MSc graduates (1972 - present)
Dissertation: Kinematics of neutral hydrogen in interacting galaxies in two groups from the MeerChoirs survey
Current position: PhD position in Australia Brian Bichanga - 2022 (Astronomy) Dissertation: Three-Dimensional Structure of Edge-On Disk Galaxies in the COSMOS Field to z = 0.5 Current position: Robbie Lees - 2022 (Astronomy) Dissertation: Searching for ultra-compact binary stars with the MEERLICHT Southern All-Sky Survey Current position: Katlego Ramalatswa - 2022 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Multi-dimensional simulations of bow shocks of massive, high-velocity runaway stars Current position: PhD student (Astronomy), Munich (D) Aphiwe Bangiso - 2022 (Data Science: Astronomy) Dissertation: Machine Learning techniques to discover and understand the population of flare stars in MeerLICHT data Current position: Data scientist Timothy Roelf - 2022 (Data Science: Astronomy) Dissertation: Log mining to develop a diagnostic and prognostic framework for the MeerLICHT telescope Current position: Anke van Dyk - 2022 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Capturing transients: an application of biostatistics to astronomy Current position: PhD student (Astronomy), SAAO/UCT Munira Hoosain - 2021 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: The effect of the cosmic web on galaxy evolution in RESOLVE-A Current position: PhD student (Astronomy), UCT Omphemetse Mputle - 2021 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: The WiFeS ionized gas kinematics of the edge-on galaxy J1447-17 Current position: Wanga Mulaudzi - 2021 (Astronomy) Dissertation: The galaxy velocity function from MIGHTEE-HI early science data Current position: PhD student (Astronomy), University of Amsterdam (NL) Kelebogile Gasealahwe (nee Bonokwane) - 2021 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: SALT HRS and TESS observations of young multipolar planetary nebulae Current position: PhD student (Astronomy), UCT/SAAO Nadine Hank - 2021 (Astronomy) Dissertation: Exploring HI asymmetries in real and simulated galaxies Current position: PhD student (Astronomy), University of Groningen (NL) Petro Janse van Rensburg - 2021 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Characterisation of small, close-approaching near-earth asteroids Current position: PhD student (Astronomy), SAAO/UCT Jeremy Smith - 2020 (Data Science: Astronomy) Dissertation: A statistical approach to automated detection of multi-component radio sources Current position: Operations Manager, IDIA Simon de Wet - 2020 (Astronomy) Dissertation: Transients in the errobox of GW910814 Current position: PhD student, UCT Astronomy Geoff Murphy - 2020 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Stellar Halos: modelling formation in the L-galaxies 2020 semi-analytic model Current position: Orapeleng Mogawana - 2020 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Meshless hydrodynamic simulations of young supernova remnants Current position: PhD student, UCT Astronomy Dante Hewitt - 2020 (Astronomy) Dissertation: MeerKAT observations of novalike cataclysmic variables Current position: PhD student, University of Amsterdam (NL) Trystan Lambert - 2020 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Galaxy groups in the updated 2MRS using a graph-theory based friends-of-friends algorithm Current position: Ryan le Roux - 2020 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: XMM-Newton Survey of the Magellanic Bridge Current position: Private Tutor, SmartScience Wathela Alhassan - 2019 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Compact and Extended Radio Sources Classification using Deep Convolutional Neural Networks Current position: PhD student (Astrophysics), Nikolaus Copernicus Astronomical Centre Nazir Makda - 2019 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Ultra Diffuse Galaxy Candidates in Stripe 82 Clusters Current position: PhD student (Astronomy), UCT/SAAO
