Professor Alan Whitfield
Affiliation: Ecologist - South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB)
Email Address: A.Whitfield@saiab.ac.za
Research Interest(s): Estuarine Ecology; Ichthyology
Description of Research: Professor Whitfield's focus areas are the biology and ecology of fishes in estuarine environments, and larval fish ecology. He investigates the role of river flow in the functioning of estuaries.
Dr Angus Paterson
Affiliation: Managing Director – South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB)
Email Address: A.Paterson@saiab.ac.za
Research Interest(s): Marine Biodiversity; Diving; Management
Description of Research: Dr Paterson's research interests lie in coastal and inshore marine sciences and long-term environmental observation and monitoring. He has expertise in scientific diving.
Professor Francesca Porri
Affiliation: Scientist – South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB)
Email Address: F.Porri@saiab.ac.za
Research Interest(s): Climate Change; Marine & Wildlife Ecology; Urban Ecology; Conservation Biology; Invasive Species
Description of Research: Professor Porri's research considers organismal-, community-, and ecosystem-based approaches in a range of systems. She investigates the early life history processes that influence larval connectivity and the population dynamics in coastal invertebrates.
Mrs Jenny Rump
Affiliation: Environmental Officer – Zwartkops Conservancy
Email Address: jenny@zwartkopsconservancy.org
Research Interest(s): Environmental Education; Conservation
Description of Research: Mrs Rump's work involves environmental education, and environmental clean-ups and conservation initiatives using waste collected in the coastal environment.
Mr Liwalam (Liwa) Madikiza
Affiliation: Scientist Manager – Department of Environmental Affairs: Oceans and Coasts
Email Address: Lmadikiza@environment.gov.za
Research Interest(s): Science Management; Environmental Management
Description of Research: Mr Madikiza works in the field of environmental management and assessing the state of the oceans and coasts.
Dr Nasreen Peer
Affiliation: Lecturer - Stellenbosch University
Email Address: peer.nasreen@gmail.com
Research Interest(s): Marine Ecology; Biodiversity; Evolution; Biodiversity Monitoring; Systematics; Invasive Species
Description of Research: Dr Peer's research focuses on the biodiversity, ecology and taxonomy of Southern African mangrove ecosystems. She is interested in exploring the role of local communities in conservation with an emphasis on traditional ecological knowledge.
Dr Paula Pattrick
Affiliation: Project Manager - Abalobi
Email Address: paula@abalobi.org
Research Interest(s): Fish Ecology; Larval Fish; Fish Biology
Description of Research: Dr Pattrick's research focuses on various aspects of larval fish ecology in the coastal environment, including estuaries. She investigates: the distribution of larvae determined through hydrodynamics, behaviour and physiology; larval connectivity; and the influence of urbanisation in shallow coastal systems on invertebrate and fish larvae, amongst others.
Mr Pierre de Villiers
Affiliation: Coastal Programme Manager – CapeNature
Email Address: estuaries@capenature.co.za
Research Interest(s): Estuarine Ecology; Environmental Management; Water Quality; Scientific Diving
Description of Research: Mr De Villiers is involved in estuarine research and environmental management. He has an interest in marine robotics and has experience in scientific diving.
Professor Rosemary (Rosie) Dorrington
Affiliation: Chair Holder – Marine Natural Products at Rhodes University
Email Address: rosemary.dorrington@gmail.com
Research Interest(s): Virology; Natural Products; Marine Science
Description of Research: Professor Dorrington's research interests are in molecular virology, and microbial ecology and marine natural products research. She is involved in marine spatial planning initiatives.
Dr Stacey Webb
Affiliation: Executive Director – Sustainable Seas Trust (SST)
Email Address: stacey@sstafrica.org.za
Research Interest(s): Conservation; Environmental Education; Animal Rehabilitation; Zoology; Ecophysiology
Description of Research: Dr Webb's work focuses on environmental education, marine waste management and citizen science.