Subject Head and Associate Professor in Plant Sciences

Treasurer of the South African Association of Botanists

Associate Editor for American Journal of Botany

Associate Editor for South African Journal of Botany

C2 NRF rated researcher

DHET FPP Cohort 1 member

Research interests:

From discovering lizard pollination on continental Africa, filming mice dispersing seeds of invasive plants, studying climate change on the top of the Northern Drakensberg, to recording bird calls in montane wetlands; my research spans multiple fields in the ecological sciences. With collaborations across South Africa, Europe and the United States of America, I strive to use natural history and experimental biology to uncover evolutionary trends in plant and animal traits that shape interactions between these groups. I am part of a high elevation weeds group with the Centre for Biological Control, a member of the first cohort of the DHET Future Professors Programme, a C2-rated NRF researcher, on the editorial boards of South African Journal of Botany and American Journal of Botany, and teach plant taxonomy, vegetation ecology and advanced biostatistics to final year and Honours BSc students.

1. Steenhuisen, S.L., R.A. Raguso, A. Jürgens & S.D. Johnson. 2010. Variation in scent emission among floral parts and inflorescence developmental stages in beetle-pollinated Protea species (Proteaceae). South African Journal of Botany. 76: 779-787. (IF = 3.111; Q2; 81/238 Plant Sciences; JCI = 0.79)

    

2. Steenhuisen, S.L. and S.D. Johnson. 2012. Evidence for autonomous selfing in grassland Protea species (Proteaceae). Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 169: 433–446. (IF = 2.828; Q2; 89/238 Plant Sciences; JCI = 0.80)

    

3. Steenhuisen, S.L. and S.D. Johnson. 2012. Evidence for beetle pollination in the African grassland sugarbushes (Protea: Proteaceae). Plant Systematics and Evolution. 298: 857–869. (IF = 1.644; Q3; 149/238 Plant Sciences; JCI = 0.42)

    

4. Steenhuisen, S.L. and S.D. Johnson. 2012. The influence of pollinators and seed predation on seed production in dwarf grassland Protea “sugarbushes” (Proteaceae). South African Journal of Botany. 79: 77-83. (IF = 3.111; Q2; 81/238 Plant Sciences; JCI = 0.79)

    

5. Steenhuisen, S.L., H. van der Bank and S.D. Johnson. 2012. The relative contributions of insect and bird pollinators to outcrossing in an African Protea (Proteaceae). American Journal of Botany. 99(6): 1104–1111. (3.325; Q2; 72/238 Plant Sciences; JCI = 0.98)

    

6. Steenhuisen, S.L., R.A. Raguso and S.D. Johnson. 2012. Floral scent in bird- and beetle-pollinated Protea species (Proteaceae): chemistry, emission rates and function. Phytochemistry. 84: 78–87. (IF 4.004; Q1; 53/238 Plant Sciences; JCI = 0.90)

    

7. De Vega, C., B. Guzman, M-A. Lachance, S-L. Steenhuisen, S.D. Johnson and C.M. Herrera. 2012. Metschnikowia proteae sp. nov., a nectarivorous insect-associated yeast species from Africa. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 62: 2538–2545. (IF = 2.689; Q4; 106/136 Microbiology; JCI = 0.55)

    

8. Steenhuisen, S.L., A. Jürgens & S.D. Johnson. 2013. Effects of volatile compounds emitted by Protea species (Proteaceae) on antennal electrophysiological responses and attraction of cetoniine beetles. Journal of Chemical Ecology. 39 (3): 438-446. (IF = 2.793; Q3; 90/173 Ecology; JCI = 0.58)

    

9. De Vega, C., B. Guzman, S-L. Steenhuisen, S.D. Johnson, C.M. Herrera and M-A. Lachance. 2014 Metschnikowia drakensbergensis sp. nov. and Metschnikowia caudata sp. nov., two endemic yeasts associated with Protea flowers in South Africa. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 64: 3724-3732. (IF = 2.689; Q4; 106/136 Microbiology; JCI = 0.55)

    

10. Steenhuisen, S.L., A. Balmer, K. Zoeller, N. Kuhn, J. Midgley, D. Hansen and S.D. Johnson. 2015. Carnivorous mammals feed on nectar of Protea species (Proteaceae) in South Africa and likely contribute to their pollination. African Journal of Ecology. 53(4): 602-605. DOI: 10.1111/aje.12225 (IF = 0.923; Q4; 156/173 Ecology; JCI = 0.26)

