Meet The Team
SAPRI ADMIN HUB
SAPRI Manager
Prof Juliet Hermes
Juliet leads a team focusing on observations, modelling and research of the marine environment around southern Africa as part of the National Research Foundation’s South African Environmental Observation Network. In addition, Juliet manages the South African Polar Research Infrastructure and is a Professor at the University of Cape Town and the Nelson Mandela University. She has significant experience with developing and managing national, regional and international multidisciplinary, ocean observations. Her passion is in fostering regional and international collaborations as well as capacity development. Juliet focuses attention on development through ensuring knowledge generation and sharing, as well as growing a diverse cohort of marine scientists.
Juliet is currently part of the African Task Force for implementing the Ocean Decade and chairs the CLIVAR Indian Ocean Regional Panel, and the Indian Ocean Rim Association Academic Group, she is also part of the All Atlantic OKEANO project. Her work through these and her involvement in GEO Blue Planet, GCOS and the African Group Negotiators Experts Support has enabled her to gain experience in working with policy. She supports global ocean observing systems through the GOOS Observation Coordination Group, as well as their standards and best practices through the IOC/GOOS Ocean Best Practices Group.
Ocean and Polar Coordinator
Dr Tammy Morris
Tammy is a physical oceanographer with extensive in-field experience in the South West Indian and South Atlantic Oceans using a variety of ocean observing instruments and platforms. Her PhD thesis made use of Argo floats on high-resolution profiling to study mesoscale dynamics in the southern Mozambique Channel and the Agulhas Current. As such, Tammy’s academic interests lie in boundary currents, mesoscale eddies and the use of autonomous ocean observing platforms to study these dynamics.
Tammy collaborates with researchers at the national, regional and international panel. She is a member of the Argo Steering Team (AST) as the South African focal point, is a co-chair on the Ships of Opportunity Implementation Panel (SOOPIP) as part of the Ship Observations Team (SOT) group. She also contributes to task teams for the Data Buoy Coordination Panel (DBCP) to ensure deployment of instruments into the Indian Ocean and the Observation Coordination Group (OCG) task team for capacity development. She is also the co-lead of the GOOS Co-Design Boundary Current Exemplar Project – a UN Ocean Decade endorsed programme.
Tammy is the Ocean and Polar Coordinator at the SAEON Egagasini Node, and oversees a team of seven people to implement marine and polar ocean observing objectives of the South African marine science community.
Office Administrator
Sanelisiwe Diza
Senior Technician
Tlhonolofatso Steve Tebele
Tlhonolofatso Tebele is a registered Aquatic Scientist (Candidate) with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP), bringing a solid academic and professional background in Marine Sciences, particularly focusing on Coastal Sea Surface Temperature Trends around South Africa. His extensive field experience includes key roles with the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP), where he overwintered on Marion Island as a Meteorological Technician and conducted marine and atmospheric research at SANAE IV in Antarctica, working under the delegation of the South African Weather Service (SAWS).
Tlhonolofatso has evolved into a skilled technician, with expertise in weather and marine instrumentation, furthering his technical skills through his role in the South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI) team. He is currently pursuing a Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Marine Sciences, reinforcing his strong foundation in both practical fieldwork and scientific analysis. His registration as a Candidate Scientist with SACNASP exemplifies his commitment to advancing his career in marine and environmental sciences.
Operations Officer
Mark McKechnie
Mark McKechnie is an experienced operation professional with a diverse background in business management and administration. He is completing a Master of Business Administration from Nelson Mandela Business School and a Postgraduate Diploma in Management from Regent Business School, among other qualifications. With a career spanning multiple industries, including healthcare, education, and consulting, Mark has developed strong expertise in operations, procurement, project management, and financial oversight. His previous position was as an Operations Officer at an international software development company, where he managed facilities, procurement, finance, and international business support. Mark is proficient in several software platforms and is fluent in English and Afrikaans.
DATA, PRODUCTS & SOCIETY (DPS) INTEGRATED FACILITY
DPS Coordinating Manager
Dr Anne Treasure
Anne’s deep fascination and passion for the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic region developed during school days. She has a background in the life
sciences, predominantly in academic polar research spanning both the terrestrial and oceanographic sciences as well as the links between them. She has participated in many oceanographic voyages to both the Prince Edward Island’s and Antarctica, has overwintered on Marion Island, and has participated in a Prince Edward Island survey as well as many Marion Island takeovers. Anne left academia to pursue her strong interests in data, open science, open data and reproducible research. Her career path has also included a number of years where she gained experience in consultancy, corporate, business and the finance industry. She has a diversity of expertise in data and information management, open science, reproducible research, data analytics and visualisation, data pipeline and workflow development, and project management, and a strong dedication to capacity development through training and mentorship.
