Lizaan has always been passionate about nature and have been a student at Stellenbosch University since 2013. She completed her B.Sc in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology in 2015 followed by an Honours degree in Microbiology in 2016. Her honours research was conducted as part of the Dicks Lab where she studied the use of microbial organisms in wool refinement.​

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Lizaan has joined the Wossler Lab in 2017 and is currently conducting research for her M.Sc (Zoology) project, under the supervision of Prof. Theresa Wossler, where she studies social immunity in ants.  She identifies fungal entomopathogens affecting Fynbos ants and studies the expression of antifungal grooming. This is the first study that will identify fungal entomopathogens infecting these Fynbos ant species.

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​Lizaan’s research interests lie in animal behaviour studies with the eye on conserving local species. She enjoys the outdoors and participates in activities such as hunting and fishing. She aims to complete a Master’s degree by 2018 and start her doctorate in the Wossler lab in 2019. Her biggest dream is to do research on African wildlife, in particular the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) and its decline in numbers in order to change people’s perceptions on these amazing animals.