Curriculum Vitae: John Duncan
John Duncan
Botanist/Zoologist
Biographical Details
Name:
Address:
Telephone:
Email:
Date of birth:
Nationality:
Identity No:
Languages:
John Andrew Duncan
81a Newlands Ave, Newlands 7700, Cape Town
083 325 5565
johnduncan@africamail.com
07/05/1981
South African (proudly)
8105075085083
English (Excellent), Afrikaans (Good), German (Basic)
Education
University of Cape Town (2001-2004)
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Graduated with BSc (Zoology & Ecology majors) with an upper second (70% and above) in 2003
Graduated with a first class (75% and above) BSc Hons (Botany) in 2004 specialising in
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Phycology (Seaweed)
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Plant conservation ecology
Volunteer for the Masifundazane SHAWCO project (Growing vegetable gardens in Khayelisha)
Entry merit scholarship 2001-2003 (awarded to students entering university with school marks
above 80%)
Dean’s Merit List 2003 (recognition of an average exceeding 75%)
UCT council honours scholarship 2004
National Research Foundation (NRF) research scholarship 2004
University courses included:
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Ecosystem ecology
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Evolutionary plant ecology
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Marine ecology
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Earth stewardship and conservation
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Freshwater ecology
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Biostatistical analysis
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Applied ecology
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Experimental design
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Vertebrate & Invertebrate zoology
Other elective courses included:
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Philosophy (Moral and political values)
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Economics (Macro- and microeconomics)
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African history
Stockholm University, Sweden (Jan- March 2005)
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Awarded scholarship by SIDA (Swedish Development Agency) to study advanced course
in Management of Aquatic Resources in the Tropics
Achieved 88% average, first position in the class
Diocesan College, Cape Town (1997-1999)
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Matriculated with an A average
Vice-head of boarding house
Curriculum Vitae: John Duncan
Skills
 Scuba diving (Open Water 1)
 Drivers license (Professional driving permit)
 Competent in the following computer programs
 MS Excel
 MS PowerPoint
 MS Word
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Logistics & database management
Carpentry
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Statistica
Endnote reference manager
Arcview GIS (Image analysis)
Publications
 Duncan, J.A., Hoffman, M. T. & Rohde, R. (2005). Is the flagship of the Richtersveld sinking?
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Veld & Flora 91(4)
Duncan, J. A., Hoffman, M. T., Hendricks, H., Powell, E. & Rohde, R. (2005). Long-term
population changes in the Giant Quiver tree, Aloe pillansii, in the Richtersveld, South Africa.
Plant Ecology (In press)
Hoffman, M. T., Todd, S. & Duncan, J. A. (2005) Environmental change in Riemvasmaak 10
years after resettlement. Institute for Plant Conservation, UCT, report for Farm Africa.
Previous Work Experience
January 2000 – July 2000
Company:
Position:
St. Johns School
Leatherhead, Surrey, England
Gap-year student master
August 2000- December 2000
Company:
Position:
Dötzingen Estate
Hitzäcker, Germany
Assistant forester
April 2005- June 2005
Company:
Position:
Les Hill Institute for Plant Conservation, UCT
Cape Town, South Africa
Researcher
September 2005- December 2005
Company:
Position:
Other jobs:
Organisation for Tropical Studies
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Teaching assistant for undergraduate course in ecology and conservation
Researcher with the aquaculture division of Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Volunteer work in Hluhluwe/Umfalozi National Park with the Zululand Grass Project
Curriculum Vitae: John Duncan
Interests
Throughout my life, I have maintained an interest in travel and adventure, which is why most of my
work experience is foreign, however, South Africa has always been where I want to live and work.
Recreationally, I enjoy most outdoor activities particularly competitive sports such as rugby, squash,
cycling and tennis. I’m a keen diver and hiker and have traveled quite extensively throughout South
Africa on a number of different adventures. Any time left over after that, I fill with reading and playing
guitar.
Goals
Essentially, I plan to involve myself in life in every way I can, with the ultimate goal of contributing to
the improvement of the relationship between the environment and ourselves. My strengths lie in my
management and people skills and ideally I’d like to gain more experience of practical applications of
my environmental knowledge.