Team
Meet the SAMOS team
The SAMOS team is made up of dedicated academics, researchers, and coordinators from across partner institutions who work together to deliver and support the programme. Drawing on a wide range of expertise in ocean sciences and related fields, the team provides teaching, supervision, and mentorship to ensure a high-quality student experience.
Through close collaboration, the team supports students throughout their academic journey—from coursework and research to professional development. This collective approach not only strengthens the learning environment but also connects students to a broader network of expertise, opportunities, and real-world ocean science initiatives.
| Photo | Name Surname | Institution |
|---|---|---|
![]() | David Walker | Cape Peninsula University of Technology |
![]() | David Kaplan Website ORCID Google Scholar | French National Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) |
![]() | Garth van Heerden | National Research Foundation |
![]() | Denise Schael | Nelson Mandela University |
![]() | Brishan Kalyan | Nelson Mandela University |
![]() | Ammaarah Raza | Nelson Mandela University |
![]() | Tara Bonnesse | Nelson Mandela University |
![]() | Cliff Jones | Rhodes University |
![]() | Annette Samuelsen | Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Centre |
![]() | Steven Herbette (Project Coordinator) ORCID Google Scholar | University of Brest |
![]() | Eliot Mercereau | University of Brest |
![]() | Bastien Mérigot | Université de Montpellier |
![]() | Øyvind Fiksen | University of Bergen |
![]() | Louise Gammage | University of Cape Town |
![]() | Marcello Vichi | University of Cape Town |
![]() | Niall Vine ORCID | University of Fort Hare |
![]() | Ursula Scharler | University of KwaZulu-Natal |
![]() | Mark Gibbons | University of the Western Cape |
![]() | Ntuthuko Masikane | University of Zululand |
![]() | Motebang Nakin | Walter Sisulu University |
![]() | Thembinkosi Dlaza | Walter Sisulu University |
| Photo | Name Surname | Institution | Course |
|---|---|---|---|
![]() | David Walker | Cape Peninsula University of Technology | View moreCM2 – Dynamics of African Marine Ecosystem: pelagos |
![]() | Courtney Puckree-Padua | Cape Peninsula University of Technology | View moreCM2 – Intertidal benthos / Minor dissertation supervisor |
![]() | Jaime Leigh Johnson ResearchGate ORCID | Cape Peninsula University of Technology | View moreCM2 – Estuaries Research: Blue carbon ecosystems & microplastics |
![]() | Koebraa Peters Profile Scholar ResearchGate | Cape Peninsula University of Technology | View moreMinor dissertation supervisor Research: Marine invasion biology & biofouling |
![]() | Johnny Johannessen | Nansen Environmental Remote Sensing Centre | View moreElective – Earth observation & operational oceanography Research: Satellite oceanography |
![]() | Denise Schael | Nelson Mandela University | View moreCM3 – Data science |
![]() | Michael Roberts | Nelson Mandela University | View moreWestern boundary currents |
![]() | Estee Miltz | Nelson Mandela University | View moreIntegrated ocean management Research: Sustainability modelling |
![]() | Jessica Thorton | Nelson Mandela University | View moreGovernance & cultural heritage |
![]() | Ntemesha Maseka | Nelson Mandela University | View moreMarine law |
![]() | Sharon Gabie | Nelson Mandela University | View moreGovernance & cultural heritage |
![]() | Janine Adams | Nelson Mandela University | View moreEstuaries / Supervisor |
![]() | Bernardino Malauene | Nelson Mandela University | View moreWestern boundary currents Research: Ocean physics |
![]() | Nicola James Profile Scholar | Nelson Mandela University | View moreSupervisor Research: Coastal ecology |
![]() | Cliff Jones | Rhodes University | View moreBlue economy / Supervisor |
![]() | Matthew Farthing | Rhodes University | View moreGlobal change |
![]() | Natanah Gusha | Rhodes University | View moreIntertidal benthos Research: Ecosystem ecology |
![]() | Christopher Bova | Rhodes University | View moreBlue economy |
![]() | Trishan Naidoo ResearchGate Scholar | Rhodes University | View moreSupervisor Research: Marine pollution |
![]() | Christopher Bova | Rhodes University | View moreElective: blue economy |
![]() | Tamaryn Morris | South African Environmental Observation Network | View moreWestern boundary currents / Minor dissertation supervisor |
![]() | Mfundo Bizani | South African Environmental Observation Network | View moreCM2 – Pelagos Research: Coastal zooplankton dynamics & climate variability |
![]() | Lara Atkinson | South African Environmental Observation Network | View moreElective: multivariate statistics / Minor dissertation supervisor Research: Offshore benthic biodiversity & fisheries management |
![]() | Giles Fearon | South African Environmental Observation Network | View moreMinor dissertation supervisor Research: Coastal & ocean modelling |
![]() | Jennifer Veitch | South African Environmental Observation Network | View moreMinor dissertation supervisor |
![]() | Sally Close | University of Brest | View moreElective: earth observation & operational oceanography |
![]() | Gauthier Schaal Profile Google Scholar ResearchGate | University of Brest | View moreCM2 – Pelagos (guest lecturer) Research: Food web ecology & human impacts |
![]() | Marcello Vichi | University of Cape Town | View moreCM3 – Programming, algorithms & data management / Supervisor |
![]() | Louise Gammage | University of Cape Town | View moreCM1 – Social-ecological systems |
![]() | Natasha Karenyi | University of Cape Town | View moreSubtidal benthos |
![]() | Moagabo Ragoasha | University of Cape Town | View moreEastern boundary currents |
![]() | Isabelle Ansorge | University of Cape Town | View moreSouthern oceans / Supervisor |
![]() | Magata Mangatane ORCID Profile | University of Cape Town | View moreSouthern oceans Research: Antarctic sea-ice modelling |
![]() | Colin Attwood | University of Cape Town | View moreMultivariate statistics |
![]() | Niall Vine ORCID ResearchGate | University of Fort Hare | View moreBlue economy / Supervisor Research: Marine aquaculture |
![]() | Ntombekhaya Nqumla | University of Fort Hare | View moreSupervisor Research: Marine bioactive compounds & drug discovery |
![]() | Ursula Scharler | University of KwaZulu-Natal | View moreCM3 – Statistics & modelling |
![]() | Nicola Carrasco | University of KwaZulu-Natal | View moreEstuaries Research: Zooplankton ecology |
![]() | David Glassom | University of KwaZulu-Natal | View moreSubtidal benthos |
![]() | Ntuthuko Masikane | University of Zululand | View moreSubtidal benthos / Supervisor |
![]() | Mark Gibbons | University of the Western Cape | View morePelagos / Supervisor Research: Zooplankton ecology |
![]() | Albertus J. Smit | University of the Western Cape | View moreR workshop |
![]() | Thembinkosi Steven Dlaza | Walter Sisulu University | View moreIntertidal benthos / Supervisor |
![]() | Motebang Vincent Nakin ORCID ResearchGate Google Scholar | Walter Sisulu University | View moreIntertidal benthos / Supervisor Research: Rocky shore ecosystems & climate impacts |








































