Ms. Nthabeleng Hlapisi
About me
Nthabeleng Hlapisi is a medical chemist from Lesotho and is currently pursuing a doctorate in chemistry at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Her research focuses on the design and synthesis of plasmonic metal-porphyrin nanoconjugates for possible biological applications. She synthesizes gold- and silver-based nanomaterials by green and chemical synthesis methods and characterizes their structural, optical, and biological properties using advanced spectroscopic, microscopic, and computational tools. Her research focuses on nanoparticle-protein and nanoparticle-DNA interactions to improve the design of multifunctional nanotherapeutic platforms for cancer therapy. Her research interests include medicinal chemistry, nanomedicine, photodynamic treatment, nanobiotechnology, and biomolecular interactions. She is interested in applying multidisciplinary chemistry to global health issues and encouraging scientific collaboration and science communication.
Nthabeleng Hlapisi is a medicinal chemist, researcher, science communicator, and mentor from Lesotho, who is passionate about the development of novel nanomaterials for biomedical uses and building scientific competence across Africa. She is a PhD candidate in chemistry at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and her research interests include the synthesis, physicochemical characterization, and biological evaluation of metal–porphyrin nanoconjugates to study nanoparticle–protein and nanoparticle–DNA interactions for potential applications in cancer nanomedicine. Her study blends green chemistry, nanotechnology, medicinal chemistry, spectroscopy, and computer modeling to investigate the relationship between the design of nanomaterials and their biological behavior and therapeutic potential.
She has received various honors and fellowships for her scientific accomplishments including the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Young Talents Award, the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders and the CSIR–DST Inter-Bursary Support Programme. She has also presented her findings at national and international scientific conferences, contributing to the ever-growing knowledge in the field of nanomedicine and medicinal chemistry.
Beyond her research, Nthabeleng is passionate about science communication, mentorship, and inspiring more women and girls to get involved in STEM. She has coached learners, university students, and early-career researchers through the WOMANDLA Foundation, BasadiTech, BGIS and the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists. She uses public talks, outreach programs, and international engagements to advocate for fair access to science education and to encourage young people, especially women, to pursue careers in scientific research and innovation.
She envisions a future where scientific research and innovation is enhanced across Africa through sustainable possibilities for STEM education, mentorship, and collaboration. She is working on the Mmamookho Science and Discovery Center, a project aiming to broaden access to science education, digital literacy, books, and mentorship for young people in marginalized regions. She believes that scientific achievement should not remain confined to the laboratory and should instead contribute meaningfully to improving lives and developing resilient scientific communities.
Her research interests encompass medicinal chemistry, nanomedicine, plasmonic nanoparticles, porphyrin chemistry, biomolecular interactions, targeted drug delivery, photodynamic treatment, and science communication. She is committed to pioneering novel therapeutic technologies through interdisciplinary research and collaborative partnerships and inspiring the next generation of African scientists to use science for sustainable development, better healthcare, and social transformation.