MRI Students Miane Reynolds, Laurene van Dijk, and Cilliers van der Merwe (left to center) celebrate a hat trick of student awards at the 2025 ORC. Image credit: Bruce Crossey
The Mammal Research Institute (MRI), University of Pretoria, celebrated a hat trick of awards at the 14th annual Oppenheimer Research Conference (ORC), held from 15–17 October 2025.
The MRI was strongly represented across both results presentations and poster formats. Laurene van Dijk delivered a student results speed presentation based on her Honours project, while Juanita Wessels presented findings from her MSc research. Poster presentations featured Cilliers van der Merwe, Miane Reynolds, Loraine Shuttleworth, Jawi Ramahlo, Bruce Crossey, Bharti Arora, and Erin Brooke, showcasing the breadth of research currently on the go at the MRI.
The celebrations continued as Cilliers van der Merwe took the 1st place award for Best Poster, with Miane Reynolds earning 3rd place in the same category, and Laurene van Dijk winning Best Student Speed Presentation — securing an impressive awards hat trick for the MRI team.
Hosted by Oppenheimer Generations Research and Conservation, the ORC remains a leading African platform for sharing scientific innovation and driving collaboration in biodiversity, ecology, and conservation.
Congratulations to all of our MRI students for their outstanding achievements and for proudly representing the Institute on this prestigious stage!