Emeritus Professor Anthony Afolayan and Professor Anthony Okoh, two leading researchers at the University of Fort Hare (UFH), have been ranked among South Africa’s top 100 scientists in the AD Scientific Index World Scientist and University Rankings 2025.
In the overall ranking across all disciplines, Emeritus Prof Afolayan ranked 43rd, while Prof Okoh ranked 58th. This remarkable achievement highlights their continued contributions to science and academia. At UFH, the two professors ranked first and second, respectively.
The AD Scientific Index (Alper-Doger Scientific Index) provides global, national, and regional analyses across 13 main fields and 197 sub-branches. Rankings are based on indicators like the H-index, i10-index, and citation count from the past six years.
Globally, over 2.4 million scientists from 221 countries at more than 24,000 institutions were ranked. In South Africa, more than 19,000 scientists from 74 institutions, including higher learning institutions, the SA Medical Research Council, and the SA Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, were ranked.
Emeritus Prof Anthony Afolayan: A Distinguished Legacy
Emeritus Prof Anthony Afolayan’s career spans over four decades of dedicated research in botany, medicinal plants, and economic development. A National Research Foundation (NRF) C2-rated researcher, Prof Afolayan has made significant strides in identifying, cultivating, and commercializing medicinal plants for economic development and community empowerment.
With an H-Index of 87 and an i10 Index of 361, his work includes over 550 peer-reviewed publications and more than 26,000 citations. In Natural and Biological Sciences, Prof Afolayan ranks #1 at UFH and is in the top 3% nationally in both fields.
His leadership in the Medicinal Plants and Economic Development Research Niche Area has helped shape the university’s reputation in these fields. He also developed MSc and PhD programs in Ethnobotany and Phytomedicine.
In addition to his academic contributions, Prof Afolayan served as Head of the Department of Botany for two terms and Manager of the Electron Microscopy Unit. He is the founder and former President of the Society for Medicinal Plants and Economic Development (SOMPED), and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Medicinal Plants for Economic Development.
His contributions to botany have earned him numerous awards, including the Vice-Chancellor’s Senior Research Medal and the University of Fort Hare Merit Award.
Prof Anthony Okoh: A Trailblazer in Microbiology
Prof Anthony Okoh, a world-renowned expert in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, has made groundbreaking contributions to water quality, antibiotic resistance, and emerging pathogens.
With an H-Index of 82, an i10 Index of 386, more than 28,000 citations, over 510 peer-reviewed articles, one patent, and numerous conference presentations, Prof Okoh’s research has gained international recognition. In microbiology, his primary field, he ranks #1 at UFH, #2 in South Africa and Africa, and #125 globally.
In 2007, Prof Okoh founded the Applied and Environmental Microbiology Research Group (AEMREG) at UFH, a key research hub for environmental and public health microbiology. His research group has produced influential findings on water and wastewater quality, genomics, and health risk assessments, directly impacting public health policies and environmental sustainability.
Prof Okoh has served as Head of the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology at UFH, where his leadership significantly enhanced the department’s productivity and reputation. His mentorship has also elevated UFH’s microbiology program globally.
Prof Okoh has received numerous awards. These include the Vice-Chancellor Emerging and Senior Researcher Awards and the prestigious Gold Excellence Achievement Award from the SA Medical Research Council. His international collaborations, particularly in wastewater surveillance, have contributed significantly to global health initiatives, including the South African Medical Research Council’s national wastewater coronavirus surveillance team.
A Fellow of several academies and societies, including The World Academy of Sciences, the African Academy of Sciences, and the Royal Society of Biology, his microbiological contributions are recognized worldwide.
The rankings of these esteemed scientists signify UFH’s ongoing commitment to fostering world-class research and academic excellence. Prof Afolayan and Prof Okoh exemplify the University’s mission to make impactful contributions to science and society.
For more information about the AD Scientific Index rankings, click here.