Prof Irene Barnes
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Professor
Prof Martin Coetzee
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Professor
Research Leader
Dr Nicky Creux
Plant and Soil Sciences
Senior Lecturer
Prof Tuan Duong
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Associate Professor
Prof Gerda Fourie
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Associate Professor
Prof Almuth Hammerbacher
Zoology and Entomology
Associate Professor
Prof Brett Hurley
Zoology and Entomology
Professor
Dr Thabiso Motaung Motaung
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Lecturer
Prof Bernard Slippers
FABI
Director of FABI
Prof Emma Steenkamp
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Professor
Acting Director
Prof Noelani van den Berg
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Prof Albe van der Merwe
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Associate Professor
Prof Fanus Venter
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Deputy Director of FABI
Prof Cobus Visagie
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Associate Professor
Team Leaders
Dr Markus Wilken
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Lecturer
Prof Brenda Wingfield
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
DST / NRF SARChI Chair in Fungal Genomics
Prof Mike Wingfield
FABI
Founding Director of FABI
Dr Neriman Yilmaz
FABI
Senior Lecturer
Team member

Dr Wubetu Bihon
FABI
Extra-ordinary Lecturer
Prof Volker Brozel
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Prof Treena Burgess
FABI
Professor
Dr ShuaiFei Chen
FABI
Extra-ordinary Lecturer
Prof Pedro Crous
FABI
Associate Professor
Dr Jeff Garnas
Zoology and Entomology
Senior Lecturer
Dr Mesfin Gossa
Zoology and Entomology
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr Chrizelle Krynauw (née Beukes)
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr Osmond Mlonyeni
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Prof Jolanda Roux
Plant and Soil Sciences
Professor

Dr Tanay Bose
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Research Fellow
Dr Lieschen De Vos
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Research Fellow
Dr Gudrun Dittrich-Schroder
Zoology and Entomology
Research Fellow
Dr Seonju Marincowitz
FABI
Research Fellow
Dr David Read
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Research Fellow
Postdoctoral fellow
Dr Michelle Schroder
Zoology and Entomology
Researcher
Dr Magriet van der Nest
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology

Dr Felipe Balocchi
FABI
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr Privilege Makunde
FABI
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr Nam Pham
FABI
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr Myriam Solis
FABI
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr Ariska van der Nest
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Postdoctoral Fellow

Mr Callin Ceriani
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student Student
Ms Claudette Dewing
FABI
PhD student
Ms Caitlin Gevers
Zoology and Entomology
PhD student
Ms Ginna M. Granados
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student
Mr Mathew Harris
FABI
PhD student Student
Mr Darryl Herron
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student
Ms Vaylen Hlaka
FABI
PhD student
Ms Bianca Hough
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student
Ms Carlynn Jacobs
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student
Ms Rosa Knoppersen
Zoology and Entomology
PhD student
Ms Sithembile Kunene
Plant and Soil Sciences
PhD student
Ms Frances Lane
FABI
PhD student
Ms Mabodiba Maake
FABI
PhD student
Ms Angel Maduke
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student
Ms Dineo Mailula
FABI
PhD student
Mr Sicelo Masuku
FABI
PhD student
Ms Ofentse Mathibela
Plant and Soil Sciences
PhD student Doctoral candidate
Mr Lazarus Mavima
FABI
PhD student Student
Ms Sphumelele Mkhize
FABI
PhD student
Ms Thembeka Mkhize
FABI
PhD student
Mr Sizwe Mthembu
Plant and Soil Sciences
PhD student
Ms Jenna-Lee Price
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student
Mr Innocent Rakubu
Zoology and Entomology
PhD student
Ms Jane Baile Ramaswe
FABI
PhD student
Ms Manchela Francinah Ratsoma
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student
Mr Preston Shaw
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student
Mr Byron Sonnekus Sonnekus
FABI
PhD student
Ms Benedicta Swalarsk-Parry
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student
Ms Cheyenne Theron
Plant and Soil Sciences
PhD student
Ms Chanel Thomas
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student
Mr Garyn Townsend
FABI
PhD student
Ms Alida van Dijk
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student
Ms Melandre Van Lill
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student
Ms Lente van Zyl
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student

