Two FABI Mancom members, Prof. Brenda Wingfield and Prof. Tjaard Krüger have been announced as finalists in the 2025/2026 NSTF-South32 Awards, widely recognised as South Africa’s ‘Science Oscars’. Prof. Brenda Wingfield, who hods a DSTI-NRF SARChI Chair in Fungal Genomics, is a finalist in the Lifetime Award category for her contributions to understanding the genetics and genomics of fungal plant pathogens and for her role in educating and mentoring generations of researchers. Prof. Taart Krüger based in UP’s Department of Physics is a finalist for the TW Kambule-NSTF Researcher Award. He’s recognised for developing ultra-sensitive single-molecule instruments that help reveal how nature converts sunlight into energy, with potential applications for cleaner and more efficient energy technologies. The winners will be announced at the NSTF-South32 Awards Gala event on 16 July.