Applications are now closed!

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We are very excited to introduce the nominees for the SA WDA SC 2019/2020 board.

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Please vote here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeMzYcQMq0MdnXtJQUI3XhaQ5IhvkeSRoCH-WODoyYN86_dDQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

until January 31st

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Dear fellow WDA members and wildlife enthusiasts,

I am Janine, originally from Germany and qualified as a vet from Ghent University (Belgium) in 2014 with a great passion for conservation medicine, wildlife rehabilitation, management and reproduction… and for Africa! It became evident that I belonged to this side of the world and after participating in a range of wildlife related internships, courses and projects (and the SAVC board exam), I now work as veterinarian for Hemmersbach Rhino Force, while also completing my PhD about genetic rescue through semen collection and cryopreservation in rhinos and elephants.

After being actively involved with the SA WDA SC as vice president in 2019/2020, I am very excited and motivated to continue promoting the mission of the WDA by organizing workshops, field trips, lecture events and the (free) online journal club together with the Zoo and Wildlife Medicine study group!

Let’s grow and make a difference together!

​I am a Zoology PhD student from the University of Pretoria. I am very enthusiastic when it comes to opprotunities for learning. I place high value on understanding what is expected of me, so I ask as many questions as necessary to get to that point. I am also eager to share my knowledge with others, which is why I tutor primary, high school and university students part-time. As a part of the Department of Zoology, I was recruited to join PSANA which is a committee for postgraduate students in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences. I was the postgraduate representative of our department for a year, after which I was elected as Chairperson for the committee. This was a high honour and an amazing learning experience. I am working on my PhD research at the moment and am enjoying the practical aspect of research as that is where I believe I shine. Beyond my doctoral degree, I hope to become an educator and share my knowledge and passion for wildlife with my students. I first heard about the WDA from the sitting president and joined the Facebook group to learn more. I was very excited to share this association with students of the NAS Faculty and so we started sharing some WDA posts to PSANA pages in hopes that people would become interested. If elected as a member of the Southern African Wildlife Disease Association Student Chapter at the University of Pretoria, I would like to provide a link to the Hatfield Campus as the current membership includes mainly Onderstepoort members. I would like to involve the Zoology, Entomology and Wildlife Management students in WDA projects and outreach as we have done with PSANA. When the world returns to some semblance of normalcy and we can go outside again, many students and wildlife enthusiasts alike will be very eager to interact and collaborate on social and outreach-related projects. If elected, I would like to organise a social event such as a scavenger hunt as a way to attract new members and give current members a renewed excitement about the WDA. As a member of PSANA, we have been working closely with the Tshwane SPCA and I would like to continue this outreach and organise members to volunteer their time, pet food and other items that are necessary for the running of such an establishment. I am very passionate about getting people, especially postgraduate students (since many are international and away from support systems), connected and working towards a cause that leaves contributors with a warm, fuzzy feeling of philanthropy.

Hi, my name is Sandra, I am originally from Germany and graduated as veterinarian in Austria in 2019, where I worked as a veterinarian in a small animal referral clinic. I am currently a PGDip candidate enrolled at the Faculty of Veterinary Science of the University of Pretoria, South Africa.

I have an immense interest in anaesthesia, critical care, wildlife medicine and conservation. Throughout my studies, I visited Africa (South Africa, Namibia, Rwanda) for various externships, such as domestic animals neuter programs, vaccinating campaigns, and one health projects. Furthermore, I got some experience with wildlife medicine and have an ever-growing interest in conservation. Through one of my externships I decided to move to South Africa, to be able to combine my interests on the long run.

I am super excited to be a part of the WDA student chapter. My intent is to assist the other members wherever I can with the organization of meetings, workshops and field trips. Furthermore, I hope I can help students with my experience in intern/externship and connections.

Hi, my name is Camilla and I’ve been an animal and nature enthusiast ever since I can remember. I moved to Canada with my family when I was young so I spent most of my school years there but I came back to South Africa to study after finishing high school. I have completed my undergrad degree in applied biology and genetics at the University of Cape Town and an honours degree in exercise science. I have just started a masters in environmental law at the University of Cape Town and am also very interested in the effects of climate change on habitat suitability for different species. I am very excited to be a part of the Southern African WDA Student Chapter and promote what it advocates for.

In April of 2019, I began my MSc journey at the University of Cape Town through the Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa focusing on an aspect of wildlife management and human wildlife conflict (http://www.icwild.uct.ac.za/virtual-fences). I will be completing my MSc by April of this year.  As of now I am on the hunt for a PhD position focusing on management and conflict to begin this year or early next year. During my time at UCT I have been involved in various projects, assisting fellow postgraduate students and staff and was fortunate enough to attend the African Ecology course run by the Organization for Tropical Studies (https://tropicalstudies.org/course/african-ecology-and-conservation/) .  These opportunities have allowed me to develop field, lab and data management skills over the years.  Additionally, I held the position of Chairperson of the Biological Society of UCT (Zoobots) for two consecutive years.  Not only did this refine my organizational and leadership skills, but I also created a website using the Wix platform - which I see is the platform used for your website!  I am well organized and enjoy working with people and challenging myself.  The management of wildlife, particularly on our beautiful continent, is something I am incredibly passionate about and is something I see myself doing for the rest of my life. Hopefully, through a role in this committee, I would be able to continue making that dream a reality whilst learning about a new aspect of wildlife management!

Student Chapter Vice President 2017/2018 & President 2019/2020 will stay on the board as student board advisor.