Portrait of Prof. T. Eugene Cloete, seated at a wooden desk in an office, wearing a dark suit and blue striped tie
Microbiologist & Higher Education Leader

T. Eugene Cloete
DSc (UP), DSc (SU)

Forty-five years at the intersection of water microbiology and research leadership — from characterising biofilms in industrial water systems to steering research strategy for one of South Africa's leading universities.

01 — About

From scientist to research strategy

T. Eugene Cloete trained as a microbiologist — BSc and BSc (Hons) in Botany and Microbiology at the University of the Free State, followed by a DSc in Microbiology at the University of Pretoria in 1984. What began as bench research into the bacteria that foul industrial water systems grew into a body of work spanning biofilm control, biological phosphorus removal, bioremediation, nanotechnology for water treatment, and the control of harmful cyanobacterial blooms.

Alongside an active research programme, he rose through academic leadership at the University of Pretoria — Head of the Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, then Chairperson of the School of Biological Sciences — before moving to Stellenbosch University in 2009, first as Dean of Science and then as Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies for a decade. Since 2022 he has served as CEO of the Cape Higher Education Consortium (CHEC), the collaborative body representing Cape Town's universities.

He has held international leadership positions with the International Water Association, served on the boards of the CSIR and the Water Research Commission, and sat on the Coca-Cola World Water Expert Panel. He is a Fellow of the American Society for Microbiology, a Fellow of the International Water Association, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of South Africa.

02 — Qualifications

Academic qualifications

Five degrees across four decades, from an undergraduate BSc at the University of the Free State to a second Doctor of Science conferred by Stellenbosch University in 2023.

1979
BSc Microbiology University of the Free State
1980
BSc (Hons) Botany University of the Free State
1981
MSc Botany University of the Free State
1984
DSc Microbiology University of Pretoria
2023
DSc Microbiology Stellenbosch University

The MSc years (1979–1981) were spent as a student at the Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of the Free State — the period that set the direction of a career in water and environmental microbiology, culminating in a DSc in Microbiology at the University of Pretoria in 1984. A second DSc in Microbiology followed from Stellenbosch University in 2023.

03 — Career

Career timeline

Four decades moving between the bench, the lecture hall, and the executive table.

2022 — present
Chief Executive Officer
Cape Higher Education Consortium (CHEC)
2012 — 2022
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation & Postgraduate Studies
Stellenbosch University
Also chaired the boards of the Centre for Invasion Biology, the SA Centre for Epidemiological and Mathematical Modelling of AIDS, and the US Water Institute Advisory Board.
2009 — 2012
Dean, Faculty of Science
Stellenbosch University
2007 — 2008
Director, University of Pretoria Water Institute
University of Pretoria
2000 — 2008
Chairperson, School of Biological Sciences
University of Pretoria
2002 — 2003
Interim CEO (seconded)
BioPAD
1994 — 2008
Professor of Microbiology & Head of Department
Dept. of Microbiology & Plant Pathology, University of Pretoria
1988 — 1994
Associate Professor, Microbiology
University of Pretoria
1986 — 1988
Senior Lecturer, Microbiology
University of Pretoria
1983 — 1986
Technical Manager
Chemical Services (Pty) Ltd
1981 — 1982
Project Leader, compulsory military service
ARMSCOR
1979 — 1981
MSc student
Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of the Free State
04 — Research

Research focus and impact

A research programme built around one question: how do microorganisms behave on surfaces and in engineered water systems — and how can that behaviour be controlled, exploited, or reversed?

Biofouling & biocorrosion Biofilm dynamics Biological phosphorus removal Acid mine drainage treatment Rainwater harvesting quality Cyanobacterial bloom control Antimicrobial nanofibres Bioremediation of PAHs Water disinfection technology
11,138 Total citations Google Scholar
54 h‑index i10‑index of 139
10 Patents & 5 authored/edited books Spanning biocides, biofiltration and nanofibre membranes

Citation metrics from the author's Google Scholar profile.

05 — Publications

Selected scholarly output

164 peer-reviewed journal articles are indexed below, organised by decade — part of a wider output of 300+ scholarly contributions that also includes books, book chapters, patents, technical reports, and conference proceedings. Use the search box to find a keyword, co-author, or year.

