Journal of Plant Science and Biotechnology

Prof. Tshifhiwa Constance Nangammbi, Pr.Sci.Nat., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Nature Conservation, Faculty of Science, at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), South Africa. She is a Fulbright Scholar and a registered scientist with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) in Zoological Sciences. Her academic and research career spans positions at the KwaZulu–Natal Museum, University of the Free State, University of Venda, the Field Museum of Natural History (Chicago, USA), and the National University of Lesotho, before joining TUT in 2014. She has also served on high-level advisory panels for the South African government on wildlife conservation policy. Prof. Nangammbi’s research expertise lies in systematics, molecular genetics, biodiversity, parasitology, invasive species ecology, and conservation biology. She has supervised numerous PhD, MSc, and Honours students and established molecular genetics laboratories for student training at both UNIVEN and TUT.

• Systematics, biodiversity, and molecular genetics
• Tick ecology, tick-borne diseases, and control strategies
• Invasive species (rodents, plants, and birds)

1. Supervision of PhD, MSc, and Honours students in biodiversity, parasitology, wildlife ecology, and genetics
2. Postdoctoral Fellowships hosted (2023–2025)
3. External examiner for MSc and PhD theses in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and India
4. Conference presentations: World Congress of Malacology, Parasitological Society of Southern Africa, Zoological Society of Southern Africa, etc.
5. Established Molecular Genetics Laboratories at UNIVEN and TUT for postgraduate training
6. Member of SACNASP, ZSSA, SAWMA, PARSA

