Our Team

Low de Vries obtained a PhD in Zoology in 2014, after which he spent a year on Marion Island as a field assistant. Since then he has done two Postdoctoral fellowships, one at the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa and one in the Centre for Viral Zoonoses at the University of Pretoria. During his second Postdoc he focused his research on bats, lead field projects to sites in South Africa and was part of an expedition to Mozambique and Zimbabwe. All these projects were focused on bats, and the pathogens these animals carry. His focus was, however, on the ecology of bats.

He has a wide range of experience, and have been involved with survey projects on birds, reptiles and small and large mammals. This includes impact assessment at renewable energy facilities where he has acted as both bat and bird specialist. He has extensive experience in the capturing and handling of bats, birds and small mammals.

Matthew Wood is an aspiring scientist with a broad background across several ecological fields. He achieved a BSc Honours in Zoology from the University of Pretoria and is currently completing his MSc in Medical Virology, providing an ecological perspective to the virological field. Over the course of his studies, he has obtained experience in the capture and handling of a wide variety of bat species as well as the radio-tracking of fruit bats. Although he was introduced to bat ecology relatively late into his academic career, he demonstrates a keen interest in their ecology, a passion for their conservation and a willingness to learn. He is a committed individual that takes great pride in the quality of his work and is not afraid of long, difficult hours in the name of fieldwork and data collection.

Niel Cillié is a raptor specialist with over 20 years of experience in the field and boasts with a life list of over 800 species of birds. His experience includes field work, field guiding, writing, presentations and talks and he is regarded as the world authority on Ayre’s Hawk-Eagle. He has contributed to numerous field guides with his expert knowledge and opinions along with photographs and he is one of the lead authors for the latest field guide “The Complete Photographic Guide to the birds of Southern Africa”. Niel has been involved with numerous field surveys and impact assessments at wind and solar energy facilities over the past four years where his expertise on raptor behaviour, raptor nests and breeding behaviour has proved invaluable.

Colyn Grobler is a young and enthusiastic scientist specializing in pathogen research in bat and small mammal populations. He obtained a BSc Honour’s and MSc from the University of Pretoria. During his studies he obtained extensive experience in the trapping, handling and identification of bat species, while also leading field projects to specific sites in South Africa. Although he specializes in the pathogens associated with bats, he is passionate about bat biology, ecology and the conservation of bat species. Colyn is a determined and focused individual that will not shy away from hard work and will ensure the task at hand is completed.

Monique Shanahan is a PhD candidate at the University of Pretoria with extensive experience in zoology, ecology, and environmental research. Her work focuses on biodiversity assessments, ecological monitoring, and the conservation of wildlife and their habitats, with expertise in vector ecology, wildlife management, and habitat analysis. She has conducted field studies on vector species, including bats and mosquitoes, as well as biodiversity surveys. With skills in data management and biostatistics, she has worked on projects analyzing the effects of land use on species distribution and habitat integrity. In addition, she has expertise in freshwater ecosystem assessments, using biomonitoring techniques to evaluate water quality and biodiversity health. Monique is passionate about ecological sustainability and advancing research on the interactions between wildlife, habitats, and environmental change.