Dr Gauta Gold Matlou is an early-career scientist from South Africa with a PhD in chemistry. He is rated by the South African National Research Foundation as one of the promising young researchers with potential to become a leading researcher in the future. Dr Matlou conducts his research in phthalocyanine chemistry and nanoparticle formulations for photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT). He works full-time as a senior scientist at the Electron Microscopy Unit of Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University. Dr Matlou is an executive member of the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS) and an alumnus of the Lindau Nobel Laureates Meetings, Global Young Scientist Summit, and the Mail and Guardian Top 200 Young South Africans.