Prof. David Lokhat is the academic leader for chemical engineering at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). He is also the head of the Reactor Technology Research Group within the School of Engineering at UKZN. His research interests are in catalysis and chemical reaction engineering, specifically process intensification in reactor technology with a focus on the development and application of advanced materials for more efficient and environmentally benign reaction and separation systems. He also serves as president of the South African Institution of Chemical Engineers (SAIChE) and is a rated scientist with the National Research Foundation of South Africa.