PEOPLE
EXPERT DATABASE
We are establishing a database of South African marine and polar researchers to provide a platform where experts in the various specialisations can be found by, for example, potential collaborators, students looking for supervisors, organisers of speaking events, media reps, etc.
Finding experts in the field of polar and offshore marine research, within South Africa
ATTENTION: Polar & Offshore Marine Researchers
Want to add your details to this page? Simply follow the link below to complete the sign-up form.
SIGN UPAlternatively, contact Rabia Mathakutha for more information.
r.mathakutha@saeon.nrf.ac.za
Dr Fannie Shabangu
Marine Biologist
My research focus is mainly on marine mammal acoustic occurrence, behaviour and interaction with environmental conditions. Large marine mammals of interest are Antarctic blue whales, fin whales, Madagascan pygmy blue whales, Antarctic minke whales, humpback whales, sei whales, southern right whales, sperm whales and killer whales. And smaller marine mammals of interest are crabeater seals, leopard seals and Ross seals.
Prof. David William Hedding
Professor
My primary research focuses on landscape responses to climate change, landscape evolution over geological timescales, and periglacial processes and landforms in the sub-Antarctic and Antarctic. I also conduct research on soil erosion by wind and water as well as rock decay.
Dr Tshoanelo Miya
Researcher and Lecturer
My main research interests are in the field of molecular analyses of aquatic biodiversity, focusing on the use of DNA sequences to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships, the phylogeography structure of different species and populations, and the environmental DNA to detect fish species that might have been missed by traditional fish collection methods.
Jethan d'Hotman
Senior Technician
Jethan's research focus includes Physical Oceanography of the Agulhas Current and its impacts on coastal dynamics. With a strong foundation in fieldwork and data management, Jethan is passionate about advancing sustainable ocean science through innovation and collaboration.
Dr Elizabeth Rudolph
Senior Lecturer
My research interests include cold climate geomorphology, geochronology, and landscape reconstruction. I am currently involved with research on sub-Antarctic Marion Island and Gough Island, reconstructing Southern Hemisphere landscape-climate interactions of the Quaternary. I also dabble in geoheritage and the use of immersive technologies (like virtual reality) in geo-education.
Prof. Juliet Hermes
Manager
Research focuses on the Agulhas, the Indian Ocean, the Benguela and the Southern Ocean, coastal-offshore interactions, observations, numerical modelling
Dr Tammy Morris
Ocean and Polar Coordinator
I am a physical oceanographer specialising in in situ ocean observations. As such I have a keen interest in the technologies used to measure the ocean. My primary focus of research now extends to boundary currents, particularly western boundary currents such as the Agulhas Current, and how these dynamic systems impact coastal regions and ultimately society.
Prof. Sebastian Skatulla
Professor
I have founded and lead the Polar Engineering Research Group of the University of Cape Town since 2016. The group has been studying the impact of global warming on the Antarctic cryosphere, with a particular focus on sea ice and shelf ice dynamics.
