Mbali Marole (MSc in Nanoscience, cum laude) is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of the Free State and Junior Lecturer at the Vaal University of Technology. Her research focuses on electrochemical characterization of low-cost but efficient Sodium-ion and Lithium-ion energy storage devices. She has presented at national and international photonics conferences and has some output published in accredited journals. She has served as a research assistant in the Physics department. Her doctoral research is hoping to advance nanotechnology-driven energy storage solutions with strong alignment to national priorities in sustainable energy.