Professor Juliet Hermes, Manager at NRF-SAEON’s Egagasini Node and the South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI), was recently awarded the NRF B1 Rating, a well-deserved recognition that highlights her exceptional research contributions and commitment to the advancement of knowledge in marine sciences.

At NRF-SAEON, Prof Hermes leads a team focused on observations, modelling and research of the marine environment around Southern Africa. She is also a Professor at the University of Cape Town and Nelson Mandela University, where she supervises numerous students.

She has significant experience in the development and management of national, regional and international multidisciplinary ocean observations. Her passion is in fostering regional and international collaborations as well as capacity development. She also focuses attention on development through knowledge generation and sharing, as well as the growth of a diverse cohort of marine scientists.

Prof Hermes is currently part of the African Task Force responsible for the implementation of the Ocean Decade; the Chair of the CLIVAR Indian Ocean Regional Panel; and a member of the Indian Ocean Rim Association Academic Group. In addition, she is part of the team that supports the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance Declaration and sits on the advisory board of the EU Polar Research Infrastructure Network.

Through these initiatives, and her previous involvement in GEO Blue Planet, GCOS and the African Group Negotiators Experts Support, she has gained experience in policy development. She supports global ocean observation systems through the GOOS Observation Coordination Group, as well as their standards and best practices through the IOC/GOOS Ocean Best Practices Group.

The NRF rating system is a key driver in the NRF’s aim to build a globally competitive science system in South Africa. It is a valuable tool for benchmarking the quality of researchers against the best in the world.

The NRF B-rated researchers are those who enjoy considerable international recognition by their peers for the high quality and impact of their recent research.

NRF-SAEON congratulates Prof Hermes on this achievement!