Ms Simoné Bornman
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student Student
Mr Freddie Botha
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Mr Johan Cilliers
Plant and Soil Sciences
MSc student
Mr Wisely Kola
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Ms Bianke Marx
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Ms Mpho Matsetela
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Ms Ongeziwe Mbhele
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Ms Otlotleng Moloto
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Ms Sinethemba Nkosi
Plant and Soil Sciences
MSc student
Ms Tshiamo Phakalatsane
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Ms Ipeleng Pooa
Plant and Soil Sciences
MSc student
Ms Jostina Rakoma
FABI
MSc student
Ms Lizzy Ramela
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Mr Siphamandla Shongwe
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Mr Michal Slupski
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Mr Hannes Strydom
FABI
MSc student
Ms Kayla Thomas
Agricultural Research Council
MSc student Member
Ms Anien Viljoen
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student

Ms Monique Saayman
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology


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New Publications

Mavima L, Steenkamp ET, Beukes CW, Palmer M, De Meyer SE, JAMES EK, Venter SN, Coetzee MPA. (2025) Estimated timeline for the evolution of symbiotic nitrogen fixing Paraburkholderia. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 213:108447. 10.1016/j.ympev.2025.108447
Pham NQ, Liu FF, Duong TA, Wingfield BD, Chen SF, Wingfield MJ. (2025) Genetic diversity of Calonectria reteaudii isolates from infected Eucalyptus leaves and associated soils indicates a phyllosphere origin of the pathogen. Forest Pathology 55:e70037. 10.1111/efp.70037
Schröder ML, Hurley BP, Wingfield MJ, Slippers B, Garnas JR. (2025) Thermal limitations to the biological control of Gonipterus sp. n. 2 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in South African Eucalyptus plantations. Agricultural and Forest Entomology 10.1111/afe.70002
Lynn KMT, Wingfield MJ, Tarigan M, Durán A, Santos SA, Nel WJ, Barnes I. (2025) Investigating bark, ambrosia and nitidulid beetle (Coleoptera: Scolytinae and Nitidulidae) communities and their potential role in the movement of Ceratocystis manginecans in commercial forestry plantations in Riau, Indonesia. Agricultural and Forest Entomology 10.1111/afe.12698
Solís M, Hammerbacher A, Wingfield MJ, Naidoo S. (2025) Transcriptional responses of Eucalyptus to infection by an aggressive leaf blight pathogen reveal the role of host secondary metabolites during pathogen germination. Plant Molecular Biology 115 10.1007/s11103-025-01625-2
Coertze S, Coetzee B, Basson E, de Villiers D, Makhura T, Moster D, Slippers B, Rose LJ, Visagie CM, Read D. (2025) First Report of Clavibacter nebraskensis Causing Goss’s Bacterial Leaf Blight on Maize (Zea mays) in South Africa. Plant Disease 109:1580. 10.1094/PDIS-01-25-0164-PDN
Overy DP, Frisvad JC, Witte TE, Hicks CL, Hermans A, Sproule A, Louis-Seize G, Seifert KA, Yilmaz N, Price J, van Vuuren NI, Visagie CM. (2025) Chemodiversity of Penicillium isolated from alpine and arctic environments, including ten new species. Studies in Mycology 112:75–116. 10.3114/sim.2025.112.03
