FMG Team
Academic Staff and Research Leaders Total:2
Prof Eshchar Mizrachi
Prof Sanushka NaidooExternal Research Associates Total:1
Dr Steven HusseyProfessional Support Staff Total:11
Dr Zelda Du Toit-Boshoff
Ms Grieta Mahlangu
Dr Ronishree Mangwanda
Ms Tersia Moabelo
Ms Tsholofelo Modise
Ms Patience Motaung
Ms Aysha Ndou
Ms Melissa ReynoldsBiochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Precision Tree Breeding Platform Manager
DNA Fingerprinting Platform Manager
Ms Doleen Sehlabane
Ms Adri VealeBiochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Tissue culture and Plant Transformation Platform Manager
Senior Research Assistant
Ms Thandeka WassermanPostdoctoral Fellows Total:4
Dr Anneri Lötter
Dr Mary Ranketse
Dr Myriam Solis
Dr Demissew TeshomeDoctoral Students Total:4
Mr Sung Hyu Luke Kim
Ms Nadine Kleinhans
Ms Ipeleng Randome
Ms Shae SwanepoelMasters Students Total:8
Mr Ryan Bosch
Ms Monique Horn
Ms Tshiamo Lesedi
Mr Thembelani Magubane
Ms Amahle Mkhwanazi 
Mx Anicka Nel
Ms Ayanda Phulula
Ms Sinenhlanhla ShongweHonours Students Total:1
Mr Daniel BeereNew Publications
Motete T, Solís M, Hammerbacher A, Naidoo S. (2026) Gene expression profiling in Eucalyptus associates Phenylpropanoid resistance to Teratosphaeria destructans. Plant Pathology
10.1111/ppa.70207
Schoeman C, Roodt D, Mc Menamin A, Bezuidt O, Dithugoe C, Pinard D, Mizrachi E. (2026) Conserved symbiosis-associated genes in the cycad Encephalartos natalensis suggest co-option for cyanobacterial symbiosis. New Phytologist
10.1111/nph.71311
Swanepoel S, Naidoo S. (2026) A weighted gene co-expression network analysis characterises the common defence responses of Eucalyptus to diverse biotic challenges. Scientific Reports 16:5387.
10.1038/s41598-025-32699-z
Vincent C, Singh A, Michalczyk GZ, Lane SL, Kaur R, Gill AR, Dziedzic N, De Silva K, Cho A, Cardoso AA, Alade DO, Tejera-Nieves M, Sharkey TD, Schmiege SC, Pelech E, Locke AM, Leisner CP, Teshome DT. (2025) Importance of measuring and reporting environmental conditions across plant science subdisciplines. Plant Physiology 199(2)
10.1093/plphys/kiaf405
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