by Ria Olivier | Jun 17, 2020 | Research, Science, Southern Ocean, Uncategorised
Sandy Thomalla only ever wanted to be two things in my life; when I was really young I wanted to be a pilot, and from the age of about 10, I wanted to become a marine biologist. Which is perhaps a bit surprising for someone that grew up in Brakpan (yes that is a real town and not just the butt end of South African jokes), which is VERY far away from the sea. But like a lot of typical ‘inlanders’, we made our way to the Natal coast for family holidays and according to my parents I could snorkel in a rock pool before I could walk. My love of the sea (and all creatures in it) was also fueled by my father who is passionate about the ocean and an avid yachtsman (who gave up on his dream of sailing around the world when he had my sister and I …. Sorry Dad.). We spent countless hours swimming in the sea (jumping over and diving under waves) and exploring rock pools in search of starfish and anemones. By the time I was in high school I had my sights firmly set on UCT as my university of choice to study marine biology and made sure that I took all the right subjects to matric to be eligible to register for a Bachelor of Science degree. In my third year at UCT I majored in Marine biology and Oceanography and at honours level I chose biological oceanography as the field of research that would support the rest of my career. Unlike marine biology (more typically rocky shore invertebrates and vertebrates such as fish, dolphins, whales and sharks), biological oceanography deals with organisms at the smaller end of the spectrum such as phytoplankton and zooplankton. This field of research focuses on how marine organisms interact with and adapt to their environment, and what processes control their distribution in the ocean. As such, work in this field is highly interdisciplinary and often involves aspects of microbiology, physical oceanography and marine chemistry.
Why you love your career in science?
There are many reasons why I love my career and these have also changed over the years. The first, and probably most important one, is that I get to go to sea. I get to sail on ships in wild oceans like the Southern Ocean and experience epic storms that drive 15m waves and winds so strong they whip off the crests of the waves and yet still are no match for a .Wandering Albatross that holds its own in any weather. Or sail across the equator on a sea that is mirror still and so blue that it defies your eyes, while flying fish burst the surface leaving a trail of ripples as their tail fins propel them through the air. My career has also allowed me to travel extensively to many countries around the world for cruises, conferences, meetings and workshops. With each trip (particularly before I had children) I would always make sure I took some time to explore the country or city I was visiting, be it India, Russia, Croatia, Iceland or South Korea. Then there are the people, I would have to say that scientists in general are just pretty awesome people. They are typically down to earth, aware, curious, rational, open minded and free of bias. I have had the pleasure of meeting, working with, and getting to know so many wonderful people from around the world, and I treasure every one of them. In more recent years, being able to teach, supervise students and pass on some of my knowledge and passion has also been very rewarding. Finally, the science itself is very stimulating. Every day you learn something new, and you will never stop learning and reading and expanding your horizons, as this is core to what it means to be a scientist, to gain and share knowledge and understanding.
Message to future scientists researchers:
Hmmm ….. I guess I have a few:
- It is extremely important to love what you do for a living. You will spend an overwhelming majority of your adult life at work, so try to ensure that you enjoy what you do. This, in my opinion, is more important than the size of the paycheck as it is more likely to sustain your mental and emotional wellbeing.
- I would recommend a scientific career in which your research can make a tangible difference to the world we live in. It means a lot to me knowing that by studying phytoplankton, I contribute to the knowledge required to address sustainability and help constrain climate risk and the associated societal challenges of the 21st century.
- You don’t need to be particularly clever to be a scientist. Getting a PhD is more about guts, stamina and determination than anything else. I struggled my way through matric and first year maths and chemistry. It never came easy to me. Indeed, I failed first year chemistry and had to repeat the whole course in second year. Maths, physics and chemistry are now a part of my everyday life and although perhaps still not considered among my strengths relative to biology, nonetheless, here I am.
Latest research or study you’re working on?
My latest research is a very exciting study that uses autonomous underwater robots (called gliders and floats) that are deployed in the oceans to profile the water column from the surface to 1000m. My colleague Thomas Ryan-Keogh and I have developed a proxy that uses the sensors on these robots to determine the degree of iron limitation of phytoplankton. Iron is a micronutrient in the oceans that is necessary for phytoplankton to photosynthesise, and as such affects the ability of phytoplankton to remove CO2 from surface waters and subsequently from the atmosphere (thus impacting climate change). Preliminary results suggest that phytoplankton in the Southern Ocean are becoming more iron limited over time, which could negatively impact the important role that they play in removing carbon.