     

11. Midgley, J.J., L.M. Kruger, S. Viljoen, A. Bijl, S.L. Steenhuisen. 2015. Fruit and seed traits of the elephant-dispersed African savanna plant Balanites maughamii. Journal of Tropical Ecology 31 (6): 557-561. (IF = 1.800; Q4; 133/173 Ecology; JCI = 0.38)

     

12. Zoeller, K.C., S.-L. Steenhuisen, S.D. Johnson, J.J. Midgley. 2016. New evidence for mammal pollination of Protea species (Proteaceae) based on remote-camera analysis. Australian Journal of Botany. 64(1): 1-7. (IF = 1.505; Q3; 157/238 Plant Sciences; JCR = 0.38)

     

13. Bouman, R., S.L. Steenhuisen, and T. van der Niet. 2017. The role of the pollination niche in community assembly of Erica species in a biodiversity hotspot. Journal of Plant Ecology. 10(4): 634-648. (IF = 1.780; Q3; 37/69 Forestry; JCI = 0.57)

     

14. Zoeller, K.C., J.J. Midgley, S.D. Johnson, and S.-L. Steenhuisen. 2017. Floral biology and breeding systems of geoflorous Protea species (Proteaceae). South African Journal of Botany. 112: 452-459. (IF = 3.111; Q2; 81/238 Plant Sciences; JCI = 0.79)

     

15. Hobbhahn, N., S.-L. Steenhuisen, T. Olsen, J.J. Midgley and S.D. Johnson. 2017 Pollination and breeding system of the enigmatic South African parasitic plant Mystropetalon thomii (Mystropetalaceae): rodents welcome, but not needed. Plant Biology. 19: 775-786. (IF = 3.877; Q1; 58/238 Plant Sciences; JCI = 0.86)

     

16. De Vega, C., R.G. Albaladejo, B. Guzmán, S.-L. Steenhuisen, S.D. Johnson, C.M. Herrera, and M.-A. Lachance. 2017. Flowers as a reservoir of yeast diversity: description of Wickerhamiella nectarea f.a. sp. nov., and Wickerhamiella natalensis f.a. sp. nov. from South African flowers and pollinators, and transfer of related Candida species to the genus Wickerhamiella as new combinations. FEMS Yeast Research. 17(5): fox054. https://doi.org/10.1093/femsyr/fox054. (IF = 2.923; Q3; 103/158 Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology; JCI = 0.60)

     

17. Kuhn, N., J.J. Midgley and S.-L. Steenhuisen. 2017. Reproductive biology of three co-occurring, primarily small-mammal pollinated Protea species (Proteaceae). South African Journal of Botany. 113: 337-345. (IF = 3.111; Q2; 81/238 Plant Sciences; JCI = 0.79)

     

18. Ollerton, J., Liede-Schumann, S., Endress, M. E., Meve, U, Rech, A.R., Shuttleworth, A., Keller, H.A., Fishbein, M., Alvarado-Cárdenas, L.O., Amorim, F.W., Bernhardt, P., Celep, F., Chirango, Y., Chiriboga-Arroyo, F., Civeyrel, L., Cocucci, A., Cranmer, L., da Silva-Batista, I.C., de Jager, L., Deprá, M.S., Domingos-Melo, A., Dvorsky, C., Agostini, K., Freitas, L., Gaglianone, M.C., Galetto, L., Gilbert, M., González-Ramirez, I., Gorostiague, P., Goyder, D., Hachuy-Filho, L., Heiduk, A., Howard, A., Ionta, G., Islas-Hernández, S.C., Johnson, S.D., Joubert, L., Kaiser-Bunbury, C., Kephart, S., Kidyoo, A., Koptur, S., Koschnitzke, C., Lamborn, E., Livshultz, T., Machado, I.C., Marino, S., Mema, L., Mochizuki, K., Morellato, L.P.C., Mrisha, C.K., Muiruri, E., Nakahama, N., Nascimento, V.T., Nuttman, C., Oliveira, P.E., Peter, C.I., Punekar, S., Rafferty, N., Rapini, A., Ren, Z-X., Rodríguez-Flores, C.I., Rosero, L., Sakai, S., Sazima, M., Steenhuisen, S-L., Tan, C-W., Torres, C., Trøjelsgaard, K., Ushimaru, A., Vieira, M.F., Wiemer, A.P., Yamashiro, Tarcila, N., Queiroz, J., and Z. Quirino. 2019. The diversity and evolution of pollination systems in large plant clades: Apocynaceae as a case study. Annals of Botany. 123(2): 311-325. (IF = 5.040; Q1; 34/238 Plant Sciences; JCI = 1.24)

