Dr Yeshona Sukai is a Senior Lecturer and Deputy Head of the Department of Biotechnology at the University of the Western Cape and an NRF Y-rated researcher. She holds a PhD in Microbiology from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Her research focuses on sustainable industrial biotechnology, particularly lignocellulosic biorefineries, waste valorisation, green pretreatment technologies, biofuels, biochemicals, and the circular bioeconomy. Dr Sukai has co-authored more than 35 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, attracting over 1,500 citations, and has secured more than R2 million in competitive research funding. She has contributed to human capacity development through supervising and mentoring postgraduate students and researchers at Honours, Master’s, Doctoral, and postdoctoral levels. Dr Sukai completed the Department of Higher Education and Training’s Future Professors’ Programme (2024–2025) and has received several accolades, including the University of Fort Hare Vice- Chancellor’s Excellence Award (2023) and Emerging Researcher Medal (2022). Through innovative research, mentorship, and strategic collaborations, Dr Sukai is committed to advancing sustainable biotechnology and the circular bioeconomy.