A cross section through a tusk

It might sound strange at first to hear of a professor in human oral pathology who researches animals, but Prof Erich Raubenheimer has spent over a quarter of a century studying the great African Elephant (Loxodonta africana). What started as a challenge by an American researcher to bring something unique to the international research community, soon became so much more than science and one of his greatest passions today.

Demonstrating the unique chequered pattern created by the two semi circular alternating light and dark bands radiating from the centre of the polished surface

Prof Erich Raubenheimer

June 19, 2017

Researchers

Professor Erich Raubenheimer

Professor Erich Raubenheimer was professor and Head of the Department of Oral Pathology in the School of Dentistry at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (previously known as Medunsa) for over 30 years. He now serves as an Extraordinary Professor in the Department of Oral Pathology and Oral Biology in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Pretoria. He is also a Senior Consultant at Ampath Histopathology Laboratory in Pretoria. His love for elephants continues to inspire his research and trips across the continent.

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