Science, loosely translated
A couple of weeks ago I went to visit our friends at York Timbers, an industry partner of the Tree Protection Co-operative Programme (TPCP). This was my first field trip as the new TPCP Field Extension Officer or Plant Doctor on call (something I hope catches on). As an extension officer, I am the intermediary... Continue Reading →
"It is because modern education is so seldom inspired by a great hope that it so seldom achieves great results."Bertrand Russell Back in 2002, I entered my school science project into the National Eskom Science Expo. I was a busy teenager and rarely had time for things such as chores or bathing — despite my... Continue Reading →
When your dreams of becoming a scientist and a comedian come together the results are hilarious!
"Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships."- Michael Jordan Anyone who has ever played or watched a sport will tell you that in order for a team to be number one, to be the champions, they need to field the best players. A great deal of money and effort is spent on buying... Continue Reading →
I had a dream where Mike (Prof Mike Wingfield) and I were standing on a ridge overlooking a valley. As we looked around, Mike said to me, “The forestry industry of South Africa was hugely successful, hugely! Where you are standing, there were once thousands of hectares of Eucalyptus grandis. Trees as far as... Continue Reading →
Like Scrooge in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, I too have been visited by a phantom—not of Christmas yet-to-come but of PhD future. “The Phantom slowly, gravely, silently approached. When it came, [I] bent down [upon my] knee; for in the very air through which this spirit moved it seemed to scatter gloom and mystery.... Continue Reading →
There's something interesting on your carrots and it has history. This is a guest blog from a PhD candidate, Wilma Nel, at the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria.
On Monday we set off on a three day trip the Kruger National Park. I know what you’re thinking: game drives, roaring bonfires, delicious braais (South African term for BBQ), the big five and some downtime underneath the South African night sky. Well… you thought right; however, this wasn’t a holiday; this was a scientific... Continue Reading →
Whenever I meet someone new or when I need to remind a family member that I am still studying, I almost always get asked, “What do you do?” Past or 2013 Darryl would have struggled to give an answer that made sense to someone outside my field, but 2017 Darryl, being better equipped with his... Continue Reading →
To be a famous scientist or a famous scientist?
Loosely Translated 