Meet our Crossley Foundation Postgraduate Fellows
Janis Smith
PhD Candidate (Stellenbosch University)
PhD Candidate (Stellenbosch University)
Roderick Juba
PhD Candidate (Stellenbosch University)
Conservation Ecology; Riparian ecology and invasion
His work focuses on invasive alien trees in Western Cape riparian zones, the extent of their invasion and possible uses. Roderick has a strong interest in ecosystem functioning and rehabilitation and looks to working at the interface between research and project implementation in areas where positive impacts can be made for conservation of both ecosystems and the dignity of people. As such, he attends various scientific conferences and implementation-oriented workshops where he shares, and builds on his research. He is a recipient of the Daniel Booysen award for the best research project in his Honours year, and the Conservation Leadership Program’s Future Conservationist Award for a rehabilitation and education project in the Papenkuils Wetland near Worcester. He is involved in various community upliftment initiatives, stemming from his previous involvement with the likes of Interact and Rotaract. Outside of his own work, he offers his help in mentoring fellow students at the University, and readily volunteers with various NGO’s. Roderick’s passion is improving livelihoods through conservation.
PhD Candidate (Stellenbosch University)
Conservation Ecology; Riparian ecology and invasion
His work focuses on invasive alien trees in Western Cape riparian zones, the extent of their invasion and possible uses. Roderick has a strong interest in ecosystem functioning and rehabilitation and looks to working at the interface between research and project implementation in areas where positive impacts can be made for conservation of both ecosystems and the dignity of people. As such, he attends various scientific conferences and implementation-oriented workshops where he shares, and builds on his research. He is a recipient of the Daniel Booysen award for the best research project in his Honours year, and the Conservation Leadership Program’s Future Conservationist Award for a rehabilitation and education project in the Papenkuils Wetland near Worcester. He is involved in various community upliftment initiatives, stemming from his previous involvement with the likes of Interact and Rotaract. Outside of his own work, he offers his help in mentoring fellow students at the University, and readily volunteers with various NGO’s. Roderick’s passion is improving livelihoods through conservation.
Daniel Cloete PhD
University of Cape Town
University of Cape Town
Zander Venter
PhD Candidate (University of Cape Town)
The consequences of high-intensity grazing for vegetation and soil characteristics in a grassland
Zander has a background in ecology, conservation, and sustainable agriculture. Hi academic knowledge is grounded in his time spent working on various farms around the world. This has led to a passion for using science as a tool to solve real-world problems associated with agriculture. His current research interests are focussed on grazing management practices in South African grasslands. He future career aspirations are not clear, but he hopes to keep his scientific hat on whilst getting his hands and feet dirty in South African soil.
PhD Candidate (University of Cape Town)
The consequences of high-intensity grazing for vegetation and soil characteristics in a grassland
Zander has a background in ecology, conservation, and sustainable agriculture. Hi academic knowledge is grounded in his time spent working on various farms around the world. This has led to a passion for using science as a tool to solve real-world problems associated with agriculture. His current research interests are focussed on grazing management practices in South African grasslands. He future career aspirations are not clear, but he hopes to keep his scientific hat on whilst getting his hands and feet dirty in South African soil.
Lavinia Perumal
PhD. Candidate (University of Cape Town)
Although currently residing in Cape Town, Lavinia comes from Chatsworth in KwaZulu-Natal where she completed her BSc undergraduate and Honours degree at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Environmental Science and Geography department. In 2014 Lavinia moved to Rhodes University in Grahamstown to complete her master’s degree at the Botany department. Her project focused on drivers of bush encroachment in a semi-arid savanna in the Eastern Cape. After completing her MSc degree, she started her PhD at the University of Cape Town’s Environmental and Geographical Science department. She is currently in her 1st year of her PhD and is based at the African Climate and Development Initiative. Her PhD aims to understand the complex interactions that exist between and within social-ecological systems with a particular focus on the impact of extensive transport infrastructure development in African regions.
PhD. Candidate (University of Cape Town)
Although currently residing in Cape Town, Lavinia comes from Chatsworth in KwaZulu-Natal where she completed her BSc undergraduate and Honours degree at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Environmental Science and Geography department. In 2014 Lavinia moved to Rhodes University in Grahamstown to complete her master’s degree at the Botany department. Her project focused on drivers of bush encroachment in a semi-arid savanna in the Eastern Cape. After completing her MSc degree, she started her PhD at the University of Cape Town’s Environmental and Geographical Science department. She is currently in her 1st year of her PhD and is based at the African Climate and Development Initiative. Her PhD aims to understand the complex interactions that exist between and within social-ecological systems with a particular focus on the impact of extensive transport infrastructure development in African regions.