Meet the Finalists in Natural and Engineering Sciences – Distinguished Woman Researcher Category at the South African Women in Science Awards 2025

As South Africa celebrates Women’s Month, the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) proudly unveils the finalists of the South African Women in Science Awards (SAWISA) 2025. These exceptional women exemplify excellence, leadership, and transformative impact in research and innovation. Today, we spotlight the finalists in the Distinguished Woman: Natural and Engineering Sciences
Prof. Lucy Moleleki is a Full Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology at UP. She obtained her PhD in 2007 from Dundee University in the UK. Her academic journey began in 2008 at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), and in 2009 she joined UP as a Senior Lecturer. She was promoted to Associate Professor in 2015 and Full Professor in 2022.
Prof. Moleleki's research focuses on potato-pathogen interactions, particularly on understanding the molecular virulence mechanisms of plant pathogens and how these interact with their hosts and with one another. Her work contributes significantly to plant disease management and food security.
She has an impressive supervision and mentorship record, having mentored five postdoctoral fellows and supervised 10 PhD and 16 master's students. She currently supervises four postdoctoral fellows and several PhD and master's students. To date, she has published over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles and five book chapters. Her research impact is evidenced by an h-index of 28 (Google Scholar), over 3 000 citations, and a Field-Weighted Citation Impact score of 1,75.
She has presented at global conferences, including giving keynote addresses, and has co-authored review articles and book chapters with leading scientists from different countries. These collaborations demonstrate the global relevance and interdisciplinary reach of her work.
Prof. Moleleki serves on the editorial boards of several leading journals, including mSystems, Frontiers in Plant Science, and BioMed Central Microbiology. In 2024, she served on the Local Organising Committee of the 19th International Society for Microbial Ecology, where she was also a session chair and convenor. She previously served on the Scientific Committee for the International Congress of Plant Pathology (2018).
In the regional context, she has played an active role in advancing plant pathology and microbiology. She currently serves as a Council Member of the Southern African Society for Microbiology. In addition, she is a Fellow of the Pan African Scientific Research Council, where she serves on the executive committee.
Prof. Moleleki has been recognised for her contributions to research and capacity building. In 2015, she was a finalist for the prestigious TW Kambule-NSTF Award in the Emerging Researcher category.
The South African Women in Science Awards celebrate the outstanding contributions of women researchers across disciplines, inspiring future generations and advancing equity in science, technology, and innovation.

Stay tuned as we continue to profile the 2025 finalists during Women’s Month.