About CLong
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Academic Level Master’s Degree
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Age 23 - 27 Years
About me
I am an ambitious, fast-learning research enthusiast with a deep passion and fervour for all individuals found in nature, especially animals. I grew up in East Africa, where my love of wildlife commenced – I haven’t looked back since. I am currently completing my PhD focusing as a multidisciplinary investigation of the physiological responses of a model primate to changes in the environment. From my postgraduate career, I will have gained unique contemporary scientific research skills that will improve my abilities to apply my knowledge over a broad spectrum of subjects which I will hopefully have the opportunity to implement in future scientific endeavours. I pride myself on being efficient in the field, the lab, and behind a computer.
Education
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2016 - 2018
University of Pretoria
MSc Genetics
The project focused on the gut microbiome of the African lesser galago (Galago moholi). Specifically, we were evaluating the bacterial taxa differences between populations situated in urban and rural areas of Pretoria.
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2018 - present
University of Pretoria
PhD Paraclinical Sciences
The assessment of physiological responses of the thick-tailed greater galago (Otolemur crassicaudatus) during fluctuating environmental conditions. Specifically, the study will be validating the EIAs most suitable for the monitoring of stress and metabolic hormone levels in addition to evaluating seasonal changes of the glucocorticoid and T3 concentrations over a longitudinal time period. All faecal samples will be collected using non-invasive methods. Furthermore, the gut microbial profile will be determined in relation to changes in season and diet, and how these affect the bacterial communities present. We will be using next-generation sequencing to determine the 16s rRNA gene sequences found within faecal swab samples. Lastly, a profile of urinary organic acids over a longitudinal period will be determined using NMR and GC-MS analysis.
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2014 - 2015
University of Pretoria
BSc (Honours) Zoology
A longitudinal assessment of the dive patterns of the southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) from Marion Island.
- 2010 - 2013
Experience
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2017 - 2018
University of Colorado
Research Assistant
Situated in the Soutpansberg Mountains, Limpopo. Collecting data for an NSF-funded project investigating the physiological and behavioural responses of two strepsirrhine primates in South Africa. Worked closely with a postdoc fellow. This fieldwork included: night behavioural observations, faecal collections, animal trapping, hair collection, thermal photography using an infrared camera, the collection of temperature data from isolated locations at the study site.
Portfolio
Honors & awards
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2015
Student Development Program
I won the award for being an exceptional presenter and relayer of information applied from a published paper.