Find more information about Sandy on the World Wide Web
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=lbS84F8AAAAJ&hl=en
https://socco.org.za/
Articles: SA Scientists gather cold facts about global warming &
Secrets of the Southern Ocean Probed
Documentary Film: Woman and Oceans – Sandy Thomalla – The Unknown South
Video: Using science and Innnovation to understand the role of the
Southern Ocean in a changing climate
Twitter @SOCCOgliders & Facebook: Southern Ocean Carbon and Climate Observatory
Collection of Images will be available on ALSA repository by end of 2020
Text and images supplied by Sandy Thomalla
by Ria Olivier | Jun 15, 2020 | geochemistry, Research, SA Agulhas II, Science, Southern Ocean
Alakendra N Roychoudhury (Roy) grew up in India where he completed his post-graduate degree, Master of Science and Technology, in the field of Applied Geology from the Indian School of Mines. My career in Geology started because of my intense love for the outdoors and travelling to places where mainstream people don’t go. Believe it or not, one of the reasons going into geology was also to avoid Mathematics at college. I wouldn’t recommend it though, as I had to learn all the mathematics while pursuing my PhD in Marine Biogeochemistry at Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, USA. You cannot be a good scientist without having a good grasp of mathematical principals. After finishing my doctoral degree, I joined as a lecturer at Northwestern University, Chicago, USA and eventually moved to University of Cape Town, South Africa as a senior lecturer. At present I am a Professor of Marine and Environmental Biogeochemistry at Stellenbosch University where I also acted as the Head of the Department of Earth Sciences in the past. As for Southern Ocean research, I developed and expanded the research program and research facilities in South Africa in open ocean trace metal biogeochemistry and currently head the TracEx research group at Stellenbosch University.
Why you love your career in science
Choosing a career in Science is not easy. There is always a pressure to go into fields where there are prospects of high paying jobs. One can survive in science only if they love what they are doing. My love developed from the sense of adventure that came with scientific research and travelling for fieldwork in remote places. Thanks to Science, I have been fortunate enough to touch all of the seven continents and the seven seas. Science constantly provides you with new opportunities and challenges that keeps the monotony at bay, which I think was the most critical for me. I will never survive in a suit and tie doing a 9 to 5 job. What excites me most is the realization that the deeper you investigate the more questions emerge and at some point, different fields of science seem to merge in developing a better understanding of the natural processes. A big part of my love for science is also teaching it because I like to see the same excitement in the eyes of my student for a research field that has consumed the better part of my life.
Message to future scientists and researchers:
(Above: Images of Science Cruises in the Southern Ocean on the S.A. Agulhas II with Susan Fietz colleague and students) If you don’t ask the question “Why?” all the time until you run out of answers, you cannot be a scientist. Science thrives on curiosity and there is a lot to be curious about when it comes to the oceans. Oceans are truly the last frontier because we know more about space than oceans. Large parts of the oceans are unexplored and there are huge opportunities for one to make their mark. Marine chemistry or biogeochemistry in South Africa is highly underdeveloped, but this is a field that can answer the most critical questions such as climate change and anthropogenic influences on ocean processes, on which survival of the living planet depends. To be a good researcher in ocean sciences, you will have to have a good understanding of the principles and advanced knowledge of chemistry, physics, biology and mathematics and you will need an open mind to take on the teaching of these different fields while pursuing your focused research.
Links to read more about Prof Roy and his work
https://scholar.google.co.za/citations?user=kpXyzCYAAAAJ&hl=en
https://tracexsite.wordpress.com
https://www.whalesandclimate.org
https://alakendra.weebly.com
Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TracEx
Follow on Twitter: @geotracesSA
Listen to a media interview: https://youtu.be/1YUUpD87DBg
Text and images supplied by Roy Alakendra N Roychoudhury
by Ria Olivier | Jun 3, 2020 | Antarctica, SANAE, Take-Over Operations
Watch the amazing video by Alexander Oeloefse made during the 2019 -2020 takeover period at SANAE IV. AN interview with the driver s of the Bulldozer equipment.
These driver teams are part of South Africa’s Antarctic Legacy. Read more about them on the ALSA webpage. The team during 2019-2020 was Thabang Tshupo, Bertus Roos, Andrew Kietzmann, Riaan Marx, Thabo Thebe, Thato Mareme and Markus Viljoen.
Video credit: Alexander Oelofse
Ria Olivier, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa.
by Ria Olivier | May 24, 2020 | Research, SANAP, Science
It is nearing the end of the 2018-2020 research cycle within the SANAP funding instrument and new proposals for the next cycle (2021-2023) have already been submitted. This is a brief reflection of institutions that are involved within SANAP. All detail relating to the funding framework guiding SANAP awards and proposals; as well as research plans and strategies that need to be taken into account are available on the Antarctic Legacy Digital repository.
South Africa’s geographical coverage of the Southern Hemisphere oceans and access to the Antarctic region. The coloured lines represent the domains covered by annual South African research and logistical voyages (carried out by the S.A. Agulhas II): Marion Island, Gough and Tristan du Cunha Islands, SANAE IV base, South Georgia Island and South Sandwich Islands. The blue lines represent the northern and southern extent of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, while the magenta line represents the position of the Agulhas Current and Retroflection. The maximum winter sea-ice extent is indicated. The background shading represents the ocean depth (meters below sea-level).
