Mr Michael Mbenoun

PhD Student
DST/NRF Centre of Excellence in Tree Health Biotechnology

Research Interests

I joined the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI) and the Tree Protection Co-operative Programme (TPCP) group early in 2009, to start a PhD program in Plant Pathology and Microbiology. Under the supervision of Professors Jolanda Roux and Michael J. Wingfield, my PhD project aims at contributing to a better insight into the diversity, ecology and taxonomy of tree-infecting Ceratocystis species in Africa.

The fungal genus Ceratocystis includes many economically important tree pathogens worldwide. These pathogens represent a serious quarantine threat due to their potential for spreading and easy adaptation to new regions. For this, they rely on their association with various insects, as well as a remarkable capacity to host jump and adapt to different tree species. It is predicted that tree diseases caused by Ceratocystis spp. will be of increasing concern in the years ahead, owing to global warming and globalization of trade. The knowledge base of Ceratocystis spp. in Africa is still under construction, and one of the objectives of my studies is to supplement it with information from a tropical environment.

Most of my previous experience is related to diseases of cocoa. My Masters (Biochemistry, University of Yaoundé I) was focused on investigating the mode of action of some cocoa-associated fungal endophytes with biocontrol potential against Phytophthora megakary, a causative agent of cocoa black pod disease. In addition, I have several years working experience with IRAD (www.irad-cameroon.org) on various topics related to this disease including chemical control, selection for resistance and epidemiology.  Another disease of cocoa I have spent some time studying at IRAD is an emerging die-back disease (http://www.bspp.org.uk/ndr/july2007/2007-65.asp) which has stimulated my interest in fungal pathogens associated with tree decline diseases.

The purpose of improving my academics is to acquire skills and strategies necessary to handle issues and opportunities in connection with fungal biodiversity.