29-Oct-2019 1700

Hulley, Isabel Margaret (PhD)
Isabel Hulley was born in Johannesburg in 1980 and matriculated at the Dinamika
High School in 1998. She obtained a BSc degree (2002) and a Post Graduate
Certificate in Education (2004) from the Rand Afrikaans University, as well as a
BSc honours degree (2007) and an MSc degree in Botany cum laude (2010) from
the University of Johannesburg. She taught Natural Science and Biology in Doha,
Qatar (2011-2013) and various undergraduate courses at the University of
Johannesburg (2008-2011, 2014-2017). In 2014, she enrolled at the University of
Johannesburg for a PhD degree in Botany. Ms Hulley is currently working as a tutor
in Winnipeg, Canada.
A detailed quantitative ethnobotanical study was conducted in nine villages in the
Little Karoo region of South Africa. With the help of 101 local participants, the
vernacular names and traditional uses of plants were compiled into a
comprehensive inventory of more than 1200 medicinal, edible and other useful
plants. The Matrix Method and various newly devised statistical indices were used
to determine the relative importance of the plant species, as well as levels of
indigenous knowledge among participants. A study of the phytochemistry and
antimicrobial activity of a selection of locally important yet scientifically poorly
known species, yielded data of considerable academic novelty as well as potential
commercial value. The study is of global significance because it represents an
important contribution to Khoi and San ethnobotany, and ensures the conservation
of fragile, oral-traditional indigenous knowledge. The thesis has resulted in five
international peer-reviewed publications and presentations at three international
conferences.
Supervisor: Prof BE van Wyk
Co-supervisor: Dr A Schutte-Vlok (CapeNature)
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