by Ria Olivier | Aug 22, 2020 | Antarctica, Gateway cities, Legacy, SANAP, SANAP Student, SEAmester
Rudzani Silima (Rudzi) have from a young age, always known that she would pursue a career in environmental conservation and science. “I grew up in the very small town of Louis Trichardt, surrounded by nature. Having a great attitude in subjects such as science, math, biology and geography. It was a no brainer to start my undergrad career in Marine Science at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. CPUT not only provided the academic expertise that I would need in the future but also, in 2017, I was placed at the SAEON Egagasini node for my work integrated learning. This opened the floodgates to more networking and career building opportunities.
(l-r: Rudzi and Nompumelelo(DEFF),weighing my luggage, Ria Olivier(ALSA) sent me on my trip, during transit I said goodbye to my family) To date I have attained a collection of prizes from my university and conferences, further validating my determination to advocate for the oceans and our planet. As the best Seamester student I was chosen to be the champion for the Gateway to Antarctica City of Cape Town Earlier this year, with the help of the Antarctic Legacy of South Africa , the National Research Foundation and the Department of Environment Forestry and Fisheries, I was able to make my first trip to Antarctica.
The Antarctic Cities Youth Expedition, a collaboration between 5 cities, an expedition with five young and vibrant individuals, who share a common passion for the Antarctic environment. A product of the expedition was the founding of the Antarctic Youth Coalition, which aims to connect the five gateway cities, and to encourage sustainable consumption and practises within the cities for the sake of the Antarctic landscape. (image left waiting for our flight at Punta Arenas to Antarctica. Right: Visiting the Uruguay Station on Antarctica
There are many controversies related to climate change today, however, in Antarctica there is physical evidence that climate change is happening right now and not in some distant future. Therefore, the formation of the Antarctic Youth Coalition couldn’t be more perfectly timed. The AYC, hence from now on aims to make accessible the very important science done in the Southern Ocean to everyday citizens in the five gateway cities but also all around the world. Listen to Rudzi while being part of ACYE, video made by project leader Prof Juan Salazar
“Therefore, all of us, common or otherwise, share the responsibility for a healthy, thriving Antarctica and our whole planet! My parting word, specifically to us young people is to never give up on yourself and never give up on your dreams. All of us have the potential to change the world in our own very unique and exciting ways”
(Images by ACYE group and text supplied by Rudzi Silima and ALSA)
by Ria Olivier | Jul 25, 2020 | Antarctica, Research, SANAP, SANAP Student, SCAR
SCAR2020 Online starts on Monday 27th July with related events, with the conference starting on Monday 3rd August till 7th August with an APECS workshop from 11-13 August2020.
“ SCAR’s Open Science Conferences have been a focal point for the Antarctic research community for over fifteen years. Through SCAR 2020 Online we are excited to present many of the highlights of the science we had originally planned to bring to you at the Hobart OSC, which was sadly cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
SCAR2020 online include Plenary Events, Workshops, Mini-Symposia and Related events
South Africa has been part of SCAR since 1959 and over the years researchers of South Africa attended these conferences. Over the past decades, principal investigators of SANAP and their students gave oral and poster presentations. This year the XXXVI SCAR was scheduled to be held in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia from 31 July to 11 August 2020. A big group of South Africans were going to attend this meeting. Scientists, researchers and students submitted abstracts for the conference, although not all of these will be orally presented (some will be available on virtual display). All the abstracts have been compiled in a book of abstracts.
