Ishmael B. Masesane is Professor of Chemistry and Head of the Chemistry Department of the Faculty of Science at the University of Botswana in Gaborone. He obtained his BSc in chemistry and biology and MSc in natural product chemistry at the University of Botswana and his PhD in organic synthesis at the University of Durham in the United Kingdom. His research areas include phytochemical studies on edible plants, weeds and mushrooms of Botswana, synthesis of cyclohexyl β-amino acids, stereoselective transfer hydrogenation, development of synthetic methodologies to various natural products and the chemistry of persistent organic pollutants. In recognition of his work, he has received two research grants from the Royal Society of Chemistry, United Kingdom, and is a member of several organizations including the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Chemical Society of Botswana.