Catherine obtained her Master of Engineering in Chemical Engineering with Cum Laude from Stellenbosch University in 2023. Her thesis, titled "Biorefining of tuber crop residues to recover phytochemicals for the formulation of composite films and coatings," showcased her expertise in sustainable biomass processing techniques and waste valorization.
Following the completion of her studies, Catherine embarked on a career as a lecturer at the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST). Her academic and professional achievements include receiving a Certificate of Recognition as a Master's student in Chemical Engineering with distinction from Stellenbosch University and being shortlisted for the 2019/2020 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation (Royal academy of Engineering). She has also been actively involved as a College Ambassador for Women in Engineering-Malawi, motivating secondary school girls to pursue STEM and engineering disciplines. Additionally, Catherine has actively participated in local and international conferences, including the Interinstitutional Chemical Engineering Postgraduate Symposium at Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS) in July 2022, the UK-Africa Investment Summit in London in January 2020, and the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation Pitching event at Prince Philip House in London(2020).