Our Postdoctoral Fellows Up Close series continues today with four scholars whose research showcases the range and richness of SPU’s academic work. From understanding communities and cultures to advancing technology based learning and modelling biological systems, these Fellows demonstrate how research at SPU continues to grow in depth, purpose and relevance.
Dr Darlington Mutanda
A dynamic, adaptive and innovative researcher and educator in the Department of Anthropology in the Faculty of Humanities, Dr Darlington Mutanda is committed to practical and transformative approaches to education that respond to the evolving demands for peace, justice, healing and reconciliation. With an extensive publication record, he has contributed to scholarly dialogue and intervention in healing and reconciliation, strategic studies and peacebuilding. Dr Mutanda has taught a wide range of modules including Security Intelligence, Civil Military Relations, Human Rights Education, Diversity and Social Justice, War and Society in Contemporary Africa, Strategic Doctrine, Mechanization and Airpower during the era of the two World Wars.
Dr Folasade Olubusola Isinkaye
A Postdoctoral Fellow in the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Dr Folasade Isinkaye holds a BSc in Computer Science from Ondo State University in Nigeria and an MSc and PhD in Computer Science specialising in Intelligent Systems from the University of Ibadan. During her doctoral studies she served as a visiting research scholar at the Laboratory of Knowledge Management and the Department of Electrical and Information Engineering at Politecnico di Bari in Italy, where she advanced her work in intelligent systems.
Her research focuses on recommender systems, machine learning and data driven solutions that support sustainable development. She publishes in high impact, peer reviewed journals and is a recipient of the NRF Innovation Postdoctoral Fellowship Award. Dr Isinkaye has contributed to several academic journals and editorial boards and is a registered member of both the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria and the Association for Computing Machinery.
Dr Mamotjoka Joyce Morai
Based in the Centre for the Advancement of Rural and Inclusive Education Research in the Faculty of Education, Dr Mamotjoka Morai specialises in deaf education and rural and inclusive education. She obtained both her Masters and Doctoral degrees in Inclusive Education from Hiroshima University in Japan.
Her research interests include the design and implementation of innovative instructional strategies to strengthen foundational phase literacy instruction, promote linguistic inclusion and improve literacy outcomes for Deaf and hard of hearing learners in rural communities. Dr Morai has conducted impactful studies evaluating the effectiveness of instructional strategies for enhancing the writing skills of Deaf and hard of hearing learners and has presented her work at various academic conferences. She is committed to research collaborations that support language access and inclusive educational practices for diverse learners.
Dr Bothwell Maregere
A Postdoctoral Fellow in the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Dr Bothwell Maregere specialises in Applied Mathematics with a focus on Biomathematics. His research applies mathematical models to understand complex biological systems including population dynamics, disease transmission and ecological interactions. By bridging theoretical mathematics with real world biological applications, Dr Maregere’s work contributes to improved scientific understanding and evidence based decision making in health and environmental contexts.
Collectively, the work of our Postdoctoral Fellows demonstrates the growing capacity of SPU’s research community. Their scholarship informs new understandings and supports the University’s long term vision for a responsive and robust research culture.
