The EGS Department is thrilled to welcome two new staff members, Dr Phikolomzi Matikinca and Dr Daniel Kibirige, to our team. We are excited to see the fresh perspectives and energy they bring to the department!

Dr Matikinca’s research broadly focuses on Climate Change (including climate processes, climate impacts and adaptation across sectors). With a background in Zoology, he also does work that falls under Marine Ecology, with a particular interest in the interface between Climate Change and Marine Ecosystems. Methodologically, Dr Matikinca is interested in transdisciplinary work and engaged scholarship that fosters collaboration between different stakeholders and interested parties (i.e. academics, civil society, government etc.).

Dr Kibirige’s research focuses on flood risk assessment, surface water-groundwater interactions (both quality and quantity), and nature-based solutions for climate resilience, leveraging geospatial and Earth observation tools to enhance environmental management across South Africa. Dr Kibirige is looking forward to collaborating with colleagues and students in the EGS Department to advance impactful, community-centred research and strengthen capacity-building initiatives. Additionally, he aims to broaden the department’s focus on climate adaptation strategies, particularly for vulnerable and underserved regions.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Dr Matikinca and Dr Kibirige. We are excited to have them on board and can’t wait to see the contributions they will make to our department and the broader research community!