Ryno Germishuys completed his undergraduate studies in Engineering and Environmental Geology at the University of Pretoria (UP). He obtained a degree in Engineering in 2018 and went on to do his honours in Hydrogeology.

Germishuys is currently doing his master’s in Hydrogeology at UP, and his dissertation is focused on the pollution of the Hartbeespoort reservoir and its surrounding aquifers. His area of research deals specifically with the movement and distribution of water within the earth’s crust.

Germishuys says he is studying at UP because it is one of the top universities in the country. “UP’s postgraduate programmes in Engineering and Hydrogeology have produced some of the best scientists working in the field,” he says.

Hydrogeologists work to solve some of the big challenges facing the world today, whether it is locating a sustainable water supply or providing solutions for environmental concerns of contaminated and polluted water.

“Water is the foundation of all life on Earth and humans sometimes take this natural resource for granted,” he says.

He cites having his honours degree project published as an academic highlight. His master’s is expanding on the research work done for the honours project.

Germishuys is a keen fisherman and the protection of our rivers and dams have always been important to him.

“I want to protect these natural resources as much as I can. It has been one of the main driving forces in the choices I have made.”

His research supervisor, Dr Roger Diamond, whose field of research is hydrogeology and geochemistry, is a role model.

“He has always been there for me to provide any sort of guidance and help,” Germishuys says. “He is an expert in his field, and I feel I can always learn something new from him.”

Germishuys says he hopes to make a worthwhile contribution to the scientific community and create awareness of the water crisis that South Africa is facing.

“We cannot live without water, and clean drinking water is a basic human necessity that everyone should have access to.”

His reminds undergraduates and school learners interested in his area of research that there is a lot of passion involved in what the researchers in his field do.

“You need to be 100% sure that it is the correct path for you before you start the journey. It is hard but rewarding work, and it is always worthwhile to know that you are making a difference to people’s lives. If you wake up in the morning excited to go to work or class, then you know that you’re on the right path.”

His main hobby is fly-fishing.

“Fly-fishing can take you to some of the most beautiful spots in the country – be it the gin-clear streams of the Cape mountains or the meandering rivers of the Drakensberg,” Germishuys says. “Protecting our water sources is not only about humans, but also about the animals we share them with.”