Abubakr Ibrahim - 2019 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Dispersion Measure Variations in Pulsar Observations with LOFAR Current position: PhD student (Astronomy) Themba Gqaza - 2019 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Optimisation of Galaxy Identification Methods on Large Interferometric Surveys Current position: Data Scientist Melaku Tafere - 2019 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Gas Flows and Feedback in Star-forming Galaxies Current position: Data Science, University of Texas at El Paso (source: LinkedIn) Anja Genade - 2018 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Stellar Occulations by Bodies in the Outer Solar System at the South African Astronomical Observatory Current position: PhD student (Astronomy), SAAO/University of Cape Town Tamlyn August - 2018 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Deconstructing the WISE Nearby Galaxy Population Current position: Lauren Burnham-King - 2017 (Astronomy) Dissertation: Detecting the Magnetic Cosmic Web through Deep Radio Polarization Imaging Current position: Data Scientist at Shutterstock, Ireland (source: LinkedIn) Dr Julia Healy - 2017 (Astronomy) Dissertation: Using HI Stacking to Study Galaxy Properties in the Nearby Universe (Looking for Needles in the HI-stack) Current position: Postdoctoral fellow ASTRON, Netherlands Buntu Ngcebetsha - 2016 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Star Formation in the Bars of Nearby Galaxies Current position: Software Engineer, South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (source: LinkedIn) Simon Malinga - 2016 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Lenticular Galaxies - The One in the Middle Current position: Mathematics educator, Department of Basic Education (source: LinkedIn) Michael Hlabathe - 2016 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Post-common Envelope Binary Central Stars of Planetary Nebulae in the OGLE-IV Survey Current position: PhD student, University of Cape Town / South African Astronomical Observatory Dr Avishek Dusoye - 2015 (Astronomy) Dissertation: Accretion and outflow in black hole X-ray binaries Current position: Wendyam Blaise Tapsoba - 2014 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Analysis of SALT Fabry-Perot medium resolution data Current position: Louise Steward - 2014 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: The Integrated Sachs-Wolfe Effect with Planck and the 2MASS Photometric Redshift Catalogue Current position: Educational Technologist (source: LinkedIn) Dr Letjatji Legodi - 2014 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Multicolor Analysis of Galaxy Clusters with Radio Halos and/or Relics Current position: Astrophysicist at the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (source: LinkedIn) Zwidofhelangani Khangale - 2014 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: A Spectroscopic Analysis of the Eclipsing Nova-Like EC21178-54 Current position: SARAO Postdoctoral Fellow, UCT Dr Elizabeth Naluminsa - 2014 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Current position: SALT Fabry-Perot Fellow, South African Astronomical Observatory Riona Ramraj - 2014 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Exploring Star Formation in Dwarf Galaxies at z = 1 Current position: Marketing and Technology Manager (Sub-saharan Africa), Uber, Netherlands (source: LinkedIn) Dr Priscilla Chauke - 2014 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: WISEly Deconstructing the Great Andromeda Galaxy Current position: Data Scientist, Hamburg, Germany (source: LinkedIn) Dr Itumeleng Monageng - 2014 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: How circumstellar discs affect mass accretion in Be X-ray binaries Current position: Lecturer (Astronomy), University of Cape Town, and SAAO Dr Rajeev Manick - 2014 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: In Search of Binary Wolf-Rayet Central Stars of Planetary Nebulae Current position: Scientific researcher at IPAG, Grenoble, France (source: LinkedIn) Dr Toky Randriamampandry - 2013 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Homogeneous Sample of Dwarf and Spiral Galaxies to Test Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND) Current position: Postdoctoral fellow, KAVLI Institute, Peking University, China Dr Khaled Said - 2013 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: The NIR Isophotal Tully-Fisher Relation and its Cosmological Applications in the Zone of Avoidance Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Queensland, Australia (source: LinkedIn) Dr Getachew Mekonnen - 2013 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Gravitational Microlensing and the Search for Extrasolar Planets Last known position: Postdoctoral fellow, University of Namibia (source: LinkedIn) Dr Rocco Coppejans - 2013 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Current position: Project Manager, Coventry, UK (source: LinkedIn) Dr Vinesh Rajpaul - 2012 (Astronomy) Dissertation: A Novel Algorithm for Analysing Gravitational Microlensing Events Current position: Research Associate in