IUFRO Board Meeting held in Corvallis, USA
As President, Prof. Mike Wingfield chaired the meeting of the Board of IUFRO recently held in Corvallis, Oregon (USA).
25 Sep 2018
21 Sep 2018
FABIans reflect on the applications of Next Generation Sequencing on their research at NGS Information Day
The Ion Torrent sequencing facility at the University of Pretoria held a Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Information Day at the Plant Sciences Auditorium on 19 September.
14 Sep 2018
Kenya maize pathology workshop “on the equator” a resounding success
Was this the first ever maize pathology workshop held on the “on the equator”? Possibly! Maseno University in Western Kenya, not far from Lake Victoria, is situated in a hot and humid region. Fungal foliar diseases and pests of maize abound in the region since chemical control is seldom applied and maize production continues all year round.
13 Sep 2018
FABI initiative featured in Science Magazine
FABI PhD candidate Joey Hulbert and his co-supervisor Dr Francois Roets recently published an 'Outside the Tower' piece in Science Magazine titled: Science Engagement in South Africa. Photo credits: AIMS-Siuth Africa and Cape Citizen Science
10 Sep 2018
FABIans present at International Workshop on the Genetics of Tree-Parasite Interactions
The 6th International Workshop on the Genetics of Tree-Parasite Interactions was hosted by Ohio State University from 5-10 August in Mt. Sterling, Ohio. Researchers from around the world, including Prof. Sanushka Naidoo and PhD candidate Caryn Oates from FABI, presented their work and participated in lively discussions on the future of plant defence research.
7 Sep 2018
Fourteen FABIans capped at UP Spring graduation
Congratulations to 14 FABIans whose degrees were conferred at the Spring graduation of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Pretoria on 4 September.
6 Sep 2018
FABIans celebrate Spring Day with an ice cream party
The winter cold was but a distant memory when the FABI Social Club hosted an ice cream party in celebration of the Institute’s annual Spring Tea on 5 September.
5 Sep 2018
FABI's Writing Club going strong
It goes without saying that publishing scientific papers is crucial for a successful science career. Another important part of the writing and publishing process is reviewing and editing. FABI PhD candidate, Katrin Fitza, started a “Writing Club” in 2016 to support this process, and to learn about reviewing and editing at the same time.
31 Aug 2018
FABI PhD Student participates in international Invertebrate Pathology Conference
FABI PhD candidate Katrin Fitza took part in the Society of Invertebrate Pathology (SIP) conference. This annual meeting gathers around 400 people from around the world. This year the conference was held on the Gold Coast in Australia from 12-17 August.
30 Aug 2018
New GC-MS system in FABI to boost chemical ecology
In order to strengthen our chemical ecology platform, a new gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) system was installed in FABI recently.
30 Aug 2018
FABI alumnus Ryan Nadel makes a pit stop at FABI with students from Auburn University
Old FABIan and Assistant Research Professor at Auburn University, Prof. Ryan Nadel, made a turn at FABI on 17 August before heading back to the United States following a tour of southern Africa with a group of his students.
29 Aug 2018
Ten out of ten for FABI as Gaby Carstensen successfully defends her PhD thesis
Gabrielle Carstensen successfully defended her PhD thesis on 27 August, fulfilling all the requirements for a PhD degree – the tenth FABIan to do so this year.
28 Aug 2018
The South African Women in Science Awards 2018 recognises the contributions of two FABIans
The FABI flag flew high at this year’s SAWiSA gala event held at The Ranch Resort in Polokwane on Thursday 23 August, with two representatives attending as finalists: Dr Irene Barnes, a research leader in the DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Tree Health Biotechnology (CTHB), and Danielle Roodt, a PhD candidate in the Forest Molecular Genetics (FMG) Programme.
27 Aug 2018
FABI celebrates the completion of the ninth PhD degree in 2018
Valentine Nakato presented her prestige seminar at the Plant Sciences Complex auditorium on 24 August, becoming the ninth PhD candidate at FABI in 2018 to reach this milestone.
27 Aug 2018
Revered population geneticist delivers a special seminar at FABI
Dr Emmanuel Wicker, a population geneticist at the Interactions Plant Microorganisms Environment unit of the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), delivered a special seminar at FABI on 23 August.
24 Aug 2018
FABIan attends an Insect Genetic Technologies course in the USA
FABI Postdoctoral Fellow Dr Gudrun Dittrich-Schröder, attended an Insect Genetic Technologies short course at The Insect Transformation Facility, University of Maryland, United States from the 22-27 July.
16 Aug 2018
CERC-FABI team conducts major inoculation experiment
To answer long standing questions regarding host relationships in the important group of Ceratocystisfungi, the CERC-FABI team under Dr ShuaiFei Chen initiated a major inoculation experiment at the CERC nursery in the past week.