Harris MA, Kemler M, Slippers B, Hassel N, Tsamba J, Arthan W, Kellogg EA, AuBuchon-Elder T, Vorontsova MS, Archibald S, Hempson GP, Lehmann CER, Besnard G, Bergerow D, Brachmann A, Solofondranohatra CL, Greve M. (2025) Productivity drives leaf mycobiome diversity patterns at global and continetal scales. Global Ecology and Biogeography 34:e70094. 10.1111/geb.70094
Gao M, Yan Z, Liu Z, Jiang Y, Liu T, Miao X, Dai M, Bose T, Chang R. (2025) A novel Arthrobotrys species: Taxonomic characterization, nematicidal activity, and multi-omics insights into nematode predation. Biological Control 208:105853. 10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105853
Esterhuizen HJ, Slippers B, Bosman AS, Roux J, Jones W, Bose T, Hammerbacher A. (2025) Early detection of Phytophthora root rot in Eucalyptus using hyperspectral reflectance and machine learning. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 237:110761. 10.1016/j.compag.2025.110761
Pham NQ, Wingfield BD, Marincowitz S, Brawner JT, Hulcr J, Wingfield MJ. (2025) Cryphonectria canker on Eucalyptus in Florida reconsidered. Forest Pathology 55:e70031. 10.1111/efp.70031
Crous PW, Catcheside DEA, Catcheside PS, Alfenas AC, Alfenas RF, Barreto RW, Lebel T, Balashov S, Broadbridge J, Jurjević Å, De la Peña-Lastra S, Hoffmann R, Mateos A, Riebesehl J, Shivas RG, Soliz Santander FF, Tan YP, Altés A, Bandini D, Carriconde F, Cazabonne J, Czachura P, Gryta H, Eyssartier G, Larsson E, Pereira OL, Rigueiro-Rodríguez A, Wingfield MJ, Ahmad W, Bibi S, Denman S, Esteve-Raventós F, Hussain S, Illescas T, Luangsa-ard JJ, Möller L, Mombert A, Noisripoom W, Olariaga I, Pancorbo F, Paz A, PiÄ…tek M, Polman-Short C, Suárez E, Afshan NS, Ali H, Arzanlou M, Ayer F, Barratt J, Bellanger J, Bidaud A, Bishop-Hurley SL, Bohm M, Bose T, Campo E, Chau NB, Çolak ÃF, Cordeiro TRL, Cruz MO, Custódio FA, Couceiro A, Darmostuk V, Dearnaley JDW, De Azevedo Santiago ALCM, De Freitas LWS, Yáñez-Morales MDJ, Domnauer C, Dentinger B, Dhileepan K, De Souza JT, Dovana F, Eberhardt U, Eisvand P, Erhard A, Fachada V, García-Martín A, Groenewald M, Hammerbacher A, Harms K, Haroon S, Haqnawaz M, Henriques S, Hernández AJ, Jacobus LM, Jaen-Contreras D, Jangsantear P, Kaygusuz O, Knoppersen R, Kumar TKA, Lynch MJ, Mahiques R, Maraia GL, Marbach PAS, Mehrabi-Koushki M, Miller PR, Mongkolsamrit S, Moreau P, Oberlies NH, Oliveira JA, Orlovich D, Pérez-Méndez AS, Pinto A, Raja HA, Ramírez GH, Raphael B, Rodrigues A, Rodrigues H, Ramos DO, Safi A, Sarwar S, Saar I, Sánchez RM, Santana JS, Scrace J, Sales LS, Silva LNP, Stryjak-Bogacka M, Tacconi A, Thanh VN, Thomas A, Thuy NT, Toome M, Valdez-Carrazco JM, Van Vuuren NI, Vasey J, Vauras J, Vila-Viçosa C, Villarreal M, Visagie CM, Vizzini A, Whiteside EJ, Groenewald JZ. (2025) Fungal Planet description sheets: 1781–1866. Persoonia 54:327–587. 10.3114/persoonia.2025.54.10
Nzuza P, Schröder ML, Heim RJ, Daniels L, Slippers B, Hurley BP, Germishuizen I, Sivparsad B, Roux J, Maes WH. (2025) Assessing Gonipterus defoliation levels using multispectral unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) data in Eucalyptus plantations. Ecological Informatics 90:103301. 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2025.103301
Kunene S, Mmushi TJ, Steenkamp E, Motaung T. (2025) Pinus-derived membrane vesicles disrupt pathogenic metabolism in fungi. plant biology 10.1111/plb.70069 PDF
Theron CA, Wingfield MJ, Ahumada R, Carnegie AJ, Fraser S, Rodas C, Barnes I. (2025) Diversity and distribution of Lophodermium species on non-native Pinus species in the southern hemisphere. Mycological Progress 24(44) 10.1007/s11557-025-02056-5