     

19. Cozien, R., T. van der Niet, S.D. Johnson and S.L. Steenhuisen. 2019. Saurian surprise: lizards pollinate South Africa’s enigmatic ‘hidden flower’. Ecology. 100(6): e02670. (IF = 6.431; Q1; 22/173 in Ecology; JCI = 1.36)

     

20. Chirango, Y., S.L. Steenhuisen, P.V. Bruyns, J.J. Midgley and A. Shuttleworth. 2019. The March fly and the ant: the unusual pollination system of Eustegia minuta (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae). Arthropod-Plant Interactions. 13(5): 745-755. (IF = 2.409; Q2; 32/100 Entomology; JCI = 0.70)

     

21. Akinnuoye-Adelabu, D.B., S. Steenhuisen, and E. Bredenhand. 2019. Improving pea quality with vermicompost tea and aqueous biochar: Prospects for sustainable farming in Southern Africa. South African Journal of Botany. 123: 278-285. (IF = 3.111; Q2; 81/238 Plant Sciences; JCI = 0.79)

     

22. Van der Niet, T., K. Pires and S. Steenhuisen. 2020. Flower constancy of the Cape honey bee pollinator of two co-flowering Erica species from the Cape Floristic Region (South Africa). South African Journal of Botany. 132: 1-7. (IF = 3.111; Q2; 81/238 Plant Sciences; JCI = 0.79)

     

23. Mapaura, A., K. Canavan, D.M. Richardson, V.R. Clark and S. Steenhuisen. 2020. The invasive grass genus Nassella in South Africa: A synthesis. South African Journal of Botany. 135: 336-348. (IF = 3.111; Q2; 81/238 Plant Sciences; JCI = 0.79)

     

24. Chari, L.D, Martin, G.D., Steenhuisen, S., Adams, L.D., & Clark, V.R. 2020. The Biology of Invasive Plants. 1. Pyracantha angustifolia (Franch.) C.K. Schneid. Invasive Plant Science and Management. 13: 120–142. (IF = 1.333; Q3; 173/238 Plant Sciences; JCI = 0.32)

     

25. Chikowore, G., Steenhuisen, S., Mutamiswa, R., Martin, G.D., & Chidawanyika, F. 2021. Integration of invasive tree, black locust, into agro-ecological flower visitor networks induces competition for pollination services. Arthropod-Plant Interactions. 15(5): 787-796. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11829-021-09851-3 (IF = 2.409; Q2; 32/100 Entomology; JCI = 0.70)

     

26. Marivate, V., Aghoghovwia, P., Ismail, Y., Mahomed-Asmail, F., Steenhuisen, S. 2021. The Fourth Industrial Revolution – what does it mean to our future faculty? South African Journal of Science. 117(5/6): 1-3. https://doi. org/10.17159/sajs.2021/10702 (IF = 2.134; Q3; 41/73 Multidisciplinary Sciences; JCI = 0.46)

     

27. Clark, V.R., Mukwada, G., Hansen, M., Adelabu, S., Magaiza, G., le Roux, A., Bredenhand, E., Voua Otomo, P., Steenhuisen, S., Franke, A., van Tol, J., Mathinya, N., & Makombe, R. 2021. The Afromontane Research Unit: Driving Connections and Capacity Building for the Sustainable Development of Southern African Mountains. Mountain Research and Development. 41(2): P1-P5. https://doi.org/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-21-00038.1 (IF = 1.506; Q4; 253/279 Environmental Sciences; JCI = 0.29)

     

28. de Vega, C., Álvarez-Pérez, S., Albaladejo, R.G., Steenhuisen, S., Lachance, M-A., Johnson, S.D., & Herrera, C.M. 2021. The role of plant–pollinator interactions in structuring nectar microbial communities. Journal of Ecology. 109(9): 3379-3395. https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/1365-2745.13726 (IF = 6.381; Q1; 23/173 Ecology; 21/238 Plant Sciences; JCI = 1.60)

     

