Centre Leader
Prof. Erastus Misheng’u Mwanaumo
Centre Leader, NACUAS
Professor of Infrastructure Construction Management and Economics
Ag. Director – Directorate of Research and Develoment, Research and Innovation Hub | University of Zambia
Email: erastus.mwanaumo@unza.ac.zm
Phone: +260 962 44 70 85
Professor Erastus Misheng'u Mwanaumo is an internationally respected scholar, engineer and strategic leader whose work spans infrastructure development, construction management, research innovation, public policy and institutional leadership. He holds a PhD in Engineering Management from the University of Johannesburg, an MSc in Project Management from the University of Pretoria, a BSc in Building Science (Construction Management) from the Copperbelt University, and postgraduate training in Artificial Intelligence for Leaders. He is a Fellow of professional bodies in construction, engineering and quantity surveying and has contributed to major national and international policy, infrastructure and research initiatives. His scholarship includes extensive peer-reviewed and technical publications, postgraduate supervision and competitive research funding. As Centre Leader, he provides strategic leadership, public representation, Government and partner liaison, resource oversight and alignment of NACUAS with UNZA research priorities and Zambia's national UAS ecosystem.
Deputy Centre Leader
Dr Penjani Hopkins Nyimbili
Deputy Centre Leader, NACUAS
Geomatics | GeoAI | GIS | Remote Sensing | UAS Photogrammetry | Spatial Modelling | Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis | Disaster & Risk Management | Urban Planning
Assistant Dean (Research), School of Engineering | Lecturer/Researcher, Geomatic Engineering
Email: penjani.nyimbili@unza.ac.zm
Phone: +260 976 88 33 40
Dr Penjani Hopkins Nyimbili is a geomatics engineer, academic, researcher, consultant, licensed drone pilot and project-management professional with more than 18 years of experience across geospatial science, research, infrastructure and development projects. He holds a PhD and MSc in Geomatics Engineering, a BEng in Geomatic Engineering and a postgraduate international diploma in Project Management, and is completing advanced Data Science studies. His expertise includes GIS, remote sensing, GeoAI, drone photogrammetry, spatial modelling, multi-criteria decision analysis, disaster risk management, urban resilience and energy/resource planning. He has led or supported internationally funded research and consultancy activities, postgraduate supervision, curriculum development and innovation translation. As Deputy Centre Leader, he coordinates Centre operations, technical partnerships, applied research, training development, reporting, resource mobilisation and stakeholder engagement, and supports the Centre Leader in strategic and institutional development.
Governance and Organisational Development
NACUAS is strengthening its governance arrangements as it transitions from pilot-project delivery to a sustainable national Centre of Excellence.
| Name | Role | Specialisation / contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Prof. Erastus M. Mwanaumo | Centre Leader | Strategic leadership; infrastructure; research coordination |
| Dr Penjani H. Nyimbili | Deputy Centre Leader | Drone mapping; EO; GeoAI; open mapping; partnerships |
| Dr Balimu Mwiya | Centre Coordinator | Civil engineering; construction management |
| Dr Alick Nguvulu | Senior Research & Planning Manager | Geomatics engineering; research planning |
| Mrs Tenastelin B. Lengalenga | Human Resource & Logistics | HR administration and logistics |
| Mr Chomba Chifunda | Technical | Geomatics engineering; technical support |
| Mrs Falesi Sakala Mwanakaoma | Technical | Geomatics engineering; technical support |
| Mr Musoka Nyongolo | Researcher | Remote sensing; environmental/forest applications |
| Mr Derby Habukali | Researcher / MSc attachment | Renewable-energy feedstock mapping and spatial planning |
| Dr Mwansa Kaoma | Researcher - energy modelling | Energy systems, renewable energy and circular economy |
| Prof. Kytt MacManus | Visiting Scholar - Columbia University | 3D mapping, geospatial science, curriculum development |
| Dr Ficardo Tsegal | Post-Doctoral / Visiting Scholar | UAS technology, data processing and governance |
Postgraduate and Affiliated Research Pipeline
NACUAS is strengthening its governance arrangements as it transitions from pilot-project delivery to a sustainable national Centre of Excellence.
| Researcher | Affiliation | Research contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Mr Derby Habukali | MEng Research Student, NACUAS | Feedstock mapping and collection strategies for renewable-energy resource assessment |
| Mr Zondwayo Ngulube | MEng, Civil & Environmental Engineering | Drones and geospatial methods for dam inspection - Changondo Dam |
| Ms Lucy Meleki | MEng, Civil & Environmental Engineering | Hyperspectral + LiDAR framework for acid mine drainage risk assessment |
| Mr Anania Phiri | MEng, Geomatic Engineering | InSAR and GIS for mining-induced surface deformation - Lubambe Copper Mine |
| Mr Francis Makuba | MEng, Geomatic Engineering | Geospatial modelling of municipal solid-waste bioenergy potential in Lusaka |
| Additional student researchers | UNZA / partner units | Open mapping, urban resilience, AI/GeoAI, agriculture, environment and infrastructure applications |