Postdoctoral Research Fellows & Postgraduate Students
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
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Dr Adetunji Awe (2023 - current) Research Area: Plastics and associated contaminants (metals and organics) in the Freshwater and Marine Environments Email: awea@cput.ac.za |
Former Postdoctoral Research Fellows
Dr Taina Goncalves-Loureiro (2021-2022)
Focus Area: Global Ocean Accounts & Partnership Project (GOAP)
Dr Elisa Seyboth (2018 - 2022)
Focus Area: Humpback Whale & Climate Change Project
Postgraduate Students
Current Doctoral Students
Mr Bahati Mayoma
D. Conservation Science
Research Topic: Characteristics and ecological risks of plastic and microplastics in Lake Victoria-Tanzania
Main Supervisor: Dr C Sparks
Co-Supervisor: Dr F Khan, Dr E Strady
Ms Mathabo Malange
D. Conservation Science
Research Topic: Defining Ocean Ecosystem Extents in Pelagic Systems within the KwaZulu-Natal Bight, South Africa using 3-dimensional volumetric analyses and visualisations
Main Supervisor: Dr C Sparks
Co-Supervisors: Prof K Findlay, Dr I Halo
Mrs Whitney Samuels
D. Conservation Science
Research Topic: TBC
Main Supervisor: Dr C Sparks
Co-Supervisor: Dr N Viljoen
Mrs Christabel Harkins
D. Conservation Science
Research Topic: TBC
Main Supervisor: Dr C Sparks
Mr Rushdi Ariefdien
D. Conservation Science
Research Topic: TBC
Main Supervisor: Dr C Sparks
Current Masters Students
Ms Nicole du Plessis
M. Conservation Sciences
Research Topic: Exploring the ‘Oceans Economies’ of Western Indian Ocean Coastal States
Main Supervisor: Dr C Sparks
Co-Supervisor: Prof K Findlay
Mr Jeffrey Slater
M. Conservation Sciences
Research Topic: The effects of climate change on the distribution and abundance of humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, off Mozambique
Main Supervisor: Dr C Sparks
Co-Supervisor: Prof K Findlay
Ms Rodashia Basson
M. Conservation Sciences
Research Topic: The impacts of swim with seal tourism within Marine Protected Areas
Main Supervisor: Dr C Sparks
Co-Supervisor: Prof K Findlay
Ms Aldean Esau
M. Marine Science
Research Topic: Environmental concentrations, characteristics and risk assessment of microplastics in the Olifants and Breede River Catchments, Estuaries and Coastal Areas, Western Cape South Africa
Main Supervisor: Dr C Sparks
Co-Supervisor: Prof A Rajkaran
Ms Venecia van Balla
M. Marine Sciences
Research Topic: Uptake and accumulation of environmentally relevant sizes and concentrations of microplastics in the Mediterranean mussel (Mytlis galloprovincialis) under controlled conditions
Main Supervisor: Dr C Sparks
Current Postgraduate Diploma Students
Mr Tanweer Absolom
PG Dip: Marine Science
Research Topic: Microplastic Contamination in Farmed Mussels from Saldanha Bay
Main Supervisor: Dr C Sparks
Co-Supervisor: Dr A Awe & Dr J Johnson
Ms Leah Brown
PG Dip: Conservation Science
Research Topic: The Levels of Microplastics in Polychaetes (Capitellidae family) and Sediment in the Lower Section of the Berg River Estuary, South Africa
Main Supervisor: Prof R Snyman
Co-Supervisor: Dr C Sparks
Mr Onele Nyengule
PG Dip: Marine Science
Research Topic: Bioavailability and effects of microplastics on the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis
Main Supervisor: Dr C Sparks
Banele Luthuli
Proposed Research Topic: Concentrations, Characteristics and Risk Assessment of Microplastics in Seawater, Sediments and Macroalgae (Ulva rigida) in Table Bay and False Bay, South Africa.
