Meet the gang!

 

 

Waheed Mahomed

Your token Indian next door

My research entails the effects of Phytophthora cinnamomi (a pathogen!) on Persea americana (a plant!) using ‘way out’ super cool high-throughput pyrosequencing.
As the technology suggests I enjoy setting things alight but due to health hazards I now try to set alight the social atmosphere at FABI. I enjoy doing radical adventure type things, anything to get the blood pumping- the bigger the challenge the better the reward! Apart from competitive bank angling (yes it does exist) I feel obligated to contribute back to underprivileged societies with the hope of transforming our country into force of united success! My favourite animal is the biltong buck.

 Jonathan Botha

My name is Jonathan Botha. My friends call me Jono, my enemies call me Genemachine.
My work involves xylem specific regulation of cellulose biosynthesis in Eucalyptus, but nobody ever understands that, so I just normally say I work with plants and DNA.
As a result of the inherent pyromania that is present in most males at some point of their lives, I like to spend my free time fire dancing. Other less exciting and dangerous activities I enjoy are reading, playstation, picking up random skills, memorising cartoon theme songs and of course drinking (though some might argue, and rightly so, that drinking is more dangerous than the fire dancing). I can also be rather random and can have a short attention sp... oh look, a kitty!
 

Jeanne Korsman

My research interests lie in maize torture by fungal pathogen. I intend making monster-maize that reacts differently to the regular, old, boring maize when infected with the scary fungus. I do not know why I harbour such malevolent intentions towards maize, but one of the aims of my PhD is to determine this... I will also do some real work... 

Darryl Herron

Captain KEG
My research is on the specially fanatstic genus of the fungi Fusarium.
The story of Cpt. Keg is one of legend and mystery. No one knows for sure the origins of Cpt. Keg, but what is known is the manner in which he got his name. You see Cpt. Keg was a man who loved the ocean. He was a strong supporter of the marine life around his home town, namely the Sharks. Besides supporting and sailing he was a man of conservation and organisation and often found himself on a never ending quest to describe a species. He'd been sailing his entire life in search of adventure and treasure. Often he would spend hours infront of his maps searching for new worlds and new He only ever laid foot on land when he absolutely needed too. Alas on Cpt KEG's last visit to the main land that he decided to take part in the bountiest amount of ale at the local bar that he discovered the KEG. He laid waste to one keg and to another but upon his third KEG he did realise that the KEG was made of light ale. To his disgust he withdrew his pistol and fired a shot into the bottle of rum next to it... the explosion sent the KEG of light beer torpedoing toward our poor old captain. Thew rest as they say is legend... know one knew what happened to the poor old Captain. Some say he washed up nearly 200 years later in a lab on the 9th floor without any recall of that night. He know sails the great halls of FABI searching for that next KEG of ale.
 

James Mehl

Hi, I'm James "I'm not the Man!" Mehl.

I work on the Botryosphaeriaceae, specifically focusing on their ecology and biology for my PhD.
Apart from my research, I enjoy reading up and learning about the Great Almighty; spending time with my very, very good friends and family; doing off-the-topic research and reading up on topics my colleagues only have a remote idea about; finding out about computer software and applications (particularly free and open-source ones); and watching rugby. My favourite Afrikaans word is "pikkewyn".

Jan Nagel

“Hi my name is Jan, aka Die Man, Nagel

I’m working on Phytophthora in natural ecosystems, but you don’t want to hear bout that now, do you?

When not in the lab, I try to make time for playing guitar and a little bass on the side. I enjoy cooking and am really passionate about making potjiekos, in fact I fell into a potjie when I was little and that gave me the magnificent potjiekos superpower. Other activities I am known to get up to include writing, drinking, spilling and talking about red wine, whistling the imperial march and making random comments. My favourite animal is my ancestral goat. “

 

Kerry-Anne Pillay
 

 

Hi there, My name is Kerry

When I am not in the lab working on fungal endophytes, I am usually found lazying around doing nothing, chilling, and listening to devotional music like HHP," make the circle bigger, show dem, show dem, show dem bafana show dem!" I am really looking forward to the world cup soccer as is most fabians, South Africa is wonderful country and this event has filled the country with a united spirit that we all should be apart off.