Msweli D, Geerts S, Nndanduleni M, Paap T. (2025) Evaluation of phosphite to protect a South African Proteaceae from Phytophthora root rot. Journal of Plant Pathology 10.1007/s42161-025-01945-8 PDF
Dewing C, Yilmaz N, Steenkamp ET, Wingfield BD, Visagie CM. (2025) Capturing the fungal diversity hidden in Eastern Cape dairy pastures. Mycological Progress 24(1):38. 10.1007/s11557-025-02059-2
Nel WJ, Duong TA, Fell S, Herron DA, Paap T, Wingfield MJ, de Beer ZW, Hulcr J, Johnson AJ. (2025) A checklist of South African bark and ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae, Platypodinae). Zootaxa 5648(1):1-101. 10.11646/zootaxa.5648.1.1
Dewing C, Yilmaz N, Steenkamp ET, Wingfield BD, Visagie CM. (2025) Capturing the fungal diversity hidden in Eastern Cape dairy pastures. Mycological Progress 24:38. 10.1007/s11557-025-02059-2 PDF
Wingfield MJ, Pham NQ, Marincowitz S, Wingfield BD. (2025) Cryphonectriaceae: Biodiverse and threatening tree pathogens in the tropics and southern hemisphere. Annual Review of Phytopathology 63 10.1146/annurev-phyto-121823-030316
Queffelec J, Allison JD, Slippers B, Greeff JM. (2025) Determinants of mating success in a lek-mating species. Agricultural and Forest Entomology :1-10. 10.1111/afe.12692
Magagula P, Swart V, Fourie A, Vermeulen A, Nelson JH, van Rooyen Z, van den Berg N. (2025) Avocado rhizosphere community profiling: white root rot and its impact on microbial composition. Frontiers in Microbiology 16 10.3389/fmicb.2025.1583797
Marincowitz S, Pham NQ, Wingfield BD, Wingfield MJ. (2025) Microfungi associated with dying quiver trees (Aloidendron dichotomum) in South Africa. Fungal Systematics and Evolution 16:71–80. 10.3114/fuse.2025.16.5 PDF
Pham NQ, Marincowitz S, Crous PW, Wingfield MJ. (2025) Diversity of soil-borne Gliocladiopsis from Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam. Fungal Systematics and Evolution 16:81–92. 10.3114/fuse.2025.16.6 PDF
Tanney JB, Kemler M, Vivas M, Wingfield MJ, Slippers B. (2025) Silent invaders: The hidden threat of asymptomatic phytobiomes to forest biosecurity. New Phytologist 10.1111/nph.70209
Fick A, Swart V, Van den Berg N. (2025) In silico prediction method for plant Nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat- and pathogen effector interactions. The Plant Journal 122:e70169. 10.1111/tpj.70169
Bose T, Wingfield MJ, Brachmann A, Witfeld F, Begerow D, Kemler M, Dovey S, Roux J, Slippers B, Vivas M, Hammerbacher A. (2025) Removal of organic biomass in Eucalyptus plantations has a greater impact on fungal than on bacterial networks. Forest Ecology and Management 586:122734. 10.1016/j.foreco.2025.122734
Woodward S, Amin H, Mártin-Gárcia J, Solla A, Diaz-Vazquez R, Romeralo C, Alves A, Pinto G, Herron D, Fraser S, Zas R, Doğmuş-Lehtijärvi HT, Bonello P, Wingfield MJ, Witzell J, Diez JJ. (2025) Host-pathogen interactions in the Pine-Fusarium circinatum pathosystem and the potential for resistance deployment in the field. Forest Pathology 55(2):e70020. 10.1111/efp.70020
Maduke N, Slippers B, Van der Linde E, Wingfield M, Fourie G. (2025) Botryosphaeriaceae associated with racemes, fruits and leaves of macadamia in South Africa. Plant Pathology 0:1–15:1–15. 10.1111/ppa.14107
Hulcr J, Barnes I, Barnes M, Gazis R, Hammerbacher A, Johnson AJ, Lynch S, Lynn K, Marais GC, Mayers CG, Nel W, Villari C, Wingfield BD, Wingfield MJ. (2025) From forest to fungus: A roadmap to bark beetle mycobiome research. Phytoparasitica 53(45) 10.1007/s12600-025-01246-x