FABI is proud of its founding Director Prof. Mike Wingfield who was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in recognition of his pioneering contributions to global forest science.

In their citation, SLU notes that the long-standing collaboration between SLU, Mike Wingfield and FABI has led to several research exchanges and joint publications. Mike is also described as one of the most prolific researchers in the field of forest health, and for several consecutive years he has been among the most highly cited scientists in the world in his field. In addition to being an excellent researcher and past President of the International Union of Forest Research Organisations (IUFRO), he is a role model as a leader and mentor for many researchers at the Faculty of Forest Sciences.

A significant milestone in Mike’s career came when he, along with Prof. Brenda Wingfield established an entirely new research institute, FABI, at the University of Pretoria in 1998. Today, FABI is recognised globally for its contributions to understanding and managing diseases that threaten trees and forests. Many former FABI students are now global leaders, and their impact has been immense.

Mike says that he hopes this recognition reminds students and emerging scientists that their contributions matter. In his view, the next breakthroughs will come from those who embrace curiosity, collaboration, and persistence.

As part of the celebrations, Mike also presented a talk “Decades of discovery: Science behind a hidden tree killer” that was streamed live on SLU’s YouTube channel