PhD Student, MapWAPS Project

Agricultural Research Council, Water Science Unit

Stellenbosch University, Conservation Ecology & Entomology

Liam Cogill's research focuses on using advanced and integrative remote sensing applications to help inform woody invasive alien plant management in strategic water source areas. He has a great passion for better understanding invasive alien plants in South Africa and has six years’ experience in the herbicide sector. Here his work focused on research into environmentally compatible chemistry and application methodologies for the control of problematic invasive plants. Liam believes that ongoing transdisciplinary research and advanced geospatial technologies will help refine strategic invasive plant management. One of his favourite quotes are from the father of modern microbiology, Louis Pasteur, who said: “The more I study nature, the more I stand amazed at the work of the creator”. 

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Liam-Cogill 

MSc Student, MapWAPS Project

Agricultural Research Council, Water Science Unit

Stellenbosch University, Conservation Ecology & Entomology

Thandeka Skosana has a background in geographic information systems and remote sensing from Nelson Mandela University in the Eastern Cape. She is currently pursuing her masters in Conservation Ecology at Stellenbosch University. Her MSc thesis is centred on evaluating the trade-offs between high spatial resolution and high spectral resolution in different sensors to determine their effectiveness in discriminating invasive alien plants in South Africa. Additionally, her thesis aims to investigate the utilization of plant phenology and time-series analysis to enhance the detection of invasive alien plants. Thandeka has a strong love for the natural environment which drives her research interests. She is a GreenMatter Fellow and she has been invited to join the Golden Key Society at Nelson Mandela University.

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Thandeka_Skosana 

MSc Candidate and intern, Peatlands Research

Stellenbosch University, Conservation Ecology & Entomology

Mpho is a Honours student in Conservation Ecology at Stellenbosch University, where her passion for environmental preservation drives her academic pursuits. Focused on understanding and mitigating the impact of natural events on delicate ecosystems, Mpho's current research project delves into the aftermath of the September 2023 floods on the Palmiet Wetlands in the Western Cape region of South Africa.

With a keen interest in utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing technologies, Mpho's honours project centers around the detailed analysis of erosion scars within the Palmiet Wetlands post-flood. Her work aims to provide valuable insights into the resilience of these wetlands and inform future conservation efforts in the face of environmental challenges.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpho-johanna-maketa-5a0702215/ 

MSc Student, Plantations and Fire

Wits University, School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences

Tiisetso is a masters student at Wits University in Sally Archibald's lab. Her MSc thesis is on plantations, fires and anthropogenic climate change. 

https://za.linkedin.com/in/tiisetso-mphela-6870b820b 

MSc Student, BioSCape Project

University of Aberdeen

Nicholas is an MSc student at the University of Aberdeen and is a technician on the BioSCape research project. He conducted his Honours thesis through Stellenbosch University under the supervision of Dr. Rebelo, focusing on mapping invasive alien trees in the George Catchment. Additionally, he completed an internship at Friends of Tokai Park, also under Dr. Rebelo's supervision. He has a keen interest in conservation and believes remote sensing technologies have a significant role to play in managing invasive alien plants that threaten South Africa's biodiversity. Nicholas is a passionate outdoorsman who enjoys hiking, cycling, and exploring SA's coastline. 

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nicholas_Coertze