29. Adams, L.D., Martin, G.D., Downs, C.T., Clark, V.R., Thabethe, V., Raji, I.A., Steenhuisen, S. 2022. Seed dispersal by frugivores and germination of the invasive alien shrub Pyracantha angustifolia (Franch.) C.K. Schneid. in Free State Province, South Africa. Biological Invasions. Online:1-11. IF = 3.608; Q2; 17/65 Biodiversity Conservation; JCI = 0.82)

     

30. Masole, P., Steenhuisen, S., Martin, G.D. 2022. Current status of the invasive shrub Berberis julianae C.K. Schneid. (Berberidaceae) in Golden Gate Highlands National Park (Free State Province, South Africa). South African Journal of Botany. 150: 99-105. (IF = 3.111; Q2; 81/238 Plant Sciences; JCI = 0.79)

     

31. Adams LD, Giovannoni D, Clark VR, Steenhuisen S-L, Martin GD. 2023. Reproductive Ecology of the Invasive Alien Shrub Pyracantha angustifolia in the Grassland Biome, South Africa. Basel Plants. 12(6):1308. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12061308 (IF = 4.658; Q1; 39/239 Plant Sciences; JCI = 1.01)

     

32. Alison, J., Payne, S., Alexander, J., Bjorkman, A.D., Clark, V., Gwate, O., Huntsaar, M., Iseli, E., Lenoir, J., Mann, H., Steenhuisen, S., Høye, T. 2024. Deep learning to extract the meteorological by-catch of wildlife cameras. Global Change Biology. 30: e17078. DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17078 (IF = 11.6; Q1; 1/64 Biodiversity Conservation; JCI = 2.42)

     

33. Mtileni, M.P., N.C. Le Maitre, S. Steenhuisen, K.L. Glennon. 2024. Increased solar radiation and soil moisture determine flower colour frequency in a mountain endemic plant population. Plant Ecology. 225 (3): 201-211. DOI: 10.1007/s11258-023-01388-0 (IF = 1.9; Q2; 121/265 Plant Sciences; JCI = 0.57)

     

34. Mosikidi, T., N. Le Maitre, S. Steenhuisen, V.R. Clark, K.S. Lloyd and A. Le Roux. 2024. Passive acoustic monitoring detects new records of globally threatened birds in a high-elevation wetland (Free State, South Africa). Bird Conservation International. 33: e80 DOI: 10.1017/S0959270923000345 (IF = 1.5; Q1; 5/29 Ornithology; JCI = 0.96)

     

35. Moloi, K.T, S. Steenhuisen, L.D. Adams, C. Downs, G. Martin. 2024. Only doing half the job: Frugivorous birds facilitate the spread but not the germination rate of invasive Cotoneaster pannosus. South African Journal of Botany. 173: 60-67. DOI: 10.1016/j.sajb.2024.08.009 (IF = 1.5; Q2; 84/265 Plant Sciences; JCI = 0.83)

     

36. Mapaura, A., Canavan, K., Richardson, D.M., Clark, V.R, Sutton, G.F., Steenhuisen, S. 2024. The impact of Nassella trichotoma (Nees) Hack ex Arechav. on plant diversity, richness and soil properties in South Africa. South African Journal of Botany. 173: 175-183. DOI: 10.1016/j.sajb.2024.08.010 (IF = 1.5; Q2; 84/265 Plant Sciences; JCI = 0.83)

     

37. Sieben, E.J.J., Steenhuisen, S., Vidal, J.D., Martin, G., le Roux, P.C. 2024. Modelling landscape-scale occurrences of common grassland species in a topographically complex mountainous environment. Plant Ecology. 225: 1095–1108. DOI: 10.1007/s11258-024-01457-y (IF = 1.9; Q2; 121/265 Plant Sciences; JCI = 0.57)

     

38. Chikowore, G., Bologo, N., Steenhuisen, S., Martin, G.D. 2024. Montane grassland recovery: lessons from 25 years of the Working for Water programme on the northern Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa. Restoration Ecology. 33(1): e14315. Doi:10.1111/rec.14315 (IF = 2.8; Q2; 64/197 Ecology; JCI = 0.79)

     

39. Mapaura, A., Canavan, K., Richardson, D.M., de Deus Vidal, J., Clark, V.R, Steenhuisen, S. 2025. Implications of climate change for the distribution of Nassella grass in South Africa and Lesotho. Rangeland Ecology & Management. 103: 367–376. Q2.

