Research on hippos fish, herps, birds and other mammals by students and researchers in UKZN’s School of Life Sciences is benefitting from a donation by the Ford Wildlife Foundation (FWF) of two Ford Ranger (double cab) 4×4 vehicles. The vehicles are part of Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa’s (FMCSA) commitment to the conservation and preservation of the
UKZN Mourns Death of Aquatic Biology Expert
UKZN – including those in its School of Life Sciences – is mourning the death of Honorary Research Fellow Professor Olaf Weyl, who was Chief Scientist and Research Chair for Inland Fisheries and Freshwater Ecology at the National Research Foundation’s (NRF) South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB). Born in Germany, Weyl grew up in southern Africa and completed
PhD Student Publishes in Prestigious International Journal
Mr Miguel Castañeda-Zárate, a Mexican TWAS (The World Academy of Sciences) funded PhD candidate in the School of Life Sciences (SLS), has published results from his research in Current Biology, a journal with an impact factor of 9.601. In the paper, he and his two co-authors – also from the SLS – present a discovery that
MAgric Teaches “Old Dog” New Tricks!
Seasoned irrigation technician, Mr Danie le Roux has rebooted his academic career using his considerable experience and skill to complete a Master of Agriculture (MAgric) degree in Agricultural Extension and Rural Resource Management (AERRM) at UKZN based on research that explored problems with collective irrigation schemes and developing farmers. Le Roux completed his Diploma in
Life Science Teacher Awarded PhD, Now Set on Postdoc Research
Durban’s Thomas More College was proud to announce that it now has a new doctor in the house – Life Science teacher, Gary Robson, who was awarded his PhD in Biological Sciences at UKZN’s Spring Graduation ceremony. ‘For my PhD, UKZN was a natural choice as the animals I wanted to study are endemic to
Canada Trip Leads to MSc
Ms Gugulethu Tshabalala, an intern project manager at the Duzi-uMngeni Conservation Trust (DUCT) in Pietermaritzburg, graduated from UKZN with a Master’s degree in Environmental Science for research conducted at Fountainhill Estate (FHE) near Wartburg, which explored the impact of land use practices on sediment yields and nutrient loads on grasslands and maize crops. Gugulethu’s work
Son Fulfils Promise Made to Dying Father
Mr Bayanda Sonamzi was awarded his MSc degree in Ecological Sciences from UKZN – fulfilling the commitment he made to his dying father. Said Sonamzi: ‘My late father, Mr Mthumeni “Ncanes” Sonamzi, was and still is my hero. To him I say: RIP Sir… I’ve done what I promised you on your death bed.’ Describing
Childhood Interest in Reptiles Progresses into Doctoral Degree
Since a child, Dr Cormac Price has been fascinated by reptiles and amphibians even though he was born and raised in Ireland which has no snakes – ‘just one native lizard, one introduced range-restricted legless lizard species, one frog, one toad, one newt, and occasionally rarely seen visiting sea turtles in Irish waters!’ he quipped.
UKZN Unites with Water and Agriculture Sectors for World Food Day Dialogue
UKZN’s Centre for Transformative Agricultural and Food Systems (CTAFS) joined the Water Research Commission (WRC), the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and the University of Venda (UNIVEN) to commemorate World Food Day via a virtual dialogue on strengthening indigenous food systems for more sustainable, equitable and healthy systems. Facilitated by the WRC’s Professor Sylvester Mpandeli, presenters
Television Show Features UKZN Researchers’ Work with Snakes
An eight-part television series titled Snake Season, produced by People°sWeather for their DStv channel 180 focusing on weather, environmental and lifestyle news, features two researchers from the School of Life Sciences (SLS) who are working with local reptile and amphibian expert Mr Nick Evans. Head of the Conservation Genetics Lab in the SLS, Dr Sandi Willows-Munro, and postdoctoral researcher Dr