Khia
Van der Meulen
Masters Student - University of the Free State
South Africa, Clarens
South Africa, Clarens
Khia
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I continuously aspire to learn. Learn more about the world, complex concepts, ecology, and the interactions between people and wildlife. This drive is what propelled me into a science and biology degree. It is also what keeps me wanting to branch out and hear more about other projects and ultimately, more science. I am currently a Masters student focusing on bat social call repertoires and trying to gain a better understanding of the human-bat conflict that arises from urban adapted bat species. I prefer to say I fell into bat science as it was not my initial focus, a friend of mine happened to suggest a bat survey paper to read – and then that was that. I did my honours project on bats utilizing former agricultural fields in the rural Transkei of South Africa and once that was completed, bats became my main focus.
Besides bats, I also enjoy learning about indigenous uses of plants, astrophysics, and the overarching topic of animal behaviour. I wanted to take part in the AfriPopo committee to continue learning – not only about other fields of bat science and ecology but also other people’s experiences within field ecology. It also allows me to meet incredible people with unique perspectives . The AfriPopo Indaba provides a unique discussion platform that could not escape my interest. I was apart of the United Nations Association of South Africa Stellenbosch Chapter: Sustainable development portfolio last year which allowed me to grow my organisational , project development, and community skills. Being apart of a committee and larger bat interest group is a wonderful place to learn and better develop my skills in academics and project planning. |