     

40. Mbele, T.J., Steenhuisen, S. Payne, S.L., Canavan, K. 2025. Seed germination of cultivated, naturalised and floristically traded Cortaderia species in South Africa South African Journal of BotanyOpen source preview, 2025, 186, pp. 152–162. Q2

     

41. Mapaura, A., K. Canavan, D.M. Richardson, N.C. Le Maitre, V.R. Clark and S. Steenhuisen. 2025. DNA-based species identification as a tool to distinguish invasive Nassella species in South Africa. African Journal of Range & Forage Science. Online: 1-4. https://doi.org/10.2989/10220119.2025.2549689 Q3

     

42. Payne, S.J., Sithole, Z., Moloi, K.T., Steenhuisen, S., Martin, G.D. 2025. First record of small mammal predation by a Bokmakierie on a Forest Shrew in eastern Free State Province, South Africa. Afrotropical Bird Biology. 5: 1-4. https://journals.uct.ac.za/index.php/ABB/article/view/1625

     

43. Taylor, P. J., Bredenhand, E., Monadjem, A., Armstrong, A. J., Rakotoarivelo, A. R., Mdluli, V. M., Howard, A., Modise, S., Motitsoe, S.N., Ntloko, P., Kirkaldy, A.P., Kleynhans, D.J., Jankielsohn, A., Mosikidi, T., Oosthuizen, M.K., Payne, S., Munyai, T.C., Carbutt, C., Ramoejane, M., Bereng, M., Stiller, M., Haddad, C.R., Steenhuisen, S., Mlambo, M.C., Moyo, S., Nyembe, N.I., Mofokeng, L., Van As, J., Malekana, L., Daniel, G.M., Gwate, O., van As, M., du Guesclin Harrison, J., Thabethe, N.F., Kheswa, N., Moloi, K., Sishange, N. & V.R. Clark. 2025. Endemic plants and animals are susceptible to extinction in an imperilled alpine hotspot in southern Africa. African Biodiversity & Conservation. 55(1): 1-28. https://doi.org/10.38201/abc.v55.13 Q3

     

44. Martin, G.D., Canavan, K., Westwood, T., Chikowore, G., Payne, S., Steenhuisen, S. 2025. Prickly politics: How Rosa rubiginosa (Sweet-Briar Rose) divides rural communities, private landowners, and commercial players in South Africa. South African Journal of Botany. 186, 701–708. Q2

     

45. Martin, G.D., Payne, S.L., Steenhuisen, S. Mashamba, T. 2025. The demise of enemy release associated with the recruitment of natural enemies on an invasive tree. Biological Invasions. 27(10): 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-025-03681-7. Q2

     

46. Mosikidi, T., Friedman, N.R., Le Maitre, N., Steenhuisen, S., Clark, V.R., Lloyd, K.J., le Roux, A. 2025. Too cold to sing: Warbler dawn chorus affected by environmental factors in a high-elevation wetland. African Zoology. Online: 1-10. DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2025.2548823. Q4

Honours

1. Nicola Kuhn (UCT) – Community ecology of small-mammal pollinated proteas; Main supervisor: Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UCT); Co-supervisor: Jeremy Midgley (UCT); Graduated December 2013

    

2. Sarah Catto (UCT) - Are small mammals attracted to nectar scent cues provided by ground Protea species of the Western Cape? A preliminary investigation; Main supervisor: Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UCT); Co-supervisor: Jeremy Midgley (UCT); Graduated April 2016

    

3. Kylie Pires (UCT) - The role of Cape honeybees in determining coexistence of Erica species. Main supervisor: Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UCT); Co-supervisor: Timotheus Van der Niet (UKZN); Graduated April 2017.

    

4. Patricia Mosale (UFS) – The current status of Berberis species invasions in Golden Gate Highland National Park. Main Supervisor: Dr Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS); Co-supervisor: Dr Grant Martin (Rhodes University). Graduated April 2021

    

5. Thulile Buthelezi (UFS) – A comprehensive survey of the invasive alien plant species in rest camps of Golden Gate Highlands National Park. Main Supervisor: Dr Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS); Co-supervisors: Dr Vincent Ralph Clark (ARU), Dr N. Cole (SANBI), Dr Grant Martin (Rhodes University). Graduated April 2023

    

