Research Interests

Membrane technologies, Desalination systems, Polymer chemistry, Chemistry of Cellulose, Nanoscience, Nanotechnology, Electrospinning, Water Filtration technologies, Organic Synthesis, Natural Product Chemistry, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Heterocyclic Chemistry

Professional Bio

Dr Ngonye Keroletswe graduated from University of Botswana with a PhD in Chemistry (2015), Master of Science (Organic Chemistry, 2007) and Bachelor of Education (Science- Chemistry, 2004). Dr Ngonye Keroletswe leads a team of researchers and graduate students developing materials for application in water filtration. The project focuses on valorizing local resources (local invasive plant species and animal waste) for circular economy. Ngonye first joined BITRI as a Junior Researcher in August 2014 and was subsequently promoted to Researcher position in November 2015 after acquiring her PhD. She has worked on many projects in the field of water filtration at BITRI which involved polymer functionalization and electrospinning into membranes for filtration of water contaminants as well as lead the Desalination and Cellulose research at BITRI. Ngonye has also participated in collaborative research between BITRI and University of Stony Brook, NY, USA.

Awards

2020 – Virtual Commonwealth Chemistry Posters Session – Building the Partnership Dr Keroletswe won the poster prize under the theme ”Water & Environmental Chemistry”.

2022 – African Research Initiative for Scientific Excellence (ARISE) pilot programme 2022, grant no. DCI-PANAF/2020/420-028. The grant is being used to sponsor PhD and MSc/ M. Eng. studies for Batswana students affiliated to 2 universities in Botswana and 2 others in South Africa.