16 Aug 2018
ICPP brings “Wicked Smaht” people to Boston: a FABI student perspective
The week of 28 July to 3 August, saw several FABI postgraduate students descended on Boston, Massachusetts to attend the International Congress of Plant Pathology (ICPP).
15 Aug 2018
CTHB Outreach team returns to NSW 2018
The DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Tree Health Biotechnology (CTHB) Outreach team participated in the 2018 National Science Week (NSW) - an initiative driven by the Department of Science and Technology and in support of the Mpumalanga Department of Education and takes place in all nine provinces of South Africa - over a one-week period (30 July to 3 August 2018).
14 Aug 2018
FABIan wins the United Scientific competition
Congratulations to FABI PhD candidate Ariska van der Nest who was selected as the lucky winner of the MacBook Air in the United Scientific -80°C Ultra-Low Temperature Freezer competition.
14 Aug 2018
FABIans participate in ICPP Forest Pathology fieldtrip
Three FABIans, Prof Bernard Slippers, Dr Irene Barnes and PhD candidate Arista Fourie had the opportunity to attend the ICPP Forest Pathology fieldtrip on New England forest pests and diseases on 28 July.
10 Aug 2018
FABIan on North American field trip to collect samples
During the in-between weeks of attending the IMC11 and ICPP2018 conferences, Dr Irene Barnes had the wonderful opportunity to visit with Dr Jim Walla, Northern Tree Specialties in Fargo, North Dakota.
10 Aug 2018
Encounters with Dr Livingston
The recent International Congress of Plant Pathology made it possible for Prof Mike Wingfield and Prof Brenda Wingfield to visit with forest pathologist Prof William (Bill) Livingston (and his wife Ulrike) of the University of Maine.
9 Aug 2018
FABI hosts a “celebration of science” with a special seminar by three FABI PhD graduates
Three FABI alumni headlined a “celebration of science” at the Institute on 7 August. The trio, who completed their PhD degrees at FABI in recent years, presented on their recent research projects and their vision for forestry and agricultural research in the future.
8 Aug 2018
A remarkable chain of command in plant pathology with a FABI connection
The senior leadership team of the American Phytopathological Society (APS) includes a President, a President Elect and a Past President.
7 Aug 2018
FABIans make a significant impact the international 50th Anniversary Congress of the ICPP
A large group of FABIans participated in the International Congress of Plant Pathology (ICPP) held in Boston (USA) from the 29 July to 3 August.
6 Aug 2018
Prof Brenda Wingfield awarded Fellowship of the American Phytopathological Society
At an impressive awards ceremony, Prof. Brenda Wingfield had the special honour of being awarded Fellowship of the American Phytopathological Society (APS).
3 Aug 2018
FABI connecting dots at the Entomological Society AGM
On the evening of the 26 July, the University of Pretoria hosted the Entomological Society of Southern Africa (ESSA) AGM. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss society activities and organisational matters including increasing the visibility of the Society’s journal as well as the next ESSA conference (being held from 8-12 July 2019 in Durban).
2 Aug 2018
FABIans Inspire at the Woodhill College Science Expo
The interaction of students with scientists could help inspire and shape their future.
31 Jul 2018
Fabians to present maize pathology workshop in Kenya
Foliar pests and diseases are a major constraint to maize farmers in Africa.
30 Jul 2018
FABIans receive prestigious awards at the International Mycological Congress
A large number of FABI staff, postdocs and students - both past and present - participated in the 11th International Mycological Congress in San Juan, Puerto Rico from 16-21 July.
27 Jul 2018
FABIan participates in FAO event on forest invasive species
Professor Brett Hurley of FABI was invited to participate and present in one of the side events organised during the COFO 24 session, titled “Towards a harmonized global approach for managing forest invasive species”.
26 Jul 2018
FABI’s Mandela Rhodes Scholars celebrate the 2018 selection of 100 Scholars in residence, 100 years after Madiba’s birth
FABI has been home to three Mandela Rhodes Scholars to date: Ms Mmatsepho Phasha (class of 2011), Dr Osmond Mlonyeni (class of 2009), and FABI academic staff member Dr Steven Hussey (class of 2010).
25 Jul 2018
FABI flies high at the International Mycological Congress
The 11th International Mycological Congress (IMC), was held from 16-21 July in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This is the premier international meeting focused on mycology (the study of fungi) held once every four years and hosted by the International Mycological Association (IMA).
25 Jul 2018
FABIan presents at the 31st Congress of the Phycological Society of Southern Africa
Julanie Stapelberg a MSc student from FABI - with a project based at the CSIR - presented both a poster and talk entitled “The recombinant protein production potential within South African Microalgae”. As the only biotechnologist at the conference she truly emphasised the importance of Microalgal Biotechnology for the future of South Africa!
20 Jul 2018
Two Fabians receive prestigious awards at the International Mycological Congress
The International Mycological Association (IMA) recognises one young mycologist (under the age of 40) from each of five continents for exceptional research accomplishments relating to the study of fungi.