Dr. Kaajial Durgapersad is an accomplished environmental scientist and academic, specializing in sustainable environmental management technologies. Her research, undertaken at the University of North-West, Potchefstroom, South Africa has significantly advanced the understanding and development of water resource management aimed at mitigating environmental impacts. With a strong passion for addressing pressing environmental challenges, her interdisciplinary research combines biodiversity, environmental science, and sustainability. Dr. Durgapersad’s innovative work in animal interactions with powerlines, and water resource management is recognized globally, and she has contributed to numerous publications in high-impact scientific journals.

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Dr. Kaajial Durgapersad is currently affiliated with M Group in London, United Kingdom. She has made notable contributions to environmental science, particularly in wildlife conservation and ecosystem management.

Here are additional details:

• Citations: 21 citations across 21 documents, indicating the recognition and impact of her work within her field.
• Documents: Dr. Durgapersad has authored or co-authored five significant publications.
• h-index: 2, which reflects her academic impact based on the number of her publications and citations.

These metrics highlight Dr. Durgapersad’s growing influence in the research community, particularly in the areas related to environmental monitoring and conservation.

Education

Dr. Durgapersad holds a Philosophy Doctorate (PhD) in Environmental Sciences with a specialization in Water Science from the University of North-West, Potchefstroom, South Africa. Prior to this, Dr. Durgapersad completed a Master’s (MSc) in Environmental Sciences, also focusing on Water Science, from the same institution. Dr. Durgapersad earned a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Zoology and Microbiology from the University of Durban-Westville in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Additionally, Dr. Durgapersad has obtained certifications in Project Management, Environmental Law, and Management, further enhancing their professional expertise.

Research Focus

Dr. Durgapersad’s research primarily investigates innovative, sustainable methods for environmental impacts, particularly in water systems affected by industrial and agricultural pollutants. She is especially interested in the development of routine biomonitoring and biodiversity networks for energy utilities. In addition, her work explores the development of a wetland risk assessment index for effective sustainable environmental management. Her research aims to provide cost-effective and scalable solutions to improve water quality and reduce the environmental impact of pollutants on ecosystems.

Experience

Dr. Durgapersad has a wealth of experience in both academic and applied environmental research. She is a Environmental Advisor at M Group, London where she supports the business unit with environment management, mitigation, best practices, data control and reporting. Before this, she worked as a Senior Environmental Advisor, at Eskom Research, Testing and Development (RTD) one of South Africa’s leading research organizations. There, she contributed to several projects aimed at industrial water management and environmental monitoring, collaborating with both governmental and private sector organizations. She contributed to several environment awareness conferences and presentations as well as supervised graduate research in environmental aspects with the national energy utility.  Additionally, Dr. Durgapersad has been a biomonitoring consultant to the utility management, providing expertise on best water management practices and regulatory compliance.

Research Timeline

• 2023–2026: Leading a several research project aimed on animal interactions and biomonitoring in African freshwater ecosystems, collaborating with international institutions to establish a regional network for pollution monitoring.
• 2020–2023: Sustainable environmental management has been her field of focus for the last few years in the energy sector. She has experience in conducting comprehensive environmental monitoring surveys, interpreting complex environmental data analyses and reporting to inform environmental management decisions.
• 2015–2019: Conducted doctoral research on the development of a relative risk method model based on the risk management of aquatic ecosystems influenced by Eskom construction activities.

Awards & Honors

• Eskom Managers award – Zero Harm for the Vultures Electrocution Project showing recognition for outstanding research contributions to reducing bird mortalities (2023).
• Nominated for the prestigious Eco Awards 2023 for the innovative use of drones to install bird flight divertors on powerlines
• Awarded the Eskom Power Plant Engineering Institute (EPPEI) bursary to study at the University of North-West (Potchefstroom campus) (2014)
• Sustainability Innovation award 2013 for the Wetlands Classification and Risk Assessment Index acknowledging her contribution to her cutting-edge work in pollution control technologies.
• Received an award for the Best Water Science Masters Student from North-West University (2005), recognizing her excellence in academic research.

