PhD in Water Resource Management – Nanotechnology (University of Pretoria, South Africa). Research Title:Green Nanotechnology for Water Treatment: Remediation of Lead-Contaminated Water Using Bio-based Nanofibers Embedded with Metal Oxide Nanoparticles – A Case Study of Kabwe, Zambia”
MSc in Environmental Biotechnology (University of Westminster, United Kingdom). Research Title: Sustainable Hydrogen Fuel Production through Fermentation using Pure and Co-culture of Clostridium beijerinckii and Enterobacter aerogenes from Diverse Feedstock
Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering (Copperbelt University, Zambia)
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Professional Member Engineering Institution of Zambia (E.I.Z)
Registered Engineer, The Engineering Registration Board of Zambia
Member OF institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE)
ACADEMIC EMPLOYMENT
July 2014 – To date: Lecturer, Chemical Engineering Department, School of Mines and Mineral Sciences, Copperbelt University – Zambia
06/2006 – 06/2007: Production Supervisor – National Breweries Ltd – Zambia
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Cutting-Edge Nanotechnology: Designing smart materials at the nanoscale for environmental cleanup, water purification, and advanced energy systems.
Innovative Biotechnology: Harnessing biological systems for sustainable solutions in energy, waste treatment, and industrial processes.
Process Systems Engineering: Optimizing complex industrial systems through modeling, simulation, and control for maximum efficiency and sustainability.
Sustainable Energy & Environmental Solutions: Driving clean energy innovations and green technologies to tackle global environmental challenges.
Advanced Mineral Processing: Enhancing resource recovery and beneficiation through modern, eco-conscious processing techniques.
JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS
Ngulube, R., Pillay, L. & Nombona, N. Synthesis and characterization of electrospun composite nanofibers from Moringa oleifera biomass and metal oxide nanoparticles as potential adsorbents for the removal of lead ions. Chem. Papers. 78, 599–611 (2024). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11696-023-03115-5
Kubheka, G., Adeola, A.O., Ngulube, R., Nombona, N. and Forbes, P.B., 2024. Magnetic hexadecylamine-graphene quantum dots-silver nanoparticle nanocomposite as adsorbents for the removal of phenanthrene and bacteria from aqueous solution. Discover Applied Sciences, 6(9), p.474. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-024-06147-y
Nangali, D.J., Siame, J., Mzula, A., Lungu, M., Mugala, A., Mukosha, L., Ngulube, R., Dusengemungu L. Bioleaching of chalcopyrite using native Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans isolated in a mining area in Kitwe Zambia. Scientific African. 22, 2468-2276 (2023). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2023.e01882
Lungu, M., Wang, H., Wang, J., Ngulube, R., Yang, Y., Chen, F., Siame, J. Assessment of the TFM in predicting the onset of turbulent fluidization, Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, 27, 979-992 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cjche.2018.08.029
Ngulube, R. and Kanyembo, J.J., 2017. Optimisation and Comparative Evaluation of Fermentative Hydrogen Production using Pure and Co-culture of Clostridium beijerinckii and Enterobacter aerogenes. Journal of Applied Biotechnology, 5(1), p.14. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5296/jab.v5i1.9763
Nyirenda, K., Kaputula, D. and Ngulube, R., 2016. Spatial Distribution of Groundwater Quality in Kitwe District, Copperbelt Province, Zambia: A Case Study of Mulenga Informal Settlement. American Journal of Water Resources, 4(5), pp.102-10. DOI:10.12691/ajwr-4-5-1
Ngulube, R., Katundu, K.N., Nakena, K., Nyirenda, K. and Siakamba, A., 2016. A review of Nchanga Tailings Dam operations and seasonal assessment of its effluent quality. American Journal of Environmental Protection, 5(4), pp.90-96. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.20160504.13
Ngulube, R., 2016. Application of biohydrometallurgy to copper mining in Zambia: Prospects and opportunities. Int. J. Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy, 1(4), pp.19-25. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmpem.20160104.11
Wanjiya, M., Ngulube, R. and Changwe, I., 2017. Feasibility studies on the implementation of bioleaching technology in Zambia Mining Industry: Case study of Konkola Copper Mines plc (KCM), Kalumbila Mineral Limited and Kansanshi Copper Mines. Journal of the Engineering Institution of Zambia, p.152.
CONFERENCE PRESENTATION
Ronald Ngulube, Musango Lungu, LIoyd Mukosha, John Siame. Exploring Nanotechnology-Based Solutions for Environmental Remediation of Emerging Pollutants in Zambia – A Review. Presented at the EIZ Symposium: “Sustainable Engineering Solutions for Climate Change Mitigation”, 3 – 5 April 2025, Livingstone, Zambia. Publication: Proceedings of the EIZ 2025 Symposium. (2025).
Musango Lungu, Ronald Ngulube. Effect of drag correlations on simulation of 13X Zeolite particle bed fluidization. Presented at the EIZ Symposium: “Sustainable Engineering Solutions for Climate Change Mitigation”, 3 – 5 April 2025, Livingstone, Zambia. Publication: Proceedings of the EIZ 2025 Symposium. (2025).
