Professor Thulani P. Makhalanyane is an internationally recognised microbiologist and research leader whose work focuses on understanding the diversity, function and ecological significance of microbiomes across environmental and human systems. His research integrates microbial ecology, genomics, metagenomics, bioinformatics and data-driven approaches to investigate microbiomes in marine, polar, terrestrial, wastewater and human-associated environments, with an increasing emphasis on translating microbiome science into solutions relevant to Africa.

He is Professor of Microbiology at Stellenbosch University, Professor in the School for Data Science and Computational Thinking, Director of Microbiome Innovation within the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI), and Chairholder of the DSTI/NRF South African Research Chair in African Microbiome Innovation.  His academic career has progressed from postdoctoral researcher and lecturer to senior lecturer, associate professor and professor, alongside significant research and institutional leadership responsibilities.

Professor Makhalanyane has established a broad interdisciplinary research programme spanning marine and Southern Ocean microbiomes, polar and soil microbial ecology, antimicrobial resistance, wastewater microbiomes, human gut and skin microbiomes, and microbial biotechnology. His work combines fundamental ecological questions with applications in environmental sustainability, human health and biotechnology, while contributing to the development of microbiome research capacity on the African continent. His research leadership is complemented by an extensive record of postgraduate and postdoctoral mentorship across microbiology, genetics, biotechnology and bioinformatics.

His scientific contributions and leadership have received substantial national and international recognition. He held an NRF P-rating from 2019–2024 and was subsequently awarded an NRF B2 rating for 2025–2030. His distinctions include the TW Kambule-NSTF Emerging Researcher Award, a Fulbright Scholarship, election to the Academy of Science of South Africa, the South African Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Silver Award, and election as a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences.

Beyond his research, Professor Makhalanyane contributes extensively to scientific leadership and service. He has held senior editorial and editorial-board roles for leading journals in microbial ecology and related fields and has served in leadership positions within the International Society for Microbial Ecology.  He has also contributed to national and international scientific panels, research evaluation structures and strategic initiatives, including leadership of NRF rating panels and participation in programmes aimed at developing the next generation of South African academics.

Through his research, mentorship and scientific leadership, Professor Makhalanyane seeks to advance globally competitive microbiome science rooted in African priorities, strengthen interdisciplinary and computational approaches to microbial ecology, and translate fundamental discoveries into innovations that address challenges in health, environmental sustainability and biotechnology.