SAIAB’s research team focuses on the full spectrum of aquatic environments, from marine offshore to continental freshwater catchments. Research covers ecology and conservation biology that links biodiversity at molecular and organism levels with the environment and with genetic and species diversity. See SAIAB’s research team profiles below.
Prof. Albert Chakona
Chief Scientist
Ecology, phylogeography, historical biogeography, systematics and conservation.
Prof. Francesca Porri
Senior Scientist
Coastal systems; marine biology; organismal and population ecology; ecological engineering.
Dr Gwynneth Matcher
Aquatics Genomics Research Platform (AGRP) Instrument Scientist
Molecular ecology, genomics, and environmental DNA (eDNA).
Prof. Julie Coetzee
Principal Scientist: DSTI/NRF SARChI Tier 1 Chair
Biological Control and Freshwater Alien Invasive Species Management.
Dr Anthony Bernard
Marine Remote Imagery Platform (MARIP) Instrument Scientist
National assessment of South Africa’s Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
Dr Mandla Magoro
Instrument Scientist Freshwater Field Ecologist
Freshwater ecology, estuarine ecology and small-scale fisheries.
Prof. Nikki James
Senior Scientist
Estuarine and coastal fish research; global change and impacts on estuarine and coastal systems.
Dr Taryn Murray
Acoustic Tracking Array Platform (ATAP) Instrument Scientist
Movement ecology and distribution patterns of aquatic animals.
Dr Lubabalo Mofu
Instrument Scientist Freshwater Field and Lab Ecologist
Inland Fisheries and Freshwater Ecology and stable isotopes, and experimental biology.
Dr Tholoana Ntokoane
PDP Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Integrative taxonomy (morphology and genetics) of freshwater fishes, systematics and conservation.
Dr Kelby English
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Implement, evaluate, and manage biological control of invasive freshwater aquatic plants.
Dr Nompumelelo Baso
PDP Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Trophic resistance to climate change and biological invasions in African freshwater ecosystems through biological control.
Dr Kaylee Smit
RIPP Postdoctoral Researcher Fellow
Fish biodiversity, ecosystem condition, and support conservation, marine spatial planning.
Dr Tadiwa Mutizwa
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Systematics taxonomy, ecology and conservation of poorly studied freshwater fish species from southern Africa.
Dr Jabulani Ndaba
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Ecological toxicology, marine and freshwater ecological engineering, Indigenous Knowledge Systems.
Dr Nobuhle Mpanza
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Coastal rehabilitation, ecological engineering, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, larval ecology, predator-prey interactions.
Dr Phakama Nodo
PDP Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Quantifying nursery role of shallow-water subtidal habitats using remote underwater video.
Dr Kerry-Ann var der Walt
PDP Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Evaluating the thermal physiology on early life stages of fish and invertebrates.
Dr Ziyanda Mzozo
PDP Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Effects of abiotic factors on abalone larviculture and live feed (copepods) production.
Dr Yonela Sithole
PDP Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Integrative taxonomy (morphology, osteology, and genetics) of marine and freshwater fishes
Dr Fatah Zarei
Postdoctoral Fellow
Systematics, phylogeography, historical biogeography and conservation of fishes.
Dr Natanah Gusha
PDP Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Quantitative population modeling, spatio-temporal patterns, fisheries governance.
Dr Fannie Masina
RIPP Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Freshwater Ecology, Aquatic Biodiversity, Aquatic Invasive Species, and Aquatic Ecophysiology.
Dr Martinus Scheepers
PDP Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Systematics, phylogeography, drivers of speciation, and conservation of fishes
Dr Vuyolwethu Mxo
PDP Postdoctoral Fellow
Social-ecological systems, Indigenous knowledge systems, ecological engineering, coastal rehabilitation and stakeholder engagement
Wouter Holleman
Honorary Research Associate
Systematics of Tripterygiidae and Clinidae Coral reef conservation and Science Education
Prof Paul Skelton
Honorary Research Associate & Emeritus Managing Director
Systematics and biogeography of African freshwater fishes
Ofer Gon
Curator Emeritus and Honorary Research Associate
Marine fish systematics, Biology and ecology of marine fishes, and History of ichthyology in South Africa
Prof Alan Whitfield
Emeritus Chief Scientist & Honorary Research Associate
Estuarine ecology
Roger Bills
Senior Curator
Conservation genetics and management of threatened freshwater fishes.