Prof Bernard Slippers
FABI
Director of FABI
Group Leaders

Prof Irene Barnes
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Professor
Prof Martin Coetzee
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Professor
Research Leader
Prof Tuan Duong
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Associate Professor
Prof Almuth Hammerbacher
Zoology and Entomology
Associate Professor
Prof Brett Hurley
Zoology and Entomology
Professor
Prof Tjaart Krüger
Physics
Associate Professor
Dr Thabiso Motaung Motaung
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Lecturer
Prof Sanushka Naidoo
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Prof Emma Steenkamp
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Professor
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 Member
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

Prof Jeremy Allison
FABI
Extra-ordinary Professor
Dr Wubetu Bihon
FABI
Extra-ordinary Lecturer
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
Dr Carlos Rodas
FABI
Extra-ordinary Professor
Prof Jolanda Roux
Plant and Soil Sciences
Professor

Dr Janneke Aylward
FABI
Research Fellow
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 Michelle Schroder
Zoology and Entomology
Researcher
Dr Magriet van der Nest
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology

Dr Felipe Balocchi
FABI
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr Charlene Clarke
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr Firehiwot Eshetu
FABI
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr WenWen Li
Plant and Soil Sciences
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr Privilege Makunde
FABI
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr Marzieh Mehrabioon-Mohammadi
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr Jackson Muyobela
Zoology and Entomology
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
Mr Lihan Esterhuizen
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student
Mr Taygen Fuchs
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
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
Ms Pilar Hemmelmann
Plant and Soil Sciences
PhD student
Mr Darryl Herron
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student
Ms Vaylen Hlaka
FABI
PhD student
Ms Sithembile Kunene
Plant and Soil Sciences
PhD student
Ms Frances Lane
FABI
PhD student
Ms Mabodiba Maake
FABI
PhD student
Mr Sicelo Masuku
FABI
PhD student
Mr Lazarus Mavima
FABI
PhD student Student
Ms Pfano Mbedzi
FABI
PhD student
Mr Tshepo Joseph Mmushi
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student
Ms Ruth Nante
Centre for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
PhD student
Ms Phophi Nethononda
FABI
PhD student
Mr Siphephelo Phungula
Plant and Soil Sciences
PhD student
Ms Jenna-Lee Price
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student
Ms Jane Baile Ramaswe
FABI
PhD student
Ms Manchela Francinah Ratsoma
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student
Ms Luki-Marie Scheepers
FABI
PhD student
Ms Lehlogonolo Quecious Shalang
Plant and Soil Sciences
PhD student
Mr Preston Shaw
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student
Ms Nomfundo Shinga
Plant and Soil Sciences
PhD student
Ms Benedicta Swalarsk-Parry
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student
Ms Cheyenne Theron
Plant and Soil Sciences
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
Mr Edwin Wanjofu
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student

Ms Jade Ashmore
Zoology and Entomology
MSc student
Mr Adam Bazerbachi
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Ms Simoné Bornman
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student Student
Ms Janie Coetzer
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Mr Kyle Craninx
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Mr Sam Eichhorn
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Ms Kerryn Fourie
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Mr Johan F. Griesel
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Mr Christiaan Grobler
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Mr Lehlohonolo Hlahane
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Ms Brittney-Aidan Jamieson
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Ms Zimazile Jazi
Zoology and Entomology
MSc student
Mr Nigel Kombora
Zoology and Entomology
MSc student
Mr Kyle Leeuwendaal
FABI
MSc student
Ms Chulumanco Majavu
Zoology and Entomology
MSc student
Ms Bianke Marx
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Ms Ongeziwe Mbhele
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Ms Monique Muller
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Ms Kiara Munsamy
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Ms Thobeka Mzimela
Plant and Soil Sciences
MSc student
Ms Anja Piso
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Ms Lizzy Ramela
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Ms Vera Röder
Plant and Soil Sciences
MSc student
Mr Drake Slabbert
Zoology and Entomology
MSc student
Mr Michal Slupski
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Mr Tolu Soogun
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Mr Hannes Strydom
FABI
MSc student
Mr Grant Terblanche
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Ms Kayla Thomas
Agricultural Research Council
MSc student Member
Mr Bertus van Rooy
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Ms Anien Viljoen
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Mr Nkhoye Zondo
Plant and Soil Sciences
MSc student

Ms Janhvi Dayah
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Ms Nadia Gürtel
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Ms Oratile Lekalakala
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Ms Mamello Machusi
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Ms Mamello Machusi
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Ms Damei McCue
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Ms Nondumiso Mngomezulu
Centre for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
Ms Rabia Omar
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Ms Ayanda Phulula
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Ms Kiara Lee Schutte
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Mr Jandré Verster
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Mr Keegan Walton
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
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
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
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