Bettine van Vuuren

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Bettine van Vuuren
Bettine van Vuuren.jpg
Bettine van Vuuren in 2006
NationalitySouth African
Alma materB.Sc. (Hons) Zoology, University of Pretoria (1992)

MSc, University of Pretoria (1995)

PhD in Zoology (2000)
Scientific career
Fields Zoology
Institutions University of Johannesburg
Website Bettine Jansen van Vuuren University of Johannesburg

Bettine van Vuuren is the Registrar and a Member of the Executive at the University of Johannesburg. She is also a Professor of Zoology and Director of the Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation at the University of Johannesburg. [1]

Contents

Early life and education

Bettine van Vuuren studied at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. She was awarded a PhD in Zoology on the topic 'Molecular phylogeny of duiker antelope (Mammalia: Cephalophini) . [2]

She subsequently relocated to Stellenbosch University following a postdoctoral position at the University of Montpellier II, France. Her research focused on game mammals in French Guiana and the results contributed towards the development of hunting laws for the protection of Neotropical game species. She was invited to become a core team member of the Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology (CIB) (ended 2014). [3]

In 2011, she accepted a position at the University of Johannesburg (where she established the Molecular Zoology Laboratory), and in 2016 / 2017, was awarded a University of Johannesburg research center (Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation). In 2021, she became the Senior Director: Strategic Initiatives and Administration, and in 2023 the Registrar at the University of Johannesburg. She has been involved with the supervision of > 50 PhD and MSc students and hosted >10 postdoctoral fellows.

Career and impact

van Vuuren believes that aspects of her research must have practical conservation and management application. She has driven research documenting genetic patterns for several of Africa's economically important game species (such as roan and sable antelope, black rhino, nyala and buffalo). Through ongoing interaction, she feeds her research back to nature conservation, industry and the general public. To this end, she was involved (2005–2007, and again in 2013–2014) with the Draft Regulations for the Biodiversity Act (#10 of 2004) as the Coordinator for the listing on invasive vertebrate species (excluding fishes) and was largely responsible, in collaboration with Dr Preston (Deputy Director General: Environmental Programmes, Department of Environmental Affairs), for the listing of mammal species and associated distribution maps. She serves, when required, as a scientific adviser to the Department of Environmental Affairs: Directorates Biodiversity and Conservation (this work relates mostly to the translocation and permitting of antelope species), as well as Environmental Programmes (this includes work from an alien invasive perspective). She is also a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) Standing Committee on STEMI (Science, Technology, Mathematics and Innovation).

In addition to studying spatial patterns on the African continent, her research has a strong Antarctic / sub-Antarctic focus. She has worked extensively on Marion Island (of the Prince Edward Islands) as a project leader and was the first female Chief Scientist in the South African National Antarctic Programme's annual relief voyage in 2006. [4] [5] [6] She serves as the Chair of the South African Committee for the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) (International Science Council committees), and the South African Delegate (Voting) to SCAR. She was one of the deputy chairs to a SCAR Scientific Research Programme (Ant-ICON), the Alternate South African representative to SCAR Life Sciences, and the South African representative on a SCAR Action Group on Integrated Science for the Sub-Antarctic (ISSA).

She has strong national (academia, SANBI, government, industry, etc.) and international (CIBIO Portugal, Australian Antarctic Division, University of Queensland Australia etc.) collaborations.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Duiker</span> Subfamily of antelopes

A duiker is a small to medium-sized brown antelope native to sub-Saharan Africa, found in heavily wooded areas. The 22 extant species, including three sometimes considered to be subspecies of the other species, form the subfamily Cephalophinae or the tribe Cephalophini.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prince Edward Islands</span> Two small sub-Antarctic islands belonging to South Africa

The Prince Edward Islands are two small uninhabited volcanic islands in the sub-Antarctic Indian Ocean that are administered by South Africa. They are named Marion Island and Prince Edward Island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Johannesburg</span> Public university in South Africa.

The University of Johannesburg, colloquially known as UJ, is a public university located in Johannesburg, South Africa. The University of Johannesburg was established on 1 January 2005 as the result of a merger between the Rand Afrikaans University (RAU), the Technikon Witwatersrand (TWR) and the Soweto and East Rand campuses of Vista University. Prior to the merger, the Daveyton and Soweto campuses of the former Vista University had been incorporated into RAU. As a result of the merger of Rand Afrikaans University (RAU), it is common for alumni to refer to the university as RAU.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bay duiker</span> Species of mammal

The bay duiker, also known as the black-striped duiker and the black-backed duiker, is a forest-dwelling duiker native to western and southern Africa. It was first described by British zoologist John Edward Gray in 1846. Two subspecies are identified. The bay duiker is reddish-brown and has a moderate size. Both sexes reach 44–49 cm (17–19 in) at the shoulder. The sexes do not vary considerably in their weights, either; the typical weight range for this duiker is 18–23 kg (40–51 lb). Both sexes have a pair of spiky horns, measuring 5–8 cm (2.0–3.1 in). A notable feature of this duiker is the well-pronounced solid stripe of black extending from the back of the head to the tail.

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The zebra duiker is a small antelope found primarily in Liberia, as well as the Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, and occasionally Guinea. They are sometimes referred to as the banded duiker or striped-back duiker. It is believed to be one of the earliest duiker species to have evolved.

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The yellow-backed duiker is a shy, forest-dwelling antelope of the order Artiodactyla, from the family Bovidae. Yellow-backed duikers are the most widely-distributed of all duikers. They are found mainly in Central and Western Africa, ranging from Senegal and Gambia on the western coast, through to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to western Uganda; their distribution continues southward into Rwanda, Burundi, and most of Zambia.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walter's duiker</span> Species of deer

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References

  1. "Prof Bettine van-Vuuren". www.molzoolab.co.za/. Archived from the original on 8 March 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  2. Jansen van Vuuren, Bettine (20 April 2007). Molecular phylogeny of duiker antelope (Mammalia : Cephalophini). dspace (Thesis). University of Pretoria. hdl:2263/24033.
  3. "Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology Celebrates Success". academic.sun.ac.za. Centre of Invasion Biology. 2009. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  4. "Annual Report" (PDF). academic.sun.ac.za. Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology. 2006.
  5. "Register of Grants" (PDF). ir.nrf.ac.za/. National Research Foundation. 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 December 2016.
  6. "Team Members". antarcticbiogeography.org. Functional Biogeography of the Antarctic. Retrieved 10 June 2016.