1980s — Foundations16 papers
  • 1980TOERIEN, D.F., CLOETE, T.E., DU TOIT, P.J. & BOTES, P.J., 1980. Stabilizing high-strength wastes with photosynthetic bacteria. Water S.A. 19: 35-42
  • 1983CLOETE, T.E., LE ROUX, J.D., TOERIEN, D.F., PIETERSE, A.J.H., 1983. Oxygen dynamics and heterotrophic aspects of a pond treatment system for cattle feedlot effluent. Agr. Wastes 7: 147-174
  • 1984CLOETE, T.E., TOERIEN, D.F. & PIETERSE, A.J.H., 1984. Some entero-bacterial isolates from a pond system for the treatment of cattle feedlot effluent. Agr. Wastes 9: 79-86
  • 1984TOERIEN, D.F., CLOETE, T.E. & PIETERSE, A.J.H., 1984. Potential bacterial - algal interactions of a pond system for the treatment of cattle feedlot effluent. Agr. Wastes 9: 159-173
  • 1984CLOETE, T.E., TOERIEN, D.F. & PIETERSE, A.J.H., 1984. The bacteriological quality of water and fish of a pond system for the treatment of cattle feedlot effluent. Agr. Wastes 9: 1-15
  • 1985CLOETE, T.E., STEYN, P.L. & BUCHAN, L., 1985. An aut- ecological study of Acinetobacter in activated sludge. Wat. Sci. Tech. 7: 139-146
  • 1987CLOETE, T.E. & STEYN, P.L., 1987. A combined filter immunofluorescent technique for the in situ identification and enumeration of Acinetobacter in activated sludge. In: Advances in Water Pollution Control, R. Ramadori (ed.): 335-338
  • 1987VON HOLY, A. & CLOETE, T.E., 1987. Practical aspects of monitoring biofilms and microbial induced corrosion in industrial water systems. S. Afr. J. Sci. 24: 17-19
  • 1988CLOETE, T.E. & STEYN, P.L., 1988. The role of Acinetobacter as a phosphorus removing agent in activated sludge. Wat. Res. 22: 971-976
  • 1988CLOETE, T.E. & STEYN, P.L., 1988. A combined membrane filter immunofluorescent technique for the in situ identification and enumeration of Acinetobacter in activated sludge. Wat. Res. 22: 961-969
  • 1988VON HOLY, A., CLOETE, T.E., GROENEVELDT, T. & HOLZAPFEL, W.H., 1988. The effect of storage temperature, packaging and additives on the microbiological shelf-life of ground beef. S. Afr. J. Sci., 766-769
  • 1989CLOETE, T.E., BROZEL, V. & PRESSLY, J., 1989. A bacterial population structure study of water cooling systems in South Africa. Wat. S.A. 15: 37-42
  • 1989CLOETE, T.E. & KOTZé, J.M., 1989. Microbiological aspects of tea manufacture in South Africa. Acta Horticulturae. 2, 691-698
  • 1989CLOETE, T.E., SMITH, F. & STEYN, P.L., 1989. The use of planktonic bacterial populations in open and closed recirculating water cooling systems for the evaluation of biocides. Int. Biodeterioration 25: 114-122
  • 1989CLOETE, T.E. & WATKINSON, J., 1989. Milk iodine content as influenced by an iodophor teat dip. S. Afr. J. Dairy Sci. 21: 17-19
  • 1989STEYN, P.L. & CLOETE, T.E., 1989. The adaptation of Koch's postulates for studying microbial ecology. S. Afr. J. Sci. 85: 360-361
1990s — Biofouling & Biocorrosion56 papers
  • 1990BROZEL, V.S. & CLOETE, T.E., 1990. Fingerprinting of commercially available water treatment bactericides in South Africa. Water S.A. 17, 57-66
  • 1990BROZEL, V.S., HALL, A.N. and CLOETE, T.E., 1990. Biofilm monitoring using scanning electron microscopy. EMSA: Communications, 20, 130-131
  • 1990CLOETE, T.E. & NEL, L.H., 1990. A comparative analysis of locally manufactured and imported microbiological culture media. S. Afr. J. Sci. 86, 1, 19-20
  • 1990TOERIEN, D.F., GERBER, A., LOTTER, L.H. & CLOETE, T.E., 1990. Enhanced biological phosphorus removal in activated sludge systems. Adv. Microbial Ecol. 11, 173-219
  • 1991BRöZEL, V.S. & CLOETE, T.E., 1991. Effect of storage time and temperature on the aerobic plate count and on the community structure of two water samples. Water S.A 17, 289-300
  • 1991BRöZEL, V.S. & CLOETE, T.E., 1991. Resistance of bacteria from cooling waters to bactericides. J. of Ind. Microbiology 8, 273-276
  • 1991BRöZEL, V.S. & CLOETE, T.E., 1991. Evaluation of nutrient agars for the enumeration of viable aerobic heterotrophs in cooling water. Water Research. 26, 1111-1117
  • 1991CLOETE, T.E. and BRöZEL, V.S., 1991. Microbial resistance to Conventional Microbiocide. Biodeterioration, 8, 501-502.
  • 1991CLOETE, T.E., VON HOLY, A. & Brözel, V.S., 1991. Practical aspects of biofouling control. International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation 29, 299-341
  • 1991DYKES, G.A. , CLOETE, T.E., HALL, A.N. and VON HOLY, A. 1991. Micro-orphological characterization of meat spoilage lactic acid bacteria. EMSA: Communications. 21, 91-92
  • 1991DYKES, G., CLOETE, T.E. & VON HOLY, A., 1991. Quantification of microbial populations associated with the manufacturing of vacuum packed vienna sausages. Int.J. Food. Microbiol. 13, 239-248
  • 1991VON HOLY, A., CLOETE, T.E. & HOLZAPFEL, W.H., 1991. Quantification and characterization of microbial populations associated with spoiled vacuum packed vienna sausages. Food. Microbiol. 8, 95-104
  • 1991VON HOLY, A. & CLOETE, T.E., 1991. Stratification and identity of bacteria associated with spoiled vacuum packed vienna sausages. S. Afr. J. Sci. 88, 28-31
  • 1991WOLFAARDT, G.M., ARCHIBALD, R.E.M. & CLOETE, T.E., 1991. The use of DAPI in the quantification of sessile bacteria on submerged surfaces. Biofouling 4, 265-274
  • 1992CLOETE, T.E. & BRöZEL, V.S., 1992. The effect of bactericide treatment on planktonic bacterial communities in water cooling systems : Water S.A. 18, 87-92
  • 1992CLOETE, T.E. and le ROUX, H. 1992. Shelf life of dehydrated microbiological culture media S. Afr. J Dairy Sci. 24, 68-72
  • 1992WOLFAARDT, G.M. & CLOETE, T.E., 1992. The effect of some environmental parameters on surface colonization by microorganisms. Water Research. 26, 527-537
  • 1993BOSCH, M and CLOETE, T.E. 1993. The identification and classification of Acinetobacter strains exhibiting variations in phosphate accumulation using SDS - PAGE and numerical analysis. Current Microbiology. 27, 169-174
  • 1993BRöZEL, V.S. and CLOETE, T.E. 1993. Adaptation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to 2,2 methylene bis (4 chlorophenol). J. Appl. Bacterial 74, 94-99
  • 1993BRöZEL V.S. and CLOETE, T.E. 1993. Resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate by adaptation. Current Microbiology.26, 275-280
  • 1993BRöZEL, V.S. and CLOETE, T.E. 1993. Bacterial resistance to conventional water treatment biocides. Biodeterioration Abstracts 7, 387-395
  • 1993BRöZEL, V.S., PIETERSEN, B. and CLOETE, T.E. 1993. Adaptation of bacterial cultures to non-oxidising water treatment bactericides. Water SA 19, 259-262
