What do we do?
The Molecular Ecology programme at SANBI focuses on using genetic and ecological approaches to investigate biodiversity in southern Africa, understand the evolutionary and ecological processes that shape it, and support biodiversity assessment, monitoring, and conservation. We work on various taxa with the goal of understanding the processes that have led to the evolution of biodiversity in southern Africa. Our research generates a range of genetic outputs, including phylogenies, baseline population genetic datasets, and genetic indicators that are regularly used in collaborative projects with researchers from other institutions. These outputs support genetic monitoring, inform conservation planning and management, and provide foundational data for long-term biodiversity assessment.
Our research extends beyond DNA analyses alone. Genetics is used as one component of a broader, multidisciplinary approach to understanding biodiversity, alongside ecological, environmental, and phenotypic data. By integrating genetic evidence with complementary sources of information, we aim to place patterns of genetic variation in their wider biological and environmental context. This holistic framework supports robust inferences about evolutionary processes, population dynamics, and responses to environmental change, and enables the generation of insights relevant to biodiversity assessment, conservation planning, and long-term monitoring.
As part of its contribution to capacity development, the programme hosts interns who contribute towards ongoing research projects, in this way gaining practical laboratory experience. Postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows, co-supervised by SANBI staff are also hosted. In these cases the research projects are required to support SANBI’s mandate and be aligned to the Research Strategy.
Interns, postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows are also encouraged to build a peer network and to expand their networks by engaging with the SANBI scientists based at the Kirstenbosch Research Centre.
Where we work
The Leslie Hill Molecular Ecology Laboratory is based at the Kirstenbosch Research Centre in Cape Town. The laboratory is named after the late Leslie Hill, who made a generous donation in the year 2000, making the establishment of this facility possible. It is a shared facility that supports staff and students across Kirstenbosch research programmes, providing access to genetic tools and expertise for projects that seek to incorporate genetic evidence into broader biodiversity and ecological research.
Who we are
For more information about the program and use of the facilities, please contact:
- Dr Ferozah Conrad – Deputy Director, Strategic Reporting and Human Capacity Development
- Dr Jessica da Silva – Principal Scientist, Evolutionary Genomics and Wildlife Management