Adjudicators were impressed with the calibre of research presented by UJ Zoology staff and students at this year’s Southern African Society of Aquatic Scientists (SASAqS) conference held at the Kruger National Park.

The second prize for Best Student Oral Presentation went to Lizaan De Necker for conducting an ecological assessment of selected temporary pans located on the Phongolo River Floodplain, and her fellow Masters students, Kelly Dyamond and Gregg Jansen van Rensburg received special mentions for their presentations. The department’s esteemed fish physiologist and ecotoxicologist, Prof Johan Janse van Vuren was awarded the SASAqS Gold Medal for his exceptionally high standard of research in the aquatic sciences. The Gold medal is not awarded every year and only 17 have been awarded in the last 31 years.

“This is a really great achievement as previous gold medal awardees include Kader Asmal, Mark Chutter, Brian Allanson and Jenny Day,” said Zoology Head of Department, Prof Annemarie Avenant-Oldewage. “Congratulations to all of you on your achievements! It is great to have people of your calibre in our department! Congratulations to the very capable supervisors too!”