Sandile Kumalo earned his PhD in 2024 from the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS), South Africa. His doctoral research centred on improving the efficiency of photovoltaic devices through advanced light management techniques and morphological optimisation. This work included extensive nanoparticle simulations, nanoparticle synthesis, and the fabrication of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si) solar cells. Sandile also explored the use of eco-friendly and industrial solvents as co-solvents to create sustainable organic solar cells.

Currently, Sandile is a 2024-2025 recipient of the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship. As part of his postdoctoral research, he is focused on the green synthesis of lead-free perovskite solar cells using environmentally benign co-solvents, contributing to the development of sustainable energy technologies.