Excerpt from the framework document: “The mandate of the National Research Foundation (NRF) is to support and promote research through funding, human resource development and the provision of the necessary research facilities in order to facilitate the creation of knowledge, and innovation and development in all fields of science and technology, including indigenous knowledge and thereby to contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of all the people of the Republic (NRF Act, 1998). In support of its purpose, the NRF Strategy 2020 that aims at two strategic outcomes, namely a vibrant and globally connected national system of innovation, and a representative research and technical workforce.”
“The South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) is a region-specific, theme-driven funding instrument. SANAP research addresses the research themes detailed in the South African Antarctic and Southern Ocean Research Plan (2014-2024) and underpins by the overarching South African Marine and Antarctic Research Strategy (MARS) of 2015. The Antarctic and Southern Ocean Research Plan (the Research Plan) is focused on an integrative systems approach to understanding the evolution of the earth systems and ecosystems in the 21st Century.
SANAP Projects host at different Institutions
The Research Plan provides the overarching framework of operations for SANAP research activities and follows the integrated progression from Earth Systems to Ecosystems to Human Systems in the research themes. Human activities and socio-political complexities in this international arena are of equal importance.
| Projects by Themes |
| Earth Systems |
17 |
59% |
| Engineering, Technology & Innovation |
1 |
3% |
| Human Enterprise |
1 |
3% |
| Knowledge development |
2 |
7% |
| Living Systems |
8 |
28% |
| Projects by Institutions |
| CSIR – Natural Resources and the Environment |
4 |
14% |
| DEFF (Oceans and Coasts) |
1 |
3% |
| Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University |
2 |
4% |
| NWU |
1 |
3% |
| South African National Space Agency |
2 |
4% |
| Stellenbosch University |
4 |
14% |
| University of Cape Town |
5 |
17% |
| University of Fort Hare |
1 |
3% |
| University of Johannesburg |
2 |
4% |
| University of KwaZulu-Natal |
1 |
3% |
| University of Pretoria |
5 |
17% |
| University of the Witwatersrand |
1 |
3% |
Ria Olivier, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa.
by Ria Olivier | May 23, 2020 | Antarctica, Geomorphology, Research, SANAP, SANAP Student, Science, Women in Science
Liezel (Elizabeth) Rudolph obtained her Geography BSc and Honours degrees at the University of Pretoria, and a MSc at Rhodes University. She also has a PGCE from UNISA, which allowed her to teach Geography at Abbott’s College in Pretoria for a few years. She is currently in the final stages of her PhD (also in Geography) at the University of Fort Hare. She currently lectures Geomorphology at the University of the Free State. Her postgraduate research focussed on glacial and peri-glacial landforms and their response to (past and present) climate change. These studies afforded her opportunities to visit the research stations on Marion Island and in the Antarctic, working with SANAP-NRF funded programmes in geomorphology – Landscape Processes in Antarctic Ecosystems and Sub-Antarctic Landscape-Climate Interactions.
Where you come from where did it all started
I grew up in Pretoria. I never knew what I wanted to be when I grow up – all my friends had career aspirations, but I had interests. I liked variety and the thought of having one, predictable job for the rest of my life scared me endless. I had a keen interest in earth and physical sciences, but I also really enjoyed the arts and design. However, I was neither a Newton nor a Michelangelo at school and the prospect of either as a career path did not sit quite well with me. By the time I finished school I could still not decide on a single career and nothing in the university catalogues seemed to tick all the boxes. So, by process of elimination, I crossed out everything that sounded boring or would involve living creatures (I faint at the sight of blood), and the only thing that was left was Geography. I should’ve known – it’s a science that allows, no, encourages, variety of thought and expression. But I didn’t end up in research straight away. After I finished my Honours in Geography, I taught high school for a few years before returning to full-time studies to pursue a Masters. During my Masters though, I truly missed teaching. There’s something magical about sharing your passion on a subject with young people, and them getting equally excited about it. Its then that I realised a career where I can actively pursue my research interests, and teach, would be my dream job. I don’t believe I could’ve reached this realisation on my own. I had many mentors (parents, teachers, bosses, supervisors) who could lead, inspire and guide me. Through my post-school adult years, I didn’t always know how things will play-out, but I stuck to things I enjoyed and tried to do everything to the best of my ability. I could have followed a more predictable career path, but I may not have been so excited about it, as I am about what I get to do now. I am now lecturing Geomorphology at the University of the Free State and pursuing a PhD in Geography which, on top of everything, is on a topic I’ve been fascinated with since I first read a short story in my English class, at age 11 – glaciers.
Why you love your career in science?
