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Curriculum Vitae

Amy du Pisanie

Amy du Pisanie

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Biographical sketch: Amy du Pisanie

I was born in Durbanville, Cape Town, in 1991, and relocated to Potchefstroom with my

family in 1998. I matriculated in 2009 from Ferdinand Postma High School

(Potchefstroom) where after I enrolled in the BSc (Env and Biol Sci) program at North

West University (NWU), Potchefstroom. In 2012 I graduated from NWU with a BSc

degree, majoring in Zoology and Botany, and immediately continued with a BSc (Hons)

focusing on Biodiversity and Conservation Ecology. I completed my BSc (Hons) in 2013,

also at NWU. I have recently attained my MSc degree (2015) in Environmental Sciences

in the Faculty of Natural Sciences, NWU, Potchefstroom, during which I was a member

of the African Amphibian Conservation Research Group. During my period at NWU I

have developed skills in field work, sample analysis and data collection and analysis. I

have in the process also honed my writing skills as well as my abilities to critically

evaluate my area of research as it pertains to ecological practice in South Africa.

During the last year of my BSc degree, I worked under Dr Sanet Jansen van Vuuren to

complete my year project on identifying and counting different species of diatoms and

algae found at the Rand Water Purification Plant. It was a beautiful experience with

dedicated long hours in front of a microscope. For my Hons BSc and MSc, I decided to

change fields, yet still focusing on aquatic research. During my Hons BSc and MSc, I

focused on stream pollution caused by BT maize and studied under Prof Johnnie van

den Berg (who specializes in genetically modified plants and its effect on insects) and

Prof Louis du Preez (who specializes in amphibians and parasites thereof). I looked at

the degradation rate of the BT toxin in purified and borehole water as well as at different

temperatures. I studied the change in water quality before and after pesticides were

added to the water, and most importantly, I studied the development of tadpoles exposed

to different degrees of pesticides. As part of my research, I have developed skills in

performing ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) analysis, and analysing

Cry1Ab concentrations above and below the detection limit.

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During the first semester of 2014 I was a demonstrator for the first year BSc Zoology

module and at the end of 2014, I participated as a speaker at the Symposium of

Contemporary Conservation Practice held in Howick, Kwa-Zulu Natal, where I

presented my MSc data on the effects of agricultural pesticides on tadpoles. I have also

received the Golden Key Award during 2015. I am excited at the prospect of making a

meaningful contribution to biodiversity and conservation ecology in South Africa.

For the past eight years I have been working part time as a shop-assistant at Rose of

Sharon Gift Shop in Potchefstroom, mainly on Saturdays, and occasionally during the

week and over school and university holidays. From December 2010 until December

2013, I was employed by CUM Books, Potchefstroom, as a casual, responsible for

customer assistance and stock taking. I have recently worked at Agape Guesthouse

Potchefstroom, where I worked for three months, making sure the rooms were spotless

and ready to receive their guests. I have also in this time had to send out invoices,

answer guest questions via email and had to set the tables and serve the guests their

breakfast.

I have recently moved to Randburg, Johannesburg with my husband, with the hopes of

finding work in the field I have dedicated my life to for five years. I am currently

unemployed and is actively looking for work. I am diligent, hard-working and an avid

reader, qualities that I regard as important for a researcher. I have learnt many things

during my postgraduate studies and gladly accept constructive criticism or advice as this

is what is needed to be a better person and a better scientist. I am passionate about

research and thrive on preparing reports. I have always had a love for animal, big and

small and combining this love with my love for research, I found that I will strive in the

Environmental Science field.

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1. Personal Information

Surname: Du Pisanie

Name: Amy

Full Name: Amy

ID Number: 910613 0179 08 4

Marital Status: Married

Date of Birth: 13 June 1991

Current Address: 1188 Puttick Avenue

Sundowner

Ilanga

Randburg

2161

E-mail address: amydupisanie@gmail.com

Nationality: RSA

Contact Number: 083 354 3647

License: Code A1 and Code B

Home Language: English

Other: Afrikaans

Health: Excellent

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2. Academic History

Secondary Education: Ferdinand Postma High School

Potchefstroom

Grades 8-12

Matriculated December 2009

Table 1 Matric Results (see Certificates)

Subject

Afrikaans (First language)

English (First language)

Life Orientation

Mathematics (Higher grade)

Computer Application Technologies (CAT)

Life Science (Biology)

Graphic Design

Tertiary Education: North West University, Potchefstroom Campus: 2010 to 2014.

MSc degree attained in 2015.

Table 2 Tertiary Education Subjects (see Other)

First Year (2010)

Introduction to Academic Literacy

*Academic Literacy

Introductory Organic Chemistry

Lower Invertebrates

Higher Invertebrates and Chordata

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Introduction to Physiology

Membrane and Muscle Physiology

Plant Structure

Biodiversity and Environmental Botany

Second Year (2011)

Biochemistry Metabolisms

Introductory Inorganic and Physical Chemistry

*Zoology

Comparative Animal Physiology

Plant Structure and Function

Plant Systematics

Understanding the Natural World

Earth and Life

Third Year (2012 Completion on BSc degree-

see Certificates)

Biochemistry

Zoology

Ecology

*Ethology

Botany

Plant Physiology

Honors BSc (2013-see Certificates)

Introduction to Environmental Management

Conservation Ecology

Evolutionary Biology and Ethology

Biomonitoring and Risk Assessment

Advanced Ecotoxicology

Biodiversity

*Research Project

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Masters (2014)

Research project

* 75% or more (Distinction)

I have also received a Golden Key reward in 2015

Participation at conferences and symposiums

Conference/Symposium Date, location Title of poster/presentation

Symposium of Contemporary

Conservation Practice

3 – 7 November 2014,

Howick, KZN, South Africa

Possible effects of agricultural

pesticides on tadpoles (oral

presentation)

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3. References

Prof Johnnie van den Berg

BSc (Hons) and MSc study advisor: 018 299 2376

Prof Louis du Preez

BSc (Hons) and MSc study advisor: 018 299 2372

Rose of Sharon Gift Shop Potchefstroom

Mrs Marinda Harvey: 083 5575 929

CUM Books Potchefstroom

Mrs Marinda Botha: 018 294 7401

CFC Youth

Ps Hilton Kriek: 082 560 5501

Ps Anton Myburg: 082 872 8591

Zoology Demonstrator

Prof Mark Maboeta: 018 299 2501

Agape Guesthouse

Rina Strydom: 083 565 5998

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4. Recommendations

Rose of Sharon

118 Roselt Street

Baillie Park

Potchefstroom

2530

2015/01/16

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

RE: AMY du Pisanie

Amy du Pisanie (ID number: 9106130179084) is my daughter and is in my employ on a

part time basis for eight years from January 2007 until August 2015.

She is a dedicated and committed employee. Her primary duties are to run and maintain

the retail aspect of the business, which she is often required to do in my absence. Other

duties include the manufacturing of jewellery as stock items for the shop, as well as

preparing jewellery pieces on special order for customers. As part of her work she is also

expected to deal with customers and handle money. She is trustworthy and committed,

while her creative skills and dedication is a valuable asset to my business.

Because of her dedication and hard work, I can honestly recommend her to any position

that she applies for.

Kind regards

Marinda

Tel 083 5575 929

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5. Certificates

6. Certificates

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6. Other

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