  • 1993CLOETE, T.E., DA SILVA, E and BRöZEL, V.S. 1993. Bioindicators for the determination of in situ biocide concentrations in cooling water system. Water S.A., 19, 343-345
  • 1993DE BRUYN, E.E. and CLOETE, T.E. 1993. Media for the detection of sulphide producing bacteria in industrial water systems J. Microbiol Methods.17, 261-271
  • 1993DYKES, G., CLOETE, T.E. and VON HOLY, A. 1993. Morphological characterisation of lactic acid bacteria from spoiled vacuum packaged vienna sausages. SA J. Science 89, 269-275
  • 1994BRöZEL, V.S. and CLOETE, T.E. 1994. Resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to Isothiazolone. J. Appl. Bacterial.76, 576-582
  • 1994CLOETE, T.E. & BOSCH, M. 1994. Acinetobacter cell biomass, growth stage and phosphorus uptake from activated sludge mixed liquor. Water Science Technology. 30, 219-230
  • 1994DE BRUYN, E.E., CROUKAMP, E. and CLOETE, T.E. 1994. The Malthus system for biocide efficacy testing against Desulfovibrio desulfuricans. Water SA. 20, 23-26
  • 1995BRöZEL, V.S and CLOETE T.E. 1995. The antibacterial mechanism of action of thiocarbamates. Int. Biodet. and Biodegr., Section IV, 1-6
  • 1995BRöZEL, V.S., PIETERSEN, B and CLOETE, T.E. 1995. Resistance of bacterial cultures to non-oxidising water treatment bactericides by adaptation. Water Science Technology, 31, 169-175
  • 1995BRöZEL, V.S., STRYDOM, G.M and CLOETE, T.E. 1995. A Method for the study of De Novo protein synthesis in Pseudomonas aeruginosa after attachment. Biofouling, 8, 195-201
  • 1995CLOETE, T.E and DE BRUYN, E.E. 1995. The dominant sulphide producing bacteria in SA cooling water systems. Int. Biodet and Biodegr., Section XIII, 20-26
  • 1995DE BRUYN, E.E and CLOETE, T.E. 1995. The role of Shewanella putrefaciens as a corrosion causing bacteria. Int. Biodet. and Biodegr., Section XIII, 46-53
  • 1995DYKES, E., CLOETE, T.E and VON HOLY, A. 1995. Taxonomy of lactic acid bacteria associated with vacuum-packaged processed meat spoilage by multivariate analysis of cellular fatty acids. Int. Journal of Food Microbiology, 28, 89-100
  • 1995MUYIMA, N.Y.O and T.E. CLOETE, 1995. Phosphate uptake in immobilized Acinetobacter calcoaceticus cells in a full scale activated sludge plant. Journal of Industrial Microbiology, 15, 19-24
  • 1995MUYIMA, N.Y.O and CLOETE, T.E, 1995. Growth and phosphate uptake of immobilized Acinetobacter cells in activated sludge mixed liquor. Wat Res, 29, 2461-2466
  • 1995MUYIMA, N.Y.O and CLOETE, T.E, 1995. Immobilisation of Acinetobacter johnsonni cells within alginate beads, Water SA, 21, 239-244
  • 1995PIETERSEN, B. BRöZEL, V.S and CLOETE, T.E, 1995. The reaction of bacterial cultures to oxidising water treatment biocides. Water SA, 21, 173-176
  • 1995POULTON, W., CLOETE, T.E and VON HOLY, A. 1995. Microbiological survey of open recirculating cooling water systems and their raw water supplies at twelve fossil-fired power stations. Water SA, 21, 357-364
  • 1996JACOBS, L. DE BRUYN, E.E and CLOETE, T.E. 1996. Spectrophotometric monitoring of Biofouling. Wat Sci Tech, 34, 533-540
  • 1996EHLERS, M.M and CLOETE, T.E, 1996. Nuwe pathogene in die voedselbedryf. Tydskrif vir Natuurwetenskap en Tegnologie, 15, 121-130
  • 1996MOMBA, M.N.B and CLOETE, T.E, 1996. The Relationship of Biomass to Phosphate uptake by Acinetobacter junii in Activated Sludge Mixed Liquor. Wat. Res, 30, 364-370
  • 1996MOMBA, M.N.B and CLOETE, T.E, 1996. Biomass relationship to growth and phosphate uptake of Pseudomonas fluorescence, Escherichia coli and Acinetobacter radioresistens in mixed liquor medium. Journal of Industrial Microbiology, 16, 364-369
  • 1996OLIVIER, M. VEARY, C.M. CLOETE, T.E and VON HOLY, A. 1996. Microbiological status of selected chicken carcases from a non-automated poultry processing plant. J Basic Microbiol, 36, 41-49
  • 1996PIETERSEN, B., BRöZEL, V.S and CLOETE, T.E, 1996. The response of E coli K12 upon exposure to hypochlorous acid and hydrogen peroxide. Water SA, 22, 43-48
  • 1996PIETERSEN, B., BRöZEL, V.S and T.E. CLOETE. 1996. Response of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO following exposure to hydrogen peroxide. Water SA, 22, 239-244
  • 1998CLOETE, T.E., MOMBA, N.B. MAGGY., VENTER, S.N and KFIR, R. 1998. Evaluation of the impact of disinfection processes on the formation of biofilms in potable surface water distribution systems. Wat Sci Tech, 38, 283-289
  • 1998CLOETE, T.E., JACOBS, L and BRöZEL, V.S. 1998. The chemical control of biofouling in industrial water systems. Biodegradation, 9: 23-37
  • 1998CLOETE, T.E., DA SILVA, E and NEL, L.H. 1998. Removal of waterborne human enteric viruses and coliphages using oxidised coal. Current Microbiology, 37, 23-27
  • 1999CLOETE, T.E and CILLIERS. L. 1999. Removal of Aroclor 1254 by the white rot fungus Coriolus versicolor in the presence of different concentrations of Mn(IV) oxide. International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation, 44, 243-253
  • 1999CLOETE, T.E and SMITH, Z. 1999. A cooling water system as a biofilm reactor for the treatment of municipal wastewater. Water SA, 25, 371-375
  • 1999EHLERS, M.M and CLOETE, T.E. 1999. Direct extractions of proteins to monitor an activated sludge system on a weekly basis for 34 weeks using SDS-PAGE. Water SA, 25, 57-62
  • 1999EHLERS, M.M and CLOETE, T.E. 1999. Protein profiles of phosphorus and nitrate removing activated sludge systems. Water SA, 25, 351-356
  • 1999ELHERS, M.M and CLOETE, T.E. 1999. Comparing the protein profiles at 21 different activated sludge systems after SDS-PAGE Water Res, 33, 1181-1186
  • 1999MOMBA, M., VENTER, F., KAFIR, R and CLOETE, T.E. 1999. Examination of the behaviour of E coli in biofilms established in laboratory - scale units receiving chlorinated water. Water Res, 30, 2937-2940
  • 1999NEVONDO, T.S and CLOETE, T.E. 1999. Bacterial and chemical quality of water supply in the Dertig village settlement. Water SA, 25, 215-220
2000s — Water Quality & Bioremediation49 papers
  • 2000CLOETE, T.E., ERASMUS, A.S., VAN WYNGAARD, S., VERSHOOR, J.A., EHLERS, M.M and VAN HEERDEN, J. 2000. Antibody recognition of an 18 KDa protein possibly involved in phosphate removal by activated sludge. Water Res, 34: 1372-1378
  • 2000MOMBA, M., VENTER, F., KFIR, R and CLOETE, T.E. 2000. Influence of disinfection processes on the microbial quality of potable groundwater in a laboratory-scale system model. Journal of Water Supply, Research and Technology, AQUA, 49, 23-34
  • 2000MOMBA, M.N.B., KFIR, R., VENTER, S.N and CLOETE, T.E. 2000. An overview of biofilm formation in distribution systems and its impact on the deterioration of water quality. Water SA, 26, 59-66