Experimental Astrophysics, Cambridge, UK (source: LinkedIn) Dr Mpati Ramatsoku - 2012 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: HI Line Mapping of Large Scale Structures in the Zone of Avoidance Current position: Senior Lecturer, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, RSA Kosma von Maltitz - 2012 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: The Deep Optical ZoA Galaxy Catalogue in Vela - First Indications of Previously Hidden Large Scale Structures Current position: Data Scientist (source: LinkedIn) Bryoni Martin - 2012 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Last known position: Data analytics at Rand Merchant Bank (source: LinkedIn) Dr Sally Macfarlane - 2012 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Spectral Analysis of the Helium Nova V445 Pup Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow, South African Astronomical Observatory Dr Deanne Coppejans (nee de Bude) - 2012 (Astronomy) Dissertation: Characterising the Dwarf Nova Population of the Catalina Real-Time Transient Survey Current position: Assistant Professor, University of Warwick, UK Dr Moses Mogotsi - 2012 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: A Comparison of the HI and CO Velocity Dispersions of Nearby Galaxies Current position: SALT Astronomer, South African Astronomical Observatory Dr Roger Ianjamasimanana - 2011 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: The HI Super Profiles of the THINGS Galaxies Current position: Postdoctoral fellow at IAA, Spain (source: LinkedIn) Henrik van Heerden - 2011 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Robotic Control of a Photometric Telescope Last known position: PhD student, University of Johannesburg Dr Wendy Williams - 2011 (Astronomy) Dissertation: A Near Infrared Tully-Fisher Survey Behind the Galactic Plane Current position: Scientist at SKA Observatory HQ, UK (source: LinkedIn) Thuso Simon - 2011 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Current position: Head of Data and ML at Credrails (source: LinkedIn) Dr Rojovola Zara-Nomena Randriamanakoto - 2011 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Super Star Cluster Candidates in the Star Forming Regions of Luminous Infrared Galaxies Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow (Astronomy), University of Cape Town Zolile Mguda - 2010 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Current position: Lecturer (Physics), University of South Africa Dr Bishop Mongwane - 2010 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Current position: Lecturer (Mathematics and Applied Mathematics), University of Cape Town Dr Oyirwoth Abedigamba - 2010 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: The Structure of the Large Magellanic Cloud Last known position: Senior Lecturer (Physics), Northwest University Dr Francois Nsengiyumva - 2010 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Asymptotic Giant Branch variables in NGC 6822 Last known position: PhD student, University of Kwazulu-Natal Janus Brink - 2010 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: SALT Spectropolarimetry Commissioning Current position: Southern African Large Telescope Dr Tana Joseph - 2009 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Towards an HI Census of the Local Universe Current position: Equity and Inclusion Officer for Dutch Astronomy (source: LinkedIn) Nikki Pekeur - 2009 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Investigating the Relationship between the HI and Optical Diameter for a Sample of Galaxies from the Local Volume HI Survey (LVHIS) Current position: PhD student, University of Cape Town Prof Roger Deane - 2008 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: The Giant LSB Galaxy NGC1512: A High Resolution Analysis of the HI, Star Formation and Dark Matter in this Nearby Interacting Galaxy Current position: SARAO SARChI Professor, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, RSA Ewald Zietsman - 2008 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Time-series Photometry and Spectroscopy of the Cataclysmic Variable EC21178-5417: Exploring New Avenues with the Southern African Large Telescope Last known position: Team Lead: Data Science and Engineering at 24.com (source: LinkedIn) Dr Nebiha Shafi - 2008 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: A HI Search for Galaxies Hidden by the Galactic Bulge Current position: Data Scientist (source: LinkedIn) James Tagg - 2008 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Optimising the Near-Infrared Survey