The Team
Chairpersons
Prof Johnny Johannessen
Co-Chair
Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center (NERSC)
Research interests:
Physical oceanography, satellite remote sensing
Prof Isabelle Ansorge
Co-Chair
University of Cape Town (UCT)
Research interests:
Physical oceanography, ocean observations, Southern Ocean dynamics
Management Staff
Prof Babatunde Joseph Abiodun
Co-Director
Research Interests:
Ocean modelling, biogeochemical modelling
Dr Annette Samuelsen
Co-Director
Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center (NERSC)
Research interests:
Ocean-atmosphere, climate and regional impact
Dr Sheveenah Sunnassee Taukoor
Postdoctoral fellow
University of Cape Town (UCT)
Research interests:
Physical oceanography, ocean modelling, Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Ms Cashifa Karriem
Administration officer
University of Cape Town (UCT)
Board Members
Dr Pierrick Penven
Université de Bretagne Occidentale (UBO), French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD)
Research interests:
Physical oceanography, western boundary currents, eddies, numerical modelling
Dr Steven Herbette
Université de Bretagne Occidentale (UBO)
Research interests:
Physical oceanography, western boundary currents, eddies, numerical modelling
Prof Øyvind Fiksen
University of Bergen (UiB)
Research interests:
Oceanography, ecology, evolution, foraging, modelling
Dr Fabrice Collard
Ocean Data Lab (ODL)
Research interests:
Radar, physical oceanography, wave modelling
Prof Juliet Hermes
South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON)
Research interests:
Regional ocean modelling, climate variability, South Indian Ocean
Dr Mari Myksvoll
Institute of Marine Research (IMR)
Research interests:
Physical oceanography, fjord circulation, particle dispersion
Dr Jonas Mphepya
South African Weather Service (SAWS)
Research interests:
Climate and weather services
Prof David Walker
Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
Research interests:
Marine and estuarine ecology
Christo Whittle
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
Research interests:
Physical oceanography
Dr Neville Sweijd
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies (ACCESS)
Research interests:
Ocean-atmosphere, climate and regional impact
Dr Ashley Johnson
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)
Research interests:
Aquatic ecology
Dr Denise Schael
Nelson Mandela University: Institute for Coastal and Marine
Research (CMR)
Research interests: Marine science
Research Associates
Dr Pierrick Penven
Université de Bretagne Occidentale (UBO), French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), Ifremer
Research interests:
Physical oceanography, western boundary currents, eddies, numerical modelling
Dr Roshin P Raj
Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center (NERSC)
Research interests:
Remote sensing, ocean and regional climate
Prof Noel Keenlyside
University of Bergen)
Research interests:
Ocean-atmosphere, climate and regional impact
Dr Fabrice Collard
Ocean Data Lab
Research interests:
Radar, physical oceanography, wave modelling
Dr Björn Backeberg
Deltares
Research interests:
Flooding and climate adaptation and mitigation, digital twins and digital technologies
Dr Tarron Lamont
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)
Research interests:
Physical oceanography, influence of physics on biological communities
Dr Jennifer Veitch
South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON)
Research interests:
Physical oceanography, ocean modelling
Dr Marjolaine Krug
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)
Research interests:
Agulhas current, ocean observations, ocean policy, stakeholder interactions
Christo Whittle
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
Research interests:
Physical oceanography
Dr Mari Myksvoll
Institute of Marine Research (IMR)
Research interests:
Physical oceanography, fjord circulation, particle dispersion
Dr Issufo Halo
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)
Research interests:
Ocean modelling
Prof Marek Ostrowski
Institute of Marine Research (IMR)
Research interests:
Ocean-atmosphere, climate and regional impact
Dr Michael Hart-Davis
Technical University of Munich
Research interests:
Satellite altimetry, ocean modelling, ocean tides, particle tracking
Dr Moagabo Ragoasha
University of Cape Town (UCT)
Research interests:
Physical oceanography, ocean modelling
Dr Thulwaneng Mashifane
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
Research interests:
Physical oceanography, biogeochemical modelling
Dr Sabina Abba Omar
University of Cape Town (UCT)
Research interests:
Ocean-atmosphere, climate and regional impact
Postdoctoral Fellows
Dr Founi Mesmin Awo
University of Cape Town (UCT)
Research interests:
Physical oceanography, climate variability
Dr Folly Serge Tomety
University of Cape Town (UCT)
Research interests:
Physical oceanography, climate variability, ocean modelling
Dr Minto Dimoune
University of Cape Town (UCT)
Research interests:
Physical oceanography, marine heat waves
Dr Sheveenah Sunnassee Taukoor
University of Cape Town (UCT)
Research interests:
Physical oceanography, ocean modelling GIS
Students – Doctoral Candidates
Bellinda Monyela
University of Cape Town (UCT)
Thesis: Ocean and atmosphere dynamics contribution to the climate variability of South African rainfall
Tominde Makinde
University of Cape Town (UCT)
Thesis: Simulating cut-off low induced extreme rainfall and flood events in the Eastern Cape of South Africa
Olumuyiwa Ayotunde Oloniyo
University of Cape Town (UCT)
Thesis: The coast of southern Africa: the marine ecosystem and fisheries
Franck Ghomsi
University of Cape Town (UCT)
Thesis: Regional sea-level rise in the Tropic Atlantic
Christo Whittle
University of Cape Town (UCT)
Thesis: Impact of Bengula Nino on the marine ecosystem
Tshikana Rasehlomi
University of Cape Town (UCT)
Thesis: Lagrangian connectivity study of South Africa’s coastal marine protected areas
Students – Masters
Thabiso Nokuthula Nkadimeng
University of Cape Town (UCT)
Thesis: Eddy variability in the Benguela region
Nikita Qosholo
University of Cape Town (UCT)
Thesis: Observed surface variability in the Cape basin and its links to the upper interior ocean
Amanda Masilela
University of Cape Town (UCT)
Thesis: Lagrangian analysis of moisture transport budget associated with the South Atlantic and Indian high-pressure system migrations
Athule James
University of Cape Town (UCT)
Thesis: Sensitivity of tropical cyclone to sea surface temperature
Sivuyisiwe Mdebe
University of Cape Town (UCT)
Thesis: Downscaling future climate projections for the southern Benguela using high-resolution model Lameque
Arone Matimbe
University of Cape Town (UCT)
Thesis: Sea level rise in coastal Mozambique