Biography:

Prof Xikombiso Mbhenyane holds a BSc in Dietetics, MSc in dietetics and Nutrition, an MBA and a PhD in Human Nutrition. She is a Registered Dietitian (Health Professions Council of South Africa), a Professor, Head and Department of Innovation and Technology-National Research Foundation (NRF) Research Chair in Food Environments, Nutrition and Health in the Division Human Nutrition at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University.

She is a C2 NRF rated scientist in South Africa and her involvement in human nutrition research has been at various levels: conducting research and supervision of master’s and doctoral research and postdoctoral fellows, of whom more than 50 masters, 9 doctoral and 5 Postdoctoral fellows have successfully been mentored. Her research area of interest is indigenous foods, nutrition and prevention of disease; food and nutrition security; child and maternal nutrition. She has published in peer reviewed journals and has presented or contributed to more than 80 papers at national and international conferences. She is a member of the Nutrition Society of South Africa; Public Health Association of South Africa, Nutrition Safari 2005 NPC and World Public Health Nutrition Association (WPHNA) and an Executive Committee member of WPHNA.