Strategy in Unveiling Hidden Galaxies in the Great Attractor Current position: Director at Quicket (source: LinkedIn) Dr Roslyn Skelton - 2007 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Current position: SALT Astronomer, South African Astronomical Observatory Dr Paul Kotze - 2007 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: A Deep Photometric Survey of the Abell cluster SO423: A Pilot Study for the UCT SALT Supercluster Survey Current position: Data scientist Thapelo Tshenye - 2007 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Quality Control of Astronomical CCD Observations Last known position: Financial analyst Dr Ed Elson - 2006 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Heuristic Optimisation and Parameter Estimation Methods for Modern Cosmological Surveys Current position: Lecturer (Physics and Astronomy), University of Western Cape Karsten Markus - 2006 (Astronomy) Dissertation: Photometry of Elliptical Galaxies in Crowded Starfields Current position: Prof Michelle Cluver - 2005 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Probing Distant Clusters: A Pre-SALT Photometric Survey of Intermediate Redshift Galaxy Cluster Current position: ARC Future Fellow, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Australia Michelle Wiehahn - 2005 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: An Investigation of Eclipsing Polars Current position: Dr Retha Pretorius - 2004 (Astronomy) Dissertation: Rapid Oscillations in Cataclysmic Variables Current position: Astronomer, South African Astronomical Observatory Dr Kurt van der Heyden - 2000 (Astronomy) Current position: Senior Lecturer (Astronomy), University of Cape Town; Director: Strategic Science Support NRF Dr Pierre Vermaak - 1998 (Astronomy) Dissertation: The Detection of Gravitational Microlensing Anomalies Current position: MD, Head of Data Forum, UBS, London, UK Dr Liza van Zyl - 1997 (Astronomy) Dissertation: Pulsations in the White Dwarf Primary of a Cataclysmic Variable Star Current position: Prof Thebe Medupe - 1997 (Astronomy) Dissertation: Atmospheric temperature structure in the RoAp stars Current position: Professor, Northwest University, Mafikeng Yuri Andersson - 1997 (Astronomy) Dissertation: Southern Voids: Structure and Cosmological Implications Current position: Prof Lerothodi Leeuw - 1997 (Astronomy) Dissertation: IRAS Oxygen- and Carbon-rich Miras Close to the Galactic Plane Current position: Professor, University of the Western Cape Kate Harrop-Allin - 1996 (Astronomy) Dissertation: Superhumps in AM Canum Venaticorum Stars Current position: Prof Peter Martinez - 1990 (Astronomy) Dissertation: A Frequency Analysis of the Rapidly Oscillating Ap Star HD 101065 Current position: Professor (Electrical Engineering), University of Cape Town Dr Guinevere Kauffmann - 1990 (Astronomy) Dissertation: Voids in the Distribution of Galaxies: An Assessment of their Significance and Implications for Large-Scale Structure Formation Theories Current position: Director, Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics (Germany) Sue Allen - 1986 (Astronomy) Dissertation: Rapid Oscillations in Cataclysmic Variables Current position: Brian Carter - 1984 (Astronomy) Dissertation: The New SAAO Infrared Photometric Standards Based on the E Regions Current position: B S C Robertson - 1980 (Astronomy) Current position: Prof Chris Koen - 1976 (Astronomy) Dissertation: Accretion disks in the Cataclysmic Variables Current position: Professor (Statistics), University of the Western Cape Patrick Hurly - 1976 (Astronomy) Dissertation: UBV Photometry of Close Visual Double Stars using an Area Scanner Current position: Anthony Brickhill - 1974 (Astronomy) Dissertation: The Gravity Oscillations of White Dwarf Stars Current position: John Harwood - 1973 (Astronomy) Dissertation: On the Model for U Geminorum Current position: [Last updated: 26 December 2022]
Henco Arlow -2024 (Astronomy)
Dissertation title : The gas content of luminous compact blue galaxies in the COSMOS field
Current Position : AST PhD student (Astronomy), UCT
Mikhail de Villiers - 2024 (Astronomy)
Dissertation title : Probing for optical and HI diffuse gas in MHONGOOSE galaxy UGCA 250
Current position : AST PhD student (Astronomy), UCT
Reikantseone Diretse -2024 (Astronomy)
Dissertation title : The very high energy gamma ray burst GRB190114C as observed by MeerKAT
Current Position : Data Analyst and Portal Maintainer
Senate Lekomola -2024 (Astronomy)
Dissertation title : Studying the southerly eclipsing millisecond pulsar J1748−2446A using MeerKAT
