Mlu Nsikani, PhD
@mlungele
Followers
11,934
Following
7,192
Media
85
Statuses
2,185
Professional reviewer of human activity. Restoration ecology is the stuff that keeps me awake at night. Nerd that loves travelling and sightseeing.
Cape Town, South Africa
Joined February 2014
Don't wanna be here?
Send us removal request.
Explore trending content on Musk Viewer
Liz Cheney
• 753621 Tweets
Diddy
• 341334 Tweets
Christmas
• 225582 Tweets
#الهلال_النصر
• 198770 Tweets
Franco
• 128603 Tweets
Tinubu
• 95809 Tweets
Hugh Hewitt
• 57001 Tweets
Thanksgiving
• 33049 Tweets
Sprint
• 29158 Tweets
القحطاني
• 27815 Tweets
رونالدو
• 26582 Tweets
ناصر
• 25343 Tweets
جيسوس
• 23936 Tweets
تاليسكا
• 22677 Tweets
مالكوم
• 21676 Tweets
Monaco
• 20214 Tweets
سافيتش
• 16175 Tweets
البليهي
• 13891 Tweets
Aziz Yıldırım
• 13281 Tweets
علي الحكم
• 11915 Tweets
الشوط الاول
• 11537 Tweets
Dimite
• 11217 Tweets
الشوط الثاني
• 10808 Tweets
#NMA2024
• 10275 Tweets
Pinned Tweet
I wont stop untill I follow every Twitter account that belongs to a student, academic or researcher out there in the world.
53
40
2K
In my lab, all female researchers are entitled to two days of leave when they are on their periods. You don't have to take them if you don't want to, but they are there for you. You don't have to explain it to me or anyone else, but you can just go and rest at home.
253
3K
20K
As my name was called during my PhD graduation, I started walking towards the stage. My dad who was sitting in the crowd stood up. He stood as my abstract was being read, continued until i received my certificate & was the first to start clapping. That’s my single best memory.
87
1K
19K
Every time I see papers from the 80s, I'm shocked at how easy academia was. T-test, two tables, 12 citations, and you got yourself a paper in a good journal. Must have been nice.
114
162
3K
All five papers from my PhD have now been published 🙂. I am really grateful for the supervisors that I had. I am a better ecologist today because I learnt from the best ❤️.
40
29
2K
Africa is made up of 54 countries. You'd be shocked just how many people think and speak of it as if its practically one giant country where everyone knows everyone and needs to be saved. Yeah, we got a few dictators here and there, but who doesn't these days.
8
129
1K
My lab currently has 9 junior scientists: 1 Hons, 5 Masters, 1 PhD, & 2 interns. Next year, the group is getting bigger with 1 more intern and 3 more Masters students. I used to pray for times like this. I used to wish for this job and dreams have indeed come true.
13
69
917
I have funding to recruit three Masters students (limited to South African citizens only) to work on different aspects of restoration ecology & biological invasions. Please get in touch if you are interested, or tell someone to tell someone!
37
1K
784
I would like to follow more people who are working in or studying Ecology. Ecologists please show yourselves.
Retweet for awareness
197
342
688
When I published my first paper, my parents got a copy, and framed it in their living room. Since then, they have made sure that they frame all my papers. My biggest supporters those two. Sabathandi ❤️.
11
19
633
Two papers accepted on the same day, two hours apart, two different journals. This has to be a record.
17
7
599
Kind and compassionate supervisors make such a big difference to the life of a graduate student.
3
80
569
The truth is that most of us are where we are today because someone believed in us, and gave us a chance. Give others a chance too. Believe in them.
1
121
562
Someone believed in me in 2014, took a chance on me, gave me an opportunity & my career has never been the same again. All it takes for a young person to succeed is one opportunity & one person who believes in them. I really hope we can do the same for all these young graduates.
4
81
519
I used to think that success in research & academia comes with working long hours & have your life revolve around papers. Sure, I got the papers, but I lost my family in the process, got depressed, lost weight & was unhappy. Now, I am big on work-life balance & happy & at peace.
14
57
472
Today, the best thing ever happened to me. I was elected as the Chair of the Society for Ecological Restoration's African Chapter. I'm really looking forward to giving my all in advancing the restoration agenda on the continent.
35
15
446
I am involved in a project that aims to develop a remedy for period pains and endometriosis using medicinal plants. Things look promising, and this could genuinely change the world.
