Becoming Supernatural: How common people are being misled
van Steenderen, C.J.M. 2020. Becoming Supernatural: How common people are being misled. Skeptical Inquirer Vol.44 No. 4.
Clarke JM van Steenderen
Personal Information
📫 vsteenderen@gmail.com
📞 +27 (0)72 529 0732
Google Scholar
GitHub
Twitter: @ClarkeJMVS
orcid.org/0000-0002-4219-446X
Citizenship: South African
Education
- PhD, Entomology, Rhodes University, 2020-present
- MSc, Entomology, Rhodes University, 2018-2019
- BSc Hons (with distinction, top honours student), Entomology, Rhodes University, 2017
- BSc, Zoology and Entomology (with a distinction in Entomology), Rhodes University (EC Province), 2014-2016
- Selly Park Secondary School, Rustenburg (NW Province), 2008-2012
Publications
Addressing the red flags in cochineal identification: The use of molecular techniques to identify cochineal insects that are used as biological control agents for invasive alien cacti
van Steenderen, C.J.M., Paterson, I.D., Edwards, S., and Day, M.D. 2021. Addressing the red flags in cochineal identification: The use of molecular techniques to identify cochineal insects that are used as biological control agents for invasive alien cacti. Biological Control 104426. doi: 10.1016/j.biocontrol.2020.104426.
SPEDE-sampler: an R Shiny application to assess how methodological choices and taxon-sampling can affect Generalised Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC) output and interpretation
van Steenderen, C.J.M. and Sutton, G.F. 2022. SPEDE-sampler: an R Shiny application to assess how methodological choices and taxon-sampling can affect Generalised Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC) output and interpretation. Molecular Ecology Resources (22)2 doi: 10.1111/1755-0998.13591
BinMat: A molecular genetics tool for processing binary data obtained from fragment analysis in R
van Steenderen, C.J.M. 2022. Biodiversity Data Journal (10) doi: 10.3897/BDJ.10.e77875
Project experience
- PhD A genetic investigation of the native stem-boring \textit{Tetramesa} wasps in South Africa: identifying potential biological control agents of invasive grasses
- MSc Using genetic barcoding methods to identify the different species and intra-specific lineages of Dactylopius Costa used as biological control agents of invasive Cactaceae
- Honours The biological control of water hyacinth under eutrophic conditions and the effects of different herbivorous feeding guilds on plant health and defenses
- Honours The determination of the efficacy of a unisexual vs a bisexual sterile insect release for the false codling moth (Thaumatotibia leucotreta Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae); a major citrus pest in South Africa. I also compared mating preference and successful mating ability between sterile and wild adults
- Third year The efficacy of a host-specific granulovirus (PlxyGV) under field conditions on the biological control of the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella L.)
- Third year The extent of microplastic pollution along the South African coastline using indigenous (Perna perna) and invasive (Mytilus galloprovincialis) mussel tissue as indicators
Positions held
- Postgraduate student representative (Hons, MSc, PhD) Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University (2022)
- Postgraduate student representative (MSc students) Centre for Biological Control, Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University (2018-2019)
- Library assistant Student assistant at the Rhodes University main library loans desk (2018)
- Committee member Environmental Representative (House Committee) for my residence (2016) at Rhodes University (Kimberley Hall)
Tutoring
- University tutoring Cell biology, Zoology 1 and 2, Entomology 2 and 3, Honours R statistics courses; Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University (2017 - 2022). Duties included assisting undergraduate students with their practical classes and fieldwork, and marking their scripts and assignments
- Private tutoring Computer skills on FirstTutors South Africa (online, 2021); Mathematics, physical science and life science to grade 10 and 11 homeschooling students (Rustenburg, North West Province, 2013).
- I delivered a series of 1-1.5 hour/week tutorials to colleagues within the Centre for Biological Control (CBC) research group, September - October 2020. See here
Skills
- Molecular biology
- DNA extraction, PCR, phylogenetics, genetic barcoding, fragment analyses (ISSR, SSR) and data processing
- Computational
- Programming in Python and R, R Shiny Apps
Courses completed
- Advanced Statistics in R, accredited through Rhodes University (August 2020)
- Invasive Weeds Short Course, accredited through Rhodes University (October 2018)
- Phylogenetics beginner and advanced workshop, Stellenbosch University (June 2018)
Awards
- Best student presentation (PhD) runner-up, 22nd Congress of the Entomological Society of Southern Africa (ESSA), 2021
- Departmental PhD bursary through the Centre for Biological Control (CBC) (2020 – 2022)
- Awarded an NRF bursary for an MSc degree (2018 - 2019)
- Academic Colours (Rhodes University, 2017)
- Entomological Society of Southern Africa Student Award: best Honours student in Entomology, Rhodes University, 2017
- Ewer prize for Zoology, Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, 2017
- Academic Excellence Award, Postgraduate Hall, 2017
- Recipient of the Ada and Bertie Levenstein bursary for 2017, 2018, and 2019
- Awarded the Henderson bursary for 2017 and 2018
- Placed on the Dean’s list of the Faculty of Science for Academic Merit for the years 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017, Rhodes University
- Academic Excellence Award (Kimberley Hall, Rhodes University, 2016)
- Distinguished Excellence Award (Kimberley Hall, Rhodes University, 2016)
- The Most Inspiring Person Award (Kimberley Hall, Rhodes University, 2015)
- Top Student’s Award (Kimberley Hall, Rhodes University, 2015)
- Academic Excellence Award (Kimberley Hall, Rhodes University, 2015)
- Academic Half Colours (Rhodes University, 2015)
- “Top 5” student award received from grade 8 through to matric.
- Represented the North West Province in the South African National Chess Championships in 2010 (UCT) and 2011 (UJ)
Talks
The genetic barcoding of the species and lineages of Dactylopius Costa (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae)
Conference proceedings talk, The National Symposium on Biological Invasions (15-17 May 2019) at Waterval Country Lodge, Tulbagh, Western Cape, South Africa
Cochineal identification: how molecular techniques can distinguish between biological control agents and agricultural pests.
Conference proceedings talk, 2nd International Congress of Biological Control (ICBC2) at Davos, Switzerland
A genetic investigation of the native stem-galling Tetramesa Walker (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) in South Africa, and their potential use as biological control agents
Conference proceedings talk, 22nd Hybrid Congress of the Entomological Society of Southern Africa (ESSA) at Tshipise Forever Resort, Limpopo, South Africa
South Africa is a hotspot for previously unknown stem-boring wasps of grasses (Tetramesa; Eurytomidae)
Conference proceedings talk, Grassland Society of Southern Africa, 56th Annual Congress at Online event,
R packages on CRAN
BinMat: Processes Binary Data Obtained from Fragment Analysis (Such as AFLPs, ISSRs, and RFLPs)
ThermalSampleR: Calculate Sample Sizes Required for Critical Thermal Limits Experiments
Reviewer
I have reviewed publications in the following journals:
- Biological Control (1 paper)
- Weed Research (1 paper)
- Biological Invasions (1 paper)