| SCAR2020 Online – Related Events (UTC time) |
| Monday, 27 July 2020 |
| * |
0600-0800 |
Session 25 |
Sea ice in the atmosphere-ice-ocean-biosphere system |
| * |
0930-1130 |
Session 36 |
Antarctic Heritage |
| * |
1100-1300 |
Session 25 |
Sea ice in the atmosphere-ice-ocean-biosphere system |
| * |
1200-1530 |
Session 36 |
Environmental factors driving diversity and composi on of fossil and living Antarctic communities |
| Tuesday, 28 July 2020 |
| |
1300-1600 |
Meeting |
SOOS West Antarctic Peninsula and Scotia Arc Regional Working Group Committee meeting |
| * |
1300-1500 |
Session 41 |
Living and Working in Antarctica, Session A |
| |
1400-1600 |
Workshop |
Biogeochemical Argo Workshop |
| |
1800-2230 |
Session 5 |
Antarctic Sea ice variability and change |
| * |
2000-2200 |
Session 41 |
Living and Working in Antarc ca, Session B |
| Wednesday, 29 July 2020 |
| |
0500-0800 |
Session 46 |
Public Engagements with Antarc ca in a Changing Climate |
| |
1200-1400 |
Session 36 |
Environmental factors driving diversity and composi on of fossil and living Antarctic communi es – Session 2 |
| Thursday, 30 July 2020 |
| |
0900-1100 |
Session 45 |
Inclusive Collaborations in Antarctic Research |
| |
1800-2200 |
Workshop |
ASPeCt* Workshop |
| |
2000-2130 |
Meeting |
Geothermal Heat Flow Side Meeting |
| Friday, 31 July 2020 |
| |
0600-0800 |
Session 37 |
The ATS, Interna onal Law and Governance, Session 2 |
| |
1300-1500 |
Session 37 |
The ATS, Interna onal Law and Governance, Session 2 |
Above schedule for 27th -31st July. “The full program will be uploaded in coming days on the SCAR2020 website. Please note that session start and end times may change slightly in the final program to allow for smooth transition between sessions.” See schedule with an indication(*) of where South Africans will be participating – the schedule will change over the next two weeks, follow us on Twitter (@Antarcticlegacy) and FaceBook to keep track of changes. Below this week schedule.
All the best to all our presenters during SCAR2020 Online!!
by Ria Olivier | Jul 17, 2020 | Antarctica, Research, SA Agulhas II, SANAP Student, Science, SEAmester, Southern Ocean
Where did it all started for Tahlia: “From an early age I have had an unbridled passion for the ocean and understanding technology, which led me to pursue my studies in Oceanography at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). I chose to study here as it provided a platform to not only gain academic experience within an oceanographic context, but to also gain field experience. In my third year (2014) I was placed at Bayworld Centre of Research and Education (BCRE) in order to complete a number of research projects which spanned across an array of oceanographic disciplines, namely: Marine Instrumentation, Marine Resource Management, Ocean Sciences and Marine Outreach. This placement exposed me to the different aspects of oceanography and allowed me to find my particular field of interest. It was there, at BCRE, that I was exposed to physical oceanography, data processing and development of marine instrumentation. I knew that I had found my niche within the oceanographic community and would strive to further my education, work experience and continue to learn and grow within this sector. After earning a National Diploma, I completed a BTech degree where I continued to work part-time at BCRE and develop my final research project. This project focused on the development of two sub-sea moorings, each housing a 75 kHz Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP), which I was fortunate enough to deploy between two sub-Antarctic Islands—Marion Island and Prince Edward Island—while aboard the research vessel, SA Agulhas II.
Following the completion of my BTech degree, I continued to work on this mooring data over the next four years, returning to Marion Island and ensuring the safe retrieval and re-deployment of the sub-sea moorings. The data collected formulated the basis of my MSc research project, entitled Impact of ocean variability on Shelf-Seas surrounding the sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Islands.
In conjunction with my studies I’ve had the opportunity to take part in numerous oceanographic research cruises and expeditions. My first cruise, on board the RV Algoa with the operational oceanographic team from BCRE, exposed me to deep-sea mooring operations, in-situ data collection and hydrographic measurements. After this I joined the SA Agulhas II on its annual expedition to Gough Island and Tristan da Cunha, thereafter opening the door for numerous further excursions to sea. My subsequent extensive seagoing experience of over 20 cruises, from the North Sea, to sub-Antarctic islands, to Antarctica, has seen my responsibilities range from regularly being an oceanographic technician to acting as chief scientist on multiple occasions. In 2016 I was appointed as the co-ordinator of SEAmester, South Africa’s Class Afloat, which revealed a very different aspect of seagoing work, mainly from a logistic point of view and stepping into a teaching role. It has been truly rewarding to watch this programme grow over the last 5 years while working closely with Prof. Isabelle Ansorge, the Head of Department of Oceanography at the University of Cape Town. Together, we were able to mimic this programme on an international multi-disciplinary research cruise, the Antarctic Circumpolar Expedition (ACE), on board the RV Akademik Tryoshnikov as Leg Zero of a three-legged voyage.
