Dr. Saul Paul Phiri's Profile

Lecturer, Department of Physics, Copperbelt University
Coordinator, Southern Africa Regional Office of Astronomy for Development (SAROAD)

Dr. Saul Paul Phiri is a Zambian astrophysicist with experience in astronomical research, teaching, and outreach. He holds a PhD in Astronomy and Astrophysics from the University of Central Lancashire, UK. His doctoral research focused on the properties of giant molecular clouds in nearby galaxies and their environmental variations. Currently, Dr. Phiri serves as a Lecturer in the Department of Physics at Copperbelt University and as the Coordinator for Southern African Regional Office of Astronomy for Development (SAROAD), supporting astronomy development initiatives across SADC and SKA partner countries. He has contributed to numerous professional programs and workshops, including Astrolab 2025 (South Africa), Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy (DARA), and Pan African School for Emerging Astronomers (PASEA), where he provides mentorship and hands-on training for emerging astronomers. He saved as a member of selection committee in the Pan African Planetary and Space Science Network (PAPSSN) the predecessor of PAP2SN project

Dr. Phiri’s research interests is in Star Formation, AGN, mm radio astronomy, as well as the application of big data and machine learning in astrophysical studies. He has successfully supervised 8 undergraduates, 11 MSc students (7 completed) and 1 PhD (Ongoin). He is an active member of the African Astronomical Society (AfAS), the Zambia Physics Society (ZPS) and Astronomical Society of Zambia (ASZ). His commitment to science education, research excellence, and outreach positions him as a key contributor to the PAP2SN mission of strengthening planetary science and astronomy capacity across Africa.