Dr. Odifentse Lehasa is a Senior Lecturer at Rhodes Business School and Course Coordinator for the Advanced Diploma in Business Analysis. Her expertise spans generative machine learning, drug discovery, business intelligence, and data-driven innovation across healthcare, retail, logistics, and financial services.

Dr. Lehasa holds a PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Johannesburg, where her doctoral research developed an integrated AI-driven generative model for novel hypertension lead drug discovery. She also holds a Master's in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation from Wits Business School, and another Master’s in Information Systems from Rhodes University, giving her a unique combination of technical expertise and business acumen.

Prior to her current role, Dr. Lehasa has applied her skills across a range of industries, as a technology consultant in the retail, logistics and financial sectors. She is passionate about positioning technology as a driver of strategic organisational value, and about using innovation to address socio-economic challenges in areas such as healthcare, education, and economic inclusivity. She maintains active international academic collaborations with Okayama University in Japan and is a member of the South African Artificial Intelligence Association.

Dr. Lehasa’s research interests are in the Application of AI technologies for Societal Impact; Data Analytics and Business Intelligence; and Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Last Modified: Thu, 19 Mar 2026 13:29:03 SAST