  • 2000THERON, J and CLOETE, T.E. 2000. Molecular techniques for determining microbial diversity and community structure in natural environments. Critical Reviews in Microbiology, 26, 37-57
  • 2001VAN HEERDEN, J., EHLERS, M and CLOETE, T.E. 2001. Biolog for the determination of microbial diversity in activated sludge systems. Water Science and Technology, 43: 83-90
  • 2001CLOETE, T.E and JACOBS, L. 2001. Surfactants and the attachment of Pseudomonas aeroginosa to 3CR12 stainless steel and glass. Water SA, 27: 21-26
  • 2001CLOETE, T.E and DE BRUYN, E.E. 2001. The effect of culture media on antigenic expression in sulphate reducing bacteria. Current Microbiology, 42:305-309
  • 2001CLOETE, T.E and OOSTHUIZEN, D.J. 2001. SEM-EDS for determining the phosphorus content in activated sludge EPS. Wat Sci Technol. 43 (6), 105-112
  • 2001CLOETE, T.E. and OOSTHUIZEN, D.J. 2001. The role of extracellular exopolymers in the removal of phosphorus form activated sludge. Water Research. 35, 3595-3598
  • 2002CLOETE, T.E. and THERON, J. 2002. Emerging waterborne infections: Contributing factors, agents and detection tools. Critical Reviews in Microbiology, 28(1): 1-26
  • 2002VAN HEERDEN, J., KORF, C., EHLERS, M and CLOETE, T.E. 2002. Biolog for the determination of diversity in microbial communities. Water SA, 28: 29-35
  • 2002MAILA, M.P. and CLOETE, T.E. 2002. Germination of Lepidium sativum as a method to evaluate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) removal form contaminated soil. International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation. 50(2): 107-113.
  • 2002WAGNER, A. and CLOETE, T.E. 2002. 16S rRNA sequence analysis of bacteria present in foaming activated sludge. Systematic and Applied Microbiology, 25: 434-439
  • 2002MALHERBE, S. and CLOETE, T.E. 2002. Lignocellulose biodegradation: fundamentals and applications. Reviews in Environmental Science and Biotechnology, 01, 105-114
  • 2002CLOETE, T.E. 2002. Electrochemically activated water as a non-pollution anti-fouling technology. Corrosion, 02463, 1-7
  • 2003Cloete, T.E., Westaard, D., and van Vuuren, S.J. 2003. Dynamic response of biofilm to pipe surface and fluid velocity. Water Science & Technology. 47(5): 57–59
  • 2003CLOETE, T.E. 2003. Biofouling control in industrial water systems: What we know and what we need to know. Materials and Corrosion. 54: 1-7
  • 2003CLOETE, T.E. 2003. Resistance mechanisms of bacteria to antimicrobial compounds. International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation, (51) 277-282
  • 2003THERON, J. and CLOETE, T.E. 2003. Applications of Molecular Technologies in Environmental Biotechnology for Monitoring Bacteria, Bioremediation. 8: 205-231
  • 2003THERON, J. and CLOETE, T.E. 2003. The microbiology of biological phosphorus removal using activated slude. Journal of environmental Engineering and Science. 4:273-280
  • 2004MAILA, P.M., RANDIMA, P., DRONEN, K., SURRIDGE, K. and CLOETE, T.E. 2004. Evaluation of Microbial diversity of different soil layers at a contaminated diesel site. International Biodegradation and Biodeterioration, Volume 55, pp39-44
  • 2004MAILA, P.M. and CLOETE, T.E. 2004. The use of Biological activities to monitor the removal of fuel contaminants: perspective for monitoring hydrocarbon contamination. International Biodegradation and Biodeterioration . Volume 55, pp 1-8
  • 2004MAILA, P.M. and CLOETE, T.E. 2004. Bioremediation through landfarming: are simplicity and cost-effectiveness the only advantages? Re/Views in Environmental Science and Bio/technology. Reviews in Environmental Science & Bio/Technology. Volume 3: 349-360
  • 2005OBERHOLSTER, P.J., BOTHA, A-M., MULLER, K. and CLOETE, T.E. 2005. Assessment of the genetic diversity of geographically unrelated Microcystis aeruginosa using amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs). African Journal of Biotechnology, Vol 4 (5), pp. 389-399
  • 2005MAILA, P.M. and CLOETE, T.E 2005. “Multispecies and Monoculture Rhizoremediation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) from the Soil”. International Journal of Phytoremediation. 7:87-98
  • 2005MAILA, P.M. and CLOETE, T.E. 2005. Evaluation of microbial communities colonizing stone ballasts at diesel depots. The Environmentalist (Formerly Water, Air & Soil Pollution). 24 (3): 187-193
  • 2005MALULEKE, R. and CLOETE, T.E. 2005 The use of the Rotoscope as an on-line, real-time, non-destructive method for biofilm monitoring. Water Science and Technology, Vol 53 No 7 pp 211-216
  • 2005OBERHOLSTER,P.J., BOTHA, A.-M. and CLOETE, T.E. 2005. Using a battery of bioassays, benthic phytoplankton and the AUPR PVAP method to monitor long-term coal tar contaminated sediment in the Cache la Poundre River. Water Research. 39; 4913-4924
  • 2005Coetser, S.E. and Cloete, T.E. 2005. Biofouling and Biocorrosion in Industrial Water Systems. Critical Reviews in Microbiology. 31:213-232
  • 2005AJK SURRIDGE, AK DRONEN, FC WEHNER, TE CLOETE. 2005. Phylogenetic and distance analyses of microbial populations from contaminated soils in South Africa based on Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) profiles. International Journal of Phytoremediation, 7: 1-12
  • 2005A.K.J. Surridge, I.P. Molbela, F.C. Wehner and T.E. Cloete. 2005. Molecular identification and confirmation of toluene and naphthalene degrading capacity of bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere of weeds in a polyaromatic hydrocarbon polluted soil in South Africa. Water Science and Technology. (Accepted)
  • 2005OBERHOLSTER and CLOETE, T.E. 2005. An overview of toxic freshwater cyanobacteria in South Africa with special reference to risk, impact and detection by molecular marker tools. Biokemistri 17(2):57-71
  • 2006OBERHOLSTER, P.J., BOTHA, A.M. and CLOETE, T.E. 2006. Toxic cyanobacterial blooms in a shallow artificially mixed urban lake Colorado. USA. Lakes & Reservoirs: Research and Management, 11: 111-123
  • 2006Maila MP, Randima P, Drønen K and Cloete TE. 2006. Soil Microbial Communities: Influence of geographic location and hydrocarbon pollutants. Journal of Soil Biology & Biochemistry. 38; 303-310
  • 2006OBERHOLSTER,P.J., BOTHA, A.-M. and CLOETE, T.E. 2006. Use of molecular as indicators for winter zooplankton grazing on toxic benthic cyanobacteria colonies in an urban Colorado lake. Harmful Algae, 5 pp 705-716
  • 2006COETSER, S.E., PULLES, W., HEATH, R. and CLOETE, T.E. 2006. Chemical characterization of organic electron donors for sulfate reduction for potential use in Acid mine drainage treatment. Biodegradation. 17 (2): 67-77