13
68
414
Progress, not perfection. That's how you survive grad school and academia.
8
57
350
Academia is tough, but that moment when you receive an email saying "we are pleased to accept your paper", "we are pleased to award you this grant, or "we are pleased to offer you this position", all the hardships are forgotten & you see just how much you mean to world.
5
40
324
For the first time in my life, I have been asked to examine a PhD thesis from another continent. It’s really such an honour to be asked to do this by one of the best universities in the world.
10
14
314
That moment when you receive an email from your PhD supervisor and she says "I'm so proud of you and what you have become" 😊
9
5
316
@FebruaryFaith
We just need more people to do this and eventually it will become worldwide. Universities and Research Institutions won't impose this, so we just have to do this ourselves.
1
6
277
I know life is short, but while I have it, I am going to write some cool papers, mentor future scientists, and enjoy doing it all! Top of my field or not, I am just going to have fun because happiness is the true measure of life.
4
20
275
If you are interested in studying biological invasions in South Africa (Hons, MSc, and PhD), you can get in touch with me as from next week because we have more opportunities for funding that will be coming out (limited to South African citizens).
20
218
257
Ecology twitter
I am looking for researchers and practitioners working on ecological restoration in different parts of Africa for a potential project.
Please use your networks to assist if possible 🙏🏾
56
273
260
The very first student I have supervised in my life (Honours degree) has passed her thesis with a distinction.
I'm really proud of her and I couldn't be more happier.
9
5
249
All the students that I have mentored for their graduate degrees have graduated 𝑐𝑢𝑚 𝑙𝑎𝑢𝑑𝑒
9
1
252
In 2022, let's have more young academics getting into positions of influence.
3
35
244
We are academics because we want to make the world a better place, even just a little. We chose this path knowing that it won't make us filthy rich, but will give us contentment knowing that we contributed to the good in this world. It's not easy, but we have hearts of steel.
11
35
237
Academia can be such a roller coaster ride. One minute you are excited because of the cool things you thought were in your draft, and the next you are sad because those cool things are apparently not cool enough.
10
48
226
Never underestimate the power of complimenting someone for a job well done. That thing can make someone's day, and give them reason to keep going when they were ready to give up. We need more of it.
2
25
222
Normalise calling Honours students, Honours Researchers, Masters students, Masters Researchers and PhD students, Doctoral Researchers, because that's what they are, RESEARCHERS. Have a great week everyone.
2
39
211
How I was abused by a supervisor/PI who wasn't even mine during my PhD
[A thread]
#Stoptheabuseinacademia
#AcademicChatter
#AcademicTwitter
19
56
208
There is nothing more beautiful than seeing black students graduate with their degrees, and knowing that getting that "piece of paper" is about to change their lives and give them the opportunity to change the situation at home.
2
17
200
The journey to getting degrees is difficult for many. From debt & struggling to register every year, not affording food,to living in crappy accomodation because that's what's affordable. Despite this, education still offers many the hope of a better life. That's why we endure.
0
42
198
May grad students complete their degrees and get jobs so that they can change the situation at home. For many of us, education remains the only way out of difficult home situations.
1
23
189
In academia, you can't succeed alone. You will need some help. It takes friends, colleagues, the goodwill of strangers and a strong mentor to guide you. If you want to succeed in academia, find someone to help you paddle. Even the smallest person can cast a very big shadow.
3
41
185
When I was studying ornithology, my dad would take time from work to hike up mountains with me looking for birds so that I could do my practical assignments. After listening to me for many hours talking about how awesome birds are, he took up bird watching as a hobby 🥺🥺.
4
9
173
Just received some great news! Funding secured for a PhD student to work on risk mapping for invasive species programs starting in April 2024. Two new Masters students have already started. Three are graduating this year. My lab has been quietly growing (now 8 students).
7
17
174
I just submitted a paper that is dedicated to a colleague who passed away late last year. They might seem small and insignificant, but those four lines dedicating the paper to him are the most difficult lines I have ever wrote.
2
1
167
Today I met someone for the first time and they told me that they have been reading a recent paper of mine, and they are working on a project where they will incorporate some of the practical recommendations I made there. That made me smile.
4
2
167
Just received news that our funding proposal to work on the ecology of poisonous plants has been approved! One Masters and one PhD student will be fully funded including running costs. Super excited to work on this project! FYI three of my undergrad lecturers are co-PIs.