So fabians" make the circle bigger"

 

Johan van de Linde

 Major “the ingens” Social aka ginger guy from the Tew Lab.

Bred and constructed in the notorious Bloemfontein LABS, the story begins of a ginger hero. Not only was I made to study and help the dying and increased death of the native child, Euphorbia ingens, but also to help strangling research colleagues from the ever notorious Dr. Non-social aka THE PCR KILLER! I was primarily equipped with the power of ginger persuasion and the love for music (drums and a slice of guitar). My mission and objectives are simple, not to leave a lab strapped mate in the dark, always to assist with a smile, sentences not related to research and the enjoyment of getting outside and having fun. I enjoy my new setting in Pretoria and hope to introduce the love for research combined with the greatest social time of your life.

NO ONE GETS LEFT BEHIND!

Eric Birkholz

A normal boring person. Dealing with the impossible obstacles life throws at him. Until he unlocks the prison people call sanity, then saving the world is easy. I would not like to brag but if not for me you all would be pets of sub standard aliens.

Jane Bredenkamp

Hey everyone,

I'm Jane and I'm a very recent Fabian. I work mainly on plant-pathogen interactions and study the plant defence response against Ralstonia solnanacearum, but that's only a small part of who I am. I spend my time reading, gyming, watching movies and hanging out with friends and family. My motto is to worry less and smile more, because life's too short to do anything else. I am very excited for the 2010 World Cup and P.S. I support Spain, but only after South Africa of course! It's gonna be a good year!

Have a good one!
Jane Bredenkamp
 

Febe Wilken

For those of you that don’t know me, my name is Febe. No, not like the Phoebe in Charmed or Friends! Now for a little bit more about myself: when I was little, I wanted to become a famous novelist, but somehow I’ve ended up on a career path where it is required of me to murder plants in order to study them. I’m not entirely sure how that happened. When I’m not torturing poor innocent baby trees, I like to read classics, bake nice things to bribe my family with, build puzzles, or spend time with my friends. And yes, I do like hugging trees. Just not thorny ones... Last but not least, I love Snoopy from the cartoon strip Peanuts to bits, because he has attitude and imagination, just like the 2010 social club

 

Fahime Jami

My name is Fahime, I’m from Iran and Plant pathology PhD student in FABI. I enjoy my life in South Africa special with FABI family. Most of the time I’m working on my project in the Lab but if I have a short free time will enjoy of reading book, chatting with friends and some exercise. Being member of Social club is part of my activity in FABI.

 

 

Angelica Marsberg
 

Hey there!
My name is Angelica Marsberg, but seeing as some find it hard to pronounce my name you can just call me Angie.
Currently I am doing my MSc in Genetics, focussing on fungal endophytes in Syzigium cordatum, or Waterberry for those who just went "Huh?"
When I'm not in the lab, I enjoy doing artsy things, being creative (and sometimes dangerous!) in the kitchen and the odd bit of ice skating when I get the chance.
My favourite animal is a horse, and I've had the priviledge of owning a gorgeous mare called Northern Maid. An excellent past time for unwinding after a hectic day!
I am NOT, without a doubt, a fan of Robert Pattinson a.k.a Edward Cullen, or anything related to the Twilight saga... If you want to torture me, tie me up and make me watch the movies or read me the books.
Smile and let the whole world wonder why :)
Angelica
 

Lindsay Kriel

My name is Lindsay Kriel. Currently, I am working on tissue culture techniques and characterizing a potential defense related gene in avocado.
When not in the lab, I enjoy spending time with my friends, experimenting in the kitchen , reading and horse riding.

Kai-Anne Clews

My name is Kai-Anne Clews; I am the fabi website manager and now an honorary Social Club member as the official photographer. However, please, if at any event you see a Fabian doing something amusing, send it to me and I’ll be sure to upload it and show the Whole Wide World!! When I am not at fabi, I am studying or playing a gig somewhere. I love my music, and I love my Fabians!! What more can a girl ask??