6. Lindokuhle Mdakane (UFS) – Endemic plants with limited population numbers and range in the Maloti-Drakensberg: How has our knowledge changed over 17 years? Main Supervisor: Dr Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS); Co-supervisors: Dr Vincent Ralph Clark (ARU). Graduated April 2021

    

7. Tapiwanashe Mashamba (UFS) – Battle of the sexes in the Hidden flowers? Effects of variation in plant phenotypic gender on male and female reproductive success in monoecious Guthriea capensis. Main Supervisor: Dr Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS); Co-supervisor: Dr Ruth Cozien (UKZN). Graduated May 2022

    

8. Ntombenhle Radebe (UFS) - Pollination ecology and breeding system of the rare alpine amaryllid Nerine bowdenii subspecies wellsii. Main Supervisor: Dr Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS); Co-supervisor: Dr Ruth Cozien. (UKZN) Graduated May 2022

    

9. Sinethemba Sibisi (UFS) – Survey of insects associated with Gomphocarpus fruticosis (Apocynaceae), a South African plant invading Australia. Main Supervisor: Dr Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen; Co-supervisor: Dr Grant Martin. Graduated April 2023

    

10. Gcinile Carvalho (UFS) – Impact of invasive alien Rosaceae species on soil properties and seed germination in Afromontane grasslands of the eastern Free State. Main Supervisor: Dr Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS); Co-supervisor: Dr Grant Martin (Rhodes University). Graduated April 2023

     

11. Zinhle Sithole (UFS) - The role of mammals in the seed dispersal of the invasive plant species, Rosa rubiginosa, in the Free State rangelands. Main Supervisor: Dr Grant Martin (Rhodes University); Co-supervisor: Miss Karabo Moloi (UFS), Prof Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS). Graduated April 2024

     

12. Sanele Mfusi (UFS) – Current status of invasive toadflax species in South Africa. Main Supervisor: Dr Kim Canavan (Rhodes University); Co-supervisors: Prof Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS); Prof Grant Martin (Rhodes University), Ms Thembelihle Mbele (UFS). Graduated April 2025.

     

13. Thandolwenkosi Mngomezulu (UFS) – The effect of land-use and invasion by Populus x canescens on grassland lentic systems in the Thabo Mofutsanyane district, Free State Province, South Africa. Main Supervisor: Prof Grant Martin (Rhodes University); Co-supervisors: Prof Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS); Ms Sphindile Dlamini (UFS). Graduating April 2026.

Honours – Currently under supervision

3 pending

Masters – Graduated

1. Alice Balmer (University of Zurich) – The pollination and breeding system of penduline Protea species; Main supervisor: Dennis Hansen (Uni Zurich); Co-supervisor: Steve Johnson (UKZN); Collaborator: Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UCT); Graduated April 2013

    

2. Kim Zoeller (UCT) - The reproductive biology of four geoflorous Protea species (Proteaceae); Main supervisor: Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UCT); Co-supervisors: Steve Johnson (UKZN) and Jeremy Midgley (UCT); Graduated December 2014

    

3. Roderick Bouman (Leiden University) - Shifts in pollination system between species in the Erica imbricata/coccinea clade; Main supervisor: Timotheus van der Niet (currently UKZN); Co-supervisor: Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UCT); University of Leiden, The Netherlands; Graduated September 2015

    

4. Yolanda Chirango (UCT) - The pollination ecology of Cape milkweeds (Asclepiadoideae); Main Supervisor: Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UCT); Co-supervisors: Jeremy Midgley (UCT), Adam Shuttleworth (UKZN); Graduated April 2017.

    

5. Megan Smith (UCT) – Population genetics of South African Protea L. (Proteaceae) species associated with various pollinator guilds; Main supervisor: Jeremy Midgley (UCT); Co-supervisors: Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS), Rachel Prunier (Western Connecticut State University); Graduated December 2019 http://hdl.handle.net/11427/31267

    

6. Lehlohonolo Donald Adams (University of the Free State) – Reproductive ecology and invasiveness of Pyracantha species in the Eastern Free State; Main supervisor: Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS); Co-supervisors: Dr Vincent Ralph Clark (ARU), Dr Grant Martin (Rhodes University); April 2018 – Graduated April 2021 http://hdl.handle.net/11660/11252

    

7. Karabo Moloi (University of the Free State) – Reproductive ecology and invasiveness of Cotoneaster species in the Eastern Free State; Main supervisor: Dr Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS); Co-supervisors: Dr Grant Martin (Rhodes University); February 2020 – degree awarded with Distinction (78%) June 2022

