Meet Our Team
Jarrett Joubert – AERU Manager and KEP Conservation Officer
Jarrett is a passionate South African Nature Conservationist. After recognising the great imperative to look after our natural world, he moved away from his successful career in Graphic Design to study Nature Conservation at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (SAASVELD). Over many years, he has been guiding and educating a multitude of volunteers and students in the bush. He has also assisted rural communities by teaching young children about the importance of African wildlife, conservation practices and a respect for natural resources.
It is his belief that through a deeper understanding of nature, humankind may learn to work in harmony with the Earth, and that in this endeavour research plays a critical role. He joined the AERU team in February 2021. He has recently enhanced his skillset with a Postgraduate Business Management Degree from The University of Stellenbosch, to guide AERU into a successful and exciting future.
Dakota Guy – Research Officer
Dakota is our esteemed Research Officer, based in the Western Cape, South Africa. Possessing a BSc in Animal Science and currently advancing a scholarly pursuit with an MSc in Animal Nutrition, Dakota’s commitment to wildlife conservation is underscored by a distinguished background in rhino conservation. With a focus on various game animals such as buffalo, kudu, and nyala, Dakota brings her unique knowledge to our team. An ambitious professional with an insatiable appetite for knowledge, Dakota oversees all research practices at AERU, managing daily on-site research with volunteers, coordinating international students on research projects, and conducting impactful research for the broader scientific community.
Marizél De Villiers – AERU Volunteer Co-ordinator
Marizél grew up in a small town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. She has a big heart for nature, especially for animal well-being, and enjoys sharing her passion with volunteers from all walks of life, making her a valuable addition to our team. Marizel completed her National Diploma in Nature Management with Centurion Academy giving her a sound basis of knowledge. This was further built on through her internship at AERU. Marizél has gained even more knowledge, skills, and experience since, equipping her to lead our volunteer team.
Christina Tholander – Lab Technician and Administration
Christina first joined AERU as a volunteer for 3 months in 2016 and was later employed with us in 2017. Christina has combined her education in biochemistry with her lifelong passion for elephants. She is our AERU lab technician and administrator, and it is her hope that our research may contribute to conserving this magnificent species on earth. She loves creating functional elephant art in her spare time, and many of her designs have found a forever home with volunteers as a unique souvenir from their life-changing experience in South Africa.
Internships
AERU offers internship roles, typically for candidates pursuing careers in biology, conservation, or related fields. These are offered over periods of 6-12 months and include accommodation. Please contact research@aeru.co.za for more information on how to apply.
