Research

Project Title - ACEWATER III

Building on ACEWATER II, various activities are undertaken by the 20 African university partners in the ACEWATER III project, and include more than 20 research projects, more than 40 short-course trainings, short-term exchange opportunities, and science-policy engagements. Research projects and short-courses further partner with various stakeholders and representatives from civil society, governments, and industry, with a strong emphasis on supporting emerging scholars, youth employability while also considering gender aspects. The ACEWATER III project is funded by the European Commission, with additional support by the South African Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, and are being implemented between 2024 and 2027.

As a research associate at the University of the Western Cape, my core responsibilities include:

• Student Mentorship: I currently co-supervise three graduate students on this project, offering support on research design, data analysis, fieldwork, and scientific writing.

• Independent and Collaborative Research: I lead and participate in research projects by designing experiments, analyzing complex data, and contributing to the broader scientific goals of the ACEWATER III project.

• Disseminating Research: I share findings through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations, focusing on both results and the methods used to generate them.

• Capacity Building: I participate in workshops, training programs, and collaborative fieldwork to strengthen my skills in teaching, research management, communication, and applied geoscience. My graduate students involved in this project also engage in these activities as part of their professional development.

Project Title - Development of Innovative Monitoring and Analysis Strategies for Rural Enhanced Aquifer Recharge Structures 

February 2024 – May 2025: Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Oklahoma State University
Funded by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – ~$2 million USD

This multi-institutional research project, jointly conducted by Oklahoma State University (lead institution), East Central University, Ada, Oklahoma and Texas State University, is funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address critical environmental and water resource challenges.

As a postdoctoral fellow based at Oklahoma State University, my core responsibilities include:

• Conducting Independent and Collaborative Research: I design and execute experiments, analyze complex datasets, and contribute to advancing scientific understanding relevant to the project’s objectives.

• Publishing Research Findings: I have published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at professional conferences to disseminate key results and methodologies.

• Mentoring Students: I actively mentor graduate and undergraduate students, providing guidance on research design, data collection, analysis, and scientific writing.

• Grant Development: In collaboration with the principal investigator, I have contributed to a grant proposal currently under review by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

• Professional Development: I regularly engage in workshops, training, and field collaborations to strengthen my skills in teaching, project management, scientific communication, and field-based geoscience.

Project Title - Managed Aquifer Recharge in South Africa (MARSA) Project

2022 – 2024: PhD Graduate Researcher at University of the Western Cape
Funded by the Danida Fellowship Centre: 4,994,921 DKK (~$700,000 USD)

The MARSA project is a Danish–South African collaborative initiative focused on advancing Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) technologies to support sustainable groundwater use. The project explores the potential of utilizing diverse water sources, including stormwater, saline water, and reclaimed wastewater, for MAR applications.

The project consortium includes:

• Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) – Denmark

• University of the Free State (UFS) – South Africa

• University of the Western Cape (UWC) – South Africa

• Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) – South Africa

• Rambøll – Denmark (advisory firm)

This interdisciplinary collaboration combines scientific, technical, and policy expertise to ensure the scalability and long-term impact of MAR technologies in South Africa and beyond.

As a PhD researcher on this project, my contributions included:

• Geophysical Investigations: Conducted field surveys using electrical resistivity methods to characterize subsurface hydrogeological conditions. Processed, analyzed, and interpreted geophysical data to inform MAR site selection and design.

• Hydrogeological Fieldwork: Managed site visits and data collection, including groundwater sampling for quality analysis and conducting constant-rate aquifer tests to estimate key hydraulic parameters.

• Project Coordination: Assisted with planning and executing field campaigns, liaising with stakeholders from academic, governmental, and private sectors.

• Student Mentorship: Served as a research assistant to my supervisor, co-supervising several master's and undergraduate research projects focused on hydrogeology and geophysics.