Bianca grew up in the United Arab Emirates, where regular family camping trips in the desert wadis fostered her love for being in wild places. Waking up to camels resting outside the tent, and many other interactions with all sorts of critters, inspired her to write her own ‘nature magazine’ as a kid on these camping trips, dreaming of being a scientist one day. 

Moving to Cape Town at the start of high school, she fell in love with the mountains. Whilst pursuing a BSc in Biochemistry and Human Anatomy and Physiology, and then an Honours in Neuroscience, both at UCT, she became heavily involved in the UCT Mountain and Ski Club. Her time in the outdoors continued to feed her curiosity for the way biological systems work – from ecological interactions down to the way different cells function and communicate with each other. Although she loved the detailed nature of her molecular studies, she is now eager to shift her focus towards environmental and conservation issues, given the current rate of biodiversity decline and the climate crisis. 

Running parallel to her love for the outdoors and nature, dance has also been a major part of her life. In between years studying, she has worked as a professional dancer, with the opportunity to perform in Brazil and Rwanda, as well as with Cape Town City Ballet in many local productions, including Giselle, Don Quixote and the Nutcracker. 

In her spare time, you will find Bianca hiking on multiday trips in the mountains (most often the Hex River Mountains). Otherwise, she will be baking, reading or attempting to crochet.