Honours project: New insights into the cymothoid genus Pleopodias in South African waters

Overview: Alreece is an Honours student researching the fascinating world of Pleopodias marine parasites. Combining an undergraduate background in Microbiology and Biochemistry with a passion for marine ecology, she will focus on understanding aquatic biodiversity and host-parasite relationships.

Alreece Janse van Rensburg

Honours project: Trace metal accumulation in redeye puffer found in Xai-Xai Mozambique

Honours project: Behavioural responses of native freshwater snails to invasive Tarebia granifera in South Africa

Overview: Chené completed her B.Sc. degree in Biological Sciences with distinction and is currently persueing an Honours degree in Environmental Sciences in Aquatic Ecosystem Health, as part of the Water Research Group (WRG). She is driven by a desire to deepen her understanding of the natural world and share its complexity and value through clear, engaging communication.

Honours project: Macroinvertebrate Assemblages in the Limpopo River in Relation to Habitat Complexity, Flow and Water Quality

Overview: Donovan is passionate B.Sc. Honours Environmental Sciences student at North-West University who is driven by a love for nature and a curiosity about how ecosystems function. His interests include ecology, biodiversity conservation, and freshwater ecosystems, and he enjoys combining fieldwork and research to address environmental challenges. Donovan aspires to use science to promote sustainable management practices and contribute to the conservation of our natural environment.

Honours project: Macroinvertebrate responses to environmental stressor gradients

Overview: Etienne Beukes is an Honours student studying Environmental Sciences with Aquatic Ecosystem Health. He has a strong interest in aquatic ecosystems, water quality, and environmental impact assessments, with a focus on practical, real-world applications of environmental science. His current research project investigates macroinvertebrate functional traits and their role as aquatic indicators. He also enjoys working with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and applying spatial analysis techniques to environmental and ecological challenges.

Honours project: Sublethal effects of graphene-based nanomaterials on the reproduction of Daphnia magna

Overview: Heike is hardworking, consistent, and I thrive to do my best, all while giving thanks to God.

Honours project: Testing biogeographic hypotheses in fish-parasitic gnathiid isopods across the western Mexican coast and Caribbean using an integrative approach.

Overview: Karla is a 22-year-old student currently completing her Honours degree in Aquatic Ecosystem Health, focusing on marine parasites. She has a great passion for marine biology and enjoys spending time near the ocean.

Marina Holtzhausen

Honours project: The Response of Native Freshwater Snails to Invasive Freshwater Snails – Chemical and Physical Cues

Overview: Megan is an Honours student in Biodiversity and Conservation Management. In undergrad she majored in Zoology and Botany. She is  interested in animal behaviour, evolution and biodiversity. 

Megan van Rooyen

Natalie Duof

Honours project: Comparative morphology and geometric morphometric analysis of cymothoid isopods across different fish host attachment sites

Overview: Natalie is currently an Honours student at North-West University, Potchefstroom. She completed her undergraduate degree in B.Sc. Biological Sciences at Nelson Mandela University in 2021, majoring in Zoology and Botany. Her current research explores the relationship between cymothoid isopod morphology  and attachment sites on fish hosts, contributing to our understanding of parasite adaptation and host-parasite relationships. She is a dedicated and hardworking individual with a deep passion for nature. 

Honours project: Morphological and molecular description of haemogregarines (Apicomplexa) parasitising Varanus niloticus from South Africa, with an initial assessment of their influence on selected haematological parameters.

Overview: The majority of haemogregarine species from African monitor lizards were described more than 50 years ago and require redescription using modern molecular techniques. In addition, haematological parameters have not been assessed in monitor lizards infected with haemogregarines. Therefore, it is currently unknown whether these parasites influence blood parameters, particularly monocyte and polychromatic erythrocyte counts.