Sthabile Khumalo

BSc (Hons) Wits University

Sthabile is Zulu lady from Richards bay. She started her career in 2019 when she registered for a BSc in Biological Science at Wits University. Throughout her studies, she accumulated enough knowledge to convince her to carry on in the path of environmental science. Soon after completing her undergraduate degree, she registered for a BSc Hons, where she was able to choose the theory topics that she felt were relevant to her, i.e. climate science, freshwater and wastewater science. The Honours year also taught Sthabile to conduct independent research, and the skills of data collection, data capturing and data analysis. She was also able to refine her public speaking ability through giving numerous presentations.

Her interest in the broader science field is deeply invested. There exists a shortage of black women representation in the science field and she wants to be a motivation to other young black girls. Sthabile wants young black girls to know that they also stand a chance in this science community. She hopes to also one day go back to her home town of Richard's Bay to start an environmental conservation organisation and to help with research based in the area.

For her MSc in Biological Science, Sthabile will be supervised by Dr Celiwe Ngcamphalala and A/Prof. Robert Thomson.  Her theisis title is: Stress responses of sociable weavers to the presence of pygmy falcons in weaver colonies.