Luther van der Mescht

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I graduated with a PhD in conservation ecology from Stellenbosch University, South Africa, in 2015, where I also obtained my MSc (2011) and BSc (2008) degrees. After obtaining my PhD, I completed several local and international postdoctoral fellowships during which I gained valuable research and teaching experience. I then spent more than 4 years working at a contract research organisation in the animal health industry in South Africa as a researcher where I developed new research models and conducted studies for large international pharmaceutical companies. I am currently a senior lecturer in the Department of Zoology and Entomology at the University of the Free State, South Africa.

My work here in South Africa, and internationally, has enabled me to gain proficient expertise in the cutting-edge fields of evolutionary ecology, community ecology, biogeography, veterinary parasitology and parasiticide resistance of ecto- and endoparasites. My scientific approach is flexible. Having a background in conservation ecology, I am able to contextualise my research and make it applicable to a broader biological setting. I have published more than 50 articles in leading scientific peer-reviewed journals and presented some of my work at local and international conferences.

Experience

  • 2024–present
    Senior lecturer, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of the Free State, South Africa
  • 2023–2024
    Research fellow, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of the Free State, South Africa
  • 2022–2024
    Senior specialist: Study management, Clinvet International, Bloemfontein, South Africa
  • 2021–2022
    Investigator: Study management, Clinvet International, Bloemfontein, South Africa
  • 2020–2021
    Senior researcher, Clinvet International, Bloemfontein, South Africa
  • 2019–2020
    Postdoctoral research fellow, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
  • 2016–2018
    Postdoctoral research fellow, Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel

Education

  • 2015 
    Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa, PhD in Conservation Ecology
  • 2011 
    Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa, MSc (cum laude) in Conservation Ecology
  • 2008 
    Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa, BSc in Conservation Ecology

Grants and Contracts

  • 2019
    Deciphering the taxonomy and evolutionary relationships within the southern African cat flea complex and exploring the mechanisms that shape the diversity of their bacterial communities
    Role:
    Postdoctoral research fellow
    Funding Source:
    Claude Leon Foundation
  • 2016
    Experimental evolution of host specialization in ectoparasites
    Role:
    Postdoctoral research fellow
    Funding Source:
    Blaustein Centre for Scientific Cooperation

Professional Memberships

  • Parasitological Society of Southern Africa (PARSA)
  • World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP)

Contact Luther for

  • General
  • Media request
  • Speaking request
  • Consulting / Advising
  • Research collaboration
  • Research supervision