Madonsela's MSc research focuses on species diversity in disturbed and undisturbed environments, examining the ecological health of two contrasting systems. Her scientific curiosity took root during her Honours year, where she majored in Entomology and delivered an exceptional research project.
"I chose to study surface-active arthropods because they play a vital role in ecosystem functioning. They're excellent indicators of environmental change due to their sensitivity to habitat disturbances and management practices. I was also fascinated by their diversity, mobility, and ecological importance in pollination, nutrient cycling, predation, and pest control. Their interactions within agroecosystems and natural environments seemed interesting to me," she says.
Ms Madonsela further reveals that agroecosystems and savannahs offer contrasting environments that are ideal for comparative ecological studies.
"Agroecosystems reflect anthropogenic disturbance, where practices such as tillage, pesticide use, and crop rotation influence arthropod communities. Savannahs, on the other hand, represent more pristine ecosystems with less disturbance, often with higher biodiversity and more complex trophic interactions. Studying both allows for insights into how human activities affect arthropod assemblages, and helps identify conservation strategies that balance biodiversity with productivity," she says.
Ms Madonsela completed her Honours research with a final mark of 86%, securing a fully funded postgraduate scholarship from the National Research Foundation (NRF) – which enabled her to pursue her MSc. Her current research continues to explore arthropod diversity as an indicator of ecosystem health – a critical area of study in the face of climate change, habitat loss, and agricultural expansion.
As her scientific investigations progressed, so did her professional experience. She was offered an internship at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) – which she undertook alongside her studies.
"While my findings weren't entirely novel in the broader context of ecological research, they strongly reinforced the idea that land-use changes, specifically the conversion of natural habitats into agroecosystems, significantly impact the composition and assemblages of surface-active arthropods. This aligned with existing literature but added value by examining multiple arthropod groups across different seasons, whereas many studies typically focus on a single group. One of the most surprising findings was how quickly certain arthropod communities, such as ants, mites, springtails and beetles, respond to habitat disturbance. For example, even subtle shifts in mulch or soil moisture and vegetation diversity due to farming practices significantly influenced arthropod abundance and diversity."
She adds: "It showed how responsive and vulnerable these organisms are, which reinforced the importance of sustainable land-use practices. I think what stood out to me personally was discovering species or groups that were previously known to be limited to specific geographic regions, now appearing in areas like Mpumalanga, South Africa. That was particularly intriguing and suggests possible range shifts or changes in habitat suitability worth further investigation."
Her journey into the sciences began during her undergraduate years at UMP, where she enrolled in the Bachelor of Science (BSc) programme. Ironically, it wasn't part of her original plan. After matric, she was set to study medicine in Russia through a provincial bursary, but administrative delays led her to explore local options. She applied to UMP when she learned that late applications were still being accepted.
"I registered around March when most students were already deep into their first semester. I didn't think I would stay, but after writing my exams and realising how well I had done, I started to see my potential and began to take my studies seriously," she says.
Ms Madonsela is committed to expanding the reach of science, particularly among women and young people.
"Entomology is still a largely unexplored field in our country. We need more voices, more hearts, and more hands. I want young people to know that they too can rise, no matter where they start from."
As she looks ahead, Ms Madonsela hopes to pursue her PhD. "God willing, I would love to complete it by the age of 27."
Story by Cleopatra Makhaga. Pictures supplied.