Priyanka Davechand at the Wits Isotope Geoscience Laboratory (WIGL) at the University of the ... [+]
South African geochemist Priyanka Davechand uses tiny samples of fossil tooth enamel to figure out what animals like dinosaurs ate and where they might fit into ancient food webs.
Davechand, who is a PhD candidate in Geosciences at the University of the Witwatersrand, says that her current research focuses on looking at the variations in the isotopes of calcium found in the enamel.
"I enjoy multidisciplinary research within the geosciences field and the topic of using calcium isotopes to determine diet of dinosaur fossils intrigued me, as did applying a geochemical technique to a palaeontological question," she says, "The topic piqued my curiosity as these were ancient animals that existed millions of years ago."
Davechand says that to be able to use 400 micrograms (about the mass of a mosquito or a grain of sand) of tooth enamel to get an insight into their diet was "mind-blowing", while providing a window into the past and a step into the future.
Davechand says the biggest challenge in her project is that there is not enough time to tackle all the different aspects that comes with this research.
"I believe that this also brings the biggest opportunity as this is the beginning of a lot of exciting science to come," she says, adding that this methodology allows researchers to compare modern ecosystems with ecosystems of the past, as well as better understanding the dynamics and importance of different species.
"South African is palaeontologically rich and diverse and this work would be highly beneficial to tourism in our country while contributing important information," Davechand says.
South African researcher Priyanka Davechand preparing a fossil tooth prior to sampling at the Wits ... [+]
Mad Science to Serious Science
Davechand grew up in the south of Johannesburg in South Africa, always asking "why?" and says many of her early science memories were those shared with her sister.
"As kids, we would mix all sorts of items together and pretend to be crazy scientists in the lab," she says, "That was when I knew I wanted to be a scientist and make exciting discoveries led by my curiosity... I am continuously fascinated with how science plays an important role in our daily lives."
Davechand would go on to study at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa, completing an undergraduate and honor degree in the geosciences before gaining a master's degree in geochemistry and palaeontology.
"My research has allowed me to work in a world-class laboratory in France where I was able to learn valuable laboratory skills and techniques, then bring these skills back to South Africa and apply this in a South African laboratory," she says, "By having Global South scientists work on certain topics, it allows the local people to understand more about the resources they have as well as share their unique insight on the various topics."
Johannesburg, South Africa - February, 22nd 2015: The University of the Witwatersrand main building ... [+]
Another South African woman working on ancient food webs is paleobotanist Aviwe Matiwane.
She is working in her native South Africa to find and catalog fossils of a plant that can provide us with a glimpse back in time to the climate and even food chains of a time before the dinosaurs.
