Postdoctoral Research Fellows & Postgraduate Students

Dr Shanika Reddy (2025 - present)

Research Area: Ecotoxicological and biological impacts of microplastics on human health and metabolic disease research.

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Dr Taina Goncalves-Loureiro (2021-2022)
Focus Area: Global Ocean Accounts & Partnership Project (GOAP)

Dr Elisa Seyboth (2018 - 2022)
Focus Area: Humpback Whale & Climate Change Project

Dr Adetunji Awe (2023 - February 2026)
Focus Area: Plastics and associated contaminants (metals and organics) in the Freshwater and Marine Environments

Mr Bahati Mayoma
D. Conservation Science
Research Topic: Characteristics and ecological risks of plastic and microplastics in Lake Victoria-Tanzania
Main Supervisor: Dr C Sparks
Co-Supervisor: Dr F Khan

Ms Mathabo Malange
D. Conservation Science
Research Topic: Defining Ocean Ecosystem Extents in Pelagic Systems within the KwaZulu-Natal Bight, South Africa using 3-dimensional volumetric analyses and visualisations
Main Supervisor: Dr C Sparks

Mrs Whitney Samuels
D. Conservation Science
Research Topic: Microplastic Contamination in a Closed Marine System: Insights from the Two Oceans Aquarium, Cape Town
Main Supervisor: Dr C Sparks
Co-Supervisor: Dr N Viljoen, Dr J Johnson

Mrs Christabel Harkins
D. Conservation Science
Research Topic: TBC
Main Supervisor: Dr C Sparks

Mr Rushdi Ariefdien
D. Conservation Science
Research Topic: The impact of microplastics and metals from stormwater outlets on biodiversity inside and adjacent to the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area, Cape Town
Main Supervisor: Dr C Sparks

Mrs Zama Hlongwane
D. Conservation Science
Research Topic: The development of a comprehensive accounting framework for plastic flows in South Africa: Integrating ocean accounts and environmental-economic indicators
Main Supervisor: Dr C Sparks

Mr Jeffrey Slater
M. Conservation Sciences
Research Topic: The effects of climate change on the distribution and abundance of humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, off Mozambique
Main Supervisor: Dr C Sparks
Co-Supervisor: Dr K Findlay

Ms Aldean Esau
M. Marine Science
Research Topic: Environmental concentrations, characteristics and risk assessment of microplastics in the Olifants and Breede River Catchments, Estuaries and Coastal Areas, Western Cape South Africa
Main Supervisor: Dr C Sparks
Co-Supervisor: Prof A Rajkaran

Ms Venecia van Balla
M. Marine Sciences
Research Topic: Uptake and accumulation of environmentally relevant sizes and concentrations of microplastics in the Mediterranean mussel (Mytlis galloprovincialis) under controlled conditions
Main Supervisor: Dr C Sparks
Co-Supervisor: Dr J Johnson

Mr Tanweer Absolom
M. Marine Sciences
Research Topic: TBC
Main Supervisor: Dr C Sparks

Mr Kabelo Matlala
M. Marine Sciences
Research Topic: TBC
Main Supervisor: Dr C Sparks

Ms Rodashia Basson: December 2024
M. Conservation Sciences: The impacts of swim with seal tourism within Marine Protected Areas

Ms Nicole du Plessis: December 2024
M. Conservation Sciences: Exploring the ‘Oceans Economies’ of Western Indian Ocean Coastal States

Ms Danielle Julius: April 2023
M. Marine Sciences: Microplastic concentrations and uptake in rocky shore invertebrate filter-feeders, grazers and predators in False Bay, South Africa
https://etd.cput.ac.za/handle/20.500.11838/3723

Ms Bianca Tree: December 2023
M. Conservation Sciences: Conservation status and population dynamics of the Southern African east coast humpback whale population (Megaptera novaeangliae) using photographic identification techniques
https://etd.cput.ac.za/handle/20.500.11838/3911

Mrs Whitney Samuels: December 2023
M. Marine Sciences: Microplastic concentrations in the Zandvlei catchment area and estuary, Cape Town
https://etd.cput.ac.za/handle/20.500.11838/3873

Mr Wakuenda Alex Bukasa: December 2023
M. Environmental Management: Characteristics and distribution of litter and microplastics in Table Bay, Cape Town, South Africa
https://etd.cput.ac.za/handle/20.500.11838/3872

Mr Rushdi Ariefdien: December 2023
M. Marine Sciences: Impacts of Cape Town stormwater outlets and marine sewage outfall on microplastic distribution and coastal biodiversity
https://etd.cput.ac.za/handle/20.500.11838/3935

