Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria

11/08/2026

UP researcher Dr Bharti Arora is a wildlife endocrinologist whose research focuses on optimising and standardising blubber hormone extraction protocols to improve the accuracy, reproducibility and comparability of endocrine assessments across laboratories. Her work aims to establish a gold-standard protocol that is safer, more efficient and widely applicable.

Read more in the article ‘Sentinels of our changing seas’ in issue 13 of UP’s ReSearch magazine. https://ow.ly/4Vak50ZxEeM

09/08/2026

Today, we celebrate the women who inspire excellence across the University of Pretoria community.

In his Women's Day message, Vice-Chancellor and Principal Prof Francis Petersen reaffirms UP's commitment to advancing gender equality, fostering inclusive leadership and creating opportunities for women to thrive.

Read his message: https://ow.ly/w9Ej50ZxCuP

05/08/2026

We are very excited that the XXVIII Internationational Congress of Entomology (ICE 2028) will be hosted in South Africa and look forward to welcoming the world to share knowledge of entomology for a better future.

From our Department, Chris Weldon and Nomthi Kanyile are serving on the local organising committee, and Abdullahi Yusuf, Gudrun Dittrich-Schroder, Honest Machekano, and Christian Pirk will be section leaders on the scientific committee.

Like and follow The Entomological Society of Southern Africa page to receive updates about ICE 2028, or go to https://ice2028.com to register your interest and join the mailing list.

FABI

05/08/2026

Every insect carries an invisible community of microorganisms. But what are they doing there?

Meet NRF-funded Dr Nomthandazo Khanyile, a Lecturer in the Department of Zoology and Entomology at the University of Pretoria. She is particularly interested in how insect-associated microorganisms help agricultural pests survive challenges such as drought, poor nutrition, and exposure to insecticides.

By understanding these partnerships, we can identify new, more sustainable ways of managing pest species.

Read more here: https://www.nrf.ac.za/nrf-womens-month-2026-dr-nomthandazo-khanyile/

04/08/2026

03/08/2026

🐋LEARNING WITH LEA: Meet the Southern right whale! 🌊

Southern right whale season is officially here, and Lea is back with some fascinating whale facts!

🔍 Those white markings on their heads? They're called callosities—naturally raised areas of skin that are home to thousands of tiny crustaceans called cyamids, or "whale lice". The pattern of callosities is unique to every whale, helping researchers identify individuals and follow their lives over many years.

🐋 No dorsal fin! Unlike many other whale species seen along our coast, southern right whales have no dorsal fin. Instead, they have a broad, smooth back that makes them particularly distinctive when viewed from above.

🌊 And they're back! Southern right whales have returned to our bays and coastal waters for the winter breeding season. Keep your eyes on the ocean—you never know who might be passing by!

📸 Have you spotted a southern right whale yet this season? Share your sighting with us!

University of Pretoria Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria Mammal Research Institute Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria

30/07/2026

23/07/2026

In Memoriam – Prof Robert "Bob" Millar

The Mammal Research Institute extends its sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Prof Robert "Bob" Millar, former Director of the MRI and one of the world's foremost figures in reproductive neuroendocrinology.

Prof Millar joined the University of Pretoria in 2011 to lead the MRI, before stepping aside in 2016 to found the Centre for Neuroendocrinology in the Faculty of Health Sciences, which he directed until his retirement in 2024. Over a career spanning more than five decades, his research reshaped our understanding of gonadotropin-releasing hormones. This work helped opened the door to new treatments for prostate cancer, endometriosis, infertility and polycystic ovarian syndrome. Eight of the drugs his research helped develop reached the clinic. His contributions were recognised with honours including the Wellcome Gold Medal, the Oppenheimer Gold Medal, the John FW Herschel Medal, and fellowships at the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Royal Society of South Africa amongst others.

Beyond the more than 350 papers, 18 patents and 11,000-plus citations, Prof Millar was known as a generous mentor whose broad training across chemistry, zoology, physiology and clinical endocrinology shaped generations of students and researchers who passed through his labs. As a former President of the International Neuroendocrinology Federation and Editor-in-Chief of Neuroendocrinology, his influence extended across the global scientific community he helped build.

Our thoughts are with his wife, Wendy, their four daughters, and the many colleagues, collaborators and students whose careers he shaped. He will be deeply missed.

Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria

20/07/2026