More recently I have been exposed to the commercial oceanographic industry by working as a marine technician for Lwandle Marine Technologies. Albeit a brief time spent with Lwandle, I have experienced a very different aspect of oceanography in practice. I worked on a variety of contracts utilising skills I’ve gained over the years such as commercial diving operations, in situ data collection and hands-on instrumentation repairs/maintenance. These contracts also opened the door to innovative ways of thinking, problem solving and team work. I was also involved in equipment sales, field trip logistics and ‘meet and greets’ with clients which have been a great learning opportunity.
In December 2018 I was hired by the Flotilla Foundation and Weddell Sea Expedition (WSE) to serve on board the SA Agulhas II for the WSE chartered voyage. I was employed as the CTD technician, CTD data analyst, laboratory manager and winch driver for all tethered instruments. It was truly a great privilege to form part of this prestigious voyage, conducting science around the Larsen ice-shelf, Weddell Sea basin and finally hunting for Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance.
In September 2019, I was accepted into the Hydrography MSc (taught Masters) programme offered at Plymouth University in England. Moving away from my family to a new country and starting a new masters seemed a daunting task. However, it was made easier by the amazing friends I made abroad. Plymouth became my home away from home and my friends became family. I gained an incredible amount of hands on experience within the Hydrographic industry and gained invaluable skills as a junior surveyor. Our lecturers are extremely dedicated and ensured that we were saturated in hydrographic literature and at the fore front of cutting edge hydrographic technology used within the industry. I am currently completing my dissertation in volumetric analysis of sediment transport over a prestigious ship wreck site. This is to aid the conservation, management of the wreck site and to provide first pass description of the sedimentology of the area. I am so excited about what the future may hold and look forward to blazing a path within the hydrographic industry and grow as a hydrographic surveyor.
I love my career as it is ever changing and growing with the current climate or latest technological advances. I have been able to see the world, visit remote and beautiful locations, sail the high seas and build incredible bonds with fellow scientists. It isn’t always an easy journey, but conquering the challenge of this lifestyle and career choice is what makes it worthwhile. The sense of adventure is never ending and I’m always learning along the way. Madame Curie once said that nothing in life is to be fear but rather understood, so that we understand more and fear less. I think this gives us a great sense of pride in what we do and to strive to be curious about our world, to best understand, preserve it and pass the torch on to future generations.
To future researchers, be diligent, work hard and persevere throughout your career. There will be challenging days but there will also be days that out shadow the challenges and fuel your passion for science. Always be teachable no matter your age, and always willing to learn and lend a hand to your fellow scientists. The work you do throughout your career will not only impact and improve your life but will pave the way for those coming up behind you. So take pride in what your work, rise up to the challenges and enjoy the journey! (Right: Photo credit:Alexander Oelofse during SEAmester)
Links to follow Tahlia or read more
Text and Images supplied by Tahlia Henry
by Ria Olivier | Jun 20, 2020 | Research, SANAP, SANAP Student, SCAR, Science, Southern Ocean, Uncategorised
Luca Stirnimann received his BSc at the University of Genova (Italy) in 2013, majoring in Environmental Science. He was introduced to his first marine applications of ecology and taxonomy during a summer school spent on the Linosa Island (Mediterranean Sea) as an undergraduate, investigating invasive marine alien species. During his MSc in Genova, he could study time series and regime shifts analysis on plankton systems. After graduated summa cum laude in Marine Sciences (2015) at the University of Genova, he spent one year at the Marine Biological Association (Plymouth, UK) attending the MRes in Marine Biology, where he could continue his studies on plankton and experimenting the life as a scientific researcher.
From 2017, he is a PhD student at the University of Cape Town. He analyses the samples he collected during several expeditions to Antarctica, in order to investigate zooplankton and phytoplankton dynamics in the Southern Ocean in the context of nutrient cycling and primary production. He is comparing ecosystem dynamics in the vicinity of Subantarctic island systems with the open Southern Ocean. Luca’s project falls under the current SANAP Project: “A nitrogen cycle view of atmospheric CO2 sequestration in the Antarctic Ocean” (Principal Investigator: Dr SE Fawcett, University of Cape Town)
Why you love your career in science?