    

8. Patricia Masole (UFS) – Critical factors affecting seed dispersal and germination of invasive alien Rosa rubiginosa in the eastern Free State. Main Supervisor: Dr Grant Martin (Rhodes University); Co-supervisor: Prof Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS), Dr Stephanie Payne (UFS). 2021-Graduated April 2024

    

9. Nthambeleni Bologo (UFS) – Impacts of the invasive alien plant species clearing programme on socio-economic benefits and plant biodiversity along the Eastern Escarpment, South Africa. Main Supervisor: Dr Grant Martin (Rhodes University); Co-supervisor: Prof Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS). 2021-Graduated Dec 2023

    

10. Thandwayo Mbambo (UKZN) – Grassland forb reproduction in drought-stressed systems. Main Supervisor: Dr Michelle Tedder (UKZN); Co-supervisor: Prof Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS). 2021-Completed May 2024, Graduated September 2024

     

11. Lesego Malekana (UFS) – Impact and management of range expanding Rosaceae species along elevational gradients in the Maloti-Drakensberg (RangeX 1.3). Main Supervisor: Prof Vincent Ralph Clark (ARU); Co-supervisors: Dr Grant Martin (Rhodes University), Prof Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS). 2022-Completed June 2024, graduating December 2024

     

12. Tapiwanashe Mashamba (UFS) – Current status and reproductive ecology of invasive alien Salix species in the Grassland Biome of South Africa. Main Supervisor: Prof Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS); Co-supervisor: Prof Grant Martin (Rhodes University), Dr Stephanie Payne. 2022-Graduating April 2025 (72%).

     

13. Thembelihle Mbele (UFS) - Invasive status of pampas grass in South Africa. Main supervisor: Dr Kim Canavan (Rhodes University); Co-supervisor: Prof Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS). 2023- Graduating April 2025 (74% with distinction).

     

14. Victoria Roetger (Wits) - Plant-pollinator networks along an altitudinal gradient in the Drakensberg Mountain Centre – implications for climate change. Main supervisor: Prof Glynis Goodman-Cron (Wits); Co-supervisors: Prof Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS), Prof Dave Thompson (SAEON). 2023-July 2025.

     

15. Lumko Mboyi (UFS) – Invasion patterns and impacts of the grass Nassella tenuissima in the Eastern Cape Maloti-Drakensberg, South Africa. Main Supervisor: Prof Vincent Ralph Clark (ARU); Co-supervisors: Prof Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS), Dr Kim Canavan (UFS and Rhodes University), Dr Anthony Mapaura (UFS). 2022-Graduating April 2026 (76% with distinction)

     

16. Arni Benko Le Roux (UFS) – Macroinvertebrate assemblages and vegetation dynamics in high elevation wetlands of the Eastern Escarpment, South Africa. Main Supervisor: Prof Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS); Co-supervisors: Prof Mark Robertson (UP), Dr Kyle Lloyd (BirdLifeSA), Prof Michelle Grieve (UP). 2024- Graduating April 2026 (78% with distinction)

Masters – Currently under supervision

1. Thulile Buthelezi - The reproductive and pollination ecology of the South African endemic, Euphorbia clavaroides. Main Supervisor: Prof Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS); Co-supervisor: Dr Stephanie Payne-Smith (UFS), Prof Dave Thompson (SAEON). 2023-current

    

2. Mukololo Princess Khakhu (UFS) – Risk analysis of introducing Gratiana spadicea into Australia as a biocontrol agent for Solanum sisymbriifolium (Solanaceae). Main Supervisor: Prof Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS); Co-supervisors: Dr Grant Martin (Rhodes University), Prof Doug Harbottle (Sol Plaatje University); Dr Michelle Tedder (UKZN); Dr Andrew McConnachie (Department of Regional NSW Australia). 2024-Submitted February 2026

    

3. Zinhle Sithole (UFS) – Cryptic invasions by Rosa species in the eastern Free State, South Africa. Main Supervisor: Prof Grant Martin (Rhodes University); Co-supervisor: Prof Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS), Miss Karabo Moloi (UFS), Dr Stephanie Payne (UFS), Dr Kim Canavan (Rhodes University). 2024-Current

    