  • 2006THANTSHA, M. and CLOETE, T.E. 2006. The effect of sodium chloride and sodium bicarbonate derived anolytes, and anolyt-catholyte combination on biofilms. Water SA, Vol 32 No 2:237-242
  • 2006Cloete, T.E., Nel, L.H. and Theron, J. (2006). Biotechnology in South Africa. Trends in Biotechnology; Vol 24 No 12 pp 557 – 562
  • 2006MOOLMAN, F.S., LABUSCHAGNE, P.W., THANTSA, M.S., VAN DER MERWE, T.L., ROLFES, H. and CLOETE, T.E. (2006). Encapuslating probiotics with an interpolymer complex in supercritical carbon dioxide. South African Journal of Science 102, p 349-354
  • 2007Oberholster.P J, A-M, Botha., T.E. Cloete, (2007). Ecological implications of artificial mixing and bottom-sediment removal for a shallow urban lake, Lake Sheldon, Colorado. Lakes & Reservoirs: Research and Management 12, 73- 87
  • 2008AUSTIN, A. and CLOETE, T.E. (2008). Safety aspects of handling and using faecal material from urine-diversion toilets – a field investigation. Water Environment Research 80 (4), pp. 308-315
  • 2008THERON, J., CLOETE, T.E. and WALKER, J. (2008). Nanotechnology applications in the Water Industry. Critical Reviews in Microbiology, 34:43-69
  • 2008OBERHOLSTER, P.J. BOTHA, A.-M. And CLOETE, T.E. (2008). Biological and chemical evaluation of sewage water pollution in the Rietvlei nature reserve wetland area, South Africa. Environmental Pollution, 156, 184-192.
  • 2008Ross, G, Hagseresht, F and Cloete T E (2008).The effect of pH and anoxia on the performance of Phoslock®, a phosphorus binding clay. Harmful Algae 7 (4), pp. 545-550
  • 2008Williams, P J and Cloete, T E (2008). Microbial community study of the iron ore concentrate of the Sishen Iron Ore Mine, South Africa. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, pp. 1-8
  • 2008PJ Williams, AKJ Surridge and TE Cloete (2008) Microbial community study of the process- and groundwater of the Sishen Iron-Ore Mine, South Africa, Water SA Vol. 34 No. 5 573-578
  • 2009EVELYN MADOROBA, EMMA T. STEENKAMP, JACQUES THERON, GEERT HUYS, ILSE SCHEIRLINCK AND T. EUGENE CLOETE (2009). Polyphasic taxonomic characterization of lactic acid bacteria isolated from spontaneous sorghum fermentations used to produce ting, a traditional South African food. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 8 (3), pp. 458-463
  • 2009THANTSHA, MS, CLOETE, TE, MOOLMAN, FS, LABUSCHAGNE, PW (2009). Survival of B. longum Bb-46 in simulated gastrointestinal fluids. International Journal of Food Microbiology, Vol. 129(1), pp 1-18
  • 2009T.E. Cloete, M.S. Thantsha, M.R. Maluleke and R. Kirkpatrick (2009). The antimicrobial mechanism of electrochemically activated water against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli as determined by SDS-PAGE analysis. Journal of Applied Microbiology, pp 379 - 384
2010s — Nanotechnology & Rainwater Harvesting42 papers
  • 2010Botes. M and Cloete T E. (2010). The potential of nanofibres and nanobiocides in water Purification. Critical Reviews in Microbiology. 36(1):68-81
  • 2010Gumbo, J, Ross, G and Cloete, T E (2010). The isolation and identification of predatory bacteria from a Microcystis algal bloom. African Journal of Biotechnology. 9(5): 663-671
  • 2010Theron, J,De Kwaadsteniet, M and Cloete T E (2010). Current molecular and emerging nanobiotechnology approaches for the detection of microbial pathogens. Critical Reviews in Microbiology. 36(4) 318-339
  • 2010Adeleke, R A, Cloete, T E, Bertrand, A and Khasa, D P (2010) Mobilisation of potassium and phosphorus from iron ore by ectomycorrhzal fungi. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology (In press)
  • 2010Williams,P J and Cloete, T E (2010). The production and use of citric acid for the removal of potassium from the iron ore concentrate of the Sishen Iron Ore Mine, South Africa. South African Journal of Science, Vol 106.
  • 2010Molobela P, Cloete T E and Beukes M (2010).Protease and amylase enzymes for biofilm removal and degradation of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) produced by Pseudomonas fluorescens bacteria. African Journal of Microbiology Research.4 (14) 1515-1524
  • 2011Modoroba, E, Steenkamp, E T, Theron, J, Scheirlinck, Cloete T E, Huys G (2011). Diversity and dynamics of bacterial populations during spontaneous sorghum fermentations used to produce Ting, a South African food. Systematic and Applied Microbiology, 34, 227 – 234
  • 2011Chikere, C B, Surridge, K, Okpokwasili, G C and Cloete, T E (2011). Dynamics of indigenous bacterial communities associated with crude oil degradation in soil microcosms during nutrient-enhanced bioremediation. Waste Management and Research, 0 (0) 1 - 12
  • 2011De Kwaadsteniet, M, Botes, M and Cloete, T E (2011). Application of nanotechnology in antimicrobial coatings in the water industry. NANO: Brief Reports and Reviews, Vol. 6, No. 5, 395– 407
  • 2011Rasheed Adeleke, T. E. Cloete and D. P. Khasa (2011). Culturable microorganisms associated with Sishen iron ore and their potential roles in biobeneficiation . World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology. Volume 28, Issue 3, pp 1057-1070
  • 2011Gumbo, J R. and Cloete, T E (2011). Light and electron microscope assessment of the lytic activity of Bacillus on Microcystis aeruginosa. African Journal of Biotechnology. 10 (41) 8054- 8063
  • 2011Gumbo, J R. and Cloete, T E (2011). The mechanism of Microcystis aeruginosa death upon exposure to Bacillus mycoides. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth. 36, 881 - 886
  • 2011Chioma Blaise Chikere, Karen Joan Surridge, Eugene Thomas Cloete, Gideon Chijioke Okpokwasili (2011). Phylogenetic diversity of dominant bacterial communities during bioremediation of crude oil-polluted soil. Ambiente & Água - An Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Science, Vol 6, No 2 (2011);
  • 2012Dlamini, N, De Kwaadsteniet, M, Cloete, T E and Klumperman B (2012) Electrospun Poly (vinyl alcohol) Nanofibres with biocidal additives for application in filter media, 2 – antimicrobial activity generation, leaching and water stability. Macromolecular Materials & Engineering,297
  • 2012Du Plessis, D, Botes, M, Dicks, L M T and Cloete, T E (2012). Immobilization of commercial hydrolytic enzymes on Poly (acrylonitrile) nanofibers for anti-biofilm activity. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology (Accepted)
  • 2012R. A. Adeleke & T. E. Cloete & A. Bertrand & D. P. Khasa (2012) Iron ore weathering potentials of ectomycorrhizal plants. Mycorrhiza, 22:535–544
