Sandra MacFadyen is a postdoctoral research fellow with the Mathematical Biosciences Lab (BioMath) in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Stellenbosch University. She completed a joint-PhD in Botany with Stellenbosch University and Landscape Ecology with Vrije University Amsterdam in the Netherlands in 2018, and holds an MSc in Geographic Information Science and postgraduate degrees in Nature Conservation.

Sandra is also core team member of the EU funded Biodiversity Building Blocks for Policy Programme (B3), a research associate at the National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences (NITheCS) and the work-package (WP) leader for Ecological Complexity and Biodiversity (ECoBi) – WP1 in the Complexity in Biological Systems (E5) Research Programme focussed on Unravelling complexity in coupled Earth, Environ-mental, Ecological, Evolutionary and Economic systems. 

Based in the Kruger National Park for >25 years with the Savanna Research Unit of South African National Parks (SANParks), Sandra is interested in macroscale ecosystem dynamics with an emphasis on applied spatial statistics for biodiversity conservation. Her research focuses on exploring the links between patterns and processes to develop a more holistic understanding of ecosystem dynamics in large protected areas. She is passionate about developing and encouraging the use of novel mathematical models to answer important ecological questions.

Biodiversity Building Blocks for Policy

B3 addresses the urgent need for rapid, reliable biodiversity monitoring by standardizing and integrating data from citizen scientists, museums, herbaria and researchers into “data cubes” based on the Essential Biodiversity Variables framework. These cubes underpin real-time, on-demand models and indicators—hosted in a cloud environment—that inform policy decisions at local to global scales. To ensure reproducibility and reusability, the project develops open-source workflows and software for data processing, modelling and indicator calculation, and validates its approach through four geographically and ecologically diverse case studies. Guided by core objectives—FAIR data, informed policy, model-ready datasets and adaptable workflows—B3 delivers free tools and exemplar pipelines that empower stakeholders and policymakers to monitor and forecast biodiversity change effectively. Webpage: https://b-cubed.eu/

Savanna Research Unit, SANPARKS

The Savanna Research Unit oversees science‐based research and monitoring across Mapungubwe and Kruger National Parks, building on Kruger’s in‐house research legacy since the 1950s. Studying socio-ecological systems across diverse savanna biomes, the Unit provides data‐driven advice to park managers, fosters open-science communication and influences conservation policy. Its team—comprising scientists, ecologists, technicians and support staff—is organised into thematic programmes (human & nature systems ecology; species ecology; knowledge support; park interface). With offices and field facilities in Skukuza, Phalaborwa and Shingwedzi, plus a herbarium and analytical lab, the Unit supports both in-house and visiting researchers, strengthening local and international collaborations.

National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences (NITheCS)

National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences (NITheCS) (launched 1 April 2024) is South Africa’s flagship Centre of Excellence for theoretical and computational science, hosted under the National Research Foundation and Department of Science, Technology and Innovation. As a multidisciplinary “undisciplinary” institute, it brings together eight research themes—from Astronomy and Theoretical Physics to Bioinformatics, Data Science, Climate Modelling, Mathematics, Statistics and Quantitative Finance—to drive excellent, impact-focused research, training and engagement aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Operating as a consortium across five regional nodes (with its central hub at Stellenbosch University) and partnering globally with ICTP and CoRE-AI, NITheCS champions open science, builds future skills, and positions South Africa at the forefront of global technological advancement.