4. Siyanda Shabalala (UFS) - Spatial Distribution of the dominant Woody Invasive Alien Species in the Namahadi Catchment Area and their importance to the rural Livelihoods of communities of Phuthaditjhaba town. Main Supervisor: Prof Vincent Ralph Clark (ARU); Co-supervisor: Prof Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS); Dr Grant Martin (Rhodes University). 2024-Current

    

5. Thandolwenkosi Mngomezulu (UFS) – Rosa complex. Main Supervisor: Prof Grant Martin (Rhodes University); Co-supervisor: Prof Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS), Miss Karabo Moloi (UFS), Dr Stephanie Payne (UFS), Dr Kim Canavan (Rhodes University). 2026-Current

    

6. Felicia Macqabi (UFS) – Microbial communities of Cape Protea nectar. Main Supervisor: Prof Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS), co-supervisor: Dr Arun Gokul (University of Mpumalanga). 2026-Current

Doctoral – Graduated

1. Laetitia Voua Otomo (University of the Free State) - Bioactivity, isolation and characterisation of compounds from plants used against secondary infections associated with elephantiasis in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; Main supervisor: Prof Lisa Komoreng (University of Fort Hare); Co-supervisors: Dr Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS), Prof. MMO Thekisoe (North-West University), Dr S. Sabiu (UFS); January 2017 – Graduated April 2022

    

2. Anthony Mapaura (University of the Free State) – Determining the trajectory of graminoid invasions in southern Africa`s mountains: The case of Nassella; Main supervisor: Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS); Co-supervisors: Vincent Ralph Clark (ARU), Kim Canavan (Rhodes University), David Richardson (CIB, Stellenbosch University); April 2019 – Graduated April 2023

    

3. Lehlohonolo Donald Adams (UKZN) – Fleshy-fruited invasive alien plants in the eastern South Africa: Assessing ecosystem services, community perceptions, risk and management; Main supervisor: Prof Colleen Downs (UKZN); Co-supervisors: Dr Grant Martin (Rhodes University), Prof Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS). January 2021 – Graduated September 2024

    

4. Jessica Minnaar (University of the Witwatersrand) - Circumscription of the genus Galtonia, a Drakensberg near-endemic genus, and potential contribution of habitat differences to speciation and genetic diversity; Main Supervisor: Prof Glynis Goodman-Cron (Wits University); Co-supervisor: Prof Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS). December 2021 – Graduated November 2025 

    

5. Karabo Thato Moloi (University of the Free State) – Drivers of invasive Rosaceae in the grassland biome of South Africa. Main Supervisor: Dr Grant Martin (Rhodes University); Co-supervisors: Prof Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS), Dr Stephanie Payne (UFS). July 2022 – Graduating April 2026

Doctoral – Currently under supervision

1. Sphindile Dlamini (UFS) – Socio-ecological impact of invasive wattle in the eastern Free State. Main Supervisor: Prof Aliza Le Roux; Co-supervisor: Dr Grant Martin (Rhodes University), Prof Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS). July 2023 – current

    

2. Blessing Hlongwane (UFS) – To fence or not to fence: Eland (Taurotragus oryx) movement, ecology and human-wildlife coexistence in South Africa’s Drakensberg ecosystem. Main Supervisor: Prof Peter Taylor; Co-supervisors: Prof Vincent Ralph Clark (UFS), Prof Grant Martin (Rhodes University), Prof Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS). 2025 – current

    

3. Thembelihle Mbele (UFS) - Biological control of invasive wattles in South Africa’s grassland biome. Main Supervisors: Dr Kim Canavan, Prof Grant Martin (Rhodes University); Co-supervisor: Prof Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS). 2025-current

    

4. Tapiwanashe Mashamba (UFS) – Role of plant microbiome in volatile emission and pollinator interactions in Protea. Main Supervisor: Dr Arun Gokul (UFS); Co-supervisor: Prof Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS). 2025-current

    

5. Arni Benko Le Roux (UFS) – Plant diversity of the Eastern Great Escarpment, South Africa. Main Supervisor: Prof Vincent Ralph Clark (UFS), co-supervisor: Prof Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (UFS). 2026-Current.

Postdoctoral

1. Dr Nicholas Le Maitre (University of the Free State), April 2019 – May 2020

    

2. Dr Stephanie Payne (University of the Free State), January 2022 – 2025

3. Dr Karabo Moloi (University of the Free State), April 2026 – Current 

BOTA3734: Introduction to Plant Taxonomy and Systematics

BOTA3754: Vegetation Ecology

BIOL6834: Advanced Biostatistics