The Junior Captain Scott Medal for best Master of Science dissertation submitted at a South African university, awarded by the Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns, went to UJ Biodiversity and Conservation PhD candidate, Lindi Steyn. Supervised by NRF A-rated scientist, Professor John Maina, Steyn’s dissertation was titled: Comparative determination of the numbers of the House Sparrow, Passer domesticus, the Cape Glossy Starling, Lamprotornis nitens, the Cape Turtle Dove, Streptopelia capicola and the Laughing Dove, Streptopelia senegalensis in the Johannesburg and Vaalwater area, with study into the possible causes of expected declines. Steyn said she was humbled and excited by receiving the medal as this came very unexpectedly. Her interest in ornithology and animal conservation, especially birds, continues to grow. She enjoys watching, travel, camping, and reading in her spare time.
September 22, 2023