Ms Alishia Van Heerden

MSc student | |
Department |
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Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology |
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Member of:
My Supervisor/s
Primary Supervisor | |
Markus Wilken | |
Co Supervisor |
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Tuan Duong | |
Brenda Wingfield | |
Mike Wingfield |
I graduated with a dual major in Genetics and Biochemistry in 2021, which sparked my passion for the field in Genetics. I joined the FABI team in 2020 and completed my Honours degree in Genetics under the supervision of Dr. Markus Wilken. My Honours project focused on developing a mutant library of Ceratocystis albifundus, which taught me valuable skills in conducting scientific research at a higher level.
I am currently working on my MSc project under the supervision of Dr. Markus Wilken that is focused on a newly discovered Eucalyptus fungal pathogen, Elsinoë necatrix. This pathogen is greatly impacting the forestry industry of Indonesia, North Sumatra, affecting a large range of non-native Eucalyptus plantations. My project will focus on developing a diagnostic assay known as Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), using a characteristic toxin cluster as a marker. This assay will provide a diagnostic tool for rapid, on-site detection of this fungal pathogen.