A Successful 2025 AOS Masters Proposal Showcase!

On Thursday, 06 November 2025, the MARiS community gathered—both in person and online—for the Applied Ocean Sciences (AOS) Masters Students’ Proposal Presentations. A total of 11 students shared their exciting minor dissertation research projects, spanning themes from shark ecology, whale density and sea ice, marine ecosystem modelling, and terrestrial–marine linkages, to offshore environmental impact assessments and West Coast Rock Lobster stranding mitigation.

Hosted in the MARiS AOS Teaching Lab at the MARiS Centre, this hybrid session created a vibrant space for discussion, curiosity, and constructive scientific dialogue. The diversity of topics showcased the interdisciplinary strength of the AOS programme and the passion of our emerging ocean scientists.

We extend our heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us—whether in person or via Zoom.
Your engagement, questions, and feedback were invaluable in strengthening the students’ research proposals and inspiring their next steps.

After the presentations, the AOS Class gathered at Simons Restaurant, Groot Constantia, for their end-of-year picnic celebration—a well-deserved moment of relaxation, camaraderie, and reflection to close off an enriching academic year.

Special appreciation goes to the AOS Course Convenors, Dr Louise Gammage and Prof Marcello Vichi, as well as all supervisors and collaborators guiding these students through their academic journeys.

We look forward to seeing these research projects evolve over the coming months and to celebrating the scientific contributions that will emerge from this talented cohort.

For any queries, please feel free to contact the convenors at aos.maris@uct.ac.za.

Thank you for supporting the next generation of ocean scientists!