People at BIOGRIP

BIOGRIP Hub

Dr Roger Diamond
Isotope Hydrogeologist, BIOGRIP Director, University of Cape Town

Roger Diamond is currently based in the Department of Geological Sciences at UCT. His research has examined groundwater, hydrochemistry, stable isotopes, as well as the radioactive element radon. This work was applied to questions of quality in both surface water and groundwater.

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8710-6577

Dr Aldwin Ndhlovu
Aquatic Scientist, BIOGRIP Project Manager, University of Cape Town

Aldwin Ndhlovu is the project manager at BIOGRIP based at UCT. He is responsible for liaising with the BIOGRIP nodes and stakeholders. His background is in ecotoxicology, focusing on water quality and heavy metal pollution in aquatic systems.

Gloria Cupido
Finance and Administration Manager, BIOGRIP, University of Cape Town

Gloria Cupido, Finance and Admin Manager is responsible for the overall finance and administration management of BIOGRIP and is based at UCT.

Atmospheric Node

Prof Katye Altieri
Marine Atmospheric Chemist, Oceanography, University of Cape Town

Prof Katye Altieri is an Associate Professor in the Department of Oceanography at UCT researching climate and biogeochemistry in the marine atmosphere. Katye holds a P-rating from the NRF and received the Claude Leon Merit Award in 2017. Her research interests are: atmosphere-ocean interactions, atmospheric chemistry, marine biogeochemistry, climate change, atmospheric observations and modeling in the marine environment, air pollution and health.

Kerneels Jaars
Atmospheric Chemist, Chemistry, North West University

Kerneels Jaars is currently part of the Atmospheric Chemistry Research Group (ACRG) at NWU which focuses on ground-based in-situ atmospheric measurements, but research related to laboratory investigations, satellite observations and modelling is also conducted.

Casper Labuschagne
Senior Scientist, Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) group, South African Weather Service (SAWS)

Casper Labuschagne is a Senior Scientist in the GAW group of the SAWS research department. Working at the Cape Point GAW laboratory since 1996, Casper’s expertise lies in greenhouse gas (GhG) observations and research. His peer reviewed research outputs (listed from 2010 only) amounts to 85 co-authored articles, conference proceedings and article reviews. He currently serves on the WMO’s Scientific Advisory Group (WMO SAG) for GhG as the Africa representative.

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7125-0029

Prof Pieter van Zyl
Atmospheric Chemist, Chemistry, North West University

Prof Pieter van Zyl is an Atmospheric Chemist at NWU with expertise in the field of atmospheric aerosols and gaseous species, as well as the deposition of these biogeochemically important species from the atmosphere.

Isotope Node

Dr Tara Edwards
Geochronologist, Chief Scientific Officer, Attom Lab, Geological Sciences, University of Cape Town

Tara Edwards is a geologist whose research has primarily focused on the chronology and environmental reconstruction of localities within the Cradle of Humankind, South Africa. Edwards completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Newcastle in Australia, where she fell in love with caves. However, she also had a deep interest in learning about climate and environmental shifts in the deep past and how these could have impacted evolution and the origin of early humans. To meet this interest, she studied a master’s in Archaeological Science at the Australian National University where she completed a project on material from the Cradle of Humankind in South Africa.

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7652-4834
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Tara-Edwards-4

Patricia Groenewald
Forensics and Archaeology, Senior Scientific Officer, Stable Light Isotope Laboratory, University of Cape Town

Patricia Groenewald is the Senior Scientific Officer in the Stable Light Isotope Laboratory in the Department of Archaeology at UCT. She has a background in archaeology and is working towards her PhD. Her research focuses on a better understanding of bone collagen turnover in adult humans and the incorporation of dietary stable light isotopes throughout life.

ORCID: 0000-0001-5158-3021
Scopus author ID: 57214085839

Dr Vincent Hare
Earth Scientist, Archaeology, University of Cape Town

Vincent Hare is an earth scientist whose research interests span Cenozoic palaeoclimatology, palaeoenvironments, novel dating methods, past climate change and the carbon cycle. His special research interest is the application of stable isotope geochemistry to understanding changes in ancient atmospheres, to better understand fossil and archaeological plants, and to refine predictions of future climate change. He holds degrees in both Physics and Archaeological Sciences from UCT and Oxford (MSc, DPhil), where he was a Clarendon Scholar. Hare is a member of the American Geophysical Union and the European Geophysical Union, Secretary of the Southern African Society for Quaternary Research, and Past Global Changes (PAGES) Early Career Representative for Africa.

Prof Chris Harris
Isotope Geochemist, Geological Sciences, University of Cape Town

Prof Chris Harris is a geologist and geochemist and is Professor of Mineralogy and Geology at UCT. His research interest lies in stable isotopes in igneous rocks and hydrological systems in economic geology. He runs the high temperature geochemistry facility in Geology that has a number of extraction lines for the measurement of stable isotope ratios of O, C, and H in rock (silicates and carbonates), mineral and water samples.