Ronald Ngulube and Musango Lungu, Developing of Nanofibers from Moringa oleifera Biomass for Lead Ion Removal from Contaminated Water: Investigating Co-existing Ions and Regeneration – A Case Study of Kabwe Town. Presented at the EIZ Symposium: “Implementation of homegrown engineering solutions for economic recovery, building resilience and safeguarding livelihoods”, 18 – 20 April 2024, Livingstone, Zambia. Publication: Proceedings of the EIZ 2024 Symposium, Journal of the Engineering Institution of Zambia, ISBN: 978-9982-70-908-5: 123 – 130 (2024).
Precious Chisala Mwanza, Ronald Ngulube and John Siame, Recovery and mineral value addition of copper in tailings from the Zambian Copperbelt. Presented at the EIZ Symposium: “Implementation of homegrown engineering solutions for economic recovery, building resilience and safeguarding livelihoods”, 18 – 20 April 2024, Livingstone, Zambia. Publication: Proceedings of the EIZ 2024 Symposium, Journal of the Engineering Institution of Zambia, ISBN: 978-9982-70-908-5: 256 – 265 (2024).
Musango Lungu, Ronald Ngulube, Lloyd Mukosha and John Siame, Effect of particle-wall friction on slugging fluidization dynamics. Presented at the EIZ Symposium: “Implementation of homegrown engineering solutions for economic recovery, building resilience and safeguarding livelihoods”, 18 – 20 April 2024, Livingstone, Zambia. Publication: Proceedings of the EIZ 2024 Symposium, Journal of the Engineering Institution of Zambia, ISBN: 978-9982-70-908-5: 177 – 185 (2024).
Ronald Ngulube and Musango Lungu, Developing of composite nanofibers from Moringa oleifera biomass for removal of lead ions from polluted water: A case study of Kabwe Town. Presented at the EIZ Symposium: “Sustainable Economic Transformation and Job Creation through Home-Grown Engineering Solutions”, 20 – 22 April 2023, Livingstone, Zambia. Publication: Proceedings of the EIZ 2023 Symposium, Journal of the Engineering Institution of Zambia, ISBN: 978-9982-70-908-5: 209 – 219 (2023).
Musango Lungu, John Siame, Lloyd Mukosha and Ronald Ngulube, Effectiveness of the coarse grain CFD-DEM model for fluidization. Presented at the EIZ Symposium: “Sustainable Economic Transformation and Job Creation through Home-Grown Engineering Solutions”, 20 – 22 April 2023, Livingstone, Zambia. Publication: Proceedings of the EIZ 2023 Symposium, Journal of the Engineering Institution of Zambia, ISBN: 978-9982-70-908-5: 133 – 144 (2023).
Amos Mugala, John Siame, Ronald Ngulube, Musango Lungu, Lloyd Mukosha, Davis Nangali and George Kasali, On bioleaching of Zambian Copper ores: ““Transformative Resilience in Times of Disruption: An Engineering Perspective”, 15 – 17 April 2021, Livingstone, Zambia. Publication: Proceedings of the EIZ 2021 Symposium, Journal of the Engineering Institution of Zambia, ISBN: 978-9982-70-908-5: 90 – 98 (2021).
Ronald Ngulube, Pillay Letitia and Nolwazi Nombona, Synthesis and characterization of composite nanofiber adsorbents from natural organic extract incorporated with metal oxide nanoparticles for water remediation, Nanosmat-Middle East, 15 December 2019. Abu-Dhabi Polytechnic in Abu.
John Siame, Amos Mugala, Ronald Ngulube, Musango Lungu, Lloyd Mukosha and George Kasali, “ Application of Bioleaching to Cooper Ores in Zambia”, Second Zambia National Conference on Geology, Mining, Metallurgy and Groundwater Resources, Kitwe, 21st – 23rd November 2019
Ronald Ngulube, Musango Lungu and Lloyd Mukosha, (2018). A Review of Potential Generation of Electricity from Biogas for Rural Development in Zambia. Proceedings of the Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ) 2018 Symposium “Engineering for an Innovative and Competitive Zambia”, 13th April 2018, Avani Victoria Falls Resort, Livingstone, Zambia.
Lungu, M., Ngulube, R., Wang, H., Wang, J., Yang, Y., Chen, F. & Siame, J. (2018). CFD simulation of pseudo 2D gas-solid fluidized bed for biomass gasification. Proceedings of the Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ) 2018 Symposium “Engineering for an Innovative and Competitive Zambia”, 13th April 2018, Avani Victoria Falls Resort, Livingstone, Zambia
Ronald Ngulube, Musango Lungu, Stephen B. Mulenga, Francis Zambika and Rajendra Agrawal (2017) Process Optimisation of Tailings Leach Plant – Konkola Copper Mines Plc, Zambia. Proceedings of the Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ) 2017 Symposium “Industrialisation: Sustainability and Efficiency”, 7-8th April 2017, Avani Victoria Falls Resort, Livingstone, Zambia.
Ronald Ngulube, Mwema Wanjiya, Kenny Nyirenda. (2016). An Overview of Sustainable Copper Recovery Method via Bioleaching. Proceedings of 86th The IIER International Conference, Johannesburg, South Africa, 9th -10th November 2016, ISBN: 978-93-86291-10-3
