Nationality: South African

Institution: University of the Witwatersrand

Department: Evolutionary Science Institute (ESI)

PAST programme support: Degree support

Research title: A multi-proxy study in Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique: Reconstruction of the Early-Middle Miocene palaeoenvironment.

“I completed a BSc in Biological Sciences at Wits University and am currently pursuing postgraduate studies at the Wits Evolutionary Studies Institute.  I’ve always had a passion for Earth Sciences and the interaction between us and the environment.”

My interests are understanding the processes that no human eye can see. If I looked at a tree and its branches, I would immediately ask myself, : “What goes on underground in the soil that makes the tree look this way?”.  I love the tiny details that make up a whole picture that everybody can see. Hence, I am a passionate and detail-oriented palaeoecologist with a strong foundation in reconstructing past environments and analysing ecological changes. I am proficient in interpreting microfossil, phytolith, and microcharcoal data, with experience in statistical analysis, GIS mapping, and PCA visualisation. Skilled in presenting complex findings clearly, whether through scientific posters, reports or publications. Enthusiastic about contributing to research on vegetation dynamics, climate change, and conservation through the lens of palaeoecology.