NWU Water Research Group

••••••••• Keeping up with the WRG •••••••••

Congratulations to Prof. Nico J Smit on receiving the prestigious SASAqS Gold Medal!

Prof. Nico was recently awarded the Southern African Society of Aquatic Scientists (SASAqS) Gold Medal, one of South Africa's highest honours in aquatic science.

This award recognises his outstanding and sustained contributions to aquatic science, particularly his internationally recognised research in aquatic parasitology. Over the course of his career, Prof. Nico has advanced our understanding of host–parasite interactions, demonstrated the value of parasites as indicators of ecosystem health, published more than 250 peer-reviewed papers, supervised over 40 postgraduate students, and established collaborations across more than 30 countries.

We are incredibly proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition of his lifelong dedication to aquatic science and more specifically the WRG!

Congratulations, Prof. Nico 👏🎉

NWU - North-West University Environmental Sciences & Management NWU Southern African Society for Aquatic Science NWU Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences

One of South Africa’s highest honours in aquatic science has been awarded to an NWU researcher. 🏅

Congratulations to Prof. Nico Smit on receiving the prestigious Southern African Society of Aquatic Scientists (SASAqS) Gold Medal for his outstanding and sustained contributions to aquatic science.

Across many years, Prof. Smit’s research has advanced our understanding of freshwater and marine ecosystems, trained the next generation of scientists and fostered international research collaborations. His work demonstrating how aquatic parasites can serve as indicators of ecosystem health has delivered valuable insights for conservation and evidence-based decision-making.

This award celebrates not only research excellence but also the lasting impact of mentorship, collaboration and scientific discovery in protecting our natural resources.

••••••••• Keeping up with the WRG •••••••••
This week we continue with the third year's excursion!
Check it out on YouTube 😎

www.youtube.com

••••••••• Keeping up with the WRG •••••••••
Don’t forget to check out our YouTube for more videos on the third year’s excursion 😎

www.youtube.com

••••••••• Keeping up with the WRG •••••••••
Don’t forget to check out our YouTube for more third year excursion videos 😎

https://youtu.be/QjcEoDssDCg?si=638aOIWbHhPYhSeV

www.youtube.com

••••••••• Keeping up with the WRG •••••••••
Don’t forget to check out our YouTube for more third year excursion videos 😎

Field notes: Fishing is always a highlight on this excursion (Ep.5) Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

A great opportunity for an early career aquatic parasitologist to join the NWU Water Research Group!

🌊🔬 Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Available at NWU!

Are you passionate about aquatic biodiversity, parasitology, ecology, and environmental sciences?

The NWU Water Research Group (NWU-WRG) is looking for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Aquatic Parasitology to join an internationally recognised research team based in Potchefstroom.

✨ What’s on offer?
✔ 3-year fellowship
✔ R320 000 annual tax-free fellowship
✔ R20 000 relocation allowance
✔ R50 000 annual project running expenses
✔ Opportunities to publish, supervise students, and contribute to impactful research

📅 Applications close: 15 July 2026
📅 Appointment date: 1 August 2026

If you meet the requirements and are ready to advance your research career, we'd love to hear from you!

📧 Submit applications to: [email protected]
📌 See the poster below for full details.

Please share with colleagues, researchers, and recent PhD graduates who may be interested! 🙌


NWU FNAS Student Chapter NWU Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences NWU Climatology Research Group_CRG NWU: Green Campus Initiatives NWU Green Team NWU Forb Ecology Research Group - FERG African Centre for Disaster Studies (ACDS), NWU

••••••••• Keeping up with the WRG •••••••••
Don’t forget to check out our YouTube for more third year excursion videos 😎

Field notes: We bring people together (Ep. 4) Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

••••••••• Keeping up with the WRG •••••••••
Don’t forget to check out our YouTube for more videos on the third year’s excursion 😎

Field notes: Such beautiful names... (Ep. 3) Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

••••••••• Keeping up with the WRG •••••••••
This week we continue with the third year's excursion!
Check it out on YouTube 😎

DRKS 311 Excursion student interview 2 Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

••••••••• Keeping up with the WRG •••••••••
Ever wanted to know what happens on the third year's excursion?
Check out our YouTube video to find out! 😎

Field notes: What Happens on a 3rd-Year Zoology Excursion? (Ep. 1) Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.