Solomzi Makohliso

Dr. Soli Makohliso serves as the Deputy Head of the EssentialTech Centre at EPFL, where he focuses on leveraging cutting-edge research for sustainable development in low and middle-income countries. He received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering from Brown University and completed his Ph.D. at EPFL, later adding Certificates in Executive Leadership & Finance from Cornell University. At EPFL, he co-teaches Development Engineering (ENV-470), a 4-credit course conducted in English that covers essential technologies, sustainable development, and poverty reduction in low-income settings. The course combines lectures, group work, and practical applications, with assessment methods including group projects and written exams. He also co-developed and taught a MOOC titled Technology Innovation for Sustainable Development alongside Klaus Schönenberger, which provides a methodology for using technology innovation to combat poverty. His expertise spans multiple advisory roles, including serving on the Technical Expert Group for the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics and the Ministerial Task Team for National Technology Innovation Valorisation in South Africa.