On Monday, 24 November, the FABI team gathered to bid farewell to colleague and friend Dr Nicky Creux, who will be taking up a new position at INRAe in Toulouse, France.  Since joining FABI in 2019, Nicky has led the Crop Floral Biology and Environments (CFBE) research team, which has grown both in size and stature. Her research has advanced understanding of how environmental stresses shape floral development, pollination, and crop yield - particularly in sunflower and maize. Nicky has also played an important role in national research efforts as a member of the South African Sclerotinia Research Network (SASRN) and the National Grain Research Programme.  This is all in addition to Nicky’s outstanding teaching and mentorship efforts. FABI Director, Prof. Bernard Slippers and many other FABI colleagues had the opportunity to share their views on the hugely important role that she has played as FABI team leader and passionate advisor of many graduate students.  These accolades repeatedly emphasized her outstanding leadership skills, collaborative spirit, and commitment to strengthening crop resilience research in South Africa. On behalf of all of the FABI team, Prof. Slippers thanked Nicky for her many and significant contributions to the Institute and, while she would be deeply missed, wished her every success in her new role at INRAe. He also noted that Nicky would be appointed to an extraordinary position and  continue to work closely with FABI colleagues in the future.