04 July 2025
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Story Precious Shamase
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Photo Supplied
Pictured from the left: Dr Arun Gokul, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Plant Sciences; Tapiwanashe Mashamba, PhD student and Research Assistant in the Centre for Teaching and Learning; and Prof Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen, Associate Professor in the Department of Plant Sciences.
A recent visit by world-renowned Prof Robert A Raguso from Cornell University, Ithaca, New York to the University of the Free State (UFS) has significantly reignited research on protea pollination and provided invaluable career development for postgraduate students. This initiative, largely supported by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) Future Professors Programme, highlights a strong commitment to cultivating the next generation of scientific leaders in South Africa.
A two-decade-long collaboration bears fruit
Prof Raguso's collaboration with the UFS' Prof Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen, Associate Professor in the Department of Plant Sciences, dates back to 2003, initiated during her PhD research on the evolution of a beetle pollination system in proteas, and further developed during her postdoctoral research on rodent pollination. For years, the two actively sought funding to delve deeper into questions that emerged from this foundational work. The subsequent DHET Future Professors Programme funding enabled Prof Steenhuisen to bring Prof Raguso to South Africa, recognising the immense benefit of conducting research within the native protea ecosystem.
The recent acquisition of a state-of-the-art gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) machine at the UFS was a significant catalyst. This cutting-edge technology allowed Profs Steenhuisen and Raguso to analyse new samples, providing crucial ‘proof of concept’ for their research methods.
During his visit, Prof Raguso joined Prof Steenhuisen, Dr Arun Gokul, and Tapiwanashe Mashamba, a newly registered PhD student from the Qwaqwa Campus, for intensive fieldwork in the Western Cape. Their efforts yielded samples from 20 different protea species, including valuable nectar samples.
Invaluable expertise and unexpected discoveries
Prof Raguso also shared his extensive expertise through seminars at Stellenbosch University, the University of the Western Cape, and on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus – which was streamed online – and dedicated significant time on the Qwaqwa Campus. There, he assisted with lab work and refined workflow processes for the new GC-MS machine. With 35 years of experience in the field, his knowledge was invaluable in confirming the machine's optimal performance and clean baseline. He also had the opportunity to visit Witsieshoek, gaining familiarity with the Maloti-Drakensberg region where UFS researchers frequently conduct their work.
For Prof Raguso, a highlight of the research trip was visiting the ‘green paradise’ of Fernkloof Nature Reserve in Hermanus. "The setting, the quality of the habitat, the perfect timing of the flowering period, everything was immaculate," he remarked. "And the plants we researched there were in many ways the most interesting of the trip."
The research also yielded intriguing findings that challenged previous assumptions. "We were oversimplistic in our thinking about bird vs. rodent pollination," Prof Raguso noted. "Because we found various species that are likely pollinated by combinations thereof, and their intermediate floral phenotypes (and really unusual nectar scents) should compel some new ideas about our project. I would include Protea lorifolia, P. recondita, and P. magnifica in this category."
Cultivating professional growth: The career development workshop
Beyond the research, a significant highlight of Prof Raguso's visit was a two-day, one-night professional career development workshop held at the Protea Hotel in Clarens. This vital initiative brought together a diverse group of three PhD students and two postdoctoral researchers from the Bloemfontein Campus, alongside 21 postgraduates from the Qwaqwa Campus, representing various scientific disciplines including geography, chemistry, plant sciences, and zoology.
Tapiwanashe Mashamba, the new PhD student, described the workshop as a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." He highlighted the practical skills gained, such as creating effective CVs and cover letters, and the invaluable experience of networking with other students and professors. "I benefited a lot as a new PhD student from this workshop," Mashamba shared.
The workshop offered a comprehensive programme designed to equip students with essential skills for their future careers. Participants engaged in introspective exercises to identify their strengths, ‘superpowers’, fears, and aspirations. Practical sessions focused on developing effective CVs, with discussions on highlighting both hard and soft skills. Attendees also analysed job advertisements to understand desired qualifications and learned how to tailor their CVs accordingly. A crucial aspect of the workshop was an open discussion on student-supervisor relationships and strategies for effective management of these vital professional connections.
For Prof Raguso, the workshop was a ‘transformative experience’. He stated, "The students were so engaged, passionate, honest, and strong; they really inspired Sandy and me to find ways to improve their experiences and acquire the best possible advice as their careers advance."