Dr. David Waswa is the Director of the Centre for Broadband Communication (CBC) at Nelson Mandela University and a Fellow at CBC. He received a PhD in Physics from Nelson Mandela University in 2009, specialising in optical communication. From 2011 to 2012, he was a postdoctoral researcher at the Optical Fibre Unit at NMMU. An accomplished physicist and academic leader with a distinguished career spanning over two decades, he has made significant contributions to the field of optical fibre communication. He has published over 20 papers on topics including optical fibre sensors, optical fibre amplifiers, modulation formats, and photonic frequency generation. He currently leads NMU's work on the HIRAX Project and is actively involved in industry and academic collaborations across Africa and Europe.

Position:  Emeritus Professor, Department of Physics, Nelson Mandela University

Location:  South Campus

Phone:  041 504 2017

Fax: 041 504 9268

Email:  andrew.leitch@mandela.ac.za

Qualifications:  PhD

Dr. James Jena is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Centre for Broadband Communication (CBC), working with the Optical Fiber Research Group. His research focuses on optical fiber technologies and the application of machine learning and AI in communication, sensing, and imaging to address geological, environmental, and socio-economic challenges. His work aims to mitigate hazards faced by various industries and local communities. His responsibilities include designing and setting up experimental testbeds, supervising projects, developing data acquisition techniques, signal processing, evaluation and analysis, as well as building prototypes and developing products for practical field implementation.

Dr. Victor Chike Agbakoba is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Centre for Broadband Communication (CBC) and the Africa Earth Observatory Network (AEON) - Earth Stewardship Research Institute (ESSRI), Nelson Mandela University. His research focuses on the application of 3D printing in the production of photonic devices for radio astronomy and optical-fiber-based sensing. He is also part of a transdisciplinary research collaboration working to establish a new water quality monitoring geochemistry laboratory at AEON-ESSRI. He holds a PhD in Chemistry, specializing in polymer material science, and has published multiple peer-reviewed articles and book chapters in reputable journals. He has received several honours and awards for his work.