Growing up and living in South Africa, I developed a deep passion and intrigue for African savannas, including the vibrant people that often live alongside wildlife in these diverse ecosystems. I completed a Master’s degree at the University of Pretoria in South Africa which focused primarily on the contrasting impacts of wildlife and livestock herbivory for savanna vegetation dynamics. For my PhD in the Davies Lab, I aim to investigate the unique role of the Common Hippopotamus in structuring both terrestrial and aquatic systems in African savannas, how this relatively understudied megaherbivore compares in its role to other megaherbivores as ecosystem engineers, and how hippos interact with people where wildlife and people live in close proximity. During the course of my PhD, I hope to provide some groundwork on the movement ecology of hippos, and where often as possible, use this information to inform management and conservation decisions.