Earth science, in general, has always been fascinating to me and since I was little, my desire was to discover and learn new things related to our oceans.
As I do love Sherlock Holmes stories, in this job I see myself as a detective that has to solve a case. In fact, any phenomenon in nature may be more or less complicated to be described or understood, but the samples and the analysis are like clues of a case and using them, it is possible to solve any scientific mystery.
Thanks to oceanography, I can attend fantastic expeditions anywhere in the world, exploring from the icy polar seas to the warmer waters of the equator, spending weeks or even months on board of research vessels. During these trips, I always meet colleagues and extraordinary scientists that share the same interests and passions of mine, even if they are from different fields. Furthermore, coming to South Africa, I joined two great scientific communities: one is the SANAP group, where all the experts of the Antarctic systems meet all together to share their works and thoughts; and the second, the South African Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECSSA), which gives me the privilege to develop a South African group of scientists with the Polar Science as a common interest.
This is a great career that stimulates you at any moment of your life, and if you are curious, motivated, and resourceful, well… this job is waiting for you.
In 2018 at POLAR2018 (SCAR/IASC Open Science Conference 2018) he was awarded with the 1st prize for the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS) Poster Awards (Sector: Africa and Middle). Poster Title: “The Island Mass Effect (IME) on carbon cycling in the plankton ecosystem around the Prince Edward Islands archipelago”.
Luca is current a committee member of APECSSA. Follow @LStirnimann and @apecssa on Twitter
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
by Ria Olivier | Mar 21, 2020 | Research, SANAP, SANAP Student, Science, Southern Ocean, Women in Science
Every year new students are joining the South African National Antarctic Programme(SANAP). As Saturday is probably the time to break from studies, our first “Saturday Student” in the Mid-Month series is Kolisa Yola Sinyanya or for those who are familiar with Twitter, @Kolie_Yola. I think there are not many students out there with 7070 followers (during writing of this article) – but Kolisa does. She joined the Antarctic Legacy of South Africa (ALSA) Project and contributes towards our social media campaign, therefore letting more people know about South Africa’s involvement in the Antarctic and Southern Ocean region. Upon joining ALSA, Kolisa was set to be part of the South African group to attend the SCAR biennial conference in August 2020 in Hobart, Australia(but now cancelled).
She is a PhD candidate in Oceanography at the University of Cape Town (UCT). Her PhD research is part of a growing body of work that critically examines bio-geochemical cycling in the ocean, particularly regions that are currently under-sampled. The research aims involve exploring phytoplankton community dynamics and microbe-nutrient interactions in the Indian Ocean, including subtropical and Southern Ocean waters. To date, Kolisa has been awarded the Advancing Womxn Fellowship in the Department of Oceanography awarded under the “For womxn by womxn: conducting research in a field in which womxn are in short supply” category of a new initiative at UCT championed by the Office of the Vice-Chancellor. She is one of the researchers who were on 5-week cruise to Marion Island in the Sub-Antarctic Indian Ocean in 2017.
Kolisa has a passion for learning science and for sharing her science, and her PhD has allowed Kolisa to engage in effective science communication through public speaking, scientific writing and television features. In February of 2020, she presented one of her PhD chapters at Ocean Sciences Meeting in San Diego, USA. Towards the end of 2019, the new Advancing Womxn: Ocean Womxn Fellowship at UCT recruited Kolisa to run and manage their social media accounts as a science communicator. She was one of the invited African scientists who gave ocean and climate change related talks at #VirtualBlueCOP25. In the same year Kolisa was nominated as one of the Inspiring Fifty Women in STEM South Africa and became a Black Women in Science South Africa 2019 fellow. Kolisa was the first PhD candidate in history to be selected by the Oceanography Department’s head of department (HoD), Professor Isabelle Ansorge to stand in for her as acting HoD at a departmental graduation ceremony in 2019.
