Miss Marcele Vermeulen

MSc Student

Research Interests

I completed my BSc. degree in Plant Pathology at the University of Pretoria in 2005, and was also part of the Centre of Tree Health Biotechnology (CTHB) mentorship program during this year. I continued with an Honours degree in Microbiology at the University of Pretoria in the CTHB, Tree Protection Cooperative program (TPCP). My Honours degree was completed in 2006 with a thesis entitled Chrysoporthe species in Africa.  Results from my honours project were presented at a national conference in 2007. During my Honours year I also completed 2 of the 3 subjects for a Diploma in Brewing by The Institute of Brewing and Distilling. I was, however, more interested in fungal tree pathogens and continued with an MSc in Microbiology.

I am currently completing my MSc. in Microbiology at the University of Pretoria in the TPCP/CTHB group. My thesis is entitled: “Diversity and host range of the Cryphonectriaceae in Southern Africa”. The Cryphonectriaceae is an important group of tree pathogens in Africa and elsewhere in the world, causing disease of trees in the Myrtales (including the Myrtaceae, Melastomataceae and Lythraceae).  During my thesis I greatly expanded knowledge on the distribution of the Cryphonectriaceae in Africa. I also described a new genus within the Cryphonectriaceae, and studied the cryptic speciation in Celoporthe dispersa.  These fungi first gained importance when they were discovered causing disease of commercial Eucalyptus trees worldwide. 

Apart from working on my MSc. research I participated in a number of other activities provided by my research group and the University.  As part of a work experience program in the TPCP/CTHB, I was responsible for managing the quarantine green houses of the institute and I served on the Plant Diagnostic clinic.  I was a judge in the Eskom National Science Expo. In 2007 I also served on the group’s Social club.

 

Personal

I grew up in the forestry industry in the beautiful little town called Piet Retief, in Mapumalange province. Being part of FABI, gives me the opportunity to enjoy nature. I have been on 3 field trips into Africa, including Zambia Botswana and Namibia as well as several field trips in South Africa. I love reading and the outdoors.
 

Oral presentations

M. Vermeulen, J. Roux, M. Gryzenhout, P. Chimwamurumbe & M.J. Wingfield. First report of the tree pathogen Chrysoporthe austroafricana from Namibia. 45th Congress of the Southern African Society for Plant Pathology. January 2007.

M. Vermeulen, M. Gryzenhout, M.J Wingfield & J. Roux. Cryphonectriaceae canker pathogens on native and non-native Myrtales in southern Africa. Proceedings of the XXXIVth Annual Conference of the South African Association of Botanists (SAAB) 2008 and the VIIth Southern African Society for Systematic Biology (SASSB). January 2008.

M. Gryzenhout, M. Vermeulen & M.J. Wingfield. The Cryphonectriaceae is an unexplored family in the Diaporthales. 46th Congress of the Southern African Society for Plant Pathology. January 2009.

M. Vermeulen, M. Gryzenhout, M.J. Wingfield & J. Roux. New host and geographic records for the Cryphonectriaceae in Africa. 46th Congress of the Southern African Society for Plant Pathology. January 2009.

M. Gryzenhout, M. Vermeulen, S. Marincowitz, B. Slippers, J. Roux & M.J. Wingfield. Endophytes and phylloplane fungi provide an indication of the unexplored fungal biodiversity of southern African trees. 46th Congress of the Southern African Society for Plant Pathology. January 2009.

M. Vermeulen, D. Begoude, M. Gryzenhout, M.J. Wingfield and J. Roux. A new genus in the Cryphonectriaceae associated with Combretaceae and Lythraceae in Africa. Proceedings of the XXXIVth Annual Conference of the South African Association of Botanists (SAAB). January 2009.

M. Gryzenhout, M. Vermeulen, S. Marincowitz, B. Slippers, J. Roux and MJ. Wingfield. Endophytes and phylloplane fungi provide an indication of the unexplored fungal biodiversity of southern African trees. Proceedings of the XXXIVth Annual Conference of the South African Association of Botanists (SAAB). January 2009.

Poster presentations

M. Vermeulen M. Gruizenhout M.J. Wingfield & J. Roux. Population diversity of the canker pathogen Chrysoporthe austroafricana from Namibia based on vegetative compatibility. 20th Biennial Congress of the South African Genetics Society.  March 2008. (Poster)

Fieldtrip photos

      Zambia 2007                                              Namibia 2007

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