Ané Cloete

After beginning studies at Stellenbosch University in conservation ecology and entomology, Ané discovered a passion for statistics during a second-year course. This pivotal moment led to a transfer to the University of Cape Town, where they completed a degree in Applied Statistics and Biology. Recognising the critical role of statistics in scientific research, they went on to complete an Honours in Statistical Sciences at UCT, followed by a Master’s in Statistical Ecology at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. Their Master’s dissertation focused on teaching Acoustic Spatial Capture Recapture (ASCR), a statistical method used to estimate animal density from recorded animal calls. This work earned them the Steve Buckland Prize for Best Performance and sparked a broader interest in refining ASCR methodologies, advancing statistical education, and bridging the gap between academic research and real-world application.