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Prof Frank Zachos
Prof Frank Zachos recently delivered his inaugural lecture on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus.

Prof Frank Zachos, a scientist and Head of the Mammal Collection at the Natural History Museum (NHM) in Vienna – one of the world’s largest natural history museums – recently delivered his inaugural lecture at the University of the Free State (UFS) on the Bloemfontein Campus.

His lecture was titled: Of bat bombs and super moms – the wondrous and wondrously curious world of mammals.

Prof Zachos, an affiliated researcher at the UFS, says he chose mammals as the topic of his lecture because he is a mammalogist and curator of mammals at the Natural History Museum. Additionally, he collaborates with Prof Paul Grobler, Head of the Department of Genetics, on mammal projects.

Exposure to almost unparalleled biodiversity in SA

With a mixture of entertaining fun facts and some proper research results, he presented his lecture, providing an overview of some of the most interesting aspects of mammals. These included their different ways of reproduction: the platypuses laying eggs, the tiny marsupial offspring growing in a pouch, and placental mammals having long gestation times. Furthermore, he compared levels of biodiversity in South Africa and Europe and highlighted some particularly bizarre mammals, such as the aye-aye, naked mole-rat, the platypus, and two extinct South African ungulates from their collection in Vienna – the quagga and the blue antelope.

Prof Zachos also discussed his own research on blue antelope genetics, as well as research on other species, in the context of the detrimental impact humans have on mammals and other wildlife.

Moreover, his lecture included a reference to Project X-Ray, a story of how the US army pursued an unsuccessful plan to use bats as carriers of mini bombs in World War II.

Prof Zachos, who is specifically known for his research on the systematics, biogeography, and genetics of red deer, as well as his theoretical work on the species problem (‘what is a species?’ –  one of the most hotly debated topics in evolutionary biology), is affiliated with the UFS due to his longstanding collaboration with Prof Grobler. He says they have known each other for a long time, have published together, and that he has also served as an external reviewer for several theses coming from the Department of Genetics.

“Apart from this personal connection, what made this collaboration particularly interesting to me from a professional viewpoint, is the rich wildlife biodiversity and the research focus of Prof Grobler’s research group, which overlaps significantly with my own longstanding interests,” adds Prof Zachos.

“Working with Prof Grobler, I am involved in studies on the genetic diversity and structuring of different mammal species occurring in South Africa. The opportunity to spend time in the field for sample collection and other activities is definitely also a highlight,” remarks Prof Zachos.

Ideal combination of academic and personal growth

Regarding his connection with the UFS and its impact on shaping the future direction of his research, he states that he has a strong interest in antelopes – a group of mammals not found in Europe, but very prominent in South Africa. “Apart from that, people in the Department of Genetics have expertise in relevant areas that I personally do not have, for example bioinformatics. For me, it is the ideal combination of academic and personal growth, and I am very grateful to have this unique opportunity.”

He believes that his affiliation with the UFS and its Department of Genetics will continue to provide him with opportunities to expand his research and knowledge to different species and ecosystems.

Beyond science, he says that he has developed an interest in the country as well. “I have been reading books about South Africa, and I consider myself very privileged to have a second academic home here, which gives me the opportunity for exchange with people of different backgrounds,” he comments.

News Archive

Ensure your place at the UFS
2010-10-27

The University of the Free State (UFS) appeals to all prospective South African students who want to come and study at the UFS in 2011 to submit their applications no later than Tuesday, 30 November 2010.

The UFS is aware of the fact that learners will not have received their final Grade 12 results by Tuesday, 30 November 2010; therefore provisional admission will be granted based on learners’ most recent Grade 12 results. Final admission will take place upon receipt of the final Grade 12 results, which will be available early in January 2011.

Prospective students can obtain application forms for admission at the following places:

  1. The UFS’s web site at www.ufs.ac.za,
  2. The Information Office (Unit for Prospective Students) at the Thakaneng Bridge on the UFS’s Main Campus in Bloemfontein,
  3. You may also send an e-mail to info@ufs.ac.za or
  4. Phone 051 401 3000 and the necessary forms will be posted to you.

Senior undergraduate students (that is all students who were registered up to and during 2010 at the UFS) as well as post-graduate students, must self-register electronically on-line from Monday, 1 November 2010 until Tuesday, 4 January 2011. This includes master’s and doctoral students.

In order to encourage senior students to register online, the UFS offers 20 laptops as incentives for the senior students who successfully register online from 1 November 2010. These laptops will be handed over to the winners after the registration process in 2011.

Registration of first-year students:

The Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Jonathan Jansen, will welcome first-year students on Friday, 14 January and Saturday, 15 January 2011, respectively, in the Callie Human Centre. The Faculties of Economic and Management Sciences, the Humanities and Education will be welcomed on 14 January 2011 and the students of the Faculties of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Law and Theology shall be welcomed on 15 January 2011. The compulsory orientation programme for new first-years will also then commence.

From 17 to 21 January 2011 first-year students will receive academic advice at the Callie Human Centre, whereafter they will be referred for self-registration. These processes will take place according to the set timetable. This timetable is available in the Kovsie Guide that will be sent to learners as soon as we have received their applications, as well as on the web site of the UFS at www.ufs.ac.za/register2011.

First-year students’ fees must be paid prior to arrival on 14 and 15 January 2011.

Registration of senior students:

Senior students who experience problems with the electronic on-line self-registration process have the opportunity to resolve problems within a programme on campus from Wednesday, 5 January until Wednesday, 12 January 2011. This programme will be sent out to students and is also available at www.ufs.ac.za/register2011. The specific scheduled day for senior students to resolve problems is the last and only day to resolve the problem.

Senior students can also contact 051 401 9111 for more information in this regard.

Students may register for prescribed modules for 2011, even though the November 2010 examination results are not yet available. Changes resulting from examination results that are made available later can be done up to and including 28 January 2011.

In terms of applications for senior students, only students who have interrupted a calendar year of study need to re-apply for admission.

Registration of students at the UFS’s Qwaqwa Campus:

Senior and first-year students of the UFS’s Qwaqwa Campus register from Wednesday, 12 January until Friday, 28 January 2011 in the Nelson Mandela Hall on this campus.

Registration of students at the UFS South Campus:

First-year students from the UFS’s South Campus in the University Preparation Programme and the Extended Programme (only Natural and Agricultural Sciences) register from Monday, 24 January till Friday, 28 January 2011 in the Arena Hall on the South Campus.

Students who have successfully completed the University Preparation Programme register with the first-year students on the UFS Main Campus on Friday, 14 and Saturday, 15 January 2011 – according to faculties (cf. paragraph 6).

Lectures for all students shall commence on Monday, 24 January 2011.

MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication (actg)
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl@ufs.ac.za
26 October 2010

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