I am a PhD candidate in the Avocado Research Programme. My research is focused on the role of Botryosphaeriaceae in causing diseases in avocado, such as dieback, cankers on branches and trunks, or stem-end rot of fruits.

I completed my Master’s degree in Plant Pathology at the University of Stellenbosch in March 2024. This project investigated fungicide resistance-related changes in the genome of two Phytophthora species that cause the destruction of citrus in South Africa. This work fueled my passion for the genetics of plant pathogens while also addressing the pressing agricultural issue of fungicide resistance.