  • 2012NP Gule, M de Kwaadsteniet, TE Cloete (2012) Furanone-containing poly (vinyl alcohol) nanofibers for cell-adhesion inhibition. Water Research 47 (3), 1049-1059
  • 2012Nonjabulo P. Gule, Osama Bshena, Michèle de Kwaadsteniet, Thomas E. Cloete, and Bert Klumperman (2012) Immobilized Furanone Derivatives as Inhibitors for Adhesion of Bacteria on Modified Poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride).Biomacromolecules, 2012, 13 (10), pp 3138–3150
  • 2012Gule, N.P., de Kwaadsteniet, M., Cloete, T.E. and Klumperman, B. (2012), Electrospun Poly (vinyl alcohol) Nanofibres with Biocidal Additives for Application in Filter Media, 1–Properties Affecting Fibre Morphology and Characterisation. Macromol. Mater. Eng. 297: 609–617
  • 2012Gule, N. P., de Kwaadsteniet, M., Cloete, T. E. and Klumperman, B. (2012), Electrospun Poly (vinyl alcohol) Nanofibres with Biocidal Additives for Application in Filter Media, 2– Antimicrobial Activity,Regeneration, Leaching and Water Stability. Macromol. Mater. Eng., 297: 618– 626
  • 2012du Plessis, D; M Botes; L M T Dicks; T E Cloete (2012) Antimikrobiese nanovesels vir waterbehandeling: poli(vinielalkohol)- en poli(akrielonitriel) - nanovesels met silwer-nanopartikels. Litnet Akademies: Volume 9, Issue 2, Pages: 25 - 41
  • 2013du Plessis, D. M., Botes, M., Dicks, L. M. T. and Cloete, T. E. (2013), Immobilization of commercial hydrolytic enzymes on poly (acrylonitrile) nanofibers for anti-biofilm activity. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology 88 (4), 585-593
  • 2013M Botes; M de Kwaadsteniet & T E Cloete (2013) Application of quantitative PCR for the detection of microorganisms in water. Anal Bioanal Chem,405:91–108
  • 2013Jachlewski, S., Botes, M. and Cloete, T.E. (2013). The effect of ultrasound of 256 KHz on Microcystis aeruginosa, with and without gas vacuoles. Water SA, 39 (1): 171-174
  • 2013de Kwaadsteniet, M., Dobrowsky, P. H., van Deventer, A., Khan, W., & Cloete, T. E. (2013). Domestic rainwater harvesting: microbial and chemical water quality and point-of-use treatment systems. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 224(7), 1-19
  • 2013Dobrowsky, P. H., van Deventer, A., De Kwaadsteniet, M., Ndlovu, T., Khan, S., Cloete, T. E., & Khan, W. (2013). Prevalence of virulence genes associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains isolated from domestically harvested rainwater during low and high rainfall periods. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, AEM-03061
  • 2014PH Dobrowksy, D Mannel, M De Kwaadsteniet, H Prozesky, W Khan and TE Cloete (2014) Quality assessment and primary uses of harvested rainwater in Kleinmond, South Africa. Water SA, 40, p401-406
  • 2014Dobrowsky, P H; M. De Kwaadsteniet, T. E. Cloete and Khan, W (2014) Distribution of Indigenous Bacterial Pathogens and Potential Pathogens Associated with Roof-Harvested Rainwater. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 80(7):2307 152. A. Conradie , G.O. Sigge, T.E. Cloete (2014) Influence of Winemaking Practices on the Characteristics of Winery Wastewater and Water Usage of Wineries. S. Afr. J. Enol. Vitic., Vol. 35, No. 1,2014
  • 2015P. H. Dobrowsky, M. Carstens, J de Villiers, T. E. Cloete and W. Khan (2015) Efficiency of a closed-coupled solar pasteurization system in treating roof harvested rainwater. Science of the total Environment. Vol.536 pp 206-214
  • 2015Rasheed Adeleke, T Eugene Cloete, Annick Bertrand and Damase P Khasa (2015) Relationship between plant growth and organic acid exudates from ectomycorrhizal and non- ectomycorrhizal Pinus patula. South African Journal of Plant and Soil. 32 (4), 183-188
  • 2015P. H. Dobrowsky, M. Lombard, W. J. Cloete, M. Saayman, T. E. Cloete, M. Carstens, S. Khan and W. Khan (2015) Efficiency of Microfiltration Systems for the Removal of Bacterial and Viral Contaminants from Surface and Rainwater. Water Air and Soil Pollut. 226:33 - 47
  • 2016F van den Berg, M Botes and T E Cloete (2016) The formulation of synthetic domestic wastewater sludge medium to study anaerobic biological treatment of acid mine drainage in the laboratory Water SA.42, 350-354
  • 2016F van den Berg, M Botes and T E Cloete (2016) Synthetic domestic wastewater sludge as electron donor in the reduction of sulphate and treatment of acid mine drainage. Water SA 42 (3), 475-482
  • 2016P.H. Dobrowsky, S. Khan, T.E. Cloete and W. Khan (2016) Molecular Detection of Acanthamoeba spp., Naegleria fowleri and Vermamoeba (Hartmannella) vermiformis as Vectors for Legionella spp. in Untreated and Solar Pasteurized Harvested Rainwater. Parasites & vectors 9 (1), 539
  • 2017William J. Cloete, Bert Klumperman and Thomas Eugene Cloete (2017) Increased Functionality Through Surface Grafting: Polymeric Surfaces. Current Organic Chemistry, 2017, 21, 1-11
  • 2017PH Dobrowsky, S Khan, TE Cloete, W Khan (2017) Microbial and Physico-chemical Characteristics Associated with the Incidence of Legionella spp. and Acanthamoeba spp. in Rainwater Harvested from Different Roofing Materials. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 228 (2), 85
  • 2017DM De Beer, M Botes, TE Cloete (2017) The microbial community of a biofilm contact reactor for the treatment of winery wastewater. Journal of Applied Microbiology 124, 598-609
  • 2018K Staebe, M Botes, T Madlala, PJ Oberholster, TE Cloete (2018) Microbial community diversity as a potential bioindicator of AMD and steel plant effluent in a channelled valley bottom wetland. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 229 (12), 397
  • 2018K Reynolds-Clausen, K Surridge-Talbot, M Botes, T Eugene Cloete (2018) Bacterial species diversity as an indicator of dibromonitrilopropionamide (DBNPA) biocide efficacy. Water Science and Technology 78 (2), 320-328
  • 2018DM De Beer, M Botes, TE Cloete (2018) The microbial community of a biofilm contact reactor for the treatment of winery wastewater. Journal of Applied Microbiology 124 (2), 598-610
  • 2018B Reyneke, TE Cloete, S Khan, W Khan (2018) Rainwater harvesting solar pasteurization treatment systems for the provision of an alternative water source in peri-urban informal settlements. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology 4 (2), 291-302
  • 2018WJ Cloete, B Klumperman, TE Cloete (2018) Increased Functionality Through Surface Grafting: Polymeric Surfaces. Current Organic Chemistry 21 (24), 2455-2465.
2020s1 papers
  • 2023JA Walker, TE Cloete (2023) Reductionism or holism? The two faces of biologyTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 79 (1)