Dr Brett Kuyper
Chief Scientific Officer, Marine Biogeochemistry Laboratory, Oceanography, University of Cape Town

Brett Kuyper is the Chief Scientific Officer in the Marine Biogeochemistry Laboratory at UCT. He is responsible for the maintenance, management, training and upgrades of the Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer and custom gas separation and preparation instrument. Brett has a background in atmospheric chemistry focusing on observation and measurement.

Dr Petrus Le Roux
Isotope Geologist, Geological Sciences, University of Cape Town

Petrus Le Roux’s geological research interest is in the use of light elements (Li, B) in igneous rocks, especially subduction zone and oceanic basalts, to understand the geochemical cycling of material, as well as the possible shallow-level magma assimilation, contamination and/or degassing systematics beneath mid-ocean ridges and arc volcanoes. The development of new MC-ICP-MS isotopic analytical methods and novel applications, especially in situ Sr, Pb, Hf, B or Li isotope analysis using laser ablation, is another research focus. I have a significant multi-disciplinary research focus on the use of Sr (and Pb) isotopes in palaeoanthropological, palaeontological and biological studies to place constraints on origins, landscape use or migration patterns of plants, hominins, early human societies, extinct animals or dinosaurs.

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.co.za/citations?user=lCX3Z2EAAAAJ&hl=en
SCOPUS: https://www2.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57217016796
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Petrus_Le_Roux

Hazel Little-Leighton
Scientific Officer, Oceanography, University of Cape Town

Hazel Little-Leighton is an Oceanographer and Scientific Officer in the Oceanography Department at UCT. Her primary focus is on overseeing the day-to-day running of the labs, assisting with various projects and student instrument training.

Dr Julie Luyt
Isotope Ecologist, Stable Light Isotope Laboratory Manager, Archaeology, UCT, University of Cape Town

Julie Luyt obtained her PhD from UCT. Her interests lie in the effects of environmental and climatic variables on stable carbon, nitrogen and oxygen isotopic ratios of fauna. Studies of contemporary fauna provide a baseline for interpretation of analyses of archaeological and fossil animals. Her focus is the winter rainfall zone in southwestern Africa, where reconstruction of palaeoclimates and palaeoenvironments help contextualise important archaeological sites with evidence of early humans.

Prof Judith Sealy
SARChI Stable Isotopes, Archaeology and Palaeoenvironmental Studies, Archaeology, University of Cape Town

Prof Judith Sealy holds the South African Research Chair in Stable Isotopes, Archaeology and Palaeoenvironmental Studies, based in the Department of Archaeology at UCT. She also holds overall academic responsibility for the Stable Light Isotope Laboratory, used by researchers from a range of disciplines at UCT and other universities nationally and internationally. Sealy’s research uses isotopes to answer questions about the diet and economic base of human societies, from the emergence of modern humans to the development of hunter-gatherer, herder and farmer societies in southern Africa, and the start of European colonisation. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of South Africa and of UCT.

Dr Johanna Von Holdt
Environmental and Geographical Scientist, Environmental & Geographical Science, University of Cape Town

Johanna Von Holdt earned her PhD in Aeolian Geomorphology from UCT. Her research centers on air quality, with a particular focus on particulate matter and its impact on earth processes and air pollution from both natural and anthropogenic sources. She studies the emission, transport and deposition of atmospheric particulate matter and its effects on air quality, the environment and human health. Johanna's work delves into urban and mining-affected areas, landscape changes due to these processes, and soil formation and degradation. Johanna integrates remote sensing with ground-based observational data, seeking to enhance how we measure, model and manage air quality. She is committed to developing affordable, locally relevant methods for data collection, including low-cost sensors, citizen science initiatives and community monitoring. In addition to her academic role, she manages the Mine Dust and Health Network at UCT.

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=8UIt8LYAAAAJ
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johanna-von-holdt-13b3387a/
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Johanna-Von-Holdt

Prof Sarah Fawcett
Marine Biogeochemist, Oceanography, University of Cape Town

Prof Sarah Fawcett is an Associate Professor in the Oceanography Department at UCT whose research is focused on the cycling of biologically important elements (particularly nitrogen, carbon, and oxygen) in the marine environment. To address questions related to ocean fertility, local and global biogeochemical cycling, ecosystem health, and past and present climate, Sarah’s central tool is high-resolution measurements of nitrogen isotopes, which can be made in the Marine Biogeochemistry Lab that she co-established in the Oceanography Department.

Google scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=xKEc1CcAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao

Mineral Node

Dr Mariana Erasmus
Microbiologist and Biogeochemist, Director, Centre for Mineral Biogeochemistry, University of the Free State

Mariana Erasmus is an accomplished researcher and specialist in Nature-based Solutions who has dedicated her career to advancing scientific research and developing sustainable solutions for environmental challenges. She began her academic journey at the University of the Free State (UFS), where she earned all her degrees. Her early career was marked by significant involvement in various research projects, focusing on environmental biotechnology.