Top-Noted Publications

• Defining Collision Risk: Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor Power Line Collision Sensitivity and Exposure for Proactive Mitigation
  • Authors: Pretorius, M.D., Galloway-Griesel, T.L., Leeuwner, L., Durgapersad, K., Chetty, K.
  • Journal: Birds (2023), 4(4), pp. 315–329
  • Focus: This study explores the sensitivity and exposure of lesser flamingos to power line collisions, aiming to develop strategies for mitigating collision risks for this species.
  • Citation Count: 0
• Evidence of the Effectiveness of Conservation Interventions from Long-Term Aerial Monitoring of Three Crane Species in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
  • Authors: Galloway-Griesel, T., Roxburgh, L., Smith, T., Durgapersad, K., Chetty, K.
  • Journal: Bird Conservation International (2023), 33, e7
  • Focus: This article highlights the impact of long-term conservation interventions, assessed through aerial monitoring, for three crane species in South Africa.
  • Citation Count: 1
• The Use of Digital Image Processing for Investigating Vulture Streamer Lengths to Better Understand Power Line Fault Mechanisms
  • Authors: Parus, N., Mahatho, N., Matlou, D., Durgapersad, K., Gomes, C.
  • Conference: Proceedings of the 31st Southern African Universities Power Engineering Conference, SAUPEC 2023
  • Focus: This paper examines the role of digital image processing in understanding the interaction between vultures and power lines, particularly in relation to faults caused by bird collisions.
  • Citation Count: 0
• Movement Patterns of Lesser Flamingos Phoeniconaias minor: Nomadism or Partial Migration?
  • Authors: Pretorius, M.D., Leeuwner, L., Tate, G.J., Durgapersad, K., Chetty, K.
  • Journal: Wildlife Biology (2020), 2020(3), wlb.00728
  • Focus: This study investigates the movement patterns of lesser flamingos to determine whether their movement is characterized by nomadism or partial migration.
  • Citation Count: 9
• The Development of a Wetland Classification and Risk Assessment Index (WCRAI) for Non-Wetland Specialists for the Management of Natural Freshwater Wetland Ecosystems
  • Authors: Oberholster, P.J., McMillan, P., Durgapersad, K., Botha, A.M., De Klerk, A.R.
  • Journal: Water, Air, and Soil Pollution (2014), 225(2), 1833
  • Focus: The paper presents the Wetland Classification and Risk Assessment Index (WCRAI), a tool designed for non-experts to manage freshwater wetland ecosystems.
  • Citation Count: 11

Dr. Durgapersad’s expertise and groundbreaking work continue to make an invaluable contribution to the field of environmental sciences and sustainability, driving positive change toward cleaner and more sustainable ecosystems.

Here is a tailored Strengths overview for Dr. Kaajial Durgapersad in the context of her nomination for the Innovative Researcher Award:

Wildlife Conservation and Ecosystem Management

Dr. Durgapersad’s contributions extend beyond environmental chemistry into wildlife conservation and ecosystem management. Her work, particularly in avian species conservation, addresses the risks posed by power lines and their interaction with wildlife. This includes collaborative research on the movement patterns of lesser flamingos and conservation interventions for crane species.

• Top-Noted Publication: Movement Patterns of Lesser Flamingos Phoeniconaias minor: Nomadism or Partial Migration? (2020)
• Citations: 9 citations
• Contribution: Innovative approaches to environmental monitoring and conservation strategies for protecting wildlife and ecosystems.

National and International Collaboration for Pollution Monitoring

Dr. Durgapersad is has developed the routine biomonitoring network for national energy utility in African freshwater ecosystems. She has collaborated with various institutions to create a regional network for pollution monitoring, showcasing her ability to tackle global environmental issues with innovative solutions.

• Research Focus: Water resource monitoring and pollution monitoring networks in Africa.
• Citations: Contributions to international collaborations in pollution monitoring.
• Contribution: Leading large-scale, collaborative projects that address global pollution challenges, emphasizing her leadership in environmental sustainability.

Dr. Durgapersad’s innovative approach to addressing complex environmental challenges, making her an ideal candidate for the Innovative Researcher Award. Her groundbreaking work in sustainable environmental sciences, pollution control, and wildlife conservation has far-reaching impacts on both global ecosystems and industrial practices, underscoring her status as a leader in the field of environmental science.