Dr Kelby English
Research Interests:
Implement, evaluate, and manage biological control of invasive freshwater aquatic plants, and engage communities across invaded waterbodies..
Position: Postdoctoral Research Fellow: South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity.
Dr Kelby English is an entomologist with a focus in biological control of invasive plant species. Currently her focus is using biological control agents for the management of aquatic invasive alien plant species including water hyacinth, water lettuce, common and giant salvinia, parrot’s feather, and other problematic freshwater weeds affecting major river systems and impoundments. Before joining the waterweeds team she worked on several terrestrial invasive alien plants and their biocontrol agents during her tertiary education.
She is affiliated with the Centre for Biological Control at Rhodes University and the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity under Prof. Julie Coetzee, where she contributes to large-scale and community-based biological control programmes. Kelby also plays an active role in advising and supporting community-lead satellite rearing stations at several water systems as part of integrated management strategies for the aquatic weeds. This work includes mass-rearing, redistribution, and post-release monitoring of biocontrol agents. An important aspect is stakeholder engagement and capacity building to ensure sustainable implementation, and managing expectations around biocontrol as a long-term, sustainable management tool.
Her ongoing projects contribute to improving ecological resilience in South Africa’s freshwater systems by reducing invasive plant dominance, restoring ecosystem function, and supporting informed, evidence-based management decisions.
Education
Degree | Institution and location | Graduated |
BSc. Biological Sciences | University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg | 2013 |
BSc. (Hons) Biological Sciences | University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg | 2014 |
MSc. Entomology | University of KwaZulu-Natal | 2017 |
PhD. Biological Sciences | University of Cape Town, Cape Town | 2023 |