Dr Erasmus's research is characterised by its diversity and impact, covering areas such as bioremediation, soil rehabilitation and sustainable agriculture. Dr Erasmus is deeply committed to teaching and mentoring, supervising 14 students, including doctoral candidates and post-doctoral researchers. She is also actively involved in engaged scholarship, contributing to high standards in scientific research and community outreach, by serving as an academic examiner, reviewer, editor, expert witness and an EXCO member of a Science and Technology Fair.

Dr Robert Hansen
Environmental Geochemist, Geology, University of the Free State

Robert Hansen is a senior lecturer for Environmental Geochemistry in the Department of Geology at UFS. He is an environmental geochemist with industry and research experience in (bio)geochemical systems.

Dr Yolandi Schoeman
Ecologist, Centre for Environmental Management, University of the Free State

Yolandi Schoeman is an ecological engineer who has devoted her career to researching and demonstrating that creating bio-intelligent and functional ecosystems to enable planetary health through ecological engineering is indeed possible. Stellenbosch University invited her to form part of the Brightest Young Minds initiative in 2006, which led her to contribute to a book chapter, "Engineering Engineering" for the initiative and to develop a scholarly field of Ecological Engineering in Africa. A globally recognised figure in ecological engineering and sustainability, she has driven innovations, corporate strategy and post-normal science research across continents including Russia, Australia, Africa and the United States of America.

In 2014, Yolandi founded the Ecological Engineering Institute of Africa, which collaborates with various academic leaders across Africa and on a global level. Yolandi's innovations and research have earned her multiple awards and international recognition, such as being the overall winner of the 2016 Global Cleantech Innovation Program-SA Program and the global runner up in the Global Cleantech Innovation Program in Silicon Valley, San Francisco in 2016.

Yolandi completed a Ph.D. at the University of the Free State in 2022. She is also completing a second Ph.D. in Economic and Management Sciences at the North-West University (NWU) in 2024, specializing in coupled human and natural systems landscape sustainability.

Dr Megan Welman-Purchase
Geologist, Geology, University of the Free State

Megan Welman-Purchase is a geologist with a PhD in geochemistry and over 10 years of experience working with XRD, XRF and SEM. Passionate about expanding her analytical skills, Megan also operates EPMA, BET and FTIR systems, constantly exploring new methods of analysis. Her research centers on understanding the environmental behavior of critical elements like cyanide, arsenic and uranium, particularly in mining contexts. Megan is dedicated to developing sustainable remediation strategies, whether through engineered solutions or leveraging natural processes, to mitigate the environmental impacts of these elements.

Water and Soil Node

Dr Janine Colling
Plant Biotechnologist, Central Analytical Facilities, Stellenbosch University

Janine Colling is the lab manager at the BIOGRIP Water and Soil Node, which is affiliated with the Central Analytical Facility at Stellenbosch University. She obtained her PhD in Plant Biotechnology at SU with a focus on researching the chemistry and genetic engineering of indigenous South African medicinal plants.

Prof Cristiano De Carvalho Lana
Isotope Geochemist, Earth Sciences. Stellenbosch University

Prof Cristiano De Carvalho Lana specialises in Laser Ablation ICP-MS, focusing on isotope geochemistry for a range of applications, including environmental studies and the analysis of metamorphic, igneous and hydrothermal systems. His expertise extends to developing reference materials for isotope and trace element analyses, ensuring high accuracy in various geochemical measurements. Additionally, he has substantial experience in method development for Laser Ablation ICP-MS, having implemented and applied specific analytical methods for isotope systems such as Boron, Lu-Hf, Sm-Nd, U-Pb, S and Rb-Sr.

Dr Susanne Fietz
Geology of Climatic Changes and Ecosystems, Earth Sciences. Stellenbosch University

Suzanne Fietz has research interests of geology of climatic changes and ecosystem responses to serve projections of the future climate; organic molecules tracking environmental changes and organism adaptation to understand responses to expected global changes; phytoplankton, microbes and biogeochemistry of the modern oceans to understand food webs and CO₂ dynamics; atmospheric chemistry and air quality survey to improve marine coastal and human health.

Fransien Kamper
Financial Officer, Stellenbosch University

Fransien Kamper is responsible for financial administration at the BIOGRIP Water and Soil Node.

Volante Moonsamy
Microbiologist, Central Analytical Facilities, Stellenbosch University

Volante Moonsamy is the Junior Analyst at the BIOGRIP Water and Soil Node, which is affiliated with the Central Analytical Facility at Stellenbosch University (SU). She obtained her MSc in Microbiology at University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). Her research focused on the catabolism of organic pollutants using microorganisms.

Heleen Vos
Environmental Geochemist, Earth Sciences. Stellenbosch University

Heleen Vos grew up in the Netherlands and studied Earth Sciences at the Vrije University Amsterdam. After obtaining a master's degree in Geology, she did a traineeship at the European Space Agency and then enrolled for a PhD in Basel, Switzerland. Her research focusses on the Saldanha Bay area, a region that is known for dust emissions related to iron and magnesium ore processing and transport. The goal is to create a better understanding of the sources and the chemical content of dust, and the concentration of suspended particles in inhabited areas. With this information, an assessment of the effects of dust on public health can be made and possible mitigation processes can be developed.