PhD, Natal FRSSAf, PrSciNat   South African Research Chair in Conservation Physiology (National Zoological Garden) Professor in Zoology   Office: 3-14.2, First Floor, Zoology Building Phone: +27 (0)12 420-5343 Email: [email protected] Researcher ID: E-4398-2010

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Evolutionary and ecological physiology

My research programme investigates the evolutionary physiology of birds and mammals, and seeks to understand the ways in which physical environments drive the evolution of physiological processes. Current focus areas include the: i) sources and significance of avian metabolic diversity, ii) heat tolerance and evaporative cooling capacity in arid-zone birds, iii) ecology and evolution of heterothermic responses such as torpor, and iv) use of stable isotopes to trace nutrient and water fluxes between animals and their environments. Much of this work is taking place in the context of developing physiologically-informed, mechanistic models of the responses by arid-zone birds to climate change.

Along with Dr. Susan Cunningham (UCT), I am a principal investigator of the Hot Birds Project, a multidisciplinary research group involving ornithologists at UP, the University of Cape Town, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, and the University of New Mexico.

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Publications

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Postdoctoral researchers

Current

Dr. Samantha Naidoo. Joint NZG-UP postdoc

Past

Dr. Justin Boyles

Dr. Margaux Rat. Joint UCT-UP postdoc

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Postgraduate students

Current

PhD in Zoology

Ms Celiwe Ngcamphalala

Mr Matthew Noakes. PhD in Zoology

Ms Michelle Thompson. PhD in Zoology

MSc in Zoology

Ms Shannon Conradie

Mr Ryno Kemp

Ms Sekgwari Malematja

Mr Barry van Jaarsveld (co-supervisor Prof. Nigel Bennett)

BSc (Honours) in Zoology

Ms Anne Ankermann

Ms Emma Jepsen

Ms Monique van Dyk

 

Completed

Dr Darren Pietersen. PhD in Entomology (2018), MSc in Zoology (2013)

Dr Ryan O'Connor. PhD in Zoology (2017)

Dr Ben Smit. PhD in Zoology (2014)

Mr Corneile Minnaar. MSc in Zoology (2015)

Mr Matthew Noakes. MSc in Zoology (2015)

Ms Maxine Whitfield. MSc in Zoology (2015)

Ms Ingrid Minnaar. MSc in Zoology (2014)

Ms Michelle Thompson. MSc in Zoology (2014)

Mr Addisu Mitiku. MSc in Zoology (2014)

Ms Dawn Cory Toussaint. MSc in Zoology (2012)

Mr Kinesh Chetty. MSc (2007)

Ms Sekgwari Malematja. BScHons in Zoology (2017)

Mr Ryno Kemp. BScHons in Zoology (2014)