Dr Annelize Botes is a metallurgical engineer, researcher, educator, and technology advisor with over 25 years of experience in advanced manufacturing and materials engineering. She is the Director of FeTiCoN (Focused Engineering & Training Solutions) and a Research Associate at Nelson Mandela University. Her research focuses on laser-based manufacturing processes, additive manufacturing, welding technology, metallurgy, failure analysis, and advanced materials characterisation. Throughout her career, she has successfully managed major national and international research programmes, including multi-partner European Union projects that support advanced manufacturing, skills development, and electric vehicle technologies across Africa.
An internationally published researcher, Dr Botes has supervised more than 35 postgraduate research projects and has secured significant competitive research funding throughout her career. She is passionate about bridging the gap between academic research and industrial application through metallurgical consulting, technology transfer, workforce development, and engineering education. Her current work explores the integration of artificial intelligence, data-driven manufacturing, and digital technologies into laser processing and advanced manufacturing systems to enhance productivity, quality, and sustainability.