Main Supervisor: Dr C Sparks
Co-Supervisor: Dr A Awe
Graduated: Masters
Mr Kyle Maurer: December 2020
MTech Oceanography: Factors influencing the biomass and distribution of sago pondweed, Stuckenia pectinata in a temporarily open/ closed estuary, Zandvlei, Cape Town, South Africa
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/2988
Mr Senyalo Letsheleha – December 2021
MTech Oceanography: Passive acoustic monitoring of Antarctic blue and fin whales off the South African West Coast
http://etd.cput.ac.za/handle/20.500.11838/3331
Mr Christopher Wilkinson: December 2022
M. Conservation Sciences: Estimating population changes in humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) migrating past Cape Vidal, South Africa
https://etd.cput.ac.za/handle/20.500.11838/3561
Ms Danielle Julius: April 2023
M. Marine Sciences: Microplastic concentrations and uptake in rocky shore invertebrate filter-feeders, grazers and predators in False Bay, South Africa
https://etd.cput.ac.za/handle/20.500.11838/3723
Ms Bianca Tree: December 2023
M. Conservation Sciences: Conservation status and population dynamics of the Southern African east coast humpback whale population (Megaptera novaeangliae) using photographic identification techniques
https://etd.cput.ac.za/handle/20.500.11838/3911
Mrs Whitney Samuels: December 2023
M. Marine Sciences: Microplastic concentrations in the Zandvlei catchment area and estuary, Cape Town
https://etd.cput.ac.za/handle/20.500.11838/3873
Mr Wakuenda Alex Bukasa: December 2023
M. Environmental Management: Characteristics and distribution of litter and microplastics in Table Bay, Cape Town, South Africa
https://etd.cput.ac.za/handle/20.500.11838/3872
Mr Rushdi Ariefdien: December 2023
M. Marine Sciences: Impacts of Cape Town stormwater outlets and marine sewage outfall on microplastic distribution and coastal biodiversity
https://etd.cput.ac.za/handle/20.500.11838/3935
Mr Liam Ferguson: December 2023
MTech Oceanography: Environmental microplastic concentrations and uptake in selected rocky shore invertebrate filter-feeders, grazers and predators in False Bay, South Africa
https://etd.cput.ac.za/handle/20.500.11838/3858
FEDRATI-Funded Postgraduate Students
2023
Mr Rifaat Aziz
M. Marine Science
Research Topic: The effects of varying salinities on the growth, immunity and physiological responses on the cultured sea urchin, Tripneustes gratilla
Ms Aldean Esau
M. Marine Science
Research Topic: Environmental concentrations, characteristics and risk assessment of microplastics in the Olifants and Breede River Catchments, Estuaries and Coastal Areas, Western Cape South Africa
Ms Sinazo Matika
M. Food Science & Technology
Research Topic: Proximate analysis, fatty acid composition and shelf-stability of smoked black mussel (Choromytilus meridionalis)
Mr Lance Misland
M. Marine Science
Research Topic: Effects of ocean acidification and warming on the shell structure and chemical composition of the South African abalone (Haliotis midae)
Ms Zikhona Menze
M. Conservation Science
Research Topic: Temporal and Spatial Distribution of Selected Metals in the Black and Liesbeek Rivers, Cape Town, South Africa
Mr Sikelela Ngxekana
M. Environmental Health
Research Topic: Production of bioethanol from kelp seashore waste using yeast fermentation
Mr Lukhanyo Mafu
M. Environmental Management
Research Topic: The Implications of Upstream Land Use Activities on Estuarine Marine Resources in Swaartkop, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
Ms Ziyanda Phike
D. Food Science & Technology
Research Topic: Influence of fish feed modification on biochemical, physicochemical, and sensory attributes of aquacultured Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)
Mr Mashudu U-day Lidovho
M. Food Science & Technology
Research Topic: Investigation on the shelf-life, safety, and product quality of hotsmoked and frozen anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) products
Mr Marcello Evertson
PG Dip Marine Science
Research Topic: Genetic identification, presence, and abundance of Aurelia sp. Polyps in the V&A Waterfront Marina.
Ms Salizwa Ntlabanthi
PG Dip Marine Science
Research Topic: Comparing the settlement of biofouling species between exposed and sheltered sites in False Bay Yacht Club
2022
Ms Rodashia Basson
M. Conservation Sciences
Research Topic: The impacts of swim with seal tourism within Marine Protected Areas
Ms Nokwazi Msweli
M. Conservation Sciences
Research Topic: Seasonal occurrence and distribution of humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) at a low latitude feeding ground in the Southern Benguela Upwelling System
