SAEON Fynbos Node now firing on all cylinders

New kid on the block – Victoria Goodall enjoys working in the environmental sector (Picture © Tessa Oliver)

Victoria Goodall has joined Dr Nicky Allsopp, Hadley Lyners and Elvirena Coetzee at SAEON’s Kirstenbosch offices as Data Manager of the SAEON Fynbos Node.

After graduating from Rhodes University with a BSc (Hons) degree in Statistics, Victoria began her working career as a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) Data Analyst with Volkswagen South Africa. Here she worked on the development of an integrated customer database and represented the company at a number of automotive shows and marketing campaigns.

She then moved to Synovate, a global market research company where she worked as a Branding and Communications Statistician. Here she was involved in the creation of Synovate’s Attitudinal Equity score which is considered the world’s leading measure of brand equity. She supported research projects for Synovate offices all around the world, and also presented at a number of conferences and seminars.

A keen sportwoman, her BSc (Hons) degree in Statistics included an analysis of the Duckworth-Lewis method used in limited overs cricket matches.

Although she has worked in the corporate world, her further studies have a biodiversity theme. She completed an MSc degree part-time, analysing data collected in the Kruger National Park. There were three main themes to the research - impact of rare antelope on vegetation structure and composition in an enclosure, vegetation changes near artificial waterpoints that have recently been closed, and finally an investigation into the damage caused to riparian vegetation by elephants.

GPS telemetry movement data

She is currently studying towards a PhD through Wits University, applying statistical models to GPS telemetry movement data for sable antelope, buffalo and zebra in the Kruger National Park.

“This is a very exciting area of research as although the statistical modelling techniques are not new, their application to animal movement data is very new,” she explains.

According to Victoria she applied for the SAEON position as she wanted to get involved in the environmental sector. “I love the bush and the outdoors, so I wanted to work in a field that I was really interested in and loved,” she says.