Each year, two early career researchers in different disciplines join the multidisciplinary SAJS editorial team as Associate Editor mentees. The successful candidates for 2020/21 are Dr Sandiswa Mbewana (in the field of Cell, Molecular & Health Sciences) and Dr Sydney Moyo (in the field of Organismal Biology).

Sandiswa is a postdoctoral fellow in the Biopharming Research Unit of the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of Cape Town. She completed her PhD in Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of Cape Town in 2017. Her research focuses on the development of valuable pharmaceutical reagents.

Sydney is a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Zoology and Entomology at Rhodes University. He obtained a PhD in Zoology from Rhodes University in 2016. A central focus of his research is exploring the connectivity between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems via invertebrates.

The Associate Editor Mentorship Programme was initiated in 2018 as an opportunity for early career researchers to gain valuable editorial experience working with an experienced SAJS Associate Editor.