Current Position :
Chad Leukes -2024 (Astronomy)
Dissertation title : Introductory Astronomy students’ reasoning about astrophysical phenomena within their observational experience
Current Position : AST PhD student (Astronomy), UCT
Kyle Solomons -2024 (Astronomy)
Dissertation title : A spectral and timing study of MAXI J1820+070 during outburst
Current Position : AST PhD student (Astronomy), UCT
Jaco Brink - 2023 (Astronomy)
Dissertation: Spectroscopic and photometric observations and analysis of compact binaries
Current position: PhD position in Germany
Daniel Johnson - 2023 (Astronomy)
Dissertation: Line-of-sight effects on strong lensing time delays
Current position: PhD position in France
Dissertation: Kinematics of neutral hydrogen in interacting galaxies in two groups from the MeerChoirs survey
Current position: PhD position in Australia Brian Bichanga - 2022 (Astronomy) Dissertation: Three-Dimensional Structure of Edge-On Disk Galaxies in the COSMOS Field to z = 0.5 Current position: Robbie Lees - 2022 (Astronomy) Dissertation: Searching for ultra-compact binary stars with the MEERLICHT Southern All-Sky Survey Current position: Katlego Ramalatswa - 2022 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Multi-dimensional simulations of bow shocks of massive, high-velocity runaway stars Current position: PhD student (Astronomy), Munich (D) Aphiwe Bangiso - 2022 (Data Science: Astronomy) Dissertation: Machine Learning techniques to discover and understand the population of flare stars in MeerLICHT data Current position: Data scientist Timothy Roelf - 2022 (Data Science: Astronomy) Dissertation: Log mining to develop a diagnostic and prognostic framework for the MeerLICHT telescope Current position: Anke van Dyk - 2022 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Capturing transients: an application of biostatistics to astronomy Current position: PhD student (Astronomy), SAAO/UCT Munira Hoosain - 2021 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: The effect of the cosmic web on galaxy evolution in RESOLVE-A Current position: PhD student (Astronomy), UCT Omphemetse Mputle - 2021 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: The WiFeS ionized gas kinematics of the edge-on galaxy J1447-17 Current position: Wanga Mulaudzi - 2021 (Astronomy) Dissertation: The galaxy velocity function from MIGHTEE-HI early science data Current position: PhD student (Astronomy), University of Amsterdam (NL) Kelebogile Gasealahwe (nee Bonokwane) - 2021 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: SALT HRS and TESS observations of young multipolar planetary nebulae Current position: PhD student (Astronomy), UCT/SAAO Nadine Hank - 2021 (Astronomy) Dissertation: Exploring HI asymmetries in real and simulated galaxies Current position: PhD student (Astronomy), University of Groningen (NL) Petro Janse van Rensburg - 2021 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Characterisation of small, close-approaching near-earth asteroids Current position: PhD student (Astronomy), SAAO/UCT Jeremy Smith - 2020 (Data Science: Astronomy) Dissertation: A statistical approach to automated detection of multi-component radio sources Current position: Operations Manager, IDIA Simon de Wet - 2020 (Astronomy) Dissertation: Transients in the errobox of GW910814 Current position: PhD student, UCT Astronomy Geoff Murphy - 2020 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Stellar Halos: modelling formation in the L-galaxies 2020 semi-analytic model Current position: Orapeleng Mogawana - 2020 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Meshless hydrodynamic simulations of young supernova remnants Current position: PhD student, UCT Astronomy Dante Hewitt - 2020 (Astronomy) Dissertation: MeerKAT observations of novalike cataclysmic variables Current position: PhD student, University of Amsterdam (NL) Trystan Lambert - 2020 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Galaxy groups in the updated 2MRS using a graph-theory based friends-of-friends algorithm Current position: Ryan le Roux - 2020 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: XMM-Newton Survey of the Magellanic Bridge Current position: Private Tutor, SmartScience Wathela Alhassan - 2019 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Compact and Extended Radio Sources Classification using Deep Convolutional Neural Networks Current position: PhD student (Astrophysics), Nikolaus Copernicus Astronomical Centre Nazir Makda - 2019 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Ultra Diffuse Galaxy Candidates in Stripe 82 Clusters Current position: PhD student (Astronomy), UCT/SAAO
