Prof T Matambo

Qualifications

1. Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Chemical Engineering (2010), University of the Witwatersrand
2. PhD. Biochemistry (2008), University of the Witwatersrand
3. Msc. Biochemistry (2003), Rhodes University
4. Bsc-Honours. Biotechnology (2000), Rhodes University
5. Bsc. Biochemistry and Microbiology (1999), Rhodes University

NRF Rating

Currently teaching

Prof Matambo is the head of the Biotechnology/Biochemical Engineering research group in the Institute for the Development of Energy for African Sustainability (IDEAS). He currently supervises two postdoctoral students, three Phd students and five masters students.

Key Performance Areas:

1.  Managing staff who are doing work on projects and research programmes under Biotechnology.
2. Engaging in research and produce accredited research outputs and research reports
3. Supervision of post graduates studies and any research activities that have the potential of research out puts.
4. Making decisions independently on technical problems and methods.
5. Devise new approaches to problems encountered.
6. Use of wide application of complex principles, theories and concepts in the specific field.
7. Exhibit creativity, foresight and mature judgement in conducting research projects.
8. Manage the successful delivery of research projects, undertake research design, data collection and analysis and produce insightful, stimulating reports.

Fields of academic interests

Prof Matambo's role is to promote, develop and implement effective research activities within Unisa. Participate and promote research in community engagement and Flagship programmes. To lead strategic projects for MaPS, work closely with Director, relieve the Director of some duties to ensure the smooth running of the Unit. Head and supervise the Biotechnology research Group and post-graduates studies. Promote the research within the group locally and internationally at conferences and workshops. Promote collaboration between Unisa and other tertiary institutions. Market research conducted within Unisa. Manage projects and consult on projects between Unisa, industry and Government. This position is very detail-orientated, involves multiple concurrent daily deadlines and tasks, and requires ability to perform under pressure.

Other interesest are :

Project Leader - Waste water and bioremediation consortium (Sponsored by DST)

• • Biological waste water treatment from industry and domestic. Institutes involved are Unisa, CPUT, UJ, and UNIVEN

Technical Leader – Biodigesters and Biogas (Sponored by Exxaro Chair and SANEDI)

• • installation of Biodigesters in rural Eastern Cape and Gauteng Province. Institutes involved are Unisa (IDEAS), Exxaro Chair, SANEDI                            

Project Leader - Green Energy for Africa Research (GEAR) Flagship

• • Developing an energy “village” concept, which highlights the use of renewable energy to sustain an community. Project involves; Biogas, Solar, Wind, Water, Food. Institutes involved include UNISA (IDEAS), CAES, CSET.                                

Field of Specialisation

Prof Matambo is an expect in biogas production, wastewater treatment and treatment of Acid Mine Drainage.

Journal articles

1. Ijoma, G., Selvarajan, R., Oyourou, J-N, Sibanda, T., Matambo, TS., Monanga, A and Mkansi. 2019. Exploring the application of bio stimulation strategy for bacteria in the industrial effluent. Annals of Microbiology. DOI: 10.1007/s13213-01901443-6.
2. Rashama, C., Ijoma, G and Matambo, TS. 2019. Biogas generation from by-products of edible oil processing: a review of opportunities, challenges and strategies.  DOI.org/10.1007/s13399-019-00385-6.
3. Moreroa, M., Hildebrandt, D and Matambo, T.S. 2018. Aerobic Bioremedoiation of Fisher-Tropsch Effluent – short chain alcohols and volatile fatty acids, Proceedings of the World Congress on Engineering and Computer Science. Vol II.
4. Rashama, C and Matambo, T.S. 2018 investigating the fermentability of synthetic medium-density fiberboard wastewater to alcohol and effects of co-fermenting the wastewater with sucrose, Biofuels, doi.org/10.1080/17597269.2018.1475712.
5. Muvhiiwa, R.F., Hildebrandt, D., Chimwani, N., Ngubevana, L and Matambo, T.S. 2017. The Impact and Challenges of Sustainable Biogas Implementation Towards a Bio-based Economy. Energy, Sustainability and Society. 7: 20 DOI 10.1186/s13705-017-0122-3.
6. Muvhiiwa, R.F., Hildebrandt, D., Glasser, D., Lu, X, and Matambo, T.S. 2017. Applying Thermodynamics to Digestion/Gasification Processes: The Attainable Region Approach, Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry DOI 10.1007/s10973-016-6063-9.
7. Muvhiiwa, R.F., Chafa, P., Chikowore, N., Chitsiga, T., Matambo, T.S and Low, M. 2016. Effects of temperature and pH on biogas production from cow dung and dog faeces, Africa Insight Special Issue: Renewable Energy Transition under Climate Change and Green Economy in Africa. 45 (4) 167 – 181.
8. Low, M., Glasser, D., Ming, D., Hildebrandt, D and Matambo, T. 2015. Batch Partial Emptying and Filling To Improve the Production Rate of Algae, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 54: 12492-12502.
9. Muvhiiwa, R.F., Hildebrandt, D., Glasser, D. and Matambo, T.S. 2015. A Thermodynamic Approach to Biogas Production, AIChe. J. 16: 4270 - 4276.
10.  Diale, P.P., Muzenda, E., Matambo, T.S., Glasser, D., Hildebrandt, D and Zimba, J. 2011. Biosorption of Heavy metals contaminating the wonderfonteinsruit catchment area using Desmodesmus sp. World Acd. Sci. Eng and Tech 76: 821- 830.
11. Kativu, E., Hildebrandt, D., Matambo, T.S and Glasser, D. 2011. Effects of CO₂ on South African Fresh Water Microalgae Growth. Envrio Prog and Sustainable Energ. 31: DOI 10.1002
12. Christian, R.N., Matambo, T.S., Spillings, B.L.,Brooke, B.D., Coetzee, M, and Koekemoer, LL. 2011. Age-related pyrethroid resistance is not a function of P450 gene expression in the major African malaria vector, Anopheles funestus (Diptera: Culicidae). GMR. 10: 3220-3229.
13. Ntoampe, M., Matambo, T.S., Glasser, D. and Hildebrandt, D. 2010. Microbial fuel and chemical production using sweet potatoes. Design & Nature V, Comparing in Nature with Science and Engineering. 138: 213.
14. Matambo, T.S., Paine, J.I.P., Coetzee, M and Koekemoer, L.L. 2010. Sequence characterization of cytochrome P450 CYP6P9, CYP6P13 and redox partners in pyrethroid resistant and susceptible Anopheles funestus (Diptera: Culicidae). GMR. 9: 554-564.
15. Abdalla, H., Matambo, T.S., Koekemoer, L. L., Mnzava, A., Hunt, R. H and Coetzee, M. 2008. Insecticide susceptibility and vector status of natural populations of Anopheles arabiensis from Sudan. Trans. R. Soc. Trop. Med. Hyg. 102: 263-271.
16. Matambo, T.S.,  Abdalla, H., Brooke, B. D., Koekemoer, L. L., Mnzava, A., Hunt, R. H and Coetzee, M. 2007. Insecticide resistance in Anopheles arabiensis and association with the kdr mutation. Med. Vet. Entomol. 21: 97-102.
17. Brook, B. D, Hunt, R.H., Matambo, T.S., Koekemoer, L. L., Van Wyk, P., and Coetzee, M. 2006. Dieldrin resistance in the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. Med. Vet. Entomol 20: 294-299.
18. Matambo, T.S., Odunuga, O. O., Boshoff, A., and Blatch,G. L. 2004. Over-production, purification and characterization of the Plasmodium falciparum heat shock protein 70. Prot. Exp. Purif. 33: 214-222.

PUBLICATIONS (Non-Peer reviewed)

1. Nedambale, N., Ndlovu, T., Ntombela, T., Matambo, T.S., Low, M and Harding, K.G. 2014. Alternative Testing Methods to Determine the Quality of Biodiesel, Chem. Techn. 16-20.
2. Nedambale, N., Thokan, Z., Whitaker, R., Matambo, T.S., Low, M and Harding, K.G. 2013. Biodiesel purification: Comparing Water Washing with Ion Exchange Resins, Chem. Techn. 28-33.
3. Ranchod, N., Grewan, S., Nedambale, N., Matambo, T.S., Low, M and Harding. K.G. 2013. Biodiesel Production using a membrane reactor. Chem Tech, 21-25.

Paper presentations

1. Moreroa, M., Hildebrandt, D and Matambo, TS.  Treatment of Fischer-Tropsch effluent containing valeric acid Adsorption studies, Oral presentation, WISA conference, Cape Town, South Africa, 2018.
2. Moreroa, M., Ijoma, G and Matambo, TS.  Bioremediation of Fischer-Tropsch effluent using a packed unplanted wetland, Oral presentation, WaterNet conference, Livinstone, Zambia, 2018.
3. Moreroa, M., Hildebrandt, D and Matambo, TS. 2018. Aerobic Bioremedoiation of Fisher-Tropsch Effluent – short chain alcohols and volatile fatty acids, Oral presentation, World Congress on Engineering and Computer Science, San Francisco, USA, 2018.
4. Sethunya, VL, Matambo, TS and Hildebrandt, D. Biogas Production from Kitchen Waste for a Household Sustainability, Poster presentation, International Conference on Bioenergy, Biogas and Biogas Production, World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, Cape Town, South Africa, 2018.
5. Simbayi, TM, Hildebrandt, D, and Matambo, TS. Biogas Production Using Water Hyacinth as a Means of Waste Management Control at Hartbeespoort Dam, South Africa, Poster presentation, International Conference on Bioenergy, Biogas and Biogas Production, World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, Cape Town, South Africa, 2018.
6. Mthethwa, V, Matambo, TS and Hildebrandt, D. Analysis of Product Formation in Biological Systems Using Thermodynamics, Poster presentation, International Conference on Bioenergy, Biogas and Biogas Production, World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, Cape Town, South Africa, 2018.
7. Matambo, T.S. Biogas in communities, Oral presentation, 3rd National Biogas Conference, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2017.
8. Christie, J, and Matambo, T.S. Understanding the Hydrology of Construncted Wetlenats: An application of Computational Fluid Dynamics, SASOL Research Seminar, South Africa, 2017.
9. Ndlangamandla, P., Masuku, C.M., Matambo, T.S, and Hildebrandt, D. Enhancement of methane production through anaerobic digestion of various substrates, Bioresource Technology for Bioenergy, Bioproducts & Environmental Sustainability, Sitges, Spain, 2016.
10. Rashama, C., Hildebrandt, D, and Matambo, TS.  Sustainability perspective of co-fermenting wood processing wastewater and sucrose for bioethanol fuel production. ECO-BIO, Poster Presentation, Rotterdam, Netherlands, 2016.
11. Muvhiiwa, R., Hildebrandt, D, Matambo, T.S and Glasser, D. Theoretical and Experimental Analysis on Biogas Production # 302, PSE2015/ESCAPE25 Poster Presentation, Copenhagen, Denmark, 2015.
12. Matambo, T.S. Biogas, What are the possibilities, Oral presentation, Unisa’s BRICS International Symposium on Energy, Materials and Innovation, South Africa, 2015.
13. Diale, P., Hildebrandt, D., Glasser, D. and Matambo, T.S. Experimental and Mathematical Modelling of Breakthrough Curves of Fe (II) on Immobilized Biomass in a Packed Column, Poster presentation, AIChE, Annual Meeting, USA, 2014.
14. Lo, M., Ming, D., Hildebrandt, D., Glasser, D. and Matambo, T.S. Early Results for the Improvement of Algae Production Using Partial Emptying and Filling, Oral presentation, AIChE, Annual Meeting, USA, 2014. 
15. Muvhiiwa, R.F., Hildebrandt, D., Glasser, D. and Matambo, T.S. Applying the Attainable Region Approach to Biogas Production, Oral presentation, AIChE, Annual Meeting, USA, 2014. 
16. Metzger, M.J., Matambo, T.S., Low, M., Muvhiiwa, R., Chafa, P., Glasser, D. and Hildebrandt, D. Effect of substrate and Temperature on biogas production from Anaerobic digestion, Poster presentation, AIChE, Annual Meeting, USA, 2012.
17. Diale, P.P., Matambo, T.S., Hildebrandt, D. and Glasser, D. Modelling of Iron (II) Biosorption by Immobilized Microalgae (Desmodesmus sp.) in a Packed Bed Bioreactor. Oral presentation, SAIChE International Conference, 2012.
18. Sabbagh, L-A., Hildebrandt, D. and Matambo, T.S. Surface modification of Various Substrates for Microbial Adsorption Optimization. Poster presentation, AIChE spring Meeting & 7^th Global Congress on Process Safety, USA, 2011.
19. Ntoampe, M., Matambo, T.S., Glasser, D. and Hildebrandt, D. Microbial fuel and chemical production using sweet potatoes. Oral presentation, Design & Nature V, 2010
20. Kativu, E., Matambo, T.S., Hildebrandt, D., Glasser, D. and Rumbold, K.  Effects of Nitrogen Ions Concentration On South African Fresh Water High CO2 Tolerant Microalgae Growth. Oral presentation, AIChE, Spring Meeting & 6th Global Congress on Process Safety, USA, 2010.
21. Kativu, E., Matambo, T.S., Hildebrandt, D. and Glasser, D. Effects of CO2 on South African Fresh Water microalgae Growth.  Oral presentation, AIChE Annual Meeting, USA, 2010
22. Attended the South African Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology conference in Pretoria, October 2002.
23. Wits Health Science Research day, 23 August 2006. (Attended).
24. CO₂ carbon capture and storage III, Global Approaches, Fossoil Fuel Foundation of Africa. 21 April 2008. (Attended).
25. Alternatives to Fossil Fuels: Biofuels, Fossoil Fuel Foundation of Africa. 12 June 2008. (Attended).
26. Matambo, T.S., Hildebrant, D. and Glasser, D. Algal growth as a method of producing biofuels. Oral presentation, 5^th international Conference of African Material Research Society (A-MRS), Nigeria, November 2009.
27. Matambo, T.S., Koekemoer, L. L. and Coetzee, M. Characterization of Cytochrome P450 (CYP6P9) from insecticide resistant malaria vector Anopheles funestus. Oral presentation, Molecular and Cell Biology Group Symposium, 17 October 2007.
28. Matambo, T.S., Koekemoer, L. L. and Coetzee, M. Characterization of Cytochrome P450 (CYP6P9) from insecticide resistant malaria vector Anopheles funestus. Poster presentation, National Institute for Communicable Diseases academic day, 27 -28 November 2006.
29. Matambo, T.S., Koekemoer, L. L. and Coetzee, M. Characterization of Cytochrome P450 (CYP6P9) from insecticide resistant malaria vector Anopheles funestus. Poster presentation, Molecular and Cell Biology Group Symposium, 5 October 2006.
30. Matambo, T.S., Odunuga, O. O. and Blatch,G.L.. Over-production, purification and characterization of the Plasmodium falciparum heat shock protein 70.Poster presentation, South African Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, November 2004.
31. Matambo, T.S., Odunuga, O. O. and Blatch,G.L.. Over-production, purification and characterization of the Plasmodium falciparum heat shock protein 70. Oral presentation, Eastern Cape Biochemistry symposium, November 2001.

Professional positions, fellowships & awards

1. Professional Natural Scientist with South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) (Reg No. 114002).
2. Academic member of the Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA) (Membership No.27949).
3. Member of the South African Society for Microbiology (Membership No. 4845). 

Awards:

2017:     Bioremediation consortium Project (UNISA, CPUT, UJ and UNIVEN) (2017-21)   R7, 500, 000

2017:     NRF Research Development grants for Y-rated researcher (2017-19)                   R 260, 000

2016:     SASOL grant (2016-18)                                                                                           R 880, 000

2015:     NRF incentive fund (2015-20)                                                                                  R 20, 000/year

2015:     NRF Y2

2012:     International Foundation for Science grant                                                               US$12,000

Nominated for two prestigious 2017/2018 NSTF-South32 Awards

1. TW Kambule-NSTF Awards: Emerging researcher
   1. (contribution to research and its outputs over a period of up to 6 years in research, predominantly in South Africa)
2. Special Annual Theme Award: Towards Sustainable Energy for All
   1. For 2018, the award is made in recognition of the ‘International Decade of Sustainable Energy for All’ as declared by the United Nations

Projects

1. Installation of Biogas digestor in Communities. The project is in collaboration with the Institute for Corporate Citizenship and SANEDI
   • 12 x 10m3 installed in Melani Village with University of Fort Hare (2014).
   • 1 m3 installed at the EARTH Centre, Johannesburg (2018).
   • 50 m3 under construction on farm in Mildersdrift (2019).
   • To installed in rural Limpopo with the University of Venda.