Dr. Nicholas Rono is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Fort Hare Institute of Technology, University of Fort Hare, South Africa. He works on optoelectronic materials for high performance solar cells from computational and experimental perspectives. Born and bred in Nakuru, Kenya, Dr. Rono graduated with Bachelor of Education (Physics/Chemistry subjects), a Master of Science in Chemistry (Physical and Computational) from Egerton University, Kenya. He holds a PhD in Chemistry degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. In his PhD thesis entitled “An experimental study of graphitic carbon nitride-based materials and selected metal-based semiconductors in organic solar cells combined with a computational study of perovskite solar cells” was ranked the best PhD and won a prestigious award from MINTEK company in 2024. His works on the performance optimization of third generation solar cells, addresses some of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and in particular goal number 7 “ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all” Dr. Rono has published over 30 peer-reviewed articles and presented them at over 12 local and international conferences. His paper on the application of BaZrS3 absorber material in solar cells appeared in the world renown PV magazine in May 2024. He is a reviewer of several journals including Materials Today Communications, Energy Reviews and Computational Electronics.