Full reference list available on request. Publication records compiled from the author's curriculum vitae, June 2025.

06 — Book Publications

Book publications

Six books authored or edited across a 13-year span, spanning wastewater treatment, water policy, biofilm science, and nanotechnology.

Cover of Microbial Community Analysis book
1997

Microbial Community Analysis — the key to the design of biological wastewater treatment plants

Cloete, T.E. & Muyima, O. — IWA Publishing

Cover of Transboundary Rivers, Sovereignty and Development book
2003

Transboundary Rivers, Sovereignty and Development: Hydropolitical Drivers in the Okavango River Basin

Turton, T., Ashton, P. & Cloete, T.E. — African Water Issues Research Unit (AWIRU) & Green Cross International

Cover of Biofilm Monitoring, Water Science & Technology
2003

Biofilm Monitoring

Flemming, H.C., Melo, L. & Cloete, T.E. — Water Science & Technology, IWA Publishing

Cover of Microbial Waterborne Pathogens book
2004

Microbial Waterborne Pathogens

Edited by Cloete, T.E., Rose, J., Nel, L.H. & Ford, T. — IWA Publishing

Cover of Basic and Applied Microbiology book
2006

Basic and Applied Microbiology

Edited by Cloete, T.E. & Atlas, R.M. — Van Schaik Publishers, Pretoria

Cover of Nanotechnology in Water Treatment Applications book
2010

Nanotechnology in Water Treatment Applications

Edited by Cloete, T.E., De Kwaadsteniet, M., Botes, M. & Lopez-Romero, M. — Caister Academic Press, Norfolk, UK

07 — Patents

Patents

Ten patents across four decades, spanning biocides, water treatment, biofilm monitoring, and antimicrobial polymer science.

01 1983

Biocide for use in diesel fuel

02 1985

Preservative for use in food

03 1989 — Pat. 891061 (SA); 606262 (Aust); 2215603 (UK); 1,999,262 (USA)

The use of humic acids as biocides

04 1991 — Pat. 91/311 (SA)

The use of fulvic acids as biocides

05 1991 — Pat. 4,985,150 (USA); 89/27865A

Water treatment

06 1998

Anaerobic bioreactor for laboratory-scale studies

Zdyb, L., Coetser, L. & Cloete, T.E. — awarded the D.M. Kisch Prize for the best invention by students at the University of Pretoria, 1998.

07 1999

Combined sulphate reduction and metal deposition system for the treatment of AMD

Pulles, W., Boer, R. & Cloete, T.E.

