About
Jacqueline Tembu is an Associate Professor of Organic Chemistry and Head of the Department of Chemistry at Tshwane University of Technology. She is a seasoned researcher with a PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Surrey and extensive experience in natural products research and scientific leadership within academia and industry.
Biography
Professor Jacqueline Tembu is an Associate Professor, Research Scientist, and Head of the Department of Chemistry at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). She earned her PhD in Chemistry from the University of Surrey in the UK in 2008 and an MBA in Education Management at Hagaa-Helia School of Applied Science in Finland in 2024. Since taking the helm of the Department of Chemistry in 2020, Professor Tembu has focused on staff development, capacity building, and preparing well-prepared Chemistry graduates for industry. Her research focuses on identifying novel natural compounds from traditional medicinal plants in southern Africa and screening against diseases such as triple-negative breast cancer. Prof. Tembu has supervised or co-supervised Master's/doctoral students to completion, published articles, a book chapter, and presented at local and international platforms. Her research approach aligns with South Africa's National Strategy and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for health (SDG 3) and quality education (SDG 4), ultimately aiming to improve quality of life. She leads a research center, the Center for Applied Chemistry Research (CACRE), at TUT since 2021 in the Department of Chemistry, overseeing various fields, including Analytical Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Nanotechnology, Phytoremediation, and Environmental Monitoring within the center. As a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), the South African Chemical Institute (SACI), and the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP), Prof Tembu remained committed to advancing STEM research. Additionally, Prof Tembu has served as Handling Editor of the South African Journal of Botany since 2025 and actively engaged in community outreach programmess, participating in initiatives such as National Science Week and the Eskom Expo exhibitions.