Dr Mariette van der Walt (nee Pretorius) is a science nerd with a PhD in Zoology, and a passion for cave-dwelling bats and writing. As a published scientist and National Geographic — NEWF Africa Refocused fellow, she has transitioned from academic research to science storytelling and currently works as the Biodiversity Coordinator at Wilderness, and is affiliated with the Mammal Research Institute at the University of Pretoria.
Experience
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2025–presentBiodiversity Coordinator, Wilderness
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2023–2025Science Communicator, University of the Witwatersrand
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2020–2022Postdoctoral fellow, University of Pretoria
Education
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2020University of Pretoria, PhD Wildlife Management
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2017University of the Witwatersrand, MSc Zoology and Ecology
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2016University of the Witwatersrand, BSc with Honours
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2015University of the Witwatersrand, BSc
