Dr. Jabulani Matsimbe is a civil and mining engineer whose research sits at the intersection of AI-enabled sustainable geomaterials, geotechnics, and circular economy-driven infrastructure and mining systems. He completed his PhD in Civil Engineering at the University of Johannesburg, where he made an original contribution to performance-based geopolymer design by integrating two industrial waste streams -fly ash (FA) and phosphogypsum (PG)- as primary binder precursors. His work departed from conventional prescriptive mix ratios by developing a data-driven, performance-outcome-based mix design framework, underpinned by multi-scale physico-chemo-mechanical characterisation, advanced statistical analysis, machine learning modelling, and experimental validation. This research advances eco-efficient, low-carbon material design and directly supports SDGs 9, 11, 12, and 13, the circular economy, Africa Agenda 2063, and Malawi Vision 2063. During his doctoral studies, Dr. Matsimbe published 8 peer-reviewed journal articles, 5 international conference papers, and 1 book chapter, demonstrating sustained research productivity and scholarly impact.

He also holds an MSc in Mining Engineering (University of Exeter, UK) and a BSc in Civil Engineering (University of Malawi - The Polytechnic). His academic excellence has been recognised through several competitive awards, including the Best Paper Award at the 17th ASOCSA Built Environment Conference (2023), the EU-ASIM Scholarship (2021-2025), the Dr David Livingstone Academic Award (University of Strathclyde), and the World Bank Skills Development Scholarship. Dr. Matsimbe brings strong industry-integrated research insight, informed by professional experience in construction, quarrying, mining, rock and soil mechanics, earthworks, pavements, geosynthetics, and construction materials. His experience spans major infrastructure and mining-related projects, including the Nacala Corridor Railway Project (Mota-Engil), Masauko Chipembere Highway Rehabilitation Project (World Kaihatsu Kogyo), Terrastone Njuli Quarry Mine Design, Camborne School of Mines Test Mine (UK), and residential and structural construction projects in Malawi.

His research interests include mining waste valorisation, geopolymers and low-carbon cementitious materials, multi-scale geomaterials characterisation, soil stabilisation and ground improvement, geotechnical design, durability and performance-based materials engineering, machine learning and statistical modelling, computational and AI-driven geotechnics, remote sensing, digital geotechnics, circular economy, and sustainable mining systems. Dr. Matsimbe is the founding lead of the SG3 (Sustainable Geomaterials and Geoengineering) Research Group, which advances AI-enabled sustainable geomaterials, mining waste valorisation, and geotechnical systems for resilient, low-carbon infrastructure and responsible mining applications. The group is positioned to serve both academic excellence and industry impact, with strong relevance to Africa’s development priorities and global sustainability agendas.

He is a registered Candidate Engineer working toward professional registration with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) and the Malawi Engineering Institution (MEI). He is an active member of several international professional bodies, including SAICE, ICE, ICT, IOM3, CCSA, BGA, IET, IHE, and CABE. Dr. Matsimbe also serves as a peer reviewer for leading international journals, including Waste Management, Materials Today Communications, iScience, Digital Discovery, Open Geosciences, Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, and several Springer Nature and Elsevier engineering journals, as well as industry-academia research programmes.