Prof Bernard Slippers
FABI
Director of FABI
Group Leaders

Prof Irene Barnes
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Professor
Prof Martin Coetzee
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Associate Professor
Research Leader
Prof Tuan Duong
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Associate Professor
Prof Almuth Hammerbacher
Zoology and Entomology
Associate Professor
Prof Brett Hurley
Zoology and Entomology
Professor
Prof Tjaart Krüger
Physics
Associate Professor
Dr Thabiso Motaung Motaung
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Lecturer
Prof Sanushka Naidoo
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Prof Emma Steenkamp
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Professor
Prof Noelani van den Berg
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Prof Albe van der Merwe
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Associate Professor
Prof Fanus Venter
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Deputy Director of FABI
Prof Cobus Visagie
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Associate Professor
Team Member
Dr Markus Wilken
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Lecturer
Prof Brenda Wingfield
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
DST / NRF SARChI Chair in Fungal Genomics
Prof Mike Wingfield
FABI
Founding Director of FABI
Dr Neriman Yilmaz
FABI
Senior Lecturer

Prof Jeremy Allison
FABI
Extra-ordinary Professor
Dr Wubetu Bihon
FABI
Extra-ordinary Lecturer
Prof Treena Burgess
FABI
Professor
Dr ShuaiFei Chen
FABI
Extra-ordinary Lecturer
Prof Pedro Crous
FABI
Associate Professor
Dr Jeff Garnas
Zoology and Entomology
Senior Lecturer
Dr Mesfin Gossa
Zoology and Entomology
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr Chrizelle Krynauw (née Beukes)
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr Carlos Rodas
FABI
Extra-ordinary Professor
Prof Jolanda Roux
Plant and Soil Sciences
Professor

Dr Janneke Aylward
FABI
Research Fellow
Dr Tanay Bose
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Research Fellow
Dr Lieschen De Vos
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Dr Gudrun Dittrich-Schroder
Zoology and Entomology
Research Fellow
Dr Trudy Paap
FABI
Research Fellow
Dr Michelle Schroder
Zoology and Entomology
Postdoctoral Fellow

Dr Felipe Balocchi
FABI
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr Firehiwot Eshetu
FABI
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr WenWen Li
Plant and Soil Sciences
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr Privilege Makunde
FABI
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr Marzieh Mehrabioon-Mohammadi
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr Nam Pham
FABI
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr Myriam Solis
FABI
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr Ariska van der Nest
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Postdoctoral Fellow

Ms Omotayo Adegeye
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student
Mr Callin Ceriani
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student Student
Ms Claudette Dewing
FABI
PhD student
Mr Lihan Esterhuizen
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student
Ms Caitlin Gevers
Zoology and Entomology
PhD student
Ms Ginna M. Granados
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student
Mr Mathew Harris
FABI
PhD student Student
Mr Darryl Herron
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student
Ms Vaylen Hlaka
FABI
PhD student
Ms Sithembile Kunene
Plant and Soil Sciences
PhD student
Ms Frances Lane
FABI
PhD student
Ms Kira Lynn
FABI
PhD student
Ms Mabodiba Maake
FABI
PhD student
Mr Mkhululi Maphosa
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student
Mr Sicelo Masuku
FABI
PhD student
Mr Lazarus Mavima
FABI
PhD student Student
Ms Pfano Mbedzi
FABI
PhD student
Mr Tshepo Joseph Mmushi
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student
Ms Ruth Nante
Centre for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
PhD student
Ms Phophi Nethononda
FABI
PhD student
Mr Siphephelo Phungula
Plant and Soil Sciences
PhD student
Ms Jenna-Lee Price
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student
Ms Jane Baile Ramaswe
FABI
PhD student
Ms Manchela Francinah Ratsoma
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student
Ms Luki-Marie Scheepers
FABI
PhD student
Mr Preston Shaw
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student
Ms Nomfundo Shinga
Plant and Soil Sciences
PhD student
Ms Benedicta Swalarsk-Parry
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student
Ms Cheyenne Theron
Plant and Soil Sciences
PhD student
Mr Garyn Townsend
FABI
PhD student
Ms Alida van Dijk
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student
Ms Melandre Van Lill
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student
Ms Lente van Zyl
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student
Mr Edwin Wanjofu
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
PhD student

Ms Jade Ashmore
Zoology and Entomology
MSc student
Mr Adam Bazerbachi
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Mr Taygen Fuchs
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Mr Johan F. Griesel
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Mr Christiaan Grobler
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Mr Lehlohonolo Hlahane
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Ms Brittney-Aidan Jamieson
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Ms Zimazile Jazi
Zoology and Entomology
MSc student
Mr Nigel Kombora
Zoology and Entomology
MSc student
Mr Kyle Leeuwendaal
FABI
MSc student
Ms Chulumanco Majