Meet our 2023 South African Women in Science Awards finalists
Dr Patience Thenjiwe Mthunzi-Kufa
Dr Patience Thenjiwe Mthunzi-Kufa is a principal researcher II, principal investigator and the Biophotonics Research Head at the Photonics Centre at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Mthunzi-Kufa is the initiator and leader in biophotonics, one of the most unique multidisciplinary research fields in South Africa. Her research is on the construction and application of photonics-based diagnostic devices for point-of-care detection of HIV-1, TB, Covid-19, as well as other noncommunicable diseases. Her research team works towards the development of photonics-based tools for bulk screening of pharmaceuticals – work that will potentially prevent patients from consuming substandard medication, thus saving millions of lives. Her research focus has expanded towards the application of photonics in precision agriculture for food security and safety purposes.
In 2006, Mthunzi-Kufa formally established the biophotonics facility in the CSIR's National Laser Centre with state of-the-art equipment and highly specialised researchers, where she led some of the first multidisciplinary studies in this field in Africa. Her research findings have contributed to the development of many research outputs of note, such as a smartphone-based diagnosis tool for communicable and non-communicable diseases, which is currently in the process of validation and commercialisation.
With an NRF potential B1 rating (application currently under review), Mthunzi-Kufa has written nearly 40 peer-reviewed publications, including papers in journals such as Nanomaterials, the Biomedical Journal, the Journal of Photonics and Medicina. She is a frequent keynote speaker for international audiences and has received several national and international scientific awards, including the Order of Mapungubwe in Bronze (2012) – the highest award in South Africa. Additionally, Mthunzi-Kufa is the Deputy Chairperson of the Advisory Council on National Orders.
She supervises postgraduate students registered with UCT, UJ, and the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where she also holds an honorary position. Mthunzi-Kufa has successfully mentored eight postdoctoral fellows, supervised five PhD and four master's students, and one honours student. She currently supervises four PhD and five master's students.
Mthunzi-Kufa is a TED Fellow and a member of SAYAS, where she previously served as a co-chair. She serves on the editorial board of international journals Nano-Horizons and has served as a reviewer for the Journal of Biomedical Optics.
