Staff Spotlight: Dr Dackson Masiyano

Meet Dr Dackson Masiyano, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Physics and Electronics in the School of Natural and Applied Sciences at the University of Malawi (UNIMA), whose career in Applied Physics, and industrial research and development is driven by a commitment to transforming scientific ideas into practical technologies.

Dr Masiyano joined UNIMA in August 2024 after spending more than a decade in research and development in the United Kingdom, specializing in photonics, optical engineering and advanced electro-optical systems. His work focuses on developing technologies from initial concepts and laboratory prototypes to practical applications and commercial production.

His research interests span artificial intelligence (AI), embedded systems, the Internet of Things (IoT), optical sensing, digital health and climate intelligence, with a particular interest in developing technological solutions to challenges facing Malawi and beyond.

His academic journey can be traced back to the University of Malawi, where he obtained a Bachelor of Education in Science in 1997, majoring in Physics. He later pursued further studies in the United Kingdom, graduating with First Class Honors in BSc Combined Studies (Electronics with Physics) from Anglia Ruskin University in 2005. In June 2009, he completed his PhD in Photonics and Optical Sensing at Cranfield University. His doctoral research focused on the use of diffuse reflections in tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy.

For Dr Masiyano, the motivation behind his career has always been the desire to understand how things work and apply scientific principles to solve practical problems. He describes himself primarily as an applied physicist and research and development practitioner, having spent much of his professional career in industrial research, where he contributed to developing new technologies, protecting intellectual property and translating research into commercially viable products.

Unlike the conventional academic career path, his professional journey was largely shaped by industry before he joined UNIMA. He believes this experience provides an important perspective in the classroom, helping students understand that scientific theories are not merely academic concepts but foundations for developing practical solutions.

"Research provides new knowledge, innovation translates that knowledge into useful technologies, and teaching helps develop the next generation of scientists and engineers," he says.

Since joining UNIMA, Dr Masiyano has been keen to strengthen the University's research and innovation capacity, particularly within the Department of Physics and Electronics.

He recalls being asked during his recruitment interview why the University should give him the job, and his response was that he wanted to help put the Department on the world stage.

He continues to regard that response as a personal pledge, driven by his belief in the Department's potential to undertake internationally significant research, develop innovative technologies and establish meaningful partnerships with leading research institutions and industry.

Among the notable milestones during his time at UNIMA is his involvement in securing and launching a Malawi–Rwanda collaborative research project focusing on AI-driven machine vision and IoT systems for quality control and waste reduction in food processing. As Principal Investigator for the Malawi component, he has been instrumental in establishing research infrastructure, strengthening industry collaboration and integrating postgraduate research into the project.

He also played a role in establishing a partnership between UNIMA and the Roads Fund Administration (RFA), which culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in July 2026. The partnership provides opportunities for joint research, technical consultancy, student innovation and industry collaboration.

Another notable experience was presenting the University's AI-powered agrometeorological advisory work at the 55th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Africa Region Conference in August 2026, demonstrating how artificial intelligence and climate data can support agricultural decision-making.

One of his significant contributions to innovation before joining UNIMA was his involvement in developing the world's first integrated laser-based holographic Head-Up Display (HUD), commercially introduced in the Range Rover Evoque in 2014.

His work involved developing the reference optical-system design, including laser beam-conditioning and freeform projection optics, as well as coordinating optical engineering activities towards commercial manufacturing. The project brought together component suppliers, manufacturing teams and automotive industry partners, including Alps Electric in Japan and Jaguar Land Rover in the United Kingdom.

The technology progressed from concept and prototype development to serial production in approximately three years, with more than 150,000 units manufactured and installed in Range Rover vehicles between 2014 and 2018.

Reflecting on the achievement, Dr Masiyano says seeing technology he helped design move from the development stage into commercial production was particularly satisfying. The experience also strengthened his appreciation of the entire innovation process, from scientific research and engineering design to manufacturing and meeting end-user needs.

At UNIMA, one of his current areas of focus is the development of an AI-powered agrometeorological advisory system under the Agricultural Resilience Through Climate Services (ARCS) programme, with its farmer-facing application, Ulimi ndi Nyengo.

The initiative seeks to use climate information, agronomic knowledge and technology to support agricultural decision-making. Dr Masiyano provides technical leadership for the AI-enabled advisory model and its associated data-processing architecture, working with several institutions, including the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Malawi University of Science and Technology and LUANAR.

He emphasises that the system is designed to use climate evidence, official agronomic knowledge and farm-specific information within controlled decision-making processes, with AI supporting the explanation and communication of the resulting advice.

Beyond climate intelligence, he is also involved in research on AI-enabled quality control in food processing and AI-assisted diagnostic technologies for healthcare. One example of student-centred innovation is an AI-powered stethoscope project, which has progressed into a structured research internship with the Global Health Informatics Institute.

Dr Masiyano acknowledges the influence of two individuals who have significantly shaped his professional development: his PhD supervisor, Dr Jane Hodgkinson, a Reader in Applied Photonics at Cranfield University, and Dr Jamieson Christmas, with whom he co-founded Two Trees Photonics in the United Kingdom. He credits their scientific expertise, practical approach to research and experience in technology development and entrepreneurship for influencing his approach to innovation.

Looking ahead, Dr Masiyano hopes to build an internationally recognised body of research at UNIMA that is scientifically rigorous and relevant to Malawi's development. He aspires to progress to the ranks of Associate Professor and ultimately Professor, while contributing to research, innovation, teaching and mentorship.

Ultimately, he hopes to see the Department of Physics and Electronics become increasingly recognised within and beyond Malawi as a centre of research, innovation and technological development.

For Dr Masiyano, the ambition remains clear: to transform scientific knowledge into practical solutions, nurture the next generation of scientists and engineers, and help position the University of Malawi on the global research and innovation stage.