She represents South Africa on the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) Standing Committee on Antarctic Data Management (SCADM), for which she is also a Joint Deputy Chief Officer. She serves on the South African National Committee (SANC) for SCAR as the SCADM representative. Anne was a member of a working group formed to align the data policies of international scientific bodies coordinating research in the polar regions on which the SCAR data policy was based. She is a committee member on the Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS) Data Management Sub Committee, a member of the Research Data Alliance (RDA), and a member of SCAR’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) committee as part of the Code of Conduct action group. She is also serving her second term on SANAP’s Prince Edward Island Advisory Committee (PEIAC) and is a collaborator on the Antarctic Legacy of South Africa project (ALSA).
DPS Research Coordinator
Rabia Mathakutha
Rabia is the research coordinator of the SAPRI DPS Integrated Facility. She is a registered Natural Scientist with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) in the field of Environmental Sciences. Rabia completed her Masters degree (MSc) in Plant Science at the University of Pretoria. Her MSc research project was focused on understanding plant invasion potential and climate change responses in the sub-Antarctic region. It was then when Rabia’s passion for understanding and being involved in the conservation of South Africa’s polar environment was ignited. She is excited about communicating and coordinating the research undertaken in these remote ecosystems as part of her current role, and is passionate about promoting awareness, inclusivity, and public engagement in this space.
Rabia also has experience in the environmental consulting industry, having worked as a freshwater ecologist, and considers her current role as completing a full circle – from the freshwater environment on land to now the ocean and polar region. As such, Rabia’s academic and professional experience have given her a range of capabilities that suit her role in her capacity as a research coordinator. She is an excellent communicator, effectively translating complex scientific concepts into accessible information for diverse audiences, and brings a fresh outlook to how science (and research infrastructure) is accessed, communicated and how data is managed, which are integral parts of the DPS Integrated Facility.
Engagement Manager
Dr Wade De Kock
Wade, a seasoned Southern Ocean physical oceanographer and atmospheric scientist, brings a wealth of expertise to his role as Engagement Manager for the SAPRI DPS Integrated Facility. Having earned his PhD from the University of Cape Town, Wade’s research delved into the intricate mechanisms behind large-scale rainfall events in the South Western Cape during the driest periods of the year. His academic journey has been enriched by extensive fieldwork, including participation in international expeditions like AMT28. As a scientist aboard this voyage, he meticulously studied phytoplankton characteristics, unravelling the complex interplay between cell size and fluorescence across the vast Atlantic Ocean.
Prior to his PhD, Wade’s MSc research leveraged the data provided by tagged elephant seals to investigate the dynamics of the Marginal Ice Zone (MIZ). His deep-rooted passion for Southern Ocean research is evident in his unwavering commitment to advancing South Africa’s pioneering role in Antarctic exploration.
Beyond his academic pursuits, Wade has made significant contributions to the green economy. As a circular economy analyst, he has demonstrated expertise in waste management, particularly in the realm of plastics and recyclability. His engagement with the informal sector underscores his commitment to addressing environmental challenges through community-based solutions.
Wade’s dedication to outreach and education is equally commendable. His experience in climate change, renewable energy, and the just transition has empowered schools, teachers, communities, and municipalities to understand and address these critical issues. His successful facilitation of climate change action plans for two municipalities showcases his ability to foster meaningful change through awareness and education.
With a proven track record of working with diverse stakeholders, Wade possesses exceptional interpersonal skills. His belief in the power of both teaching and learning has enabled him to build strong relationships and foster collaboration. Given his broad background, Wade is driven by a desire to make Antarctic knowledge and research accessible and inclusive to all.
Data Curator
Belinda Nhesvure
Belinda brings her expertise to support the data management component of SAPRI and SAEON, focusing on establishing and maintaining a robust data infrastructure adhering to the ISO 14721: Open Archival Information System standard. Her passion for scientific research drives her dedication to data curation, analysis, and field research.
Senior Systems Administrator
Persephone Leigh Singh
Persephone is a Linux Specialist at the SAEON uLwazi Node and forms a crucial part of the SAPRI Data Centre team.