She has taken part in several science communication activities, including FameLab Cape Town, the biggest science communication competition in the world, where she was the Cape Town national runner up. Other thought- and conversation-provoking science communication engagements in which Kolisa has participated in are Pint of Science South Africa and TEDxUCT. Moreover, she presented the preliminary findings of her Agulhas System Climate Array (ASCA) research at the 2018 SANAP Symposium. Kolisa’s work has also been documented in the academic communication magazine, The Conversation Africa. She’s committed to increasing the visibility of women in STEM and runs a blog called Women In Science Hub where she write about conversations she has with women who are making waves in the world of STEM. In 2018, Kolisa had the privilege to be interviewed as a woman in science under the theme “#SHEsInSTEM” by the women’s organisation, Young&BosSHE, based in the United States. In 2019, her sci comm work was featured by Crastina in Sweden under the theme Science Communication Africa. As a student leader, she was invited by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town, Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, to participate in a Women’s Day discussion on Power FM about South African universities. In 2019 she was invited for live interviews twice by Cape Town TV to speak about Oceanography and on Women’s Month to speak about being a black woman in STEM. Visit Kolisa’s budding YouTube channel and leave a comment.
Kolisa is also a fun loving, unconventional and free-spirited woman who has a passion for advancing the lives of others, especially young women and girls from all walks of life. Her message to fellow students:
- Believe in your contributions because no one else is like you, you bring to the table a combination of things the next person will not.
- Be in love with and have passion for your career because if you don’t your path within that career will be a chore.
- Never give up because winners never quit, and quitters never win.
- Go for your dreams. Never let anything/anyone discourage you from reaching and far surpassing those set goals.
Rudzani Silima (Rudzi) have from a young age, always known that she would pursue a career in environmental conservation and science. “I grew up in the very small town of Louis Trichardt, surrounded by nature. Having a great attitude in subjects such as science, math, biology and geography. It was a no brainer to start my undergrad career in Marine Science at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. CPUT not only provided the academic expertise that I would need in the future but also, in 2017, I was placed at the SAEON Egagasini node for my work integrated learning. This opened the floodgates to more networking and career building opportunities.
(l-r: Rudzi and Nompumelelo(DEFF),weighing my luggage, Ria Olivier(ALSA) sent me on my trip, during transit I said goodbye to my family) To date I have attained a collection of prizes from my university and conferences, further validating my determination to advocate for the oceans and our planet. As the best Seamester student I was chosen to be the champion for the Gateway to Antarctica City of Cape Town Earlier this year, with the help of the Antarctic Legacy of South Africa , the National Research Foundation and the Department of Environment Forestry and Fisheries, I was able to make my first trip to Antarctica.
The Antarctic Cities Youth Expedition, a collaboration between 5 cities, an expedition with five young and vibrant individuals, who share a common passion for the Antarctic environment. A product of the expedition was the founding of the Antarctic Youth Coalition, which aims to connect the five gateway cities, and to encourage sustainable consumption and practises within the cities for the sake of the Antarctic landscape. (image left waiting for our flight at Punta Arenas to Antarctica. Right: Visiting the Uruguay Station on Antarctica
There are many controversies related to climate change today, however, in Antarctica there is physical evidence that climate change is happening right now and not in some distant future. Therefore, the formation of the Antarctic Youth Coalition couldn’t be more perfectly timed. The AYC, hence from now on aims to make accessible the very important science done in the Southern Ocean to everyday citizens in the five gateway cities but also all around the world. Listen to Rudzi while being part of ACYE, video made by project leader Prof Juan Salazar
“Therefore, all of us, common or otherwise, share the responsibility for a healthy, thriving Antarctica and our whole planet! My parting word, specifically to us young people is to never give up on yourself and never give up on your dreams. All of us have the potential to change the world in our own very unique and exciting ways”
South Africa has been part of SCAR since 1959 and over the years researchers of South Africa attended these conferences. Over the past decades, principal investigators of SANAP and their students gave oral and poster presentations. This year the 
Where did it all started for Tahlia: “From an early age I have had an unbridled passion for the ocean and understanding technology, which led me to pursue my studies in Oceanography at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). I chose to study here as it provided a platform to not only gain academic experience within an oceanographic context, but to also gain field experience. In my third year (2014) I was placed at Bayworld Centre of Research and Education (BCRE) in order to complete a number of research projects which spanned across an array of oceanographic disciplines, namely: Marine Instrumentation, Marine Resource Management, Ocean Sciences and Marine Outreach. This placement exposed me to the different aspects of oceanography and allowed me to find my particular field of interest. It was there, at BCRE, that I was exposed to physical oceanography, data processing and development of marine instrumentation. I knew that I had found my niche within the oceanographic community and would strive to further my education, work experience and continue to learn and grow within this sector. After earning a National Diploma, I completed a BTech degree where I continued to work part-time at BCRE and develop my final research project. This project focused on the development of two sub-sea moorings, each housing a 75 kHz Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP), which I was fortunate enough to deploy between two sub-Antarctic Islands—Marion Island and Prince Edward Island—while aboard the research vessel, SA Agulhas II.