Abubakr Ibrahim - 2019 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Dispersion Measure Variations in Pulsar Observations with LOFAR Current position: PhD student (Astronomy) Themba Gqaza - 2019 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Optimisation of Galaxy Identification Methods on Large Interferometric Surveys Current position: Data Scientist Melaku Tafere - 2019 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Gas Flows and Feedback in Star-forming Galaxies Current position: Data Science, University of Texas at El Paso (source: LinkedIn) Anja Genade - 2018 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Stellar Occulations by Bodies in the Outer Solar System at the South African Astronomical Observatory Current position: PhD student (Astronomy), SAAO/University of Cape Town Tamlyn August - 2018 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Deconstructing the WISE Nearby Galaxy Population Current position: Lauren Burnham-King - 2017 (Astronomy) Dissertation: Detecting the Magnetic Cosmic Web through Deep Radio Polarization Imaging Current position: Data Scientist at Shutterstock, Ireland (source: LinkedIn) Dr Julia Healy - 2017 (Astronomy) Dissertation: Using HI Stacking to Study Galaxy Properties in the Nearby Universe (Looking for Needles in the HI-stack) Current position: Postdoctoral fellow ASTRON, Netherlands Buntu Ngcebetsha - 2016 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Star Formation in the Bars of Nearby Galaxies Current position: Software Engineer, South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (source: LinkedIn) Simon Malinga - 2016 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Lenticular Galaxies - The One in the Middle Current position: Mathematics educator, Department of Basic Education (source: LinkedIn) Michael Hlabathe - 2016 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Post-common Envelope Binary Central Stars of Planetary Nebulae in the OGLE-IV Survey Current position: PhD student, University of Cape Town / South African Astronomical Observatory Dr Avishek Dusoye - 2015 (Astronomy) Dissertation: Accretion and outflow in black hole X-ray binaries Current position: Wendyam Blaise Tapsoba - 2014 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Analysis of SALT Fabry-Perot medium resolution data Current position: Louise Steward - 2014 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: The Integrated Sachs-Wolfe Effect with Planck and the 2MASS Photometric Redshift Catalogue Current position: Educational Technologist (source: LinkedIn) Dr Letjatji Legodi - 2014 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Multicolor Analysis of Galaxy Clusters with Radio Halos and/or Relics Current position: Astrophysicist at the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (source: LinkedIn) Zwidofhelangani Khangale - 2014 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: A Spectroscopic Analysis of the Eclipsing Nova-Like EC21178-54 Current position: SARAO Postdoctoral Fellow, UCT Dr Elizabeth Naluminsa - 2014 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Current position: SALT Fabry-Perot Fellow, South African Astronomical Observatory Riona Ramraj - 2014 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Exploring Star Formation in Dwarf Galaxies at z = 1 Current position: Marketing and Technology Manager (Sub-saharan Africa), Uber, Netherlands (source: LinkedIn) Dr Priscilla Chauke - 2014 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: WISEly Deconstructing the Great Andromeda Galaxy Current position: Data Scientist, Hamburg, Germany (source: LinkedIn) Dr Itumeleng Monageng - 2014 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: How circumstellar discs affect mass accretion in Be X-ray binaries Current position: Lecturer (Astronomy), University of Cape Town, and SAAO Dr Rajeev Manick - 2014 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: In Search of Binary Wolf-Rayet Central Stars of Planetary Nebulae Current position: Scientific researcher at IPAG, Grenoble, France (source: LinkedIn) Dr Toky Randriamampandry - 2013 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Homogeneous Sample of Dwarf and Spiral Galaxies to Test Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND) Current position: Postdoctoral fellow, KAVLI Institute, Peking University, China Dr Khaled Said - 2013 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: The NIR Isophotal Tully-Fisher Relation and its