7
9
165
Getting to university & realizing that all the other students went to high schools where they actually did the lab experiments in the book but all you could do was imagine them & memorize how they should turn out so that you could pass because the school couldn't afford it.
7
26
157
I’m looking forward to publishing 10 papers (five first author), graduating three students, and securing more than R500 000 in funding in 2023.
8
10
150
If you are a student, researcher, or academic, and I'm not already following you, please let me know. I'm looking to follow more voices that are in the research or academic space.
14
14
151
I would like to use this self-isolation/quarantine/lockdown time to "meet" different people here and explore setting up new collaborations.
My research interests are in restoration ecology and invasion science.
Let this be a networking tool.
Pass it on.
23
34
147
Not making the effort to ask and learn how to pronounce someone's name correctly, or asking them what their English name is, or deciding what you'll call them, is the greatest disrespect that you can ever show them. That kind of disrespect should never be tolerated.
9
26
143
All I want is to write papers, mentor students, live in a cabin with my dog, grow my own food, have two children with a beautiful and loving woman, volunteer at a dog shelter every weekend, go on hikes, and smile everyday.
5
12
143
If you want to survive the academic world, learn to say NO to taking on too many tasks / projects than you can practically handle. Prioritize your well-being, and do not allow yourself to be bullied / emotionally blackmailed into stretching yourself too thin.
2
27
141
Let's grow the accounts of ALL students, researchers and academics of the world because they are all amazing and do great work.
Just say something awesome about your work or post a cool picture and follow everyone here.
Spread the word that this is where all the fun is 😁
26
11
139
If there is anyone who wants me to give a seminar or a lecture this year, please let me know. I have some time and would be delighted to talk about what I do and love (invasion science & restoration ecology). Could be anywhere in the world.
10
46
130
All the Honours research projects I have supervised have ended in distinctions. The latest one came out with 80% and has been accepted for publication. Congratulations to all the students for such a great start to their research careers! I'm so proud of them!
2
2
133
Small but mighty: little things that can improve your thesis writing (a thread)
#Past3amSquad
#AcademicTwitter
#AcademicChatter
15
49
136
My PhD supervisor has been promoted to Distinguished Professor and I'm just so happy for her. It really feels like she got it for all of us. She is one of the most hardworking human beings I have ever met. Absolutely well deserved!
2
0
135
This week I will Chair my first ever scientific conference. I'm quite nervous but confident that we have made all the necessary preparations. Everything is ready for South Africa to join us at the National Symposium on Biological Invasions.
Have an amazing week ahead everyone!
11
1
133
If we want students to succeed we have to support them fully. Not half-hearted attempts, but fully support them. Nothing beats having a supportive supervisor in grad school.
3
27
129
Seeing students publish their first lead author paper will always remain one of the most beautiful things in the world of academia.
1
3
130
Whoever wrote that stupid paper suggesting that women are not good mentors, clearly doesn't know women. Women are juggernauts of science and building the next generation of scientists, and no one can tell me otherwise.
4
6
128
May this week be a productive one. Drafts completed, papers submitted, revisions done and submitted, papers accepted, tenure obtained, and grants approved. Above all, may we experience peace and happiness 🙏🏾.
7
9
127
So, you mean to tell me that journals get content for free, get free labour from reviewers & sell back the content to creators & reviewers at a profit? The more people subscribe, the more money the journal makes? I'd make more money from owning a journal than being a professor?
8
19
124
New publication alert 🚨
We explored if invasion science as a field is moving towards agreed standards and what we found is quite interesting!
7
25
120
Another student from the group passes her Masters with a cum laude. It's now 4/4. We are doing quite well 🙂.
3
2
120
A beautiful week ahead to everyone who is working on a paper, writing a thesis, applying for funding, doing field work, or just trying to work through their overflowing email inbox. Best wishes, and just know that you are awesome!
3
17
123
At some point being a Coordinating Editor of the leading journal in the field was just but a dream. Today, that dream has become a reality.
8
2
119
For a very long time now I have struggled with depression & anxiety. It was like I checked out of my life & on autopilot. Being in a research position also made things worse because the pressure is always high. With therapy, I have finally beat that slump & I’m back to myself.
