Nasiphi Ntshanga

DST-NRF Intern at the Grasslands-Forests-Wetlands Node (2014/15) Having studied environmental sciences my background includes; biogeography, ecology, GIS & conservation planning. I am mainly interested in environmental patterns and the processes that shape them. During my B.Sc Enviro Sc. (Hons) I evaluated the representativeness of protected area networks in the Pondoland Centre of Endemism which is part of the Maputo-Pondoland-Albany biodiversity hotspot (fantastic GIS processing J!) with Dr Finch, and currently completing my Msc, looking at the phylogeography of SA plants with Prof. Proches (interesting statistics & phylogenetics). SAEON conducts exciting trans-disciplinary scientific research across different biomes, and as a DST-NRF intern, it is the perfect place for me to learn and explore other disciplines and to decide on which direction to take my career, from PhD and beyond. Currently I am verifying the fire history of the Cathedral Peak research catchments and planning to produce a publishable database by the end of the year! SAEON is a great platform that will expose me to the beautiful mountains of the Drakensberg, Lake St. Lucia and lots and lots of science.