Cosmological Applications in the Zone of Avoidance Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Queensland, Australia (source: LinkedIn) Dr Getachew Mekonnen - 2013 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Gravitational Microlensing and the Search for Extrasolar Planets Last known position: Postdoctoral fellow, University of Namibia (source: LinkedIn) Dr Rocco Coppejans - 2013 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Current position: Project Manager, Coventry, UK (source: LinkedIn) Dr Vinesh Rajpaul - 2012 (Astronomy) Dissertation: A Novel Algorithm for Analysing Gravitational Microlensing Events Current position: Research Associate in Experimental Astrophysics, Cambridge, UK (source: LinkedIn) Dr Mpati Ramatsoku - 2012 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: HI Line Mapping of Large Scale Structures in the Zone of Avoidance Current position: Senior Lecturer, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, RSA Kosma von Maltitz - 2012 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: The Deep Optical ZoA Galaxy Catalogue in Vela - First Indications of Previously Hidden Large Scale Structures Current position: Data Scientist (source: LinkedIn) Bryoni Martin - 2012 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Last known position: Data analytics at Rand Merchant Bank (source: LinkedIn) Dr Sally Macfarlane - 2012 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Spectral Analysis of the Helium Nova V445 Pup Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow, South African Astronomical Observatory Dr Deanne Coppejans (nee de Bude) - 2012 (Astronomy) Dissertation: Characterising the Dwarf Nova Population of the Catalina Real-Time Transient Survey Current position: Assistant Professor, University of Warwick, UK Dr Moses Mogotsi - 2012 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: A Comparison of the HI and CO Velocity Dispersions of Nearby Galaxies Current position: SALT Astronomer, South African Astronomical Observatory Dr Roger Ianjamasimanana - 2011 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: The HI Super Profiles of the THINGS Galaxies Current position: Postdoctoral fellow at IAA, Spain (source: LinkedIn) Henrik van Heerden - 2011 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Robotic Control of a Photometric Telescope Last known position: PhD student, University of Johannesburg Dr Wendy Williams - 2011 (Astronomy) Dissertation: A Near Infrared Tully-Fisher Survey Behind the Galactic Plane Current position: Scientist at SKA Observatory HQ, UK (source: LinkedIn) Thuso Simon - 2011 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Current position: Head of Data and ML at Credrails (source: LinkedIn) Dr Rojovola Zara-Nomena Randriamanakoto - 2011 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Super Star Cluster Candidates in the Star Forming Regions of Luminous Infrared Galaxies Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow (Astronomy), University of Cape Town Zolile Mguda - 2010 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Current position: Lecturer (Physics), University of South Africa Dr Bishop Mongwane - 2010 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Current position: Lecturer (Mathematics and Applied Mathematics), University of Cape Town Dr Oyirwoth Abedigamba - 2010 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: The Structure of the Large Magellanic Cloud Last known position: Senior Lecturer (Physics), Northwest University Dr Francois Nsengiyumva - 2010 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Asymptotic Giant Branch variables in NGC 6822 Last known position: PhD student, University of Kwazulu-Natal Janus Brink - 2010 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: SALT Spectropolarimetry Commissioning Current position: Southern African Large Telescope Dr Tana Joseph - 2009 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Towards an HI Census of the Local Universe Current position: Equity and Inclusion Officer for Dutch Astronomy (source: LinkedIn) Nikki Pekeur - 2009 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Investigating the Relationship between the HI and Optical Diameter for a Sample of Galaxies from the Local Volume HI Survey (LVHIS) Current position: PhD student, University of Cape Town Prof Roger Deane - 2008 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: The Giant LSB Galaxy NGC1512: A High Resolution Analysis of the HI, Star Formation and Dark Matter in this Nearby Interacting Galaxy Current position: SARAO SARChI