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Prof Dhlamini appointed acting NUST Pro-Vice Chancellor
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Renowned biotechnology researcher Zephaniah Dhlamini has been appointed Acting Pro-Vice Chancellor for Innovation and Business Development (IBD) at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST).
In a statement, NUST said the appointment takes immediate effect and is aimed at ensuring continuity in leadership while advancing innovation and business development initiatives within the institution.
Prior to this appointment, Prof Dhlamini served as Associate Professor and Director of the Applied Genetics Testing Centre (AGTC), where he has been instrumental in strengthening applied life sciences research and commercialisation.
With nearly three decades of experience in molecular genetics, agricultural biotechnology, biosafety and forensic DNA analysis, Prof Dhlamini is regarded as a distinguished scientist and academic leader. His career spans academia, government advisory roles and international organisations, rising through the ranks from Lecturer to Senior Lecturer, Department Chair and Associate Professor.
NUST credited him with playing a central role in establishing and operating Zimbabwe's first commercial DNA testing laboratory. He has also spearheaded research in forensic DNA analysis, bioprospecting metagenomes for novel biocatalysts and metabolic engineering of sorghum.
Between 2018 and 2025, Prof Dhlamini served as a board member and chairperson of the Technical Committee of the National Biotechnology Authority of Zimbabwe. Internationally, he has held key positions with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Rome and the Joint FAO/IAEA Division in Vienna, where he contributed to biosafety training programmes, research evaluation and co-authored the FAO Biosafety Resource Book. He also contributed to the development of the FAO BioDeC database, which tracks biotechnology adoption in developing countries.
The university described him as a leader who bridges research and practical application, particularly through forensic DNA services that support justice systems and agricultural biotechnology projects that enhance food security.
Prof Dhlamini holds a BSc Honours Degree in Agriculture specialising in Crop Science and an MSc in Biotechnology with distinction from the University of Zimbabwe. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Biotechnology at the University of the Western Cape, focusing on forensic DNA.
He has also completed specialised training in project cycle management, policy evaluation, metagenomics and forensic DNA analysis at institutions across Europe and Africa.
In a statement, NUST said the appointment takes immediate effect and is aimed at ensuring continuity in leadership while advancing innovation and business development initiatives within the institution.
Prior to this appointment, Prof Dhlamini served as Associate Professor and Director of the Applied Genetics Testing Centre (AGTC), where he has been instrumental in strengthening applied life sciences research and commercialisation.
With nearly three decades of experience in molecular genetics, agricultural biotechnology, biosafety and forensic DNA analysis, Prof Dhlamini is regarded as a distinguished scientist and academic leader. His career spans academia, government advisory roles and international organisations, rising through the ranks from Lecturer to Senior Lecturer, Department Chair and Associate Professor.
NUST credited him with playing a central role in establishing and operating Zimbabwe's first commercial DNA testing laboratory. He has also spearheaded research in forensic DNA analysis, bioprospecting metagenomes for novel biocatalysts and metabolic engineering of sorghum.
Between 2018 and 2025, Prof Dhlamini served as a board member and chairperson of the Technical Committee of the National Biotechnology Authority of Zimbabwe. Internationally, he has held key positions with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Rome and the Joint FAO/IAEA Division in Vienna, where he contributed to biosafety training programmes, research evaluation and co-authored the FAO Biosafety Resource Book. He also contributed to the development of the FAO BioDeC database, which tracks biotechnology adoption in developing countries.
The university described him as a leader who bridges research and practical application, particularly through forensic DNA services that support justice systems and agricultural biotechnology projects that enhance food security.
Prof Dhlamini holds a BSc Honours Degree in Agriculture specialising in Crop Science and an MSc in Biotechnology with distinction from the University of Zimbabwe. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Biotechnology at the University of the Western Cape, focusing on forensic DNA.
He has also completed specialised training in project cycle management, policy evaluation, metagenomics and forensic DNA analysis at institutions across Europe and Africa.
Source - The Herald
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