Dr Thandi Gumede
| NRF RATING | Y2 | |||
| POSITION | Senior Lecturer | |||
| QUALIFICATIONS | PhD in Polymer Science (UFS), 2019 MSc in Polymer Science (UFS), 2015 BSc Honours in Polymer Science (UFS), 2013 BSc in Chemistry, Physics & Biology (UFS), 2012 PGDip in Higher Education (CUT, Cum Laude), 2024 | |||
| PORTFOLIO | Dr Thandi Patricia Gumede is a National Research Foundation (NRF) Y2 rated researcher and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Life Sciences at the Central University of Technology, Free State. Her research focuses on the development of sustainable polymer nanocomposites using biodegradable matrices, reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) extracted from diverse natural feedstocks including medicinal plants, agricultural residues, and marine bio-waste. This work contributes to South Africa’s circular economy by transforming locally available biomass into sustainable materials for biomedical, packaging, and environmental applications. Dr Gumede utilizes a range of analytical techniques—including FTIR, SAXS, WAXS, XRD, SEM-EDS, DSC, TGA, and DMA—to assess the structural, morphology, thermal, and thermo-mechanical properties of green composites. She has published over 25 peer-reviewed articles and presented her work at national and international conferences. In addition, she plays an active role in postgraduate supervision, academic capacity development, and serves as a reviewer for journals and NRF rating panels. She has secured funding from the NRF Thuthuka and Black Academics Advancement Programmes, and also she serves as an external examiner for Master’s and PhD theses at various South African universities. | |||
| AREAS OF EXPERTISE | Polymer blends, Polymer composites, Biodegradable and sustainable materials. | |||
| PUBLICATIONS | FI Kumalo, MA Malimabe, MFT Mosoabisane, TP Gumede Development and Characterization of PBS/EA Cellulose and PCL/EA Cellulose Biocomposites: Structural, Morphological, and Thermal Insights for Sustainable Applications. Polymers 17 (7), 971 (1-23). DGA Selikane, TP Gumede, K Shingange, TD Malevu, M Ngwenya, F Kumalo Characterization of Polycaprolactone/Eucomis autumnalis Cellulose Composite: Structural, Thermal, and Mechanical Analysis Journal of Biomimetics, Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering 65, 45-58. T Sikhosana, T Gumede, N Malebo, A Ogundeji, B Motloung The influence of cellulose content on the morphology, thermal, and mechanical properties of poly(lactic acid)/Eucomis autumnalis cellulose biocomposites Polymer Engineering & Science 63 (5), 1411-1422 T Sikhosana, T Gumede, N Malebo, A Ogundeji, B Motloung Medicinal plants as a cellulose source for the fabrication of poly(lactic acid) composites: A mini-review Polymers from Renewable Resources 14 (1), 44-57 D Selikane, T Gumede, K Shingange, T Malevu A Brief Overview on the Extraction of Cellulose from Medicinal Plants for Advanced Applications Materials Science Forum 1059, 81-85
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| BOOK(S) OR CHAPTER(S) IN BOOK(S) | J Sefadi, M Mochane, T Gumede, N Malebo, T Mokhena Graphene-Metal Oxide Nanoparticles on Piezoelectric and Pyroelectric Effect of Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) Springer, 1-24 FROM GARBAGE TO HIGH TEMPERATURE APPLICATIONS: FLY ASH AND EGGSHELLS MJ Mochane, TC Mokhena, LL Noto, TE Motaung, TP Gumede, MT Motloung “WASTE-TO-PROFIT”(W-T-P), 61 | |||
| PRESENTED CONFERENCES, SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS |
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| EXTERNAL PROFILES | LinkedIn ResearchGate Google Scholar ORCID |
Contact Us
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Dr Thandi Gumede
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Tel: +27(0)51 507 4145
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tgumede@cut.ac.za