Senior Lecturer, Makerere University, Uganda
Dr. Alice Nabatanzi is a distinguished academic and innovator in the field of Natural Products and Phytomedicine. She founded the Natural Products Industry Advancement Network Africa (NAPIANA), as well as the Alice Mabira Foundation (AMAF), which empowers local communities in Uganda by promoting home-based cottage industries. Dr. Nabatanzi’s exceptional work earned her the Best Innovator Award at the Appropriate Technologies Expo 2023, for her creation of a sustainable water purification system. 🏆 She is an Early Career Fellow of the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) and an Early Career Research Leader Fellow of the Carnegie Corporation of New York. As a Lecturer at Makerere University, she leads research that spans phytobiomolecules for disease treatment, nutraceuticals, and sustainable water solutions, impacting both human health and environmental sustainability. 🌱
Profie 👩🏫
Orcid
Education 🎓
Dr. Alice Nabatanzi’s educational background showcases her commitment to advancing knowledge in the field of Natural Products and Nutraceuticals. She holds a Post-Doctorate in Phytobiomolecules for human cancer treatment from the University of Pretoria in South Africa. Dr. Nabatanzi also completed a Ph.D. in Natural Products (Nutraceuticals) and M.Sc. in Natural Products Technology and Value Chains (Nutraceuticals) at Makerere University in Uganda. Additionally, she holds a B.Sc. in Ethnobotany from the College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University. 🎓 Her academic journey has provided her with a profound understanding of the healing potential of plants, focusing on medicinal plants and traditional African foods, which is reflected in her multidisciplinary research. 📚
Experience 🌿💼
Dr. Alice Nabatanzi brings a wealth of experience to her roles in both academia and community development. She is a Lecturer in Phytomedicine and Nutraceuticals at Makerere University, where she has significantly contributed to research and the education of future leaders in plant-based medicine and sustainable technologies. Her involvement with NAPIANA and AMAF shows her dedication to community engagement and entrepreneurship in Africa. Over the years, Dr. Nabatanzi has supervised over 25 undergraduate and 6 graduate students, with a special focus on empowering young researchers in natural sciences. 🌍 Her collaborative efforts have spanned the academic, scientific, and community development sectors, strengthening ties between research institutions and local populations. 🌱
Research Interests 🔬🌱
Dr. Alice Nabatanzi’s research is at the forefront of multidisciplinary fields, combining phytomedicine, nutraceuticals, and environmental sustainability. Her primary research focus includes the investigation of phytobiomolecules for the treatment of human diseases, specifically cancer. 🌿 She is also passionate about exploring the nutraceutical and physicochemical properties of traditional African foods, investigating their role in improving human health. In addition, Dr. Nabatanzi is focused on phytogenics in animal feeds, helping to enhance livestock health. Another core area of her research is finding innovative solutions to water pollution, a critical issue in Uganda and many parts of Africa. 💧 Her interdisciplinary approach and desire to solve real-world problems make her research highly impactful. 🌍
Awards 🏅
Dr. Alice Nabatanzi has been widely recognized for her innovative contributions to science and community development. In February 2023, she won the prestigious Best Innovator Award at the Appropriate Technologies Expo for her development of a sustainable water purification system that provides access to clean water for communities in East Africa. 🏆 She was also named an Early Career Fellow (2023-2025) by the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD), marking her as a rising leader in global scientific research. Additionally, Dr. Nabatanzi was an Early Career Research Leader Fellow of the Carnegie Corporation of New York (2019-2020). These accolades affirm her innovative spirit and her commitment to advancing science for social good. 🌟
Publications 📚
Nutritional, Pharmaceutical, and Antinutritional Properties of Wild Edible Plants
Somatic embryo production and GFP genetic transformation in elite Ugandan cassava genotypes
Ex vivo and in vitro antiplasmodial activity and toxicity of Caesalpinia decapetala (Roth) Alston (Fabaceae)
Medicinal plants used for treatment of malaria by indigenous communities of Tororo District, Eastern Uganda
One-pot removal of pharmaceuticals and toxic heavy metals from water using xerogel-immobilized quartz/banana peels-activated carbon