Professor, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, RSA Ewald Zietsman - 2008 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Time-series Photometry and Spectroscopy of the Cataclysmic Variable EC21178-5417: Exploring New Avenues with the Southern African Large Telescope Last known position: Team Lead: Data Science and Engineering at 24.com (source: LinkedIn) Dr Nebiha Shafi - 2008 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: A HI Search for Galaxies Hidden by the Galactic Bulge Current position: Data Scientist (source: LinkedIn) James Tagg - 2008 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Optimising the Near-Infrared Survey Strategy in Unveiling Hidden Galaxies in the Great Attractor Current position: Director at Quicket (source: LinkedIn) Dr Roslyn Skelton - 2007 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Current position: SALT Astronomer, South African Astronomical Observatory Dr Paul Kotze - 2007 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: A Deep Photometric Survey of the Abell cluster SO423: A Pilot Study for the UCT SALT Supercluster Survey Current position: Data scientist Thapelo Tshenye - 2007 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Quality Control of Astronomical CCD Observations Last known position: Financial analyst Dr Ed Elson - 2006 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Heuristic Optimisation and Parameter Estimation Methods for Modern Cosmological Surveys Current position: Lecturer (Physics and Astronomy), University of Western Cape Karsten Markus - 2006 (Astronomy) Dissertation: Photometry of Elliptical Galaxies in Crowded Starfields Current position: Prof Michelle Cluver - 2005 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: Probing Distant Clusters: A Pre-SALT Photometric Survey of Intermediate Redshift Galaxy Cluster Current position: ARC Future Fellow, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Australia Michelle Wiehahn - 2005 (Astrophysics and Space Science) Dissertation: An Investigation of Eclipsing Polars Current position: Dr Retha Pretorius - 2004 (Astronomy) Dissertation: Rapid Oscillations in Cataclysmic Variables Current position: Astronomer, South African Astronomical Observatory Dr Kurt van der Heyden - 2000 (Astronomy) Current position: Senior Lecturer (Astronomy), University of Cape Town; Director: Strategic Science Support NRF Dr Pierre Vermaak - 1998 (Astronomy) Dissertation: The Detection of Gravitational Microlensing Anomalies Current position: MD, Head of Data Forum, UBS, London, UK Dr Liza van Zyl - 1997 (Astronomy) Dissertation: Pulsations in the White Dwarf Primary of a Cataclysmic Variable Star Current position: Prof Thebe Medupe - 1997 (Astronomy) Dissertation: Atmospheric temperature structure in the RoAp stars Current position: Professor, Northwest University, Mafikeng Yuri Andersson - 1997 (Astronomy) Dissertation: Southern Voids: Structure and Cosmological Implications Current position: Prof Lerothodi Leeuw - 1997 (Astronomy) Dissertation: IRAS Oxygen- and Carbon-rich Miras Close to the Galactic Plane Current position: Professor, University of the Western Cape Kate Harrop-Allin - 1996 (Astronomy) Dissertation: Superhumps in AM Canum Venaticorum Stars Current position: Prof Peter Martinez - 1990 (Astronomy) Dissertation: A Frequency Analysis of the Rapidly Oscillating Ap Star HD 101065 Current position: Professor (Electrical Engineering), University of Cape Town Dr Guinevere Kauffmann - 1990 (Astronomy) Dissertation: Voids in the Distribution of Galaxies: An Assessment of their Significance and Implications for Large-Scale Structure Formation Theories Current position: Director, Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics (Germany) Sue Allen - 1986 (Astronomy) Dissertation: Rapid Oscillations in Cataclysmic Variables Current position: Brian Carter - 1984 (Astronomy) Dissertation: The New SAAO Infrared Photometric Standards Based on the E Regions Current position: B S C Robertson - 1980 (Astronomy) Current position: Prof Chris Koen - 1976 (Astronomy) Dissertation: Accretion disks in the Cataclysmic Variables Current position: Professor (Statistics), University of the Western Cape Patrick Hurly - 1976 (Astronomy) Dissertation: UBV Photometry of Close Visual Double Stars using an Area Scanner Current position: Anthony Brickhill - 1974 (Astronomy) Dissertation: The Gravity Oscillations of White Dwarf Stars Current position: John Harwood - 1973 (Astronomy) Dissertation: On the Model for U Geminorum Current position: [Last updated: 26 December 2022]