Meet our Lewis Foundation Postgraduate Fellows
Nancy Job
PhD. Candidate Wetland Ecology (Centre for Environmental Management, University of the Free State)
SANBI
Nancy returned to South Africa in 2004 after spending time in Canada and the USA, where she worked as an assistant on stream and amphibian surveys in temperate rainforest, completed the Wetland Science and Management Programme at the University of Washington, and worked as a wetland consultant. Her PhD aims to integrate understanding of hillslope hydrology with wetland hydrodynamics, characterising the wetland catchment via crest to wetland (catena) associations of similar topography and soils, to investigate interflow and vadose zone water supply to the wetland, and its redistribution within the wetland.
PhD. Candidate Wetland Ecology (Centre for Environmental Management, University of the Free State)
SANBI
Nancy returned to South Africa in 2004 after spending time in Canada and the USA, where she worked as an assistant on stream and amphibian surveys in temperate rainforest, completed the Wetland Science and Management Programme at the University of Washington, and worked as a wetland consultant. Her PhD aims to integrate understanding of hillslope hydrology with wetland hydrodynamics, characterising the wetland catchment via crest to wetland (catena) associations of similar topography and soils, to investigate interflow and vadose zone water supply to the wetland, and its redistribution within the wetland.
Tsele Nthane
PhD. Candidate
His PhD research is at the forefront of innovative ICT applications addressing complex socio-ecological problems in South Africa's small-scale fisheries sector. His project is a collaboration between the University of Cape Town, DAFF, and small-scale fishers along the West Coast. Through co-designed traceability, logbook, and co-operative development, his project aims to inform governance of the small-scale fisheries with the particular goal of further integrating small-scale fishers into new and existing value chains in line with the socio-economic goals of the Small-Scale Fisheries Policy. He is engaged in a broad array of extracurricular activities and is a keen sportsman.
PhD. Candidate
His PhD research is at the forefront of innovative ICT applications addressing complex socio-ecological problems in South Africa's small-scale fisheries sector. His project is a collaboration between the University of Cape Town, DAFF, and small-scale fishers along the West Coast. Through co-designed traceability, logbook, and co-operative development, his project aims to inform governance of the small-scale fisheries with the particular goal of further integrating small-scale fishers into new and existing value chains in line with the socio-economic goals of the Small-Scale Fisheries Policy. He is engaged in a broad array of extracurricular activities and is a keen sportsman.
Yonwaba Atyosi
PhD. Candidate Geography (University of the Free State)
Yonwaba is currently a PDP Student at the Agricultural Research Council (institute for soil, climate and water) under the Water Science Programme. She has a very strong passion for Remote Sensing and GIS and their applications in Biodiversity planning and monitoring. She holds a degree in Geology and GIS and Honours and Masters degrees in Applied Remote Sensing and GIS. Yonwaba is starting her PhD in Hydrology, a field under Geography. Her research focus is looking at the relationships between hydrology, geomorphology and underlining geology in wetlands of the Kgaswane mountain reserve.
PhD. Candidate Geography (University of the Free State)
Yonwaba is currently a PDP Student at the Agricultural Research Council (institute for soil, climate and water) under the Water Science Programme. She has a very strong passion for Remote Sensing and GIS and their applications in Biodiversity planning and monitoring. She holds a degree in Geology and GIS and Honours and Masters degrees in Applied Remote Sensing and GIS. Yonwaba is starting her PhD in Hydrology, a field under Geography. Her research focus is looking at the relationships between hydrology, geomorphology and underlining geology in wetlands of the Kgaswane mountain reserve.
Tiisetso Mpai
PhD. Candidate (Tshwane University of Technology)
She graduated Cum Laude for her Master’s degree, were she assessed nitrogen and phosphorus nutrition in Polhillia, Wiborgia and Wiborgiella species and the molecular diversity of their associated microsymbionts in the Cape Fynbos, South Africa. From this research, she has published two peer reviewed articles in the South African Journal of Botany. She presented her research findings at both local and international conferences and was awarded the best oral presenter at the 17th AABNF biannual conference held at Gaborone, Botswana in 2016. Currently she is a PhD candidate at the Tshwane University of Technology and her main research focus is assessment of the diversity and phylogenetic positions of the rhizobia that nodulates Polhillia, Wiborgia and Wiborgiella species using PCR techniques.
