Mr Marc Bouwer
PhD Student
Research Interests
I received my BSc degree in Biochemistry in 2005 and went on to do chemistry 2nd and 3rd year. I completed my honors degree in chemical pathology in 2007 and my MSc
degree in analytical chemistry in 2010.
I am currently undertaking a PhD in analytical chemistry in conjunction with FABI at the University of Pretoria. My research interests are focused on the analysis of volatile
organic compounds that are emitted by trees and insects. Many of these compounds serve as messenger molecules or semiochemicals that convey information both between different species and
within species. The main goal of my research is to find and identify the compounds that are involved in these chemical messages. We are aiming to develop new pheromone
formulations that are effective in trapping pest insects within the forestry industry of South Africa. The methods used in this type of analysis include thermal
desorption, gas chromatography, electroantennography, mass spectrometry and behavioural assays within flight tunnels.
