Martin Coetzee (Ph.D.) has recently been awarded a five year contract position in the Research Fellow Programme at the University of Pretoria. This programme is a new initiative of the university that is aimed at providing young scientists with the infrastructure and environment for building their careers within the academia. During his contract period, Martin will be involved in the training of researchers and students by continuation of the phylogenetic workshops that are already in place within the TPCP. He will also act as supervisor for M.Sc. and Ph.D. students. As part of his appointment, Martin has initiated and accepted responsibility for managing two research projects within the TPCP.

The first project involves characterising mitochondrial genomes of a number of plant pathogenic fungi important to tree health in South Africa. Knowledge pertaining to the architecture of the genomes will aid in answering questions regarding the evolution of these organelles and their possible role in pathogenicity. This project will employ many of the tools associated with the field of bioinformatics; it will therefore provide an excellent platform for acquiring and developing new skills within the research corps of the TPCP.

The second project focuses on the taxonomy of Ganoderma in South Africa and other countries in Africa. This fungus causes the disease known as Basal Stem Rot (BSR) on trees and other plants world-wide. The identity of the species involved in causing the disease in South Africa has not yet been clarified. The aim of this project is therefore to identify the Ganoderma species and develop diagnostic tools that will aid in rapid identification of these pathogens.