Rate My Professor Tshifhiwa Nangammbi

Tshifhiwa Constance Nangammbi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Nature Conservation within the Faculty of Science at Tshwane University of Technology. She holds a PhD in Zoology from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education from Rhodes University. A Fulbright Scholar, she completed postdoctoral research at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago and is a registered Professional Natural Scientist with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions. Her expertise centres on molecular systematics, with foundational contributions to the phylogeny of southern African pheasant shells, including data deposited in GenBank and the World Register of Marine Species.

Prof Nangammbi’s research addresses One Health themes, including tick-borne diseases, invasive species ecology, zoonotic parasites, and biodiversity conservation. She leads projects on environmental DNA surveillance of pathogens and the ecological dynamics of freshwater molluscs, supervising postdoctoral fellows, PhD, and MSc students. Her work has appeared in journals such as Parasitology Research, Diversity, and Veterinary Sciences. She is a recipient of the SA/USA Biodiversity on a Changing Planet Award, jointly supported by the National Research Foundation and National Science Foundation. Prof Nangammbi has developed curricula and established Molecular Genetics Laboratories at multiple universities. She co-authored the children’s book Tiko the Brave Little Tick and served on the South African Minister of Environment’s High-Level Panel reviewing policies on iconic species including elephants, lions, and rhinos. She is a member of the Parasitological Society of Southern Africa and the Zoological Society of Southern Africa.