Miss Kershney Naidoo

PhD Student

Research Interests

Currently I am registered at the University of Pretoria with the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute doing my PhD. I am under the direct supervision of Professor Brenda Wingfield, with Professor Mike Wingfield as my co-promoter. My PhD envisages the sequencing of a complete mitochondrial genome of the fungal pathogen Ceratocystis albifundus. This fungus is vastly responsible for wound infections of a variety of commercially important food crops, namely sugarcane, nuts, sweet potato, beans, mango, etc. Agronomic crops such as rubber, cotton and tobacco have also fallen susceptible to Ceratocystis infections and diseases. The development of disease models on a molecular level will enable for a rapid identification of the fungus prior to significant loss of plantation. This research is therefore valuable for disease management and prevention. My research will also focus on sequencing one complete mitochondrial genome of a selected Ceratocystis albifundus species.   Next generation sequencing using that of the 454 technology will be applied to achieving this. Understanding the gene order and mitochondrial structure will provide a new outlook into the evolutionary history of this pathogen.  Topology and phylogenetic inferences can then be established with regard to the cryptic species within this genus.

 

Previous Research Interest:

I have completed all my previous degrees at the University of Natal, now known as the University of KwaZulu-Natal. I completed my undergraduate degree in 2002 majoring in Genetics. My greatest achievement was graduating my Honours degree in Genetics cum laude in 2003. My Master’s research was supervised by Dr. Mervyn Beukes and the focus was largely on bacterial antibiotic resistance and protein-protein interactions. My research entailed the characterization of selected autolytic enzymes found in Streptococcalspecies. I classified three novel autolysins and Biacore analysis allowed for autolysin protein manipulation. I traveled to France and Germany to facilitate collaborative studies for all the molecular interaction studies. I gained immense experience in the Biacore technology as well as efficient use of the Biacore equipment.

 

Personal

I was born and raised in the sunny province of the ‘Kingdom of the Zulu’ in Pietermaritzburg. My parents and sister still reside in PMB. My best friend and confidant is my sister, we are inseparable and go beyond the bond of sisterhood. I am a spontaneous charismatic person who enjoys socializing and watching epic love stories. I love making friends across the spectrum and learning different languages. My most memorable moment was overlooking the city of Paris from a bird’s eye view, on the top of the Eiffel Tower and I aspire to going on many more international visits.

I have a great enthusiasm and passion for SCIENCE at a foundational level.  I am involved with many Regional Science Expos and have been given the oppertunity to judge at these competitions for the last 3 years.  I have participated in the UP with Science program and throughly enjoyed the interaction with young aspiring minds.  I have also lead the CTHB Mentorship program for the last 4 years which has been a fantastic priviledge to impart molecular and scientific knowledge and skills to delveloping scientists. 

Posters, Presentations and Events:

2010 - 21st Biannual South African Genetics Society Congress, University of the Free State, 9-10th April 2010, Bloemfontein, Characterising the Mitochondrial Genome of the tree pathogen Ceratocystis albifundus. K. Naidoo, B.D. Wingfield & M.J. Wingfield

2009 – 46^th South African Society for Plant Pathology conference & 6^th African Mycological Association, Gordon’s Bay, Cape Town, January 25- 29^th 2009, Progress towards sequencing the mitochondrial genome of the tree pathogen Ceratocystis albifundus K. Naidoo, B.D. Wingfield & M.J. Wingfield

2008 – 20^th Biannual South African Genetics Society conference, University of Pretoria, 27-29^thMarch, 2008, Progress towards sequencing the mitochondrial genome of the tree pathogenCeratocystis albifundus K. Naidoo, B.D. Wingfield & M.J. Wingfield

2006 – 19^th Biannual South African Genetics Society conference, University of the Free State, May 2006, Characterization of the Autolytic Systems in selected Streptococcal species K. Naidoo & M. Beukes

2005 – School Seminar Postgraduate Presentation – Characterization of the Autolytic Systems in Streptococcus milleri K. Naidoo & M. Beukes

2003 – South African Society for Microbiology, University of Durban Westville, Characterization of the Autolytic Systems in selected Streptococcal species K. Naidoo & M. Beukes.  Awarded the best student paper.

Represented the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal at the Sasol Science festive in 2004, was awarded second prize for the “Forensic Crime Scene” Genetics exhibition.

Sasol Scifest, Gramhamstown, South Africa - 2007, Coordinator of the University of Pretoria Team. The Marvelous World of Fungi