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#UFSWomen: Prof Carlien Pohl-Albertyn encourages women to reach their full potential

06 August 2021 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Supplied

Prof Carlien_web read more — Prof Carlien Pohl-Albertyn, a successful scientist, is living her dream job, as she gets to pursue her passion for microbiology; a career she wanted to pursue ever since Grade 10.

Prof Carlien Pohl-Albertyn, a professor of Microbiology in the Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, is the holder of the SARChI Chair in Pathogenic Yeasts at the University of the Free State (UFS). She is leading the Pathogenic Yeast Research Group, studying pathogenic yeast infections and necessary treatment options and bringing hope to many immunosuppressed patients battling HIV/Aids, cancer, diabetics, and other diseases. She also recently co-authored an article on the incidence of fungal infections in COVID-19 patients.

“This is my dream job, as I get to pursue my passion for microbiology,” says Prof Pohl-Albertyn, who already knew as early as Grade 10 that she wanted to become a microbiologist. “I have always been fascinated by the natural world and have known since childhood that I would become a scientist,” she says.

An interview with Prof Pohl-Albertyn reveals more about the persons who inspired her, her view on the development of women, and how she approaches her work.

Is there a woman who inspires you and who you would like to celebrate this Women’s Month, and why?

“The first woman who instilled a love for the biological sciences in me was Miss Steyn, my high school Biology teacher. She had a passion for teaching that inspired me to become a microbiologist.”

Prof Pohl-Albertyn, however, states that there were many other women who constantly inspired her to be a better person.

“My mother inspires me to take responsibility for my choices; my mother-in-law inspires me to be kinder to others; and my best friends’ mothers inspire me to persevere, even when things are difficult.”

“I am also inspired by my female friends, Ezelle van den Heever, who has shown me that there is always a plan to be made to solve a problem; Trudi O’Neill, who manages to balance high-level research, teaching, and administration with her home life; Alicia Sherriff, from whom I am learning to be more emotionally intelligent; and Janine Allen, who has expanded my horizons and regularly shows me how to look at the world in a completely different way.”

What is your response to current challenges faced by women and available platforms for women development?

“Coming from a fairly male-dominated cultural background, I realise that I have been very privileged to not experience challenges just because I am a woman. I have been able to study and work in a field that values women and men equally and have chosen a very capable and extremely supportive husband, who sees me as an equal.”

She, however, realises that this is not the case for many women, and understands that there are women who were not able to follow their dreams and make their own life choices.

Prof Pohl-Albertyn believes that any opportunity for women to overcome challenges should be encouraged, as a society will ultimately be better if everyone is able to fulfil their greatest potential.

What advice would you give to the 15-year-old you?

This successful scientist, spouse, mother of two sons, daughter, friend, and mentor to many, says that she will advise her 15-year-old self to do everything the way that she has been doing it. “I do not regret anything and would not change my life in any way,” she says.

What would you say makes you a woman of quality, impact, and care?

“I am a person of quality because of my integrity, work ethic, and commitment to my responsibilities – something that is easy if you enjoy what you do every day.”

“I am a person of impact because of the influence I have on my colleagues, who I always treat with respect, and my students, who I teach to the best of my abilities, and which I hope will serve them well in their careers.”

“I am a person of care because I value the contributions of my colleagues and students to my own growth and development,” remarks Prof Pohl-Albertyn.

News Archive

Researchers international leaders in satellite tracking in the wildlife environment

2015-05-29

Ground-breaking research has attracted international media attention to Francois Deacon, lecturer and researcher in the Department Animal, Wildlife and Grassland Sciences at the UFS, and Prof Nico Smit, from the same department. They are the first researchers in the world to equip giraffes with GPS collars, and to conduct research on this initiative. Recently, they have been joined by Hennie Butler from the Department of Zoology as well as Free State Nature Conservation to further this research.

“Satellite tracking is proving to be extremely valuable in the wildlife environment. The unit is based on a mobile global two-way communication platform, utilising two-way data satellite communication, complete with GPS systems.

“It allows us to track animals day and night, while we monitor their movements remotely from the computer. These systems make possible the efficient control and monitoring of wildlife in all weather conditions and in near-to-real time. We can even communicate with the animals, calling up their positions or changing the tracking schedules.

“The satellite collar allows us to use the extremely accurate data to conduct research with the best technology available. The volume of data received allows us to publish the data in scientific journals and research-related articles.

“Scientific institutions and the public sector have both shown great interest in satellite tracking, which opens up new ground for scientific research for this university. Data management can be done, using Africa Wildlife Tracking (AWT) equipment where we can access our data personally, store it, and make visual presentations. The AWT system and software architecture provide the researcher with asset tracking, GPS location reports, geo-fencing, highly-detailed custom mapping, history reports and playback, polling on demand, history plotting on maps, and a range of reporting types and functions,” Francois said.

Data can be analysed to determine home range, dispersal, or habitat preference for any specific species.

Francois has been involved in multiple research projects over the last 12 years on wildlife species and domesticated animals, including the collaring of species such as Black-backed Jackal, Caracal, African Wild Dog, Hyena, Lion, Cheetah, Cattle, Kudu, Giraffe, and Black Rhino: “Giraffe definitely being the most challenging of all,” he said.

In 2010, he started working on his PhD, entitled The spatial ecology, habitat preferences and diet selection of giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa) in the Kalahari region of South Africa.

Since then, his work has resulted not only in more research work (supervising four Masters students) but also in a number of national and international projects. These include work in the:

Kalahari region (e.g. Khamab Nature Reserve and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park)
Kuruman region (Collared 18 cattle to identify spatial patterns in relation to the qualities of vegetation and soil-types available. This project took place in collaboration with Born University in Germany)
Woodland Hills Wildlife Estate and Kolomella Iron Ore – ecological monitoring
A number of Free State nature reserves (e.g. Distribution of herbivores (kudu and giraffe) and predators (camera traps)

Francois is also involved with species breeding programmes and management (giraffe, buffalo, sable, roan, and rhino) in Korrannaberg, Rustenburg, Hertzogville, Douglas, and Bethlehem as well as animal and ecological monitoring in Kolomella and Beesthoek iron ore.

Besides the collaring of giraffes, Francois and his colleagues are involved in national projects, where they collect milk from lactating giraffes and DNA material, blood samples, and ecto/endo parasites from giraffes in Southern Africa.

With international projects, Francois is working to collect DNA material for the classification of the nine sub-species of giraffe in Africa. He is also involved in projects focusing on the spatial ecology and adaptation of giraffe in Uganda (Murchison Falls), and to save the last 30 giraffe in the DRC- Garamba National Park.

This project has attracted a good deal of international interest. In June 2014, a US film crew (freelancing for Discovery Channel) filmed a documentary on Francois’ research (trailer of documentary). Early in 2015, a second crew, filming for National Geographic, also visited Francois to document his work.

More information about Francois’ work is available at the GCF website.

Read Francois Deacon's PhD abstract

Direct enquiries to news@ufs.ac.za.

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