Meet Prof. Thulani Makhalanyane, a microbiologist from the Northwest Province of South Africa whose work contributes to human health and environmental sustainability. Prof. Makhalanyane is a full-time professor with a joint appointment in the Department of Microbiology and the School for Data Science and Computational Thinking at Stellenbosch University (SU). He first studied at the North West University, followed by a PhD in Biotechnology at the University of the Western Cape. He later completed his postdoctoral research fellowship at the University of Pretoria.
Prof. Makhalanyane ‘s research is related to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being and SDG 15: Life on Land. He aims to understand the roles microbes play in both human health and the environment, using this knowledge to create positive societal impacts. The main focus of his research is on microbiomes, with a particular interest in microbial ecology, human microbiomes (for gut health and infectious diseases), as well as environmental microbiomes, particularly in extreme environments, such as the Sub-Antarctic soils of Marion Island. His work on microbial diversity has led to publications in high-impact journals and contributed to a growing understanding of microbes’ role in health and ecology.
In addition to his research, Prof. Makhalanyane plays a key role in championing and advancing microbiology on both national and global levels. He is Senior Editor at mSystems and Editor-in-Chief (Reviews and Perspectives) for The ISME Journal (International Society for Microbial Ecology). Elected to the International Board of ISME in 2018, he also directs the ISME Ambassador Program, promoting outreach in over 100 countries. In September Thulani headed up the local organising committee of ISME’s 19th Conference, the first time it was held in Africa, attracting a large number of African Scientists for the first time.
Nationally, he has served on the NRF Basic and Applied Microbiology Ratings Specialist Committee since 2019. He became Convener in 2022 and was elected to the Academy of Sciences of South Africa (ASSAF) in 2023. His work has been recognised with numerous accolades, including the ISME Ambassador of the Year Award, TW Kambule-NSTF Award, and the National Research Foundation’s Prestigious Award (P-Rating). In July 2024, Prof. Makhalanyane received the South African Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (SASBMB) Silver Award for his outstanding contributions to the field. This recognition is awarded annually to a younger member of the society who has displayed a record of national and international research excellence and is an active participant in SASBMB activities.
Despite these achievements, Thulani has faced challenges, particularly in securing funding for microbiome research, which remains a niche field in South Africa and on the African continent. He has been working hard to develop international collaborations to support the work done by the Microbiome Research Group at Stellenbosch University.
Outside of his professional pursuits, Thulani enjoys spending time outdoors, cycling, and hiking with friends and family. These activities balance his scientific endeavours and allow him to stay connected with nature, a core element of his work.
LinkedIn: Thulani Makhalanyane
Email: goalkeepers@sun.ac.za