Mr Liam Ferguson: December 2023
MTech Oceanography: Environmental microplastic concentrations and uptake in selected rocky shore invertebrate filter-feeders, grazers and predators in False Bay, South Africa
https://etd.cput.ac.za/handle/20.500.11838/3858

Mr Christopher Wilkinson: December 2022
M. Conservation Sciences: Estimating population changes in humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) migrating past Cape Vidal, South Africa
https://etd.cput.ac.za/handle/20.500.11838/3561

Mr Senyalo Letsheleha – December 2021
MTech Oceanography: Passive acoustic monitoring of Antarctic blue and fin whales off the South African West Coast
http://etd.cput.ac.za/handle/20.500.11838/3331

Mr Kyle Maurer: December 2020
MTech Oceanography: Factors influencing the biomass and distribution of sago pondweed, Stuckenia pectinata in a temporarily open/ closed estuary, Zandvlei, Cape Town, South Africa
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/2988

Ms Banele Luthuli
Proposed Research Topic: Concentrations, Characteristics and Risk Assessment of Microplastics in Seawater, Sediments and Macroalgae (Ulva rigida) in Table Bay and False Bay, South Africa.
Main Supervisor: Dr C Sparks
Co-Supervisor: Dr A Awe

Ms Leah Brown
PG Dip: Conservation Science
Research Topic: The Levels of Microplastics in Polychaetes (Capitellidae family) and Sediment in the Lower Section of the Berg River Estuary, South Africa
Main Supervisor: Prof R Snyman
Co-Supervisor: Dr C Sparks

Ms Onele Nyengule
PG Dip: Marine Science
Research Topic: Bioavailability and effects of microplastics on the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis
Main Supervisor: Dr C Sparks

Mr Tanweer Absolom
PG Dip: Marine Science
Research Topic: Microplastic Contamination in Farmed Mussels from Saldanha Bay
Main Supervisor: Dr C Sparks
Co-Supervisor: Dr A Awe & Dr J Johnson

Ms Aurelia Muvhango
Postgraduate Diploma in Marine Science
Research Topic: Trends and variability of the surface pCO₂ and FCO₂ properties in the Southern Ocean along the Good Hope Line in austral summer: 2004 - 2024.

Ms Leigh Jacobs
Advanced Diploma in Marine Sciences
Research Topic: Local Data, Global Impact: Citizen Science tackles Mesoplastic Pollution

Mr Mahlatse Motubatse
Postgraduate Diploma in Marine Sciences
Research Topic: Diversity of Epibiotic Bryozoans associated with the shells of commercially harvested South African abalone, Haliotis midae along the Western Cape, South.

Ms Onika Mabalabala
M. Marine Science
Research Topic: Genetic diversity, phylogenetic relationships and systematics of the species-rich Adeonella genus from two bays along the southern coast of South Africa.

Ms Sarah Kerr
Postgraduate Diploma in Marine Science
Research Topic: Quantifying Microplastic Pollution in the Biotic and Abiotic Compartments of a False Bay Marina, South Africa

Ms Sizakele Ntuli
M. Biomedical Sciences
Research Topic: The effect of microplastics on the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of enzyme treated seaweed.

Mr Thokozani Lumbo
M. Food Science and Technology
Research Topic: Impact of cold- and hot-smoking on proximate composition, microbial and physicochemical quality of vacuum-packed anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus).

Ms Tshameleng Myambo
M. Food Science & Technology
Research Topic: Food safety and nutritional retention of Ulva lacinulata and Gracilaria gracilis seaweeds under selected processing treatments

Ms Busiswa Mazola
Postgraduate Diploma in Marine Science
Research Topic: An investigation of the impact of wastewater effluent on benthic communities in Simon's Town, Western Cape

Ms Aldean Esau
M. Marine Science
Research Topic: Environmental concentrations, characteristics and risk assessment of microplastics in the Olifants and Breede River Catchments, Estuaries and Coastal Areas.

Ms Jessica Morrison
Postgraduate Diploma in Marine Science
Research Topic: Comparing biofouling communities between two marinas on opposite sides of the Cape Peninsula

Ms Joy Davids
Postgraduate Diploma in Marine Science
Research Topic: A reassessment of South Africa Ceramium arenarium Simons (Ceramiaceae, Rhodophyta): an integrated taxonomic approach.