Following the completion of my BTech degree, I continued to work on this mooring data over the next four years, returning to Marion Island and ensuring the safe retrieval and re-deployment of the sub-sea moorings. The data collected formulated the basis of my MSc research project, entitled Impact of ocean variability on Shelf-Seas surrounding the sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Islands.
More recently I have been exposed to the commercial oceanographic industry by working as a marine technician for Lwandle Marine Technologies. Albeit a brief time spent with Lwandle, I have experienced a very different aspect of oceanography in practice. I worked on a variety of contracts utilising skills I’ve gained over the years such as commercial diving operations, in situ data collection and hands-on instrumentation repairs/maintenance. These contracts also opened the door to innovative ways of thinking, problem solving and team work. I was also involved in equipment sales, field trip logistics and ‘meet and greets’ with clients which have been a great learning opportunity.
In December 2018 I was hired by the 
I love my career as it is ever changing and growing with the current climate or latest technological advances. I have been able to see the world, visit remote and beautiful locations, sail the high seas and build incredible bonds with fellow scientists. It isn’t always an easy journey, but conquering the challenge of this lifestyle and career choice is what makes it worthwhile. The sense of adventure is never ending and I’m always learning along the way. Madame Curie once said that nothing in life is to be fear but rather understood, so that we understand more and fear less. I think this gives us a great sense of pride in what we do and to strive to be curious about our world, to best understand, preserve it and pass the torch on to future generations.
To future researchers, be diligent, work hard and persevere throughout your career. There will be challenging days but there will also be days that out shadow the challenges and fuel your passion for science. Always be teachable no matter your age, and always willing to learn and lend a hand to your fellow scientists. The work you do throughout your career will not only impact and improve your life but will pave the way for those coming up behind you. So take pride in what your work, rise up to the challenges and enjoy the journey! (Right: Photo credit:Alexander Oelofse during SEAmester)
Luca Stirnimann received his BSc at the 
From 2017, he is a PhD student at the 
Earth science, in general, has always been fascinating to me and since I was little, my desire was to discover and learn new things related to our oceans.
Thanks to oceanography, I can attend fantastic expeditions anywhere in the world, exploring from the icy polar seas to the warmer waters of the equator, spending weeks or even months on board of research vessels. During these trips, I always meet colleagues and extraordinary scientists that share the same interests and passions of mine, even if they are from different fields. Furthermore, coming to South Africa, I joined two great scientific communities: one is the 
This is a great career that stimulates you at any moment of your life, and if you are curious, motivated, and resourceful, well… this job is waiting for you.
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 
probably the time to break from studies, our first “Saturday Student” in the Mid-Month series is Kolisa Yola Sinyanya or for those who are familiar with Twitter, 
She is a PhD candidate in Oceanography at the University of Cape Town (UCT). Her PhD research is part of a growing body of work that critically examines bio-geochemical cycling in the ocean, particularly regions that are currently under-sampled. The research aims involve exploring phytoplankton community dynamics and microbe-nutrient interactions in the Indian Ocean, including subtropical and Southern Ocean waters. To date, Kolisa has been awarded the Advancing Womxn Fellowship in the Department of Oceanography awarded under the “For womxn by womxn: conducting research in a field in which womxn are in short supply” category of a new initiative at UCT championed by the Office of the Vice-Chancellor. She is one of the researchers who were on 5-week cruise to Marion Island in the Sub-Antarctic Indian Ocean in 2017.
in effective science communication through public speaking, scientific writing and television features. In February of 2020, she presented one of her PhD chapters at Ocean Sciences Meeting in San Diego, USA. Towards the end of 2019, the new 
She has taken part in several science communication activities, including 
