PhD graduates (1972 - present)
Dr Tom Mutabazi - 2015 Thesis: The distance to the Norma cluster and its relation to the Great Attractor Current position: Lecturer (Physics), Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Uganda Dr Rudi Kuhn - 2014 Thesis: Photometric Techniques for Exoplanet Detection: The Construction and Deployment of the KELT-South Telescope Current position: SALT Astronomer Dr Paul Kotze - 2014 Thesis: Studying the environmental dependence of star formation properties of galaxies in the Abell 1437 galaxy cluster and its surrounding large scale structure Current position: Director of Data and Analytics, Deimos, Cape Town, RSA Dr Viral Parekh - 2014 Thesis: Morphological Classification and Dynamics of X-ray Galaxy Clusters Current position: SKA Postdoctoral Fellow, Rhodes University, South Africa Dr Roger Ianjamasimanana - 2014 Thesis: Interstellar Medium Properties and Star Formation in Nearby Galaxies Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, RSA Dr Bradley Frank - 2013 Thesis: The Dynamics of Molecular Gas in Nearby Galaxies Current position: Astronomer, Senior Developer, SARAO, Cape Town Dr Andry Rajoelimanana - 2013 Thesis: Long-term Properties of X-ray Binaries in the Magellanic Clouds Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow (Physics), University of the Free State Dr Marissa Kotze - 2012 Thesis: Exploring the Super-orbital Periodic Behaviour of X-ray Binaries Current position: SALT Astronomer Dr Abiy Tekola - 2011 Thesis: On the Evolution of Star Forming Galaxies: The Metallicity of Dwarfs and the Effect of Environment on Local Luminous IR Galaxies Current position: Boeing US Dr Mellony Spark - 2011 Thesis: Exploring the Application of New Telescope Techniques in the Testing of Dwarf Novae Accretion Models Current position: Investment Analyst, Matrix Fund Managers, Cape Town, RSA Dr Ed Elson - 2010 Thesis: A Multi-Wavelength Study of the Dwarf Galaxies NGC 2915 and NGC 1705: Star Formation, Gas Dynamics and Dark Matter Current position: Lecturer (Physics and Astronomy), University of the Western Cape, South Africa Dr Ihab Riad - 2010 Thesis: A Deep Near Infrared Survey Along the Norma Wall Current position: Lecturer (Physics), University of Khartoum, Sudan Dr Bonita de Swardt - 2009 Thesis: The Structure, Stellar Content and Dynamics of Dwarf Galaxies in the Local Volume Current position: Program Manager: Strategic Partnerships for Human Capacity Development, SARAO, Cape Town Dr Michelle Cluver - 2009 Thesis: The Nature and Nurture of a Starburst Supermassive HI Galaxy: HIZOA J0836-43 Current position: ARC Future Fellow, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Australia Dr Claire Blackman - 2008 Thesis: The Hunt for Quasi-periodicities with Wavelet and Camera Current position: Lecturer (Mathematics and Applied Mathematics), University of Cape Town Dr Motee Phorah - 2008 Thesis: The Effect of Radiation and Convection on Stellar Oscillations Current position: Lecturer (Physics), Central University of Technology Pretoria Dr Nceba Mhlahlo - 2007 Thesis: The Study of the Accretion Dynamics and Dynamics in Intermediate Polars Current position: Lecturer (Physics), University of Witwatersrand Dr Pierre Vermaak - 2007 Thesis: Fitting Binary Lens Gravitational Microlensing Events with Example-based Algorithms Current position: MD, Head of Data Forum, UBS, London, UK Dr Lisa Crause - 2006 Thesis: Investigation of the Mass Loss, Circumstellar Environment and Evolution of the Hydrogen-deficient Stars and V838 Mon Current position: Staff astronomer, South African Astronomical Observatory Prof Thebe Medupe - 2002 Thesis: Studies of Non-adiabatic Pulsations in The Atmospheres of the RoAp Stars Current position: Deputy-Dean of Science, Northwest University, Mafikeng Dr Francois Vuille - 1999 Thesis: Nonlinear Behaviour of Pulsating White Dwarfs Current position: Director of Energy Department at Etat de Vaud, Lausanne, Switzerland Prof Patrick Woudt - 1998 Thesis: Large Scale Structures behind the Southern Milky Way Current position: Head of Department (Astronomy), University of Cape Town Dr An-Lee Chen - 1994 Thesis: A Survey of Cataclysmic Variables from the Edinburgh-Cape Blue Object Survey Current position: Head of Taipei Planetarium, Taiwan Prof Chris Engelbrecht - 1994 Thesis: An Analysis of Beta Cephei Stars in NGC 3292 and the Effects of Stellar Rotation Current position: Associate Professor (Physics), University of Johannesburg Prof Peter Martinez - 1993 Thesis: The Cape Rapidly Oscillating Ap Star Survey Current position: Professor (Electrical Engineering), University of Cape Town Prof Derck Smits - 1990 Thesis: Atomic Processes in Nova Shells Current position: Professor (Mathematical Sciences), University of South Africa Prof Hartmut Winkler - 1990 Thesis: The measurement and analysis of flux variations in Seyfert galaxy nuclei Current position: Professor (Physics), University of Johannesburg Prof Mark Cropper - 1985 Thesis: Polarimetry of Magnetic Cataclysmic Variables Current position: Professor (Astrophysics), University College London, UK Dr Robin Catchpole - 1982 Thesis: The Properties of the SC Stars and Chemical Composition of UY Centauri Current position: Astronomer (retired), Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge Dr Darragh O'Donoghue - 1981 Thesis: Topics in White Dwarfs Deceased 2015 [obituary] Dr W Martin - 1980 Deceased Prof David Block - 1980 Thesis: The Morphology and Absolute Diameters of Galaxies Current position: Professor (Computer Science and Applied Mathematics), University of Witwatersrand Prof Chris Koen - 1979 Thesis: Magnetohydrodynamical phenomena in gaseous disks Current position: Professor (Statistics), University of the Western Cape Dr Alistair Walker - 1976 Current position: Astronomer, Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO), Chile Dr Tim Hawarden - 1975 Thesis: Old Southern Open Clusters Deceased 2009 [obituary] Prof Ed Nather - 1972 Deceased 2014 [biography] [Last updated: 25 December 2022]
Dr Simon de Wet - 2024
Thesis title : Gamma-ray bursts with MeerLICHT
Current position : Postdoctoral fellow, Copenhagen, Denmark
Dr Mokhine Motsoaledi -2024
Thesis title : Accretion processes in cataclysmic variable stars: insights from optical transient surveys
Current position : AST Junior Lecturer
Dr Sambatriniaina Rajohnson -2024
Thesis title : Exploring the evolution and hidden large-scale structures of galaxies with MeerKAT HI surveys
Current position : Postdoctoral fellow
Dr Nikki Peceur - 2024
Thesis: The optical polarization variability of the blazar PKS 2155–304
Current Position: Senior Quality Engineer at Confluence
Dr Alex Sivitilli - 2023
Thesis: Characterizing the digital planetarium as a teaching and learning space
Current Position: Postdoctoral fellow at IDIA
Dr Michael Hlabate - 2023
Thesis: Reverberation mapping of active galactic nuclei
Current Position: Data scientist at +OneX
Dr Antoine Mahoro - 2023
Thesis: Outflows from Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) and star-forming galaxies
Current position: Postdoc fellow at SAAO
Dr Narges Hatamkhani - 2022
Thesis: Deep NIR imaging of galaxy clusters in the Vela supercluster
Current position: Postdoctoral fellow at SAAO
Dr Tshiamiso Makwela - 2022
Thesis: Probing student engagement with size and distance in introductory astronomy
Current position: Fellow at the Office of Astronomy for Education (D), and postdoctoral fellow at UCT
Dr Zwido Khangale - 2022
Thesis: Accretion processes in magnetic Cataclysmic Variables - a detailed study of UZ Fornacis
Current position: SARAO Postdoctoral Fellow at UCT
Dr Jamie Bok - 2021
Thesis: Probing the role of environment and HI content in galaxy evolution: a multi-wavelength study of isolated and paired galaxies
Current position:
Dr Julia Healy - 2021
Thesis: Insights from spectral stacking on the HI content of cluster galaxies in various environments: a tale of two clusters
Current position: Postdoctoral fellow at ASTRON (NL)
Dr Miriam Nyamai - 2021
Thesis: Radio observations as a tool to study shock interactions and mass ejections in novae
Current position: Commissioning scientist at SARAO
Dr Tom Mutabazi - 2015 Thesis: The distance to the Norma cluster and its relation to the Great Attractor Current position: Lecturer (Physics), Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Uganda Dr Rudi Kuhn - 2014 Thesis: Photometric Techniques for Exoplanet Detection: The Construction and Deployment of the KELT-South Telescope Current position: SALT Astronomer Dr Paul Kotze - 2014 Thesis: Studying the environmental dependence of star formation properties of galaxies in the Abell 1437 galaxy cluster and its surrounding large scale structure Current position: Director of Data and Analytics, Deimos, Cape Town, RSA Dr Viral Parekh - 2014 Thesis: Morphological Classification and Dynamics of X-ray Galaxy Clusters Current position: SKA Postdoctoral Fellow, Rhodes University, South Africa Dr Roger Ianjamasimanana - 2014 Thesis: Interstellar Medium Properties and Star Formation in Nearby Galaxies Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, RSA Dr Bradley Frank - 2013 Thesis: The Dynamics of Molecular Gas in Nearby Galaxies Current position: Astronomer, Senior Developer, SARAO, Cape Town Dr Andry Rajoelimanana - 2013 Thesis: Long-term Properties of X-ray Binaries in the Magellanic Clouds Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow (Physics), University of the Free State Dr Marissa Kotze - 2012 Thesis: Exploring the Super-orbital Periodic Behaviour of X-ray Binaries Current position: SALT Astronomer Dr Abiy Tekola - 2011 Thesis: On the Evolution of Star Forming Galaxies: The Metallicity of Dwarfs and the Effect of Environment on Local Luminous IR Galaxies Current position: Boeing US Dr Mellony Spark - 2011 Thesis: Exploring the Application of New Telescope Techniques in the Testing of Dwarf Novae Accretion Models Current position: Investment Analyst, Matrix Fund Managers, Cape Town, RSA Dr Ed Elson - 2010 Thesis: A Multi-Wavelength Study of the Dwarf Galaxies NGC 2915 and NGC 1705: Star Formation, Gas Dynamics and Dark Matter Current position: Lecturer (Physics and Astronomy), University of the Western Cape, South Africa Dr Ihab Riad - 2010 Thesis: A Deep Near Infrared Survey Along the Norma Wall Current position: Lecturer (Physics), University of Khartoum, Sudan Dr Bonita de Swardt - 2009 Thesis: The Structure, Stellar Content and Dynamics of Dwarf Galaxies in the Local Volume Current position: Program Manager: Strategic Partnerships for Human Capacity Development, SARAO, Cape Town Dr Michelle Cluver - 2009 Thesis: The Nature and Nurture of a Starburst Supermassive HI Galaxy: HIZOA J0836-43 Current position: ARC Future Fellow, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Australia Dr Claire Blackman - 2008 Thesis: The Hunt for Quasi-periodicities with Wavelet and Camera Current position: Lecturer (Mathematics and Applied Mathematics), University of Cape Town Dr Motee Phorah - 2008 Thesis: The Effect of Radiation and Convection on Stellar Oscillations Current position: Lecturer (Physics), Central University of Technology Pretoria Dr Nceba Mhlahlo - 2007 Thesis: The Study of the Accretion Dynamics and Dynamics in Intermediate Polars Current position: Lecturer (Physics), University of Witwatersrand Dr Pierre Vermaak - 2007 Thesis: Fitting Binary Lens Gravitational Microlensing Events with Example-based Algorithms Current position: MD, Head of Data Forum, UBS, London, UK Dr Lisa Crause - 2006 Thesis: Investigation of the Mass Loss, Circumstellar Environment and Evolution of the Hydrogen-deficient Stars and V838 Mon Current position: Staff astronomer, South African Astronomical Observatory Prof Thebe Medupe - 2002 Thesis: Studies of Non-adiabatic Pulsations in The Atmospheres of the RoAp Stars Current position: Deputy-Dean of Science, Northwest University, Mafikeng Dr Francois Vuille - 1999 Thesis: Nonlinear Behaviour of Pulsating White Dwarfs Current position: Director of Energy Department at Etat de Vaud, Lausanne, Switzerland Prof Patrick Woudt - 1998 Thesis: Large Scale Structures behind the Southern Milky Way Current position: Head of Department (Astronomy), University of Cape Town Dr An-Lee Chen - 1994 Thesis: A Survey of Cataclysmic Variables from the Edinburgh-Cape Blue Object Survey Current position: Head of Taipei Planetarium, Taiwan Prof Chris Engelbrecht - 1994 Thesis: An Analysis of Beta Cephei Stars in NGC 3292 and the Effects of Stellar Rotation Current position: Associate Professor (Physics), University of Johannesburg Prof Peter Martinez - 1993 Thesis: The Cape Rapidly Oscillating Ap Star Survey Current position: Professor (Electrical Engineering), University of Cape Town Prof Derck Smits - 1990 Thesis: Atomic Processes in Nova Shells Current position: Professor (Mathematical Sciences), University of South Africa Prof Hartmut Winkler - 1990 Thesis: The measurement and analysis of flux variations in Seyfert galaxy nuclei Current position: Professor (Physics), University of Johannesburg Prof Mark Cropper - 1985 Thesis: Polarimetry of Magnetic Cataclysmic Variables Current position: Professor (Astrophysics), University College London, UK Dr Robin Catchpole - 1982 Thesis: The Properties of the SC Stars and Chemical Composition of UY Centauri Current position: Astronomer (retired), Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge Dr Darragh O'Donoghue - 1981 Thesis: Topics in White Dwarfs Deceased 2015 [obituary] Dr W Martin - 1980 Deceased Prof David Block - 1980 Thesis: The Morphology and Absolute Diameters of Galaxies Current position: Professor (Computer Science and Applied Mathematics), University of Witwatersrand Prof Chris Koen - 1979 Thesis: Magnetohydrodynamical phenomena in gaseous disks Current position: Professor (Statistics), University of the Western Cape Dr Alistair Walker - 1976 Current position: Astronomer, Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO), Chile Dr Tim Hawarden - 1975 Thesis: Old Southern Open Clusters Deceased 2009 [obituary] Prof Ed Nather - 1972 Deceased 2014 [biography] [Last updated: 25 December 2022]