VOW 88.1 VOW Moments

IN CONVERSATION WITH PROF. JOHAN FERREIRA

Loading player...
Prof. Johan Ferreira is a statistician, academic, and musician based in
Johannesburg. He is a Professor in the School of Statistics and Actuarial Science at
the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), where he teaches and researches in the
field of mathematical statistics. A lecturer in mathematical statistics by day and an
oboist by night, Johan plays full-time for the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra,
a balance that reflects his belief that mathematics and music are intrinsically linked.
His research covers statistical theory, methodology, and applied statistics. Johan was
recognised among the Mail & Guardian’s Top 200 Young South Africans (2016) for
his remarkable ability to merge creativity and scientific precision. Before joining Wits
in 2025, Johan was the Assistant Focus Area Coordinator for Statistics at the Centre
of Excellence in Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (CoE-MaSS) and is an
Associate of the National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences
(NITheCS). He has taught widely across undergraduate and postgraduate levels and
remains passionate about exploring and sharing the fundamentals of statistical
thinking.
25 Nov 2025 English South Africa Technology · Music

Other recent episodes

IN CONVERSATION WITH Professor Rodney Genga ON SCIENCE WISE

Associate Professor Rodney Genga is the Wits-SAHLI design team lead and Director of the Engineering and Built Environment Academic Development Unit. He is also a Principal Researcher in the School of Mechanical, Industrial, and Aeronautical Engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand. He is trained in Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgy, and…
24 Mar 24 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH CAESAR BALONA ON SCIENCE WISE

Caesar Balona is a qualified actuary and Fellow of the Actuarial Society of South Africa (FASSA), working at the forefront of modernising risk management through the strategic application of data science, AI and engineering. He currently works at Old Mutual Insure, where he is building an industry-leading climate and catastrophe…
24 Mar 9 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH PROF SUSAN WILLIAMS ON SCIENCE WISE

Prof Sue Williams completed her undergraduate medical training at the University of the Witwatersrand before continuing her specialist training in ophthalmology at Wits and receiving her Fellowship in Ophthalmology from the Colleges of Medicine and Surgery of South Africa. She has a Master of Medicine in ophthalmology and completed her…
11 Mar 33 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH MICHAEL GOMES

Michael Gomes is a medical student and PhD candidate at the University of the Witwatersrand. He is part of the Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform. He was recently awarded the 2026 South African Medical Research Council Institutional Clinician Researcher Development Programme scholarship to support his research into nanoparticle-based drug delivery…
24 Feb 34 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH DR VICTOR MASHINDI ON SCIENCE WISE

Dr. Victor Mashindi is an electrochemist and nanomaterials researcher at the University of the Witwatersrand. He has a PhD in chemistry and works at the Molecular Sciences Institute in the School of Chemistry. His research focuses on nanomaterials and electrocatalysts for clean energy technologies. His expertise includes the synthesis of…
17 Feb 33 min
All episodes