Ms Philadelphia Vutivi Ngobeni is a PhD candidate in Civil Engineering in the Water Research Group at the University of Cape Town. Her research focuses on the predictive modelling of nitrogen removal in microalgalbacterial systems treating tannery wastewater, contributing to sustainable industrial wastewater treatment and resource recovery. With more than 10 years of experience in the water sector, her industry expertise enables her to bridge scientific knowledge and practical application. Ms Ngobeni has published six peer-reviewed journal articles and serves on the executive committees of the Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) South African National Chapter and Young Water Professionals South Africa (YWP-SA).

Her accolades include recognition among the 100 South African Shining Stars (2026) and the Mail & Guardian Top 200 Young South Africans (2025). She is also a recipient of the South African Women in Science Awards Esther Mahlangu Doctoral Fellowship (2024), Womandla Women in STEAM Award (2024), Black Women in Science Fellowship (2024), and BRICS Young Scientist recognition (2023).