The von der Heyden Lab
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  • Our projects
    • Phylogeography and connectivity of African coastlines
    • Conservation genetics and genomics
    • Project SeaStore: science for seagrass restoration
    • Environmental DNA and metabarcoding
    • Seascape analyses
    • South Africa-Mozamabique-Zambia trilateral
    • Supporting the blue economy
    • Other projects
  • Lab members
  • Publications
  • Resources
  • Want to join us?
  • Contact

Who we are


Postdoctoral fellows

Dr Andrew Ndhlovu (PhD University of the Witwatersrand)

Dr Refilwe Mofokeng (PhD University of Kwa-Zulu Natal)


PhD students​
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Courtney Gardiner (BSc Hons, MSc University of the Witwatersrand)
Predicting the fisheries of the future: applying genomic tools and distribution models to forecasting climate change impacts on commercially exploited fishes

Götz Neef (BSc, Hons, MSc, Rhodes University)
Developing environmental DNA metabarcoding as a tool for monitoring the biodiversity of the Okavango River system

Frederick Mokumo (BSc, Hons, MSc, University of Limpopo)
Linking physiological, genomic and ecological functioning in the seagrass, Zostera capensis

Katie Watson (BSc Nottingham Trent University, MSc Leeds University)
Exploring the restoration of Zostera capensis ​in Langebaan Lagoon: ecological, molecular and physiological perspectives

Willemien van Wyk (BVSc, University of Pretoria, South Africa; MSc, RVC London)
The effect of pollutants on range edge populations of Zostera capensis

MSc students

Aidan Bossert (Bsc & Hons University of Stellenbosch)
Budgeting for the future: estimating a blue carbon budget and exploring ex situ restoration of Zostera capensis in Langebaan Lagoon

Kezia Bowmaker (Bsc & Hons Nelson Mandela University) *based at NMU
Dietary assessment of Cape gannets (Morus capensis) and African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) in Algoa Bay using molecular scatology

Bianca Boshoff (BSc UNISA & Hons University of Stellenbosch)
Estimating the presence of microplastics in South African seagrass meadows: a regional perspective

Kira Courtaillac (BSc & Hons University of Stellenbosch)
Diving into the biodiversity of the Great African Seaforest: Utilizing eDNA metabarcoding to investigate the biodiversity associated with kelp forests in South Africa

Jamila Janna (BSc & Hons University of Kwa-Zula Natal)
Environmental DNA metabarcoding for assessing fish communities in Mozambique and South Africa
​
(co-supervised with Dr Nasreen Peer)

Emma Rossouw (BSc & Hons University of Stellenbosch)
(co-supervised with Dr Nasreen Peer)


Honours students

Charlotte Combrink
Analysing fine-scale genomic dynamics of threatened Zostera capensis at the intersection of two genetic lineages

Tiaan Engelbrecht
Blue carbon across the riverbank: organic carbon storage in seagrass and saltmarsh sediments

Suveena Govender
Supporting barcoding initiatives for southern African marine fishes using gap analyses

Garrick Hugo
Exploring the taxonomic identity of Aplysia parvula in South Africa
(co-supervised with Prof Carol Simon)

Rew Searle
Investigating sediment microbial communities and blue carbon storage in a warm-temperate South African estuary

Ben Wiese
Developing an environment-specific medium to refine the tissue culture system of Zostera capensis to support seagrass restoration
​
(co-supervised with Prof Nox Makunga)
​
Lab Alumni
​

HONOURS
Delene Bezuidenhout
Aidan Bossert
Bianca Boshoff
Casey Broom
Courtney Fagg

Michelle Fourie
Enelge Gildenhuys
Oliver Hansen
Sheila Heron
Michelle Jooste
Jenna Keightley
Jessie Yuill
Michelle Maberly
Charl Mclachlan
Jen McShane
Marlene Neethling
Emma Rossouw
​Sian Seymour
Engela Smit
Jessica Stephens
Gideon van den Berg
Alisa Volkmann
Grace Warner

MSc
Casey Broom
Courtney Fagg
Megan Jackson
Jenna Keightley
​Nozibusiso Mbongwa
Ann McLachlan
Thomas Mkare
CM Muller
Erica Nielsen
Delene Oosthuizen
Terry Reynolds
​Melissa Schulze
Jessica Toms
Daniel Wright
Jessie Yuill

PhD
Sara Andreotti
Molly Czachur
Genevieve Diederiks
Veronica Mendoza
Tinashe Muteveri

Erica Nielsen
​Olivier Pasnin
​Nikki Phair
Zanne Zeeman

Postdoctoral
Alicia Dalongeville
Goetz Froeschke
Romina Henriques

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  • Home
  • Our projects
    • Phylogeography and connectivity of African coastlines
    • Conservation genetics and genomics
    • Project SeaStore: science for seagrass restoration
    • Environmental DNA and metabarcoding
    • Seascape analyses
    • South Africa-Mozamabique-Zambia trilateral
    • Supporting the blue economy
    • Other projects
  • Lab members
  • Publications
  • Resources
  • Want to join us?
  • Contact