EPPI Team

Academic Staff and Research Leaders Total:1

Prof Sanushka Naidoo
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology

External Research Associates Total:1

Ms Nomathemba Majola
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Lecturer

Professional Support Staff Total:3

Dr Ronishree Mangwanda
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Programme Manager (FMG)
Ms Adri Veale
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Tissue culture and Plant Transformation Platform Manager
Dr Avhashoni Zwane
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology

Postdoctoral Fellows Total:3

Dr Anneri Lötter
FABI
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr Myriam Solis
FABI
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr Demissew Teshome
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Postdoctoral Fellow

Doctoral Students Total:5

Mr Lihan Esterhuizen
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student
Ms Nadine Kleinhans
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student
Ms Bianca Prozesky
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student
Mr Sean Schultze
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student
Ms Shae Swanepoel
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student

Masters Students Total:11

Mr Ryan Bosch
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Ms Tshiamo Lesedi
FABI
MSc student MSc Student
Ms Valencia Mogashoa
Centre for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
MSc student
Mr Tebogo Molemela
FABI
MSc student
Mr Tshoganyetso Motete
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Mx Anicka Nel
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Ms Ayanda Phulula
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Ms Sinenhlanhla Shongwe
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Mr Kaliwe Sindazi
FABI
MSc student
Mr Michal Slupski
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Mr Bertus van Rooy
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
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New Publications

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
Lötter A, Bruna T, Duong TA, Barry K, Lipzen A, Daum C, Yoshinaga Y, Grimwood J, Jenkins JW, Talag J, Borevitz J, Lovell JT, Schmutz J, Wegrzyn JL, Myburg AA. (2025) A haplotype-resolved reference genome for Eucalyptus grandis. G3 Genes|Genomes|Genetics 10.1093/g3journal/jkaf112
Solís M, Hammerbacher A, Wingfield M.J, Naidoo S. (2025) Enhancing plantation forest sustainability: A review of Eucalyptus defence mechanisms to foliar fungal pathogens. Current Forestry Reports 10.1007/s40725-024-00243-3