Ms Leah Brown
Postgraduate Diploma in Conservation Science
Research Topic: The levels of microplastics in polychaetes (Capitellidae family) and sediment in the lower section of the Berg River Estuary, South Africa

Mr Mahlatse Motubatse
Postgraduate Diploma in Marine Sciences
Research Topic: An epidemiological survey investigating the epibiotic communities on wild caught, cultured and ranched South African abalone Haliotis midae (Linnaeus, 1758).

Ms Nobuhle Mbona
M. Marine Science
Research Topic: Distribution of Norovirus in farmed Oyster tissues from the West Coast of Southern Africa: Characterization and significance for detection procedures.

Mr Rushdi Ariefdien
Doctor of Conservation Science
Research Topic: The influence of Cape Town’s outfalls and microplastics on biodiversity in our MPAs.

Mr Siyanda Sophangisa
Postgraduate Diploma in Marine Science
Research Topic: An investigation of the impact of wastewater effluent on water quality in Simon's Town, Western Cape

Mr Sibabalwe Tono
Postgraduate Diploma in Marine Science
Research Topic: Assessing the distribution, diversity and abundance of tidal pool species in three false bay tidal pools

Ms Sizakele Ntuli
M. Biomedical Technology
Research Topic: Effect of microplastics on the application of marine-derived enzymes in the beneficiation of seaweed waste

Ms Shayne Mninzi
Advanced Diploma in Marine Science
Research Topic: The assessment of macroinvertebrate communities on artificial and natural substrata in Granger Bay Harbour, Cape Town, South Africa.

Mr Tanweer Absalom
Postgraduate Diploma in Marine Science
Research Topic: Microplastic contamination in farmed mussels from Saldanha Bay

Ms Yibanathi Marasi
Advanced Diploma in Marine Science
Research Topic: The assessment of macroinvertebrate communities on artificial and natural substrata in Granger Bay Harbour, Cape Town, South Africa.

Ms Ziyanda Phike
Doctor of Food Science & Technology
Research Topic: Influence of fish feed modification on biochemical, physicochemical, and sensory attributes of aquacultured Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)

Mr Abel Matlala
Postgraduate Diploma in Marine Science
Research Topic: An investigation of the impact of wastewater effluent on fish assemblages in Simon's Town, Western Cape

Mrs Whitney Samuels
Doctor of Conservation Science
Research Topic: Understanding microplastics at the Two Oceans Aquarium

Mr Rifaat Aziz
M. Marine Science
Research Topic: The effects of varying salinities on the growth, immunity and physiological responses on the cultured sea urchin, Tripneustes gratilla

Ms Aldean Esau
M. Marine Science
Research Topic: Environmental concentrations, characteristics and risk assessment of microplastics in the Olifants and Breede River Catchments, Estuaries and Coastal Areas, Western Cape South Africa

Ms Sinazo Matika
M. Food Science & Technology
Research Topic: Proximate analysis, fatty acid composition and shelf-stability of smoked black mussel (Choromytilus meridionalis)

Mr Lance Misland
M. Marine Science
Research Topic: Effects of ocean acidification and warming on the shell structure and chemical composition of the South African abalone (Haliotis midae)

Ms Zikhona Menze
M. Conservation Science
Research Topic: Temporal and Spatial Distribution of Selected Metals in the Black and Liesbeek Rivers, Cape Town, South Africa

Mr Sikelela Ngxekana
M. Environmental Health
Research Topic: Production of bioethanol from kelp seashore waste using yeast fermentation

Mr Lukhanyo Mafu
M. Environmental Management
Research Topic: The Implications of Upstream Land Use Activities on Estuarine Marine Resources in Swaartkop, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape

Ms Ziyanda Phike
D. Food Science & Technology
Research Topic: Influence of fish feed modification on biochemical, physicochemical, and sensory attributes of aquacultured Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)

Mr Mashudu U-day Lidovho
M. Food Science & Technology
Research Topic: Investigation on the shelf-life, safety, and product quality of hotsmoked and frozen anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) products

Mr Marcello Evertson
PG Dip Marine Science
Research Topic: Genetic identification, presence, and abundance of Aurelia sp. Polyps in the V&A Waterfront Marina.

Ms Salizwa Ntlabanthi
PG Dip Marine Science
Research Topic: Comparing the settlement of biofouling species between exposed and sheltered sites in False Bay Yacht Club

Ms Rodashia Basson
M. Conservation Sciences
Research Topic: The impacts of swim with seal tourism within Marine Protected Areas

Ms Nokwazi Msweli
M. Conservation Sciences
Research Topic: Seasonal occurrence and distribution of humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) at a low latitude feeding ground in the Southern Benguela Upwelling System