9
10
116
If you are still looking for an Hons, Masters, or PhD bursary for studies in 2024 in biological invasions / restoration ecology, please let me know. There are still positions available in my lab.
6
148
117
It's a pity that when we ask for more kindness in academia we are dismissed as being "sensitive souls" as if being sensitive to the struggles of others is a crime. Fyi we will never stop demanding kindness in this field that is awash with self-righteous individuals.
4
8
116
Supervisors can be a springboard for a student’s career after graduation. Identifying opportunities for them before they finish their studies, taking them to key meetings and introducing them to influential people, good recommendation letters. All it takes is to care enough.
2
18
114
We spend so much time writing scholarly outputs that only few can read because they are not accessible or street level reader friendly. In fact, podcasts have greater reach that the scholarly work we put out. Maybe we should start putting our research on podcasts than journals.
11
18
117
Honestly, I really enjoy writing literature reviews, especially systematic reviews. They are very useful tools to understand the big picture of a particular subject. I try to publish one each year but it seems this year I might have three.
13
7
116
"Diversity and inclusion" workshops in academia and corporate organisations
3
22
113
Grad students deserve to be paid more. Almost all those stipends barely cover the essentials. Even worse, the money is often released late in the year as if students can live off thin air. Funny enough, all the university administrators and supervisors were once students.
1
14
113
Can somebody direct me to where thick skins are sold because I would like to buy myself one. No matter how thick the one I currently have is, seems some random person with a knife in academia keeps pocking holes in it. Might be time to get a new one. Rhino size.
9
4
110
A key failure of the peer review process is that we don't spend nearly as much time as we should on highlighting the positive things in papers. We mostly focus on the negatives. I think the review process should have a mandatory section on great things about the paper.
3
9
107
Fun fact: I failed ALL my High School subjects the first time I wrote the finals. Tried again the following year & passed everything with As and Bs.
Lesson: Don't let temporary setbacks define you & your future. Just because you failed today, doesn't mean you'll fail tomorrow.
1
10
108
I love writing literature reviews and always aim to publish one every year because they offer me the opportunity to read a fairly large amount of literature and get a paper out of it. It really makes reading fun!
5
3
109
It’s such a blessing to have a supervisor who genuinely cares about you as a person before as a student. A supervisor that supports you, listens, believes in you & is always there for you. There are so many genuine, caring & amazing academics. Keep on being great!
4
13
109
For a moment, I didn't think that I will survive COVID. I am happy to be back.
4
0
106
Six years ago, I decided to change from studying birds to restoration ecology. At the time, I didn't even fully understand what the word meant. However, I really loved it and it sounded right. Today, I'm happy that I made that choice. I would not have it any other way.
2
1
103
I'm happy to be alive after the car accident I had this afternoon. Knowing that everything could have been so different right now terrifies me. We really shouldn't take even just one second for granted because you never know when it's your last.
10
3
103
To succeed as a researcher / academic you need to make as many friends as you can & collaborate with them as much as you can, write a page every day, share your knowledge & skills with others as much as you can, take advantage of opportunities that come your way & remain humble.
3
18
104
@Zanele84034250
🙂 we can explore that option. I mainly work on restoration ecology and invasion science. So, it all depends on your interests.
6
2
100
Keeping up with new literature can be challenging. Particularly, for students. My advice is that read 1 new paper each day (= 365 papers by the end of the year). This strategy has been working for me. It's not about doing a lot at once, but doing small bits consistently!
7
14
102
@tumzaleseba
😐😐😐 Some people are just not understanding of other people's pain. I'm sorry that happened to you, but glad that your boss didn't succeed.
1
0
103
Dear supervisors of postgrad students,
Please realise the power you hold over the present & future of the students you are training. Many of them have went through so much to get to where they are. Treat them with kindness & value their well-being.
Yours
One of you
2
15
101
I honestly love my work. Research gives me so much joy and mentoring the future generation of ecologists makes me so happy. I could have never chosen a better career.
1
3
104
Now I get to be the main supervisor of a Masters project with my PhD supervisor as co-supervisor. Next up, supervising a postdoctoral project with my postdoctoral supervisor as co-supervisor.
1
4
99
For the first time in our lives, my brother and I had a deep & genuine conversation about our lives and future. I opened up to him about what I'm going through & he gave me priceless advice. It took us almost all our lives to get here, but I'm glad we are finally here.
2
1
99