Scientists

Dr. Sean Passmoor – Senior Operations Scientist

Dr. Sean Passmoor is a researcher affiliated with the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO). He has contributed to the field of radio astronomy, particularly through his work with the MeerKAT telescope. Dr. Passmoor’s work includes capturing detailed images of galaxies, such as the M83 galaxy, which has been instrumental in understanding the dynamics and […]

Dr Charles Ntsikelelo

Dr. Charles Ntsikelelo is a researcher specializing in 21 cm cosmology, focusing on the early universe’s Epoch of Reionization. He earned his Ph.D. from Rhodes University, where his doctoral thesis was titled “Systematic effects and mitigation strategies in observations of cosmic re-ionisation with the Hydrogen Epoch of Reionization Array.” During his academic tenure, Dr. Ntsikelelo […]

Sarah Buchner – Science Operations Lead

Sarah Buchner is the Science Operations Lead at the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), where she oversees the scheduling of scientific activities for the MeerKAT Radio Telescope. Her work focuses on pulsar astronomy, particularly in studying magnetized rotating neutron stars and searching for gravitational waves. In her role, Buchner has been instrumental in managing […]

Dr. Benjamin Hugo – Software Developer

Dr. Benjamin Hugo is a Software Developer with the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) in Cape Town South Africa. After joining SARAO in 2016 he was involved in telescope commissioning and operations of the 64-dish MeerKAT radio interferometer. His software interests include developing tooling in radio imaging, calibration, simulations, and pipelining supporting science operations. […]

Dr Romeo Gamatham – Research Scientist: Time and Frequency Systems, SARAO

Dr R. R. G. Gamatham completed his undergraduate at the University of Namibia (UNAM) majoring in pure/applied Mathematics and Physics. He received his Masters degree in Physics (cum laude) from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU). In 2013 he received his PhD in Physics from NMMU. His doctoral research work conducted at the Centre of […]

Dr Nadeem Oozeer – Data Scientist

Dr. Nadeem Oozeer is currently a data scientist with the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory, leading for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). He completed his PhD in Astrophysics at the University of Mauritius in 2008 and joined a postdoc with the SKA Africa project. Dr. Nadeem Oozeer started as a junior operations and commissioning scientist […]

Dr Adrian Tiplady – Deputy Managing Director: Strategy and Partnerships

Deputy Managing Director: Strategy and Partnerships Dr Adrian Tiplady is responsible for developing, driving and directing SARAO strategy and partnership programmes through key outwardly focused Divisions. These include Strategy, Communications, Construction Planning, Human Capital Development and the Africa Programme.

Dr Fernando Camilo – Chief Scientist

Dr Fernando Camilo is the Chief Scientist  at the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory. He is a former Senior Research Scientist at Columbia University in New York, Director of Astronomy at Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, and Senior Research Scientist at Columbia University. He holds a B.S. degree in Physics and Mathematics from Stony Brook University […]

Dr Kenda Knowles – Senior Research Fellow

Dr Kenda Knowles is a Senior Research Fellow at Rhodes University and the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRF-SARAO). She is an astrophysicist, and focuses on the physics of galaxy clusters, with the aim of understanding the constituent galaxies, plasma, and magnetic fields, the physical processes that affect them, and how these processes may evolve […]