini@uj.ac.za, 011 559 6945.
- Mr. Motlatsi Phali, Line manager, University of the Witwatersrand, email: motlatsi.phali@wits.ac.za, Contacts: 011 717 7394.
- Dr. Deshenthree Chetty, HOD Mineral Sciences, Mintek, deshc@mintek.co.za, 011 709 4523.
- Prof. Kwena D. Modibane, B.Sc. Honours Supervisor and Mentor, University of Limpopo, kwena.modibane@ul.ac.za, 015 268 3783
- Dr. Siyasanga Mpelane, University of Johannesburg Instrument Scientist (Electron Microscopy) Contacts: 011 559 2635 email: smpelane@uj.ac.za.
Timeline
Senior Scientist
Mintek
01.2026 - Current
Laboratory Technician (Electron Microscopy)
University of the Witwatersrand
05.2023 - 12.2025
Assistant lecture and Laboratory Assistant
University of Johannesburg
08.2021 - 05.2023
Chemistry Practicals Demonstrator
Rhodes University
02.2019 - 11.2020
Chemistry Laboratory Assistant
University of Limpopo
02.2018 - 11.2018
Master of Science - Chemistry
Rhodes University
2019 - 2020
Doctor of Philosophy - Chemistry (Nanotechnology and Photoelectrocatalytic Material Sciences)
University of Johannesburg
2021 - 2025
Bachelor of Sciences Honours - Chemistry
University of Limpopo
2018 - 2018
Bachelor of Science - Physical Sciences
University of Limpopo
2015 - 2017