Page 24 - MRC Newsletter Ed-1 (2021)

Life Science

Division

(LSD)

reflections of

the last five

years

The Life Science Division (LSD), led been hard at work identifying key Nigeria, and Windhoek in Namibia.
by Dr Selma Lendelvo (second research themes of national interest The project assessed how these
from right), has four research in consultation with stakeholders, cities are using groundwater, their
programmes: Water Management, and they have developed several policies and the best ways to use
Security and Sustainability in projects and funding proposals. groundwater, and shared ideas
developing countries lead by Dr Dr Lendelvo mentioned some of on the sustainable management
Lewis (far right), Social-ecological the key projects within the LSD as of groundwater." Dr Lewis has
Systems Research lead by Dr follows: Researchers worked with also done extensive work on
Lendelvo (second from right), colleagues from other divisions on a borehole water quality, mainly
Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology land research project, contributing in the southern parts of Namibia,
led by Dr Inman (second from left) to land research in Namibia. One where groundwater is sometimes
and Climate Change, Vulnerability of LSD's leading research projects not suitable for water consumption.
Assessments and Disaster Risk lead focused on water quality and One of Dr Lewis' MSc students
by Ms Siyambango (far left). Dr management in rural areas, which conducted research on using
Selma Lendelvo explained that involved an MA student as part homemade filtration techniques,
the overarching function of the of the human capacity building specifically designed for rural
LSD is to play a leading research process. Furthermore, a research conditions that can be used to
role in managing and utilising the project on water resilience in improve the quality of drinking
natural resources for sustainable developing countries sought to water.
development, conservation of ensure the management and good
biodiversity, and provision of practices in the management of Other projects included a
ecosystem services. groundwater. Dr Lewis shed more collaborative project with the City
light on the project as follows: of Windhoek (COW), which aimed
In order to attain the core function "The cities heading the project are to create awareness and highlight
of the LSD, researchers have Cape Town in South Africa, Lagos in the challenges of climate change

024 RESEARCH MATTERS VOL 8. 2021 MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH CENTRE