Cryosphere, Engineering, Oceanography

Robyn Verrinder, Senior Lecturer, Marine and Antarctic Research Centre for Innovation and Sustainability (MARiS) at University of Cape Town

Robyn Verrinder is a Senior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering at the University of Cape Town (UCT), and the Deputy Director of the Marine and Antarctic Research Centre for Innovation and Sustainability (MARiS).

Robyn is a founding member of the African Robotics Unit (ARU) and has over 15 years of experience in marine technology and robotics. Robyn is coPI in the UCT-MARIS Sea Ice Team and is involved interdisciplinary projects spanning instrumentation, autonomous systems, and physical oceanography.

Research focus

Robyn Verrinder’s research focuses on developing autonomous, cost-effective observational platforms to study Antarctic sea ice and ocean–atmosphere interactions. By bridging electrical engineering, marine robotics, and climate science, their work enhances understanding of sea ice dynamics and supports improved forecasting and climate modelling.

A key objective is to strengthen South Africa’s marine engineering and remote sensing capabilities through innovative technology development, contributing to national strategic goals in polar research, sustainable ocean governance, and environmental monitoring.