Dr. Marike Stander earned her BSc in Geology in 2005, followed by a BSc Honours in Geology in 2006. In 2015 she secured a Master's degree in Environmental Management, where she received the Maitland Seaman Award for Best Master's Student. In 2023, she obtained her Geography PhD by researching the origin of sediment sources based on erodible soil types. Dr. Stander's career journey began as an exploration geologist in Groblersdal in 2007, transitioning to an environmental assessment practitioner in 2013. In 2020, Marike assumed the position of lecturer in the Department of Geography at the University of the Free State. Additionally, Dr. Stander has been an integral part of the planetarium team since its inauguration in 2013, actively contributing as a presenter, with her keen interest in astronomy and knowledge of earth sciences.