It never grows old. With new discoveries come a flood of new unanswered questions. It pushes your mental limits and if you like that sort of challenge, you won’t easily get bored. Geography, especially, allows you to think both critically and creatively – it’s like playing a game with rules, but you are allowed to invent new rules. It allows you to visit amazing landscapes (if you’re a Geographer) and meet new and interesting people. Perhaps the best part of is, that it allows you to explore something you are very curious about, and you get to share your findings with an audience that are interested. At the same time, you benefit from what others have discovered about their own curiosity. It’s a constant learning process. In my experience I’ve gotten to work with incredible minds in the Southern African Geomorphology community, and have had the privilege to meet world-class scientists form other fields within the greater SANAP community – all who very passionate about their research fields and to whom I owe much of my passion for science. I am currently serving on the Association of Polar Early Carer Scientists’ South African National Committee (APECSSA), which has awarded me the opportunity to meet other early career scientists, not only from the Earth Science field, but from the Ocean-, Biological-, Botanical- and Space-physics sciences, to name a few. I don’t know of many other careers that would you expose you to such a variety of people and places.
“Science is like art, perhaps with a few more rigorous guidelines, and it allows you to draw on your own unique talents – just like an artist has a specific style. So, you should play by the rules, but you don’t have to fit a mould. Find mentors and listen to their advice. Make your own decisions and take responsibility for yourself. Don’t do anything halfies – finish what you’ve started and do it properly, or leave it all together. I believe that no time spent doing something well, is ever time wasted – experience is what makes us human. People will always be more important than science, so value your personal and professional relationships.” – Liezel
Links:
google scholar: https://scholar.google.co.za/citations?user=lwGJSqAAAAAJ&hl=en
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/apecssa/ ;
https://web.facebook.com/sanaplci/
Twitter: @Apecssa; @sanaplci
Interview: GrootOntbyt /GrootFM 90.5, a community radio station in Pretoria.
Interview: at Aktru research station, in Siberia.
Article: Early glacial maximum and deglaciation at
sub-Antarctic Marion Island from cosmogenic 36Cl exposure dating
Text and Images: Liezel Rudolph
My latest research is a very exciting study that uses autonomous underwater robots (called gliders and floats) that are deployed in the oceans to profile the water column from the surface to 1000m. My colleague Thomas Ryan-Keogh and I have developed a proxy that uses the sensors on these robots to determine the degree of iron limitation of phytoplankton. Iron is a micronutrient in the oceans that is necessary for phytoplankton to photosynthesise, and as such affects the ability of phytoplankton to remove CO2 from surface waters and subsequently from the atmosphere (thus impacting climate change). Preliminary results suggest that phytoplankton in the Southern Ocean are becoming more iron limited over time, which could negatively impact the important role that they play in removing carbon.
Why you love your career in science 
Choosing a career in Science is not easy. There is always a pressure to go into fields where there are prospects of high paying jobs. One can survive in science only if they love what they are doing. My love developed from the sense of adventure that came with scientific research and travelling for fieldwork in remote places. 
Thanks to Science, I have been fortunate enough to touch all of the 
(Above: Images of Science Cruises in the Southern Ocean on the S.A. Agulhas II with Susan Fietz colleague and students) If you don’t ask the question “Why?” all the time until you run out of answers, you cannot be a scientist. Science thrives on curiosity and there is a lot to be curious about when it comes to the oceans. Oceans are truly the last frontier because we know more about space than oceans. Large parts of the oceans are unexplored and there are huge opportunities for one to make their mark. Marine chemistry or biogeochemistry in South Africa is highly underdeveloped, but this is a field that can answer the most critical questions such as climate change and anthropogenic influences on ocean processes, on which survival of the living planet depends. To be a good researcher in ocean sciences, you will have to have a good understanding of the principles and advanced knowledge of chemistry, physics, biology and mathematics and you will need an open mind to take on the teaching of these different fields while pursuing your focused research.
These driver teams are part of South Africa’s Antarctic Legacy. Read more about them on the 
It is nearing the end of the 
South Africa’s geographical coverage of the Southern Hemisphere oceans and access to the Antarctic region. The coloured lines represent the domains covered by annual South African research and logistical voyages (carried out by the S.A. Agulhas II): Marion Island, Gough and Tristan du Cunha Islands, SANAE IV base, South Georgia Island and South Sandwich Islands. The blue lines represent the northern and southern extent of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, while the magenta line represents the position of the Agulhas Current and Retroflection. The maximum winter sea-ice extent is indicated. The background shading represents the ocean depth (meters below sea-level). 
Liezel (Elizabeth) Rudolph obtained her Geography BSc and Honours degrees at the University of Pretoria, and a MSc at Rhodes University. She also has a PGCE from UNISA, which allowed her to teach Geography at Abbott’s College in Pretoria for a few years. She is currently in the final stages of her PhD (also in Geography) at the 
