Research
I am investigating the evolution of the explosive and highly diverse haplochromine cichlid family in Lake Victoria through time using fossils and ancient DNA. I want to understand how the ecological and phenotypic diversity changed through time, how genetic variation arose and got assembled into new species in the course of the adaptive radiation. Lake Victoria basin is estimated to be ~400 000 years old with a history of drying and refilling, with evidence of complete desiccation in the Pleistocene and refilling ~15 000 years ago. The lake’s history has been so dynamic and affected by enormous environmental changes offering a unique system to study effects of biodiversity on the environment and vice versa. My aim is to build an unprecedented chronological sequence of both ecosystem and biodiversity change at a very fine temporal resolution.
Education
2019-2024
Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology
University of Bern – Switzerland
Research Topic: The evolutionary diversification of cichlid fishes from sedimentary deposits
2012-2014
Master of Science in Biotechnology
University of Pretoria – South Africa
Research topic: “Genotyping-by-Sequencing of sweet-stem and grain sorghum for linkage mapping”
2007
Bachelor of Science Honours in Zoology
University of Limpopo – South Africa
Research topic: “Ecology of small mammals”
2003-2006
Bachelor of Science in Physiology and Zoology
University of Limpopo – South Africa
Experiences
2024-present
Postdoctoral Researcher in Evolutionary Biology
2021
(April 13-23)
Research Practical in Aquatic Evolutionary Ecology
Supervised a project on: Genealogical sorting of Lake Victoria haplochromine ecomorphs
University Of Bern, Switzerland
2020
(31 March-03 May 2020)
Research Practical in Aquatic Evolutionary Ecology
Supervised a project on: Testing for eco-morphological diversification in adaptive radiation with fossil and modern data
University Of Bern, Switzerland
2015
Project Officer for the Public Understanding of Biotechnology
South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement
Pretoria, South Africa
2010-2011
Herbarium Technician (Intern)
South African National Biodiversity Institute(SANBI)
Pretoria, South Africa
2008-2009
Volunteer (Environmental Education Officer)
Giyani Science Centre
Giyani, South Africa
2007
Laboratory Assistant
University of Limpopo (Turfloop Campus)
Polokwane, South Africa