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Sifelani Tsiko

Innovations Editor

Prof Idah Sithole–Niang, Dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of Zimbabwe, has been accepted as a member of the Academic Union Oxford – an international academic association with over 200 university chancellors and more than 2000 scientists and researchers.

“I am so happy to be appointed a member of the Academic Union Oxford. This appointment comes with honorary professorship as well,” she said.

Prof Sithole–Niang is a renowned biochemist who has played an instrumental role in various research projects.

Some of her major works include research on anti-biotic and vaccine production, the development of DNA standards, and high-range molecular reagents.

She has been working on biotechnology and biosafety capacity development for more than two decades within Zimbabwe and several sub-Saharan African countries including Malawi, Mozambique, Botswana, Zambia, and Namibia.

Her research includes working on the genetic improvement of cowpeas to enhance disease resistance.

Prof Sithole–Niang has also done extensive research on endophytes, bacteria, and fungi that live within plants without causing any discernible harm to harness their antimicrobial properties and other bioactive compounds for use to produce goods and services for the agriculture and medical fields.

The Academic Union Oxford promotes academic excellence, innovation and aims to consolidate the efforts of scientists, educators, industrialists, and manufacturers on science, education, and business integration.

Prof Sithole–Niang has been appointed to this body in recognition of her intellectual and academic achievements that help to integrate science and business.

Her personal contribution to scientific research, personal achievements in the development of national science, as well as contributions to solving regional and global social and economic problems have been extensive.

Prof Sithole-Niang joined the University of Zimbabwe in 1992.

She obtained a PhD in Biochemistry from Michigan State University where she specialised in molecular virology working with chicken and turkey herpesviruses and developing subunit vaccines.