Biobanking News: New Curatorial Appointments at the Durban Natural Science Museum

The Durban Natural Science Museum (DNSM) is delighted to welcome two new curators to its Collections and Research team: Dr Dina Fagir, Curator of Ornithology, and Mrs Sindisiwe (Sindi) Dladla, Curator of Entomology.

Sindisiwe Dladla of the Durban Natural Science Museum

Sindi returns to the DNSM after several years of gaining valuable experience at the South African Sugar Research Institute (SASRI) and other organisations. Her work is driven by a strong interest in insects as vital bioindicators and their role as biological control agents, alongside a wide range of other entomological research activities. She is already leading initiatives to grow the museum’s entomology collection in a focused and strategic manner.

Dr Dina Fagir of the Durban Natural Science Museum

Dr Fagir brings extensive expertise as a vertebrate parasitologist, together with a keen interest in the One Health approach, which highlights the close connections between human, animal, and environmental health. She is also contributing to strengthening the museum’s biobanking efforts, as well as enhancing biosafety and biosecurity standards. Her work introduces an exciting interdisciplinary dimension to the museum’s research and collections.

Both curators have truly hit the ground running, establishing new collaborative projects with internal and external colleagues across a range of disciplines and institutions. We wish them every success and look forward to sharing many exciting stories and discoveries emerging from their work in the months ahead.