Hey, I'm Kagiso, your favourite Environmental & Water Data Specialist!

Environmental & Water Data Science || Water Sustainability

About

I'm an Environmental & Water Data Specialist with a Ph.D. in Water Science and Technology, specialising in environmental data analytics, predictive modelling, and highly saline wastewater treatment and management. I develop data-centric solutions to support environmental monitoring, groundwater resilience, and resource recovery, with particular expertise in high-salinity water systems and freeze-crystallization technology. Proficient in Python and advanced statistical analysis, I design predictive models and decision-support tools that transform complex environmental data into actionable insights. My work spans academic research, industrial technology transfer, and international collaboration across Africa and Asia, enabling organisations to improve environmental performance and make informed, sustainable, data-driven decisions.

I have a robust academic foundation in Geology, which began with my undergraduate studies and extended into a master’s degree, where I specialised in Groundwater Modelling and Engineering Geology. During my master’s program, I conducted in-depth research to advance my understanding of geological processes and their application to groundwater systems.

Building on this foundation, I earned a Ph.D. in Water Science and Technology, with a specialisation in Environmental & Water Data Science. This advanced training allowed me to integrate geological expertise with data-driven methodologies, equipping me to address complex challenges in water resource management and environmental sustainability.

Environmental & Water Data Science

Environmental & Water Data Science is the application of data analytics, machine learning, and statistical modelling to monitor, analyse, and optimise water resources, water quality, and environmental systems. It transforms complex environmental and water data into predictive insights and decision-support tools that improve sustainability, treatment efficiency, and resource management. My work applies these principles across groundwater, desalination brine, mine water, industrial wastewater, and agricultural systems, where I develop intelligent monitoring platforms and predictive models to enable data-driven environmental management and sustainable water solutions.

Education

Ph.D. Science (Water Science and Technology) ; M.Tech.: Geology; B.Tech.: Geology; N.Dip.: Geology; PGDip.: Higher Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Science (Water Science and Technology)

Duration: April 2019 - March 2023
Institution: Tshwane University of Technology
Thesis: Developing the Internet of Mine Water
Focus: Water Data Science
Supervisor: Prof. Dr habil. Christian Wolkersdorfer
Co-supervisor: Dr Mlindelwa Lupankwa

Master of Technology in Geology

Duration: February 2016 - November 2018
Institution: Tshwane University of Technology
Dissertation: Formation of Toma Hills in the Area of the Fernpass Rockslide in Tyrol, Austria
Focus: Groundwater Modelling and Engineering Geology
Supervisor: Prof. Dr habil. Christian Wolkersdorfer
Co-supervisor: Dr Mlindelwa Lupankwa

Bachelor of Technology in Geology

Duration: January 2015 - December 2015
Institution: Tshwane University of Technology
Research Project: Geotechnical Investigation: Road Network Rehabilitation in Uitkeer Staff Complex in Eastern Cape, South Africa for the Department of Water Affairs
Core Modules: Hydrogeology, Mining & Exploration Geology, Geophysics and Engineering Geology
Highlight: Dean's Merit List

National Diploma in Geology

Duration: January 2012 - December 2014
Institution: Tshwane University of Technology
Core Modules: Engineering Geology, Mining & Exploration Geology, Geophysics and Hydrogeology
Highlight: Cum Laude

Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education

Duration: January 2021 - December 2022
Institution: University of Johannesburg
Core Modules: Research Methodology in Higher Education, Teaching & Learning in Higher Education, Curriculum Development in Higher Education and Assessment for Learning in Higher Education.

Professional Experience

Researcher: Environmental & Water Science

Duration: May 2025 - current
University of Doha for Science and Technology, Doha, Qatar
Groundwater Hydro-Environmental Salinity Impact Assessment.

Research Scientist

Duration: December 2023 - April 2025
ROC Water Technologies, Midrand, South Africa
Analysing high-salinity wastewater data to optimise freeze crystallization processes, enhancing resource recovery and reducing treatment costs by 35%.

Director

Duration: June 2020 - May 2025
AquiferIQ (Pty) Ltd., South Africa
Applying predictive models and statistical analysis to assess wastewater quality trends, optimising treatment strategies. Collaborated with cross-functional teams to design data collection methods, resulting in 30% improved data accuracy.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Duration: February 2024 - May 2025
University of South Africa, Roodepoort
Freeze Crystallization Project
Analysing high-salinity wastewater data to optimise freeze crystallization processes, enhancing resource recovery and reducing treatment costs by 35%.

Research Collaborator: Chemical Engineering & Industrial Chemistry

Duration: November 2024 - March 2025
Keqiao International Park, Zhejiang, China
Collaborating with businesses to commercialize the Pipe Freeze Crystallization technology.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Duration: April 2023 - January 2024
Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa
Mine Water Management Optimisation Project
Designed a machine-learning based graphical user interface to predict mine water quality, resulting in 30% improved data accuracy. Integrated IoT-enabled data collection devices with data analytics platforms, achieving real-time monitoring capabilities.

Teaching Assistant

Duration: January 2017 - October 2019
Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa
Lecturing Foundation Mathematics for Life Sciences to first-year university students.

Consultant: Exploration Geology

Duration: April 2016 - May 2019
Boswa ba Rona Community Trust, Ventersdorp, South Africa
Brownfield exploration in Ventersdorp and Pachsdraai, North West, South Africa, focusing on different minerals such as diamond, gold, manganese and chrome.

Learner: Geophysics

Duration: January 2014 - December 2014
Open Ground Resources, Pretoria, South Africa
Application of geophysical techniques (GPR, gravity, magnetics and Seismic) to the near-surface including mining environments. Data processing and report writing.

Selected Publications

To see my full publication list, please visit my Research Gate, Google Scholar or ORCID pages.

More, K.S., Maree, J.P., Mahlangu, M. (2025) Cost-Effective Leachate Treatment and Resource Recovery in Hazardous Waste Landfills through Pipe Freeze Crystallization. Environ. Process. 12(2):15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40710-025-00757-3

More, K.S., Maree, J.P., Mahlangu, M. (2025) Optimising Salt Recovery—Four-Year Operational Insights into Na2SO4 Recovery from Saline Waters Using Pipe Freeze-Crystallization. Water 17(1):101. https://doi.org/10.3390/w17010101

More, K.S., & Wolkersdorfer, C. (2024). The pH paradox. Sci. Tot. Environ. 946:174099. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174099

More, K.S., Maree, J.P. & Mahlangu, M. (2024). Indirect Freeze Crystallization—An Emerging Technology for Valuable Resource Recovery from Wastewater. Minerals, 14(4), 427. https://doi.org/10.3390/min14040427

More, K. S., & Wolkersdorfer, C. (2023). Application of machine learning algorithms for nonlinear system forecasting through analytics — A case study with mining influenced water data. Water Resour. Ind., 29, 100209. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wri.2023.100209

More, K. S., & Wolkersdorfer, C. (2023). Intelligent Mine Water Management Tools—eMetsi and Machine Learning GUI. Mine Water Environ., 42(1), 111-120. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-023-00917-7

More, K. S., & Wolkersdorfer, C. (2022). Predicting and Forecasting Mine Water Parameters Using a Hybrid Intelligent System. Water Resour. Manage., 36(8), 2813-2826. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-022-03177-2

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