Kiara Druyan grew up in the busy city of Johannesburg but now, as a geographic information systems (GIS) intern currently staying in Skukuza in the Kruger National Park where life is much quieter, she has added game drives and looking for dung beetles to her list of fun activities. Kiara earned a Bachelor of Science degree and an Honours degree in Biological Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand. She is placed with South African National Parks (SANParks), where her role involves supporting spatial and non-spatial data management tasks. Her work includes editing and digitising spatial data, creating maps and visualisations, validating tabular and paper-based data and using scripts to automate data workflows. 

We asked her a few questions to find out more about her work, studies and inspirations: 

What are you passionate about? 

I am really passionate about animals because they cannot speak for themselves, and someone needs to advocate for them. Animals, from pets to wildlife, face many vulnerabilities due to human activities, natural disasters and exploitation. This makes it our ethical responsibility to ensure their well-being and to treat animals with kindness, respect and compassion, recognising their value beyond just what they provide us. 

What inspired your choice of study? 

The environment is our future. It surrounds us and is essential for our survival, providing food, clean water and air. However, climate change, deforestation, pollution and biodiversity loss threaten this future. These challenges endanger ecosystems and human societies alike. I want to understand these issues deeply and help develop sustainable solutions to protect both the planet and humanity. 

What excites you about your internship? 

What excites me most is the experience I will gain and the skills I will develop. This internship allows me to apply my academic knowledge in a professional setting while learning from experts. I’m eager to gain practical insights and grow professionally. 

What are your expectations of this internship? 

I expect to develop valuable skills in data management, spatial analysis and cartography, and improve my communication and teamwork. These skills will strengthen my resumé and provide a solid foundation for my career. Overall, I believe this experience will contribute greatly to my personal and professional growth. 

What contribution do you hope to make towards a future in which people and nature thrive? 

I hope to help create a future where people and nature thrive by promoting a deeper understanding of our interconnectedness. I want to advocate for policies and practices that protect ecosystems vital to both humans and animals. By addressing environmental injustices, I aim to help build a more equitable world that prioritises the well-being of both people and nature. 

Who inspires you most and why? 

It might sound cliché, but my mom inspires me the most. She is an incredible person with a heart of gold. When I was 16, she became a single mom and always put our needs before her own. She has invested so much in me and because of her, I strive to do my best in everything to make her proud.