08 2003 — PCT/IB 2004/052653

Rotoscope biofilm monitor

Cloete, T.E. & van Vuuren

09 US Patent 9,457,321

Furanone-containing polymer compound with bacteria-adhesion properties

Klumperman, B., Bshena, O.E., Cloete, T.E. & Gule, N.P.

10 US Patent App. 15/118,832

A biofiltration system

Cloete, T.E., du Plessis, D.M. & Botes, M.

08 — Teaching

Teaching and mentorship

Over 24 years of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching reached more than 10,000 students, from introductory microbiology to specialised postgraduate courses in research methodology and creativity & innovation.

Author of Basic and Applied Microbiology (Van Schaik, 2006) with R.M. Atlas — the outcome of a three-month sabbatical collaboration with the University of Louisville, Kentucky.

111+

MSc and PhD students supervised to graduation across a 30-year period, spanning microbial ecology, water treatment, and bioremediation.

124

Co-authored publications with former MSc and PhD students — 24 of them with students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds, reflecting a sustained investment in postgraduate development.

Eleven former students have gone on to hold professorships of their own, at institutions including the University of Pretoria, Stellenbosch University, North-West University, the University of Zululand, South Dakota State University, and Ryerson University (Canada). Others lead research and innovation functions at Eskom, the Water Research Commission, and the Agricultural Research Council.

"Six of my black students and five of my white students went on to become professors themselves — that multiplication is the outcome I'm proudest of."

09 — Leadership

Professional appointments

Board and professional appointments spanning research funding, water policy, and higher education governance.

International Water AssociationLeadership roles including Presidential responsibilities, Executive Board and Strategic Council meetings (1986–2008)
CSIRBoard member, 2012–2015
Water Research CommissionBoard member, 2014–2017
CANSA Research CommitteeMember, 2011–2015
Academy of Science of South AfricaChairman, Audit & Risk Committee, 2020–2024
Academy of Science of South AfricaCouncil member, 2020–2024
NEPAD Water Centres of ExcellenceChairman, Steering Committee, 2009–2012
Coca-Cola World Water Expert PanelPanel member
InnovUSDirector, 2012–2022
Cape Chamber of Commerce and IndustryBoard member, 2023–present

Editorial boards

  • Systematic and Applied Microbiology
  • Critical Reviews in Microbiology
  • Reviews in Environmental Science and Biotechnology
  • Water Research2006–2008

Fellowships

  • American Society for Microbiology1995
  • International Water Association2010
  • Royal Society of South Africa2012
  • Water Institute of Southern AfricaSenior Fellow, 2005
10 — Leadership Videos

Leadership videos

Public talks and interviews featuring Prof. Cloete on research leadership, innovation, and higher education.

YouTube
On the launch of Stellenbosch University's School for Climate Studies Stellenbosch University · 2021
LinkedIn
An honor to receive the Chancellor Award LinkedIn post
LinkedIn
Raising expectations and unlocking the genius LinkedIn post
LinkedIn
LinkedIn video LinkedIn post
LinkedIn
Motivation from within LinkedIn post
LinkedIn
Acknowledgement fulfills our deepest need LinkedIn post
LinkedIn
Respect and co-exist in harmony LinkedIn post
LinkedIn
Maintaining a positive attitude LinkedIn post
LinkedIn
Priorities determine your destiny LinkedIn post
LinkedIn
Be kind. LinkedIn post
LinkedIn
Vision. Plan. Action. LinkedIn post
LinkedIn
Hope realized LinkedIn post
LinkedIn
The five-minute MBA LinkedIn post
LinkedIn
Excellence defined LinkedIn post
LinkedIn
A perfect relationship LinkedIn post
LinkedIn
Life is not a competition LinkedIn post
LinkedIn
The mark of a true leader LinkedIn post
LinkedIn
Just be on time LinkedIn post
LinkedIn
Never be the victim LinkedIn post
LinkedIn
Be positive LinkedIn post
LinkedIn
Be positive LinkedIn post
LinkedIn
I had the honour to be the guest speaker LinkedIn post
LinkedIn
Don't sweat the small stuff LinkedIn post
LinkedIn
LinkedIn video LinkedIn post
LinkedIn
LinkedIn video LinkedIn post
LinkedIn
LinkedIn video LinkedIn post

25 LinkedIn video posts and one YouTube talk, current as of the links Prof. Cloete provided. Titles are drawn from each post's caption.

11 — Recognition

Awards and honours

A National Research Foundation B-rating sustained across two decades, alongside institutional, national, and society-level recognition.

1991 Y 1994 Y 1996 B 2001 B 2006 B 2009 B 2015 B

National Research Foundation (NRF) ratings, 1991–2015

Research awards

  • 2022Chancellor's Award, Stellenbosch University
  • 2017NSTF/South32 Award for Research Leading to Innovation; featured in ASSAf/DST "Legends of Science in SA"
  • 2013Stellenbosch University Rector's Award
  • 2012Royal Society of South Africa — elected Fellow; Erepenning vir Tegnologie, SA Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns; SU Rector's Award
  • 2010Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) Gold Medal; elected IWA Fellow
  • 2009Chancellor's Award for Research, University of Pretoria
  • 2008First runner-up, SA Industrial Water Association Award
  • 2007Silver Medal, South African Society for Microbiology
  • 2006University of Pretoria Exceptional Achiever Award
  • 2005Havenga Prys (Biologie), SA Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns; elected Senior Fellow of WISA
  • 1995Elected Fellow, American Society for Microbiology
  • 1991SA Industrial Water Association Award for Excellence in Research

Teaching and innovation awards

  • 2009Teaching Innovation Award, Stellenbosch University
  • 2005NSTF Science & Technology Awards — finalist, capacity building
  • 2004THRIP Award for Excellence, SMME development; NSTF finalist, lifetime achievement
  • 2002IWA Award for Best New Book Proposal
  • 1999University of Pretoria Award for Innovation in Education
  • 1996Medal for Outstanding Academic Achievement, University of Pretoria
  • 1993SA Corrosion Institute Industrial Award for Research

Nominated colleagues for recognition

Has successfully nominated peers for international honours, including Prof. Mark van Loosdrecht and Prof. Willy Verstraete for IWA awards, and Prof. Steven Chown for the Martha Muse Award.