PhD. Candidate (Tshwane University of Technology)
She graduated Cum Laude for her Master’s degree, were she assessed nitrogen and phosphorus nutrition in Polhillia, Wiborgia and Wiborgiella species and the molecular diversity of their associated microsymbionts in the Cape Fynbos, South Africa. From this research, she has published two peer reviewed articles in the South African Journal of Botany. She presented her research findings at both local and international conferences and was awarded the best oral presenter at the 17th AABNF biannual conference held at Gaborone, Botswana in 2016. Currently she is a PhD candidate at the Tshwane University of Technology and her main research focus is assessment of the diversity and phylogenetic positions of the rhizobia that nodulates Polhillia, Wiborgia and Wiborgiella species using PCR techniques.
Thamsanqa Mawonga
PhD. Candidate Soil Science (UNIVEN)
Thamsanqa is a PDP student at Agricultural Research Council and a proud member of a vibrant NGO called Beacon of Hope. His studies focus on optimising the principles of conservation techniques such as Conservation Agriculture, Soil and Water Conservation and Integrated Fertility Management in small holder famers, South Africa. He has a wide interest in soil fertility dynamics and food production. He was part of the international class that was hosted by University of Fort Hare in collaboration with Kenya University and Purdue University (USA). He is passionate about coming up with research findings geared towards solving real life societal problems and to be part of learning engagement groups.
PhD. Candidate Soil Science (UNIVEN)
Thamsanqa is a PDP student at Agricultural Research Council and a proud member of a vibrant NGO called Beacon of Hope. His studies focus on optimising the principles of conservation techniques such as Conservation Agriculture, Soil and Water Conservation and Integrated Fertility Management in small holder famers, South Africa. He has a wide interest in soil fertility dynamics and food production. He was part of the international class that was hosted by University of Fort Hare in collaboration with Kenya University and Purdue University (USA). He is passionate about coming up with research findings geared towards solving real life societal problems and to be part of learning engagement groups.
Sinethemba P.F. Ximba
PhD. Candidate Plant Pathology (University of KwaZulu-Natal)
Sinethemba is a PhD candidate at UKZN. She is doing Plant Pathology with major focus on Plant Virology. Her previous project based on potato virus Y (PVY) infecting potatoes grown in Msinga, a rural farming community in KwaZulu-Natal, was published in an international journal. The findings of the the study were also presented at the International Plant Virus Epidemiology Symposium in France.
Her projects of interest are those that have a positive contribution towards ensuring food security. Her study area deals with studying plant viruses that would pose a threat on small-scale farmers. She strongly believes in empowering children from rural primary schools and this prompted her to start a project where, with the assistance of school teachers, she identifies and buys school uniforms for the children. She is an avid reader and believes that she is a role model to many.
PhD. Candidate Plant Pathology (University of KwaZulu-Natal)
Sinethemba is a PhD candidate at UKZN. She is doing Plant Pathology with major focus on Plant Virology. Her previous project based on potato virus Y (PVY) infecting potatoes grown in Msinga, a rural farming community in KwaZulu-Natal, was published in an international journal. The findings of the the study were also presented at the International Plant Virus Epidemiology Symposium in France.
Her projects of interest are those that have a positive contribution towards ensuring food security. Her study area deals with studying plant viruses that would pose a threat on small-scale farmers. She strongly believes in empowering children from rural primary schools and this prompted her to start a project where, with the assistance of school teachers, she identifies and buys school uniforms for the children. She is an avid reader and believes that she is a role model to many.
Ndoni Mcunu
PhD. Candidate
Ndoni is currently pursuing a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) at the Global Change Institute at Witwatersrand University under the supervision of Professor Bob Scholes. Her research focuses on climate change and its effects on biodiversity conservation and agricultural production for farmers.
Ndoni is also a founder and member of Black Women in Science (BWIS), a registered nonprofit organization which aims at providing knowledge and awareness of science and research for rural women. She was nominated for the 200 Mail and Guardian Young South Africans, under the education sector in 2016.
Ndoni aims to be an influential scientist in the private and public sector through accomplishing knowledge through research, which is of relevance to South Africans.
PhD. Candidate
Ndoni is currently pursuing a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) at the Global Change Institute at Witwatersrand University under the supervision of Professor Bob Scholes. Her research focuses on climate change and its effects on biodiversity conservation and agricultural production for farmers.
Ndoni is also a founder and member of Black Women in Science (BWIS), a registered nonprofit organization which aims at providing knowledge and awareness of science and research for rural women. She was nominated for the 200 Mail and Guardian Young South Africans, under the education sector in 2016.
Ndoni aims to be an influential scientist in the private and public sector through accomplishing knowledge through research, which is of relevance to South Africans.