Winny Maboya | Chemistry and Materials Science | Innovative Research Award

Published on by Top Teachers

Innovative Research Award

Winny Maboya — University of South Africa (UNISA), South Africa

Winny Maboya
Affiliation University of South Africa
Country South Africa
Scopus ID 8538640800
Documents 18
Citations 100
h-index 5
Subject Area Chemistry and Materials Science
Event Top Teachers Awards
ORCID 0000-0001-5066-2297
Google Scholar eU7ZX74AAAAJ

Winny Maboya is a South African chemist, academic, and researcher whose work focuses on electrochemistry, catalysis, nanomaterials, energy storage, hydrogen production, water treatment technologies, and advanced materials science. Her academic career spans teaching, supervision, research leadership, scientific reviewing, community engagement, and international collaboration. Through her contributions to chemistry education and research innovation, she has established a recognized profile within the fields of electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, sensors, membranes, and sustainable energy technologies.[1]

Abstract

This article summarizes the academic achievements, research activities, professional service, and scientific contributions of Winny Maboya. Her work spans electrochemical energy systems, carbon nanomaterials, hydrogen production technologies, wastewater treatment, and chemistry education. In addition to her research output, she has contributed extensively to postgraduate supervision, research ethics administration, academic leadership, conference organization, and scientific peer review, demonstrating a broad commitment to advancing chemical sciences and higher education in South Africa.[1]

Keywords

Membranes; Sensors; Electrocatalysis; Photocatalysis; Photoelectrocatalysis; Carbon Nanomaterials; Energy Storage; Hydrogen Production; Water Treatment; Electrochemistry.

Introduction

Winny Maboya obtained a PhD in Chemistry from the University of the Witwatersrand, where her doctoral research focused on chlorinated carbon materials and their application in the development of nitrogen-doped and undoped carbon nanomaterials for wastewater treatment. Her educational background also includes postgraduate qualifications from the University of Pretoria and extensive training in chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, and public administration. This multidisciplinary foundation has supported a research trajectory centered on environmental sustainability and advanced energy materials.[1]

Research Profile

Since January 2024, Winny Maboya has served as Senior Lecturer within the Institute for Catalysis and Energy Solutions at the University of South Africa. Her research focuses on electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, oxygen reduction reactions, oxygen evolution reactions, hydrogen evolution reactions, hydrogen production through water splitting, electrochemical sensing technologies, and advanced energy conversion systems. Prior to joining UNISA, she held academic appointments at the Vaal University of Technology and the University of Johannesburg, contributing significantly to chemistry education and curriculum development.[1]

  • Senior Lecturer, University of South Africa.
  • Former Senior Lecturer, Vaal University of Technology.
  • Research specialist in electrochemistry and nanomaterials.
  • Supervisor of Masters and Doctoral research projects.
  • Research ethics reviewer and academic administrator.

Research Contributions

Her research portfolio encompasses carbon nanomaterial synthesis, composite nanofibers, wastewater treatment technologies, adsorption science, electrochemical sensing, electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, hydrogen production, and energy storage systems. She has supervised multiple postgraduate students, secured competitive NRF Thuthuka funding, chaired scientific symposiums, participated in international conferences, and developed collaborative research networks across South Africa and abroad.[1]

  • Development of carbon nanomaterials for environmental remediation.
  • Electrocatalysts for energy storage and conversion applications.
  • Hydrogen generation through water-splitting technologies.
  • Electrochemical detection of pharmaceuticals in water systems.
  • Advanced photocatalytic materials for sustainable energy research.

Publications

Winny Maboya has authored and co-authored scholarly publications indexed in Scopus, contributing to the fields of nanotechnology, electrochemistry, materials science, catalysis, and environmental chemistry. A notable publication reported in Diamond and Related Materials explored carbon nanomaterial applications for electrocatalytic energy storage systems, reflecting her ongoing interest in sustainable energy technologies and advanced catalytic materials.[2]

  • Carbon nanomaterials for electrocatalytic energy applications.
  • Electrochemical studies of catalytic materials.
  • Nanotechnology applications in wastewater treatment.
  • Photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic materials research.
  • Advanced materials for sustainable energy systems.

Research Impact

The measurable impact of Winny Maboya’s research includes publication of peer-reviewed studies, an established Scopus profile, citation activity, successful postgraduate supervision, international collaborations, and competitive research funding support. Her contributions extend beyond publication metrics through scientific mentorship, laboratory capacity development, equipment acquisition, and interdisciplinary research engagement. She has also served as reviewer, examiner, moderator, and panel evaluator for national research funding initiatives.[1]

Award Suitability

Winny Maboya’s academic profile demonstrates strong alignment with the objectives of the Top Teachers Awards. Her achievements encompass excellence in teaching, curriculum development, postgraduate supervision, scientific innovation, research leadership, ethics governance, community engagement, and international collaboration. The integration of advanced chemistry research with student development and societal impact provides evidence of sustained professional contributions that support recognition through academic excellence awards.[1]

Conclusion

Winny Maboya has established a multidisciplinary academic career that integrates chemistry education, advanced materials research, energy technologies, environmental sustainability, and scientific leadership. Her contributions to electrocatalysis, nanomaterials, hydrogen production, and postgraduate training continue to strengthen research capacity and innovation within South African higher education institutions. The breadth of her academic service and scientific achievements provides a strong basis for recognition within national and international academic award programs.[1]

References

  1. Elsevier. (n.d.). Scopus author details: Winny Maboya, Author ID 8538640800. Scopus. https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=8538640800
  2. Maboya, W.K., Coville, N.J., & Mhlanga, S.D. (2016). The synthesis of carbon nanomaterials using chlorinated hydrocarbons over a Fe-Co/CaCO3 catalyst. South African Journal of Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.17159/0379-4350/2016/v69a3
  3. Dolla, T.H. et al. (2025). Nano high-entropy materials for bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysis. Energy Storage Materials. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ensm.2025.104357
  4. Ajayi, S.O. et al. (2024). Conductive metal-organic framework electrodes for lithium-based batteries. Materials Today Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtsust.2024.100899
  5. Moundzounga, T.H.G. et al. (2025). Voltammetric analysis of As3+ and sulfamethoxazole on a modified electrode. International Journal of Electrochemical Science. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijoes.2025.100947