LONG-TERM OBSERVATIONS ON LAND (LTO-LAND) INTEGRATED FACILITY
LTO-Land Research Coordinator
Abuyiselwe A. Nguna
Abuyiselwe, friendly known as Abu, hails from the small town of Komani in the Eastern Cape. His passion in science led him to pursue postgraduate studies. Abu has been focused on periglacial aeolian process research for almost a decade now as he pursues his Ph.D. in Geography. Abu has been part of two overwintering teams on the sub-Antarctic Marion Island, which has given him a vast experience in sub-Antarctic and polar research. Abu is excited to take on his new role within SAPRI and SAEON, where he can continue to build his career and play a part in South African polar research reaching its potential and expanding to the rest of Africa. His work within the Sub-Antarctic Landscape and Climate interactions (SALCi) group has equipped Abu with skills in leadership, data management, proposal writing and efficiency, and of course the love for the sub- Antarctic and the Southern Ocean.
Top Predator Monitoring Coordinator
Yinhla Shihlomule
Yinhla Shihlomule has a background in marine biology with a focus on the genetics of apex predators. Having participated in four overwintering expeditions on Sub-Antarctic Marion Island, Yinhla gained invaluable field experience crucial for monitoring top predator populations. This hands-on involvement equipped him with the skills and knowledge necessary to assume the role of a top predator monitoring coordinator.
Yinhla is currently pursuing a PhD on the genetics of southern elephant seals, and this aligns with the role and duties of the top predator monitoring coordinator.
With a dedication to advancing our understanding of marine biodiversity and conservation, Yinhla Shihlomule is poised to make significant contributions to the role of top predator coordinator.
LONG-TERM OBSERVATIONS OF THE OCEAN (LTO-OCEAN) INTEGRATED FACILITY
LTO-Ocean Research Coordinator
Jordan Van Stavel
Jordan holds an MSc in offshore benthic ecology and is passionate about unravelling the intricate connections between marine biodiversity and the physical environment. Her research delves into the functional diversity of benthic invertebrates and their environmental drivers along the west and south coasts of South Africa, aiming to understand the vital roles benthic ecosystems play in the health and functioning of the ocean.
Jordan has actively participated in numerous research voyages, gaining experience in various marine disciplines, including fisheries, benthic, and oceanographic research, in both the South Atlantic and South-West Indian Oceans. Her experience has also extended to international steering committees, dedicated towards inclusivity and the adoption of best practices in ocean research, operations, and applications.
Throughout her journey, Jordan has honed a diverse skill set encompassing research voyage planning, marine instrumentation, data management, and a broad understanding of marine sciences. She is an advocate for multidisciplinary and multi-institutional collaboration and aspires to expand her knowledge and skills to the Southern Ocean and polar regions. She is committed to growing in her role as research coordinator of the SAPRI LTO-Ocean Integrated Facility, where she will contribute to the advancement of marine science.
Seafloor Instrument Technician
Danielle Julius
I completed my Masters in Marine Science at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology
(CPUT), where my research focused on marine microplastics within echinoderms found in
rocky shore environments. My participation in various marine research, ranging from
estuarine environments to rocky shores and the open ocean, allowed me to acquire and
develop skills essential to support marine research at a technical level. My passion for ocean
awareness and education has given me experience in lecturing, supervising, and mentoring
undergraduate students at my alma mater. After graduating, I accepted an internship based
at NRF-South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (NRF-SAIAB) where I gained and
enhanced valuable technical skills to support conservation and biodiversity research.
Currently my role as the SAPRI Seafloor Instrument Technician involves providing logistical
and technical support for research projects associated with SAIAB’s Marine Remote Imagery
Platform (MaRIP) and SAPRI, provide effective management of equipment, infrastructure,
and support data management. Being based at an institution that is at the forefront of marine
biodiversity research, I know I will continue to grow as a marine science technician, and make
a significant contribution towards the marine space. I hope to inspire the next generation on
the importance of marine conservation and create space for knowledge to be shared.
POLAR LAB INTEGRATED FACILITY
Polar Lab Research Coordinator
Riesna R. Audh
Riesna is the research coordinator of the SAPRI Polar Lab. She has a background in polar oceanography and a passion for all things Antarctica. She has helped to develop the field protocols employed by South African researchers on sea ice research and contributed to the knowledge and available data of the polar regions through her PhD research on the biogeochemistry of sea ice in the Antarctic marginal ice zone. Riesna believes that science should be accessible and inclusive and intends to use her position to showcase polar research amongst researchers and non-researchers alike. She is a firm believer that collaboration across institutions and disciplines is crucial for the future of polar research and that accessibility, inclusivity and visibility are vital in order to grow this field and encourage the next generation of polar researchers.