1. Makwarela TG, Seoraj-Pillai N, Nangammbi TC. 2025. Ecological and Functional Significance of Freshwater Mollusks: A Review of Threats, Monitoring and Management Solutions. Journal of Epidemiologia.
2. Makwarela TG, Seoraj-Pillai N, Malatji DP, Nangammbi TC. 2025. A Comprehensive Review of Plant-Based Methods for Tick Control: Ethnobotanical Insights and Modern Applications. Microorganism, MDPI.
3. Makwarela TG, Seoraj-Pillai N, Malatji DP, Nangammbi TC. 2025. Adaptation and Invasion Dynamics of Rhipicephalus microplus in South Africa: Ecology, Resistance, and Management Implications. Journal of Epidemiologia.
4. Makwarela TG, Nelufule T, Shivambu TC, Shivambu N, Nangammbi TC, Pillay N, Seoraj-Pillai N. 2025. Patterns and Predictors of Human–Wildlife Conflict at the Agricultural–Conservation Interface in South Africa.
5. Jordaan PR, Measey J, Nangammbi TC, Hanekom CC, Combrink X. 2025. Quantified variations in pre- and post-fire fossorial herpetofaunal community structure in savanna habitat, Tembe Elephant Park, South Africa. Hepatology Notes Journal.
6. Nyathi G, Ndlovu M, Nangammbi TC. 2025. Influence of a bird’s habit and habitat in predicting haemoparasite infection. Journal of Diversity. Accepted.
7. Makwarela TG, Seoraj-Pillai N, Nangammbi TC. 2025. Exploring the Molluscan Microbiome: Diversity, Function, and Ecological Implications. Journal of Biology. 14(1086). https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14081086
8. Nkoko M, Shivambu N, Shivambu TC, Nelufule T, Khumalo N, Seoraj-Pillai N, Nangammbi TC. 2025. Global ectoparasites of three commensal invasive murid rodents and their zoonotic significance. Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases. 25(8): 481-490. https://doi.org/10.1089/vbz.2025.0019
9. Makwarela TG, Seoraj-Pillai N, Nangammbi TC. 2025. The Impact of Vegetation Changes in Savanna Ecosystems on Tick Populations on Wildlife: Implications for Ecosystem Management. Diversity. 17:314. https://doi.org/10.3390/d17050314
10. Makwarela TG, Seoraj-Pillai N, Nangammbi TC. 2025. Distribution and Prevalence of Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens at the Wildlife-Livestock Interface in Africa: A Systematic Review. Veterinary Sciences. 12:364. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12040364
11. Shivambu TC, Moshobane MC, Shivambu N, Nelufule T, Seoraj-Pillai N, Nangammbi TC. 2025. Risk assessment, potential distribution, and public interest of allergenic weed Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. invasive to South Africa. Russian Journal of Biological Invasions. http://dx.doi.org/10.31857/S207511172104
12. Makwarela TG, Seoraj-Pillai N, Nangammbi TC. 2025. Tick Control Strategies: Critical Insights into Chemical, Biological, Physical, and Integrated Approaches for Effective Hard Tick Management. Veterinary Sciences. 12(2):114. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12020114
13. Shivambu N, Shivambu TC, Nelufule T, Moshobane MC, Seoraj-Pillai N, Nangammbi TC. 2024. South Africa as a donor of its native and exotic species to the international pet trade. Sustainability. 16(20):8828. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16208828
14. Shivambu N, Shivambu TC, Nelufule T, Moshobane MC, Seoraj-Pillai N, Nangammbi TC. 2024. A snapshot of the global trade of South African native vertebrate species not listed on CITES. Animals. 14(19):2782. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani14192782
15. Ndlovu M, Wardjomto MB, Pori T, Nangammbi TC. 2024. Diversity and Host Specificity of Avian Haemosporidians in an Afrotropical Conservation Region. Animals. 14(19):2906. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14192906
16. Nelufule N, Thenga TC, Shivambu TC, Shivambu N, Moshobane MC, Seoraj-Pillai N, Nangammbi TC. 2024. The Diversity of Alien Plant Species in Protected Areas in Urban Setting: Drivers, and Conservation Challenges in the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa. Diversity. 16(8):461. https://doi.org/10.3390/d16080461
17. Shivambu TC, Shivambu N, Nelufule T, Moshobane MC, Seoraj-Pillai N, Nangammbi TC. 2024. Returning to the wilderness: Potential habitat suitability of non-native pet birds in South Africa. Biology. 13:483. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13070483
18. Shivambu TC, Shivambu N, Nelufule T, Moshobane MC, Seoraj-Pillai N, Nangammbi TC. 2024. Evaluating the status of lost, found and sighted non-native pet bird species in South Africa. Diversity. 16:283. https://doi.org/10.3390/d16050283
19. Nelufule T, Shivambu TC, Shivambu N, Moshobane MC, Seoraj-Pillai N, Nangammbi T. 2024. Assessing Alien Plant Invasions in Urban Environments: A Case Study of Tshwane University of Technology and Implications for Biodiversity Conservation. Plants. 13:872. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13060872
20. Wardjomto MB, Ndlovu M, Pérez-Rodríguez A, Pori T, Nangammbi TC. 2023. Comparative performance of microscopy, nested PCR, and real-time PCR for screening avian haemosporidian parasites in Afrotropical starlings (family Sturnidae). Parasitology Research. 122(10):2393-2404. DOI:10.1007/s00436-023-07941-0
21. Wardjomto MB, Ndlovu M, Perez-Rodriguez A, Pori T, Nangammbi TC. 2021. Avian haemosporidian in native and invasive sparrows at an Afrotropical region. Parasitology Research. 120(7):2631-2640. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-021-07214-8
22. Shonhai M, Nhiwatiwa T, Nangammbi TC, Mazando S. 2020. Preliminary investigation of distinguishing between Zimbabwean Shona brother pairs using the Health Gene Sure ID 27Y human STR identification kit. Scientific African. 37:1–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2020.e00310
23. Shonhai M, Nhiwatiwa T, Nangammbi TC, Mazando S. 2019. Genetic analysis of 27 Y-chromosomal STR loci in a Zimbabwean Shona ethnic group. Legal Medicine. 43:1–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.legalmed.2019.101660
24. Nangammbi TC, Moloro GT, Samie A. 2019. Genetic polymorphism at Interleukin-7 receptor gene at +510 position and its impact on pain and other symptoms among HIV and AIDS patients. Genetics and Molecular Research. 18(4):1–12. http://dx.doi.org/10.4238/gmr18292
25. Marufu L, Nangammbi TC, Barson M, Mazando S, Jere J, Nhiwatiwa T. 2019. Validation of species of crayfish in the Sanyati Basin of Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe. Journal of Applied Science in Southern Africa. 24(2):1–11.
26. Taylor PJ, Matamba E, Steyn JNK, Nangammbi T, Zepeda-Mendoza ML, Bohmann K. 2017. Diet determined by next generation sequencing reveals pest consumption and opportunistic foraging by bats in macadamia orchards in South Africa. Acta Chiropterologica. 19(2):239–254. http://dx.doi.org/10.3161/15081109ACC2017.19.2.003
27. Dzhivhuho GA, Nangammbi TC, Samie A. 2016. Association of interleukin-8 gene polymorphisms in HIV patients with opportunistic infections in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Genetics and Molecular Research. 15(1):1–9. http://dx.doi.org/10.4238/gmr.15017466
28. Nangammbi TC, Herbert DG, Teske PR. 2016. Molecular insights into species recognition within southern Africa endemic Tricolia radiation (Vetigastropoda: Phasianellidae). Journal of Molluscan Studies. 82:97–103. https://doi.org/10.1093/mollus/eyv037
29. Samie A, Dzhivhuho GA, Nangammbi TC. 2014. Distribution of CXCR2 +1208 T/C gene polymorphisms in relation to opportunistic infections among HIV-infected patients in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Genetics and Molecular Research. 13(3):7470–7479. http://dx.doi.org/10.4238/2014.September.12.13
30. Samie A, Moloro GT, Nangammbi TC. 2014. Interleukin-7 gene polymorphism at +1237 locus and its effect on susceptibility to opportunistic infections among HIV and AIDS patients in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Genetics and Molecular Research. 13(4):8757–8766. http://dx.doi.org/10.4238/2014.October.27.17
31. Taylor PJ, Bohmann K, Steyn JN, Schoeman MC, Matamba E, Zepeda–Mendoza M, Nangammbi TC, Gilbert MTP. 2013. Bats eat pest green vegetable stink bugs (Nezara viridula): Diet analyses of seven insectivorous species of bats roosting and foraging in macadamia orchards. Southern African Macadamia Growers Association Year Book. 21:45–52.
32. Nangammbi TC, Mukhadi ST, Samie A. 2013. Real-Time PCR detection of Trichomonas vaginalis from urine samples of HIV patients in Limpopo Province, South Africa. African Journal of Microbiology Research. 7(49):5596–5605.
33. Nangammbi TC, Herbert DG. 2008. A new species of pheasant shell from the south-western Indian Ocean (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Vetigastropoda: Phasianellidae: Tricolia). African Invertebrates. 49(2):13–19. http://dx.doi.org/10.5733/afin.049.0202
34. Nangammbi TC, Herbert DG. 2006. Two new species of Tricolia Risso, 1826 from South Africa (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Phasianellidae). African Invertebrates. 47:11–22.