Valentia Pheladi Letswalo

A Ph.D. Candidate in Chemistry at the University of Johannesburg, specializing in environmental remediation through nanotechnology and membrane technology. Extensive experience in research development, project conceptualization, and mentoring postgraduate students, including supervision of a master's thesis on photocatalytic degradation of microplastics from wastewater. Holds a Master of Science degree in Chemistry with distinction and has authored four published scientific manuscripts, three as the first author, demonstrating a commitment to advancing knowledge in the field. Proficient in various research software applications and analytical instruments for data analysis, including TEM, SEM, XRD, FT-IR, UV-Vis, contact angle measurement, PL, and Raman spectroscopy, enhancing the ability to contribute effectively to research projects. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals. Proactive and goal-oriented professional with excellent time management and problem-solving skills. Known for reliability and adaptability, with swift capacity to learn and apply new skills. Committed to leveraging these qualities to drive team success and contribute to organizational growth.

Research Expertise:

• Materials science
• Photocatalysis
• Membrane science
• Water treatment

Research Interests:

• Membrane technology: Develop and evaluate novel mixed matrix membranes functionalized with hyperbranched polymers, catalytic and photocatalytic nanoparticles.
• Photodegradation: Develop and evaluate the modified membranes for removal/degradation of organic and inorganic pollutants from water.

Research statistics:

• Google Scholar: H-index: 3, Citations: 31 https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=ov3JbAkAAAAJ
• Scopus: H-index: 3, citations: 30 https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57409281400
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/valentia-letswalo-955096155
• ResearchGate:https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Valentia Letswalo
• ORCID profile: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4314-4798

Postgraduate mentoring:

• Ms MK Masango, MSc chemistry. The removal of microplastics in water by a combination of photocatalysis and membrane fabrication. (Jan 2023-December 2025)

• Valentia Pheladi Letswalo, Thollwana Andretta Makhetha, Mathapelo Pearl Seopela, Anthony Szymczyk, Soraya Phumzile Malinga. Fabrication of a novel tin disulfide/vanadium carbide MXene (SnS2/V2CTx) photocatalytic heterojunction with the potential application for environmental remediation. Materials Science in Semiconductor Processing. 2024,184, 108803.
• Nosisa Mamba, Nkeshe K Ramogale, Busisiwe Stuurman, Valentia Pheladi Letswalo, Soraya P Malinga. Green Building Blocks for Membranes: Monomers, Polymers and Solvents. In book: Reference Module in Chemistry, Molecular Sciences and Chemical Engineering. Chapter: 00106.2024.
• VP Letswalo, LN Dlamini, SP Malinga. Efficient degradation of tetracycline using a nanostructured g-C3N4/Nb2O5/HPEI/PES photocatalytic membrane. Environmental Sciences Journal. 2022, 10, 100322.
• VP Letswalo, LN Dlamini, SP Malinga. A 2D/1D g-C3N4/Nb2O5 heterostructure in HPEI template with the potential for water treatment. Material Letter X. 12 (2021)100100.

• Valentia Pheladi Letswalo , Thollwana Andretta Makhetha, Mathapelo Pearl Seopela, Anthony Szymczyk, Soraya Phumzile Malinga. MXene composite membranes for water treatment. Oral presentation. France/South Africa Workshop. Institut des Sciences Chimiques, de Rennes Campus Beauliue (France). 21 November 2024.
• Valentia Pheladi Letswalo , Thollwana Andretta Makhetha, Mathapelo Pearl Seopela, Anthony Szymczyk, Soraya Phumzile Malinga. Photocatalytic nanostructure
  membranes for degradation of emerging pollutants. Oral presentation. South Africa/France (PROTEA) Workshop. University of Johannesburg (South Africa). 20 June
  2024.
• VP Letswalo , LN Dlamini, SP Malinga. Photocatalytic nanocomposite membranes based on g-C3N4/Nb2O5/HPEI/PES for the degradation of a pharmaceutical pollutant in water. Oral Presentation. ESKOM Water and Wastewater Technologies Conference
• VP Letswalo , LN Dlamini, SP Malinga. Photocatalytic nanocomposite membranes based on g-C3N4/Nb2O5/HPEI/PES for the degradation of a pharmaceutical pollutant in water. Poster Presentation. Nanoscience Young Researchers Symposium- 2023. 07 September 2023. Second position winner
• VP Letswalo , LN Dlamini, SP Malinga. Photocatalytic nanocomposite membranes based on g-C3N4/Nb2O5/HPEI/PES for the degradation of a pharmaceutical pollutant in water. Oral Presentation. The Special Edition to Celebrate 40t h EMS Anniversary. Euromembrane 2022: 20-24 November 2022.
• VP Letswalo , LN Dlamini, SP Malinga. Photocatalytic nanocomposite membranes based on g-C3N4/Nb2O5/HPEI/PES for the degradation of a pharmaceutical pollutant in water. Oral Presentation. NYRS 2020/21, online, 7-8 October 2021

Nanoscience Young Researchers Symposium-2023. 07 September 2023. Second position winner (Poster presentation)

PROTEA student exchange program between South Africa and France (2024-2025).

NRF postgraduate Scholarship: R180,000 awarded to further my PhD studies.

English

Sepedi

Judge for primary and high school learner’s projects at the annual Eskom Science Expo (2024, Wits University).

Judge for primary and high school learner’s projects at the annual Eskom Expo (2025, Wits University)

• Intel Learn Easy Steps Course: Introduction to computers; Internet & Email; Word processing; Spreadsheets; PowerPoint; Entrepreneurship; Social media
• Nematech Science Graduate Mentorship Programme, in partnership with the Department of Science and Innovation.

• SP, Malinga, Associate Professor, smalinga@uj.ac.za, +27 11 559 9008, University of Johannesburg, MSc & PhD Supervisor
• LN, Dlamini, Associate Professor, ldlamini@uj.ac.za, +27 11 559 6924, University of Johannesburg, MSc Co-Supervisor
• C, Njoku, Post-Doctoral, Kutechi02@gmail.com, +27 74 919 0691, North-West University, Honors Mentor