Group Leader
Prof. Kenneth Ikechukwu Ozoemena
(SARChI Chair: Materials Electrochemistry and Energy Technologies (MEET))

Qualifications: BSc (Hons) (upper 2nd class div.) Industrial Chemistry (ABSU, Nigeria)1992; MSc Chemistry (Unilag, Nigeria) 1997; MSc Pharmaceutical Chemistry (Unilag, Nigeria)1998; PhD (Rhodes) 2003; PGDHE (Pretoria) 2008; MDP (Pretoria) 2011; CChem, C.REP, FASSAf, FRSC, FAS, FAAS
E-mail: Kenneth.ozoemena@wits.ac.za

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Kenneth Ikechukwu Ozoemena holds a PhD in Chemistry from Rhodes University (2003). He is Research Professor and South African Research Chair Initiative (SARChI) Chair (Tier 1) in Materials Electrochemistry and Energy Technologies (MEET) at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). Prior to joining Wits in 2017, he had worked at Rhodes University as Andrew W Mellon Foundation Lecturer in Chemistry (2004 – 2006), University of Pretoria as a Senior Lecturer in Chemistry (2006 – 2009), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) as Chief Research Scientist and Research Group Leader of the Electrochemical Energy Technologies (2009 – 2017). His key research activities are focused on advanced batteries, fuel cells and electrochemical sensors. He is a Fellow of the national Academy of Science of South Africa (FASSAf), Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences (FAAS), Vice-President and member of the Governing Council of the African Academy of Sciences, Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science (FAS), and Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC), and Fellow of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) at Coventry University, UK (2021).He serves on the Editorial Board of several journals, including Current Opinion in Electrochemistry (Elsevier), Scientific Reports (Nature Publishing), ChemComm (RSC publishing), and Energy Advances (RSC publishing). He is the Editor-In-Chief of the ELECTROCHEMISTRY COMMUNICATIONS (Elsevier) and the Associate Editor (responsible for Sensors) for ELECTROCATALYSIS (Springer Nature). Prof Ozoemena is an Adjunct Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, (USA).

Editorial & Scientific Leadership 

  • Editor-In-Chief, Electrochemistry Communications (Elsevier), 2023 – present
  • Associate Editor (Sensors), Electrocatalysis (Springer Nature), 2022 – present
  • Editorial Board, Scientific Reports (Nature Publishing Group), 2016 – present
  • Editorial Board, Current Opinion in Electrochemistry (Elsevier), 2016 – present
  • Editorial Board, Journal of Electrochemistry, 2017 – present
  • Editorial Board, Electrochimica Acta (Elsevier), 2024 – present
  • Section Editor (Energy Storage), Current Opinion in Electrochemistry (Elsevier), 2020 – present

Leadership Positions

  • Vice-President and Member of the Governing Council, African Academy of Sciences, 2023 – present

National/Professional Committees

  • Chair, South African National Mirror Committee (NMC) of SABS liaising with IEC TC105 Fuel Cell Technology, 2019 – present
  • Member, SABS Technical Committee on Energy Storage, SABS/063 BATTERIES, 2016 – present (also served in 2010)

Major Recognitions 

  • South Africa’s National Research Foundation (NRF) A-rated Scientist, 2023 – present
  • Certified Renewable Energy Professional (C.REP), Association of Energy Engineers (USA), 2017 – present

Editorial/Associate Editor Roles

  • Associate Editor (Power Sources), Electrochemistry Communications (Elsevier), 2022 – 2024
  • Editorial Board, Electrochemistry Communications (Elsevier), 2007 – 2023
  • Chief Editor, International Journal of Electrochemistry (Wiley), 2019 – 2022
  • Guest Editor, Electroanalysis (Wiley), 2020
  • Guest Editor, Electrochimica Acta (Elsevier), 2014
  • Guest Editor, Journal of Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines, 2011–2012

Service on National & International Panels

  • Assessor, NRF Evaluation & Rating Panels, 2017 – 2019
  • Member, Selection Committee, King Faisal Prize for Science, 2019
  • Member, NRF Specialist Committee for Chemistry, 2011 – 2015
  • Member, Executive Evaluation Committee (EEC) of the NRF, 2012 – 2013

  • Panel Member, International R&D Funding Programs, 2014–present, including:

    • The Future Leaders – African Independent Research (FLAIR) Fellowship Programme (AAS–Royal Society partnership, funded through GCRF)

    • European Union Commission Research Executive Agency (EU-REA)

    • Polish National Science Centre (Narodowe Centrum Nauki)

    • Chilean National Commission for Scientific and Technological Research (CONICYT)

    • National Foundation for Science and Technological Development (NAFOSTED, Vietnam)

National & International Awards

  • South African Chemical Institute (SACI) Gold Medal Awardee, 2025
  • Wits University Vice-Chancellor Award for Research Excellence, 2022
  • Finalist, NSTF-South32 Awards – Lifetime Award & Special Annual Theme Award, 2018/2019
  • China-Australia-South Africa Innovation & Entrepreneurship Award, 2018
  • CSIR CEO’s Award (most prestigious CSIR award), 2014
  • CSIR MSM Excellence Award – Innovation Award, 2016
  • CSIR MSM Excellence Award – Human Capital Development Award, 2016
  • CSIR Research Excellence Award – Established Researcher, 2012
  • CSIR MSM Research Excellence Award – Established Researcher, 2011
  • ‘Exceptional Young Researcher Achievement Award’, University of Pretoria, 2009
  • ‘Outstanding Young Academic’, Nigeria High Commission Achievement Awards, 2009
  • ‘Platinum Award of Excellence’, Nigerian Community in South Africa, 2019

Professional Fellowships

  • Fellow, Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), University of Coventry, 2021
  • Elected Member, Academy of Science of South Africa (MASSAf), 2016
  • Elected Fellow, African Academy of Sciences (FAAS), 2015
  • Elected Fellow, Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC, UK), 2011
  • Chartered Chemist (CChem), Royal Society of Chemistry (UK), 2008

Academic Appointments

  • Extra-ordinary Professor (Chemistry), University of Pretoria, 2011 – 2021
  • Visiting Professor (Chemistry), University of the Witwatersrand, 2015 – 2017
  • Extra-ordinary Professor (Chemistry), University of the Western Cape, 2011 – 2014

Early-career Milestones

  • Attained Chief Research Scientist status, CSIR, 2014
  • Claude Harris Leon Foundation Post-doctoral Fellow, University of Pretoria, 2003
  • Prestigious Andrew W. Mellon Foundation PhD Scholarship, 2000 – 2002

Global Rankings & Recognitions

  • Listed among “The Best Materials Scientists in the World” (#6 in South Africa; #3626 globally), 2022
  • Listed among “The Best Chemistry Scientists in the World” (#6 in South Africa; #4203 globally), 2022
  • Listed among “World Top 2% Scientists”, 2020
  • Listed among “100,000 World Top Scientists”, 2019
  • Listed as most active author in energy storage in South Africa (1986–2016), ASSAf report, 2017
  • Listed in World’s Top 1% of Scientists in Chemistry, Thomson Reuters ISI ESI, 2014

Alumni

Former Visiting Scholars

  • 1

    Prof Justin Claude Kemmegne Mbouguen (University of Yaoundé, 2022)

  • 2

    Mr Okoroike Celestine Ozoemena (TUT, South Africa, 2020)

  • 3

    Ms Laura Acebo (CIC EnergiGUNE, Spain, 2020)

  • 4

    Dr Soumyadip Choudhury (INM, Germany: 2017).

Former Post-doctoral Research Fellows

  • 1

    Dr Oluwatosin Bankole (Wits postdoctoral fellow, 2018 - 2019)

  • 2

    Dr Rasmita Barik (Wits postdoctoral fellow, 2017 - 2018).

  • 3

    Dr Guy Kabongo (Wits postdoctoral fellow, 2017 - 2018).

  • 4

    Dr Nithya Palaniyandy (CSIR postdoctoral fellow, 2015 - 2017).

  • 5

    Dr Paul M. Ejikeme (Univ. Pretoria/NRF postdoctoral fellow, 2013 - 2015)

  • 6

    Dr Kumar Raju (CSIR/NRF fellow, 2013 - Present)

  • 7

    Dr Mesfin Kebede (CSIR/NRF postdoctoral fellow, 2011 - 2012)

  • 8

    Dr Bolade O. Agboola (NRF scarce skills fellow, 2007 - 2008)

  • 9

    Dr Siwa Peteni Itumeleng Mokhosi (Wits Postdoctoral Fellow 2024-2025)

  • 10

    Dr Nobuhle Ndebele (Wits Postdoctoral Fellow 2022-2024)

Former PhD Students

  • 1

    Bolade Agboola (PhD 2007, Rhodes University, co-supervised with Prof Nyokong)

  • 2

    Jeseelan Pillay (PhD 2010, University of Pretoria)

  • 3

    Dudu Nkosi (PhD 2010, University of Pretoria)

  • 4

    Solomon A. Mamuru (PhD 2011, University of Pretoria)

  • 5

    Abolanle S. Adekunle (PhD 2011, University of Pretoria)

  • 6

    Njaji B. Njomo (PhD 2012, University of the Western Cape, co-supervised with Prof EI Iwuoha)

  • 7

    Chinwe O. Ikpo (PhD 2012, University of the Western Cape, co-supervised with Prof EI Iwuoha)

  • 8

    Nobanathi W. Maxakatho (PhD 2013, University of Pretoria)

  • 9

    Natasha West (PhD 2013, University of the Western Cape, co-supervised with Prof EI Iwuoha,)

  • 10

    Msimelelo Siswana (PhD 2013, Rhodes University, co-supervised with Prof T Nyokong)

  • 11

    Omobosede O. Fashedemi (PhD 2014, University of Pretoria)

  • 12

    Charl J. Jafta (PhD Physics, 2014, University of Pretoria)

  • 13

    Katlego Makgopa (PhD Chemistry, 2016, University of Pretoria)

  • 14

    Innocent Ike (PhD Chemical Engineering, 2017, University of the Witwatersrand, co-supervised with Prof SE Iyuke and Prof I Sigalas)

  • 15

    Claire A. Rossouw (PhD Chemistry, 2018, University of Pretoria)

  • 16

    Funeka P. Nkosi (PhD Chemistry, 2018, University of the Witwatersrand)

  • 17

    Sharona Melchior (PhD Chemical Engineering, 2018, University of the Witwatersrand, co-supervised with Prof SE Iyuke and Prof I Sigalas)

  • 18

    Vusi Ludwig Mulaudzi (PhD Chemistry, 2019, University of Pretoria)

  • 19

    Patrick Nwonga (PhD Physics, 2019, University of the Witwatersrand, co-supervised with Prof SR Naido and Prof A Quandt)

  • 20

    Aderemi Bashiru Haruna (PhD Chemistry, 2020, University of the Witwatersrand)

  • 21

    Adewale Kabir Ipadeola (PhD Chemistry, 2020, University of the Witwatersrand)

  • 22

    Victor Mashindi (PhD Chemistry, 2021, University of the Witwatersrand, co-supervised with Prof N Coville and Prof P Levecque)

  • 23

    Thapelo Mofokeng (PhD Chemistry, 2021, University of the Witwatersrand, co-supervised with Dr Z. Tetana)

  • 24

    Tobile Maphumulo (PhD Chemistry 2022, University of the Witwatersrand, co-supervised with Prof C. Billing)

  • 25

    Augustus Lebechi (PhD Chemistry, 2023, University of the Witwatersrand)

  • 26

    Lesego Gaolatlhe (PhD Chemistry, 2024, University of the Witwatersrand)

  • 27

    Siwaphiwe Peteni (PhD Chemistry, 2024, University of the Witwatersrand)

  • 28

    Bokome Shaku (PhD Chemistry, 2024, University of the Witwatersrand, co-supervised with Prof Neil Coville and Dr Manoko Maubane-Nkadimeng)

  • 29

    Nonhlanhla Mphahlele (PhD Chemistry, 2024, University of the Witwatersrand)

  • 30

    Itumeleng Mokhosi (PhD Chemistry, 2025, University of the Witwatersrand)

Former Master's Students

  • 1

    Jeseelan Pillay (MSc 2006, with DISTINCTION) University of Pretoria.

  • 2

    Pilani Mashazi (MSc 2007, with DISTINCTION, co-supervision with Prof T. Nyokong)

  • 3

    Nsovo S. Mathebula (MSc 2010, with DISTINCTION) University of Pretoria

  • 4

    Alfred Chidembo (MSc 2010) University of Pretoria

  • 5

    Tendamudzimu Ramulifho Nemusombori (MSc 2011, with DISTINCTION)

  • 6

    Katlego Makgopa (MSc 2012) University of Pretoria, completed a PhD 2016

  • 7

    Carl Baumeister (MSc 2012, with DISTINCTION, co-supervised with Prof J. Verschoor, University of Pretoria).

  • 8

    Nonhlanhla Mphahlele (MTech 2013, Tshwane University of Technology)

  • 9

    Joel Lekitima (MSc 2014, with DISTINCTION, University of Pretoria)

  • 10

    Ms Thato Sharon Tshephe (MTech with DISTINCTION, 2014, co-supervised with Dr P Olubambi) Tshwane University of Technology

  • 11

    Ms Funeka Nkosi (MSc with DISTINCTION, 2014, University of Pretoria)

  • 12

    Ms Sherilee Pillay (MSc with DISTINCTION, 2015, University of Pretoria, co-supervised with Dr J Pillay)

  • 13

    Ms Tobile Maphumulo (MSc Chemical Engineering, 2016, DISTINCTION, University of the Witwatersrand)

  • 14

    Irfan Habib (MSc Physics with DISTINCTION, 2019, University of the Witwatersrand, co-supervised with Dr P. Ferrer)

  • 15

    Mr Nkosi Nzimande (MSc Chemistry, 2020, DISTINCTION)

  • 16

    Ms Refiloe Modise (MSc Chemistry, 2020, DISTINCTION)

  • 17

    Ms Lesego Gaolatlhe (MSc Chemistry, 2020, DISTINCTION)

  • 18

    Ms Bokome Shaku (MSc Chemistry, 2020, DISTINCTION, co-supervised with Dr M. Maubane-Nkadimeng)

  • 19

    Mr Suhail Musa (MSc Chemical Engineering, 2021, co-supervised with Prof Iakovos Sigalas)

  • 20

    Mr Thokozani Tsoari (MSc Chemistry, 2021)

  • 21

    Jimodo J. Ogada (MSc Physics, 2021, DISTINCTION, co-supervised with Prof D. Wanwamgi)

  • 22

    Mr Blessing Mahuhushe (MSc Chemistry, 2021, co-supervised with Dr D. Barrett)

  • 23

    Ms Agnes Mongwe (MSc Chemistry, 2024, co-supervised with Dr A. Haruna)

  • 24

    Ms Mercy Nduni (MSc Chemistry, 2024, co-supervised with Dr TP. Mofokeng and Dr A. Haruna) (MSc Chemistry, 2020, DISTINCTION)

  • 25

    Ernst Hechter (MSc Chemistry, 2024, co-supervised with Dr A. Haruna and Dr D. Barrett)

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