He serves as Principal Investigator on one of only eight projects selected globally.
Dr Latolla recently represented the University at the AAUN Forum and Annual Meeting held in Perth, Australia.
His winning project, Indigenous Knowledge and Green Innovation: Co-Creating Sustainable Cancer and Environmental Health Solutions from African Medicinal Plants, is a collaboration between Nelson Mandela University, the University of New South Wales, Curtin University, and the University of Ghana.
This partnership brings together Indigenous knowledge holders, sustainable agriculturists, chemists, physiologists, and AI specialists across Africa and Australia to develop environmentally friendly ways to address cancer and related health challenges.
The research focuses on African medicinal plants traditionally used for healing, investigating natural compounds that may help prevent or slow the growth of cancer cells, particularly in breast cancer.
The project promotes eco-friendly research because many conventional drug and chemical production methods rely on synthetic processes that create harmful waste and damage ecosystems.
Unlike conventional drug production, which often relies on synthetic methods that generate harmful waste, the team applies green chemistry and sustainable farming to extract useful plant compounds responsibly.
Sustainable agriculturists cultivate these plants in ways that protect biodiversity, soil health, and natural resources. Laboratory studies are conducted at Nelson Mandela University, with collaborative fieldwork and data sharing across partner institutions in Africa and Australia.
The project follows a step-by-step, transdisciplinary process, beginning with Indigenous knowledge holders identifying medicinal plants, followed by sustainable cultivation and eco-friendly nanoparticle synthesis. These plant-based nanoparticles are then tested through in vitro screening to examine their effects on cancer cells in controlled laboratory settings.
In addition to the scientific work, the team is developing an AI-powered digital platform to preserve and document Indigenous medicinal knowledge alongside laboratory findings. This interactive tool will safeguard community wisdom for future generations while providing practitioners and local communities with accessible insights into the scientific validation and potential applications of traditional remedies.
Dr Priscilla Mensah, Director of Research Development, said: “Dr Latolla’s achievement reflects the calibre and ambition of Mandela University’s emerging researchers. His success in securing highly competitive international funding speaks to his scientific excellence and the strength of collaborative partnerships that place African knowledge and innovation at the centre.”
Dr Latolla added: “The AAUN Forum was an exceptional platform for collaboration and dialogue. Engaging with fellow researchers reaffirmed the importance of equitable partnerships and the inclusion of emerging African voices in shaping global science. Receiving this award is not just a personal honour but a recognition of Mandela University’s growing role in international knowledge exchange.”
During the Forum, Dr Latolla also participated in the Early Career Researcher Science Communication Debate, Social Licence and Universities: Have We Maintained It?, where participants explored how universities can maintain public trust amid rapid innovation and societal change.
A passionate science communicator, Dr Latolla previously won the FameLab International science communication competition in 2022, using storytelling techniques to share his research on treating diabetes through Indigenous knowledge and natural remedies.