Research Team - Staff

Stuart Piketh

Prof Stuart Piketh

School for Geo- and Spatial Sciences | Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management

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Prof Stuart Piketh obtained his PhD at the University of the Witwatersrand in 2000 where he also worked as a Reeder and Director of the Climatology Research Group until he joined North-West University as a Professor and Co-Chair of the Eskom Power Plant Engineering Institute – Emissions Control in 2012. Stuart is married to Sarah Piketh and they have two children Aimee and Daniel Piketh. In 2015 he was appointed as the Director of the School of Geo and Spatial Science. He is also current the Co-Vice Chair of the International Commission of Atmospheric Chemistry and Global Pollution (ICACGP). He is a NRF B2-rated scientist and a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa. Over the past decade he has led research in atmospheric science focusing on the understanding of air pollution emissions, transport, and impacts. Much of his research focus since 2012 has been dedicated to understanding air pollution in low income settlements in South Africa as well as the atmospheric aerosol characteristics along the west coast of Namibia. He has successfully supervised more than 40 post-graduate students in the field of atmospheric research and air pollution. Many of these students now hold prominent positions in both Government and the private sector.

 


Roelof Burger

Prof Roelof Burger

School for Geo- and Spatial Sciences | Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management

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Roelof Burger is an atmospheric scientist with a research interest in understanding, observing and modelling the sources, fates and impacts of anthropogenic emissions. He has more than 15 years of experience in this field and holds a PhD from the University of the Witwatersrand. He has been part of more than 50 research projects in South Africa, Namibia, Mali, Libya, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, India, Australia, Italy, France, Thailand and the United States. He has been the principal investigator on numerous projects with a total value of more than $500000 and a co-principal investigator on projects of more than $2mil. Current research projects include the feasibility of intentional weather modification through cloud seeding, and managing air quality.

 


Pieter van Zyl

Prof Frank Neumann

School for Geo- and Spatial Sciences | Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management

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To be updated.

 


Pieter van Zyl

Prof Pieter Van Zyl

School for Geo- and Spatial Sciences | Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management

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Prof Pieter Van Zyl is currently a group leader of the Atmospheric Chemistry Research Group (ACRG) at the North-West University (NWU), which focuses on ground-based in-situ atmospheric measurements, but research related to laboratory investigations, satellite observations and modelling is also conducted. He is currently node manager of the atmospheric node of BIOGRIP (Biogeochemistry Research Infrastructure Project) – a research infrastructure platform funded by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) within the South African Research Infrastructure Roadmap (SARIR) framework; convenor of the steering committee of the IGAC (International Global Atmospheric Chemistry) and WMO (World Meteorological Organisation) endorsed international DEBITS (Deposition of Biogeochemical Important Trace Species) project; as well as co-chair of the IGAC Southern Hemisphere Working Group steering committee. He is co-author of >80 publications in ISI accredited peer reviewed journals (excluding peer-reviewed conference proceedings) and 3 book chapters.  He supervised/co-supervised 16 PhD and 24 MSc studies that have been completed since 2008, and is currently supervisor/co-supervisor of another 7 postgraduate studies that are in process. He is a South African National Research Foundation (NRF) rated scientist.


 


Jacques Berner

Prof Jacques Berner

School for Geo- and Spatial Sciences | Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management

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Prof Jacques Berner is an Associate Professor at the School of Biological Sciences of the North-West University’s Potchefstroom campus. He teaches plant physiology to pre- and post-graduate students. He started his career at the North-West University in October 2007. Before his appointment at the NWU, he worked in the private sector, developing and testing fertigation products. He matriculated from Hoërskool Diamantveld in Kimberley. After studying at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein, I obtained my B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Botany. I am a broadly trained plant physiologist with a keen interest in understanding nature through the lens of a plant scientist. His research mainly focuses on the photosynthetic processes in plants. He ultimately strives to improve his understanding of the interaction between plants and their environment. His current research projects revolve around the impacts of abiotic stress on crops and the physiological responses of weeds to herbicides. In addition, he participates in the development of new crops for a changing climate.


 


Adeline Ngie

Dr Adeline Ngie

School for Geo- and Spatial Sciences | Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management

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Dr Adeline Ngie research interest is in geospatial applications for improving crop production and urban climate related studies. However, she is keen in interdisciplinary research and collaborations. Currently, working with postgraduate students through NRF-NWO Nexus project in the faculty of Law. She has been involved with research projects locally and internationally from conception to realisation. She has a passion to mentor other young scientists from the University of Johannesburg, University of South Africa, and currently with the North-West University (NWU). She has contributed to the world of knowledge through journal publications, conferences at both local and international levels where she has participated in discussions and presented papers within plenary, working and also technical sessions.Her recent award from the TWAS-DFG has led to a research collaboration with the TU- Dresden in Germany and other southern African partners looking into Smart monitoring of climate parameters for improve crop productivity within agricultural areas. She is part of a UNESCO-IGCP investigating the impacts of mining activities in Africa in collaboration with scientists from seven other African countries.

 


Kerneels Jaars

Dr Kerneels Jaars

School for Geo- and Spatial Sciences | Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management

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Dr Kerneels Jaars currently part of the Atmospheric Chemistry Research Group (ACRG) at the North-West University (NWU), which focuses on ground-based in-situ atmospheric measurements, but research related to laboratory investigations, satellite observations and modelling is also conducted. 

 


Daniel Boshoff

Dr Daniel Boshoff

School for Geo- and Spatial Sciences | Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management

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Dr Daniel Boshoff is a lecturer and has experience in face to face blended teaching and learning of geography, environmental science and sustainable development. Current research interests are: fire, pyrogeography, climate science and biogeography.  

 


Nisa Ayob

Dr Nisa Ayob

School for Geo- and Spatial Sciences | Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management

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Dr Nisa Ayob is an alumnus of the NWU and a lecturer with 6 years of teaching experience. Dr Ayob completed her PhD in 2024 where she examined the impacts of climate change on Schistosoma-transmitting snails in South Africa. Her main interest in both teaching and research is in applied GIS. Her expertise lies in applications of GIS in applied environmental science water-borne diseases and climate change. Research interests are in GIS and remote sensing, waterborne diseases and severe weather.

 


Ncobile Nkosi

Dr Ncobile Nkosi

School for Geo- and Spatial Sciences | Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management

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Ms Ncobile Nkosi Lecturer at the North West University and a PhD student under the climatology research group.Lecturing Geomorphology and interested in the relationship between atmospheric science and human sciences. Would describe myself as a philosopher and an influencer. Enjoy interacting with Students and Sharing science knowledge. I am a physical geographer however I have deep appreciation for Human Geography. My research interests include air pollution, water borne diseases and atmospheric sciences and soils.

 


Phathu Mukwevho

Dr Phathu Mukwevho

School for Geo- and Spatial Sciences | Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management

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Dr Phathu Mukwevho obtained his B.Sc, B.Sc (Honours) and M.Sc. degrees from the University of Johannesburg and a dual PhD with NWU and Keele University in the UK. His research focus is on evaluating the effectiveness of environmental and air quality governance policy instruments.

 


Henno Havenga

Dr Henno Havenga

School for Geo- and Spatial Sciences | Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management

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Research specialism: Convective weather events, Numerical weather prediction, Anthropogenic impacts on the atmosphere 

Dr Henno Havenga completed his PhD in 2022 where he examined intended and unintended anthropogenic impacts on severe convective storms over the industrial Highveld. He’s assisted various field campaigns locally and internationally, measuring ambient air pollution in rural settlements, chasing tornadoes with unmanned aerial vehicles, flying in thunderstorms to characterise ice particles and installing weather stations in remote locations. Dr Havenga teaches 1st year through to honours level students in general climatology, applied climatology, agricultural climatology, and remote sensing and GIS techniques.

 


Nike Jacobs

Dr Niké Jacobs

School for Geo- and Spatial Sciences | Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management

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Dr Niké Jacobs completed her PhD in 2022 where she explored the dynamics of conflicting rationalities between spatial decision-makers and the South African poor. Her epistemic interest lies in quality of life, community engagement, nature-based solutions and climate change adaptation.

 

 


Monray

Dr Monrey Belelie

School for Geo- and Spatial Sciences | Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management
NWU Vanderbijlpark Campus, Building A20, Room G09
 
Research specialism: Atmospheric Mercury; Dust emission, transport, and fate; Atmospheric Sciences and Surface Interaction; Air Pollution
 

 


Lindumusa Myyeni

Lindumusa Myyeni

School for Geo- and Spatial Sciences | Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management

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Dr Lindumusa Myeni is an agrometeorologist with more than 8 years of research experience and is currently a Senior Lecturer at the North-West University where he teaches climatology-related modules from first year through honours level. His work focuses on developing and testing climate-smart innovations for efficient use of resources to improve climate resilience and sustainability with the potential to mitigate climate change in various sectors. Through climate risks assessments and developing of early warning systems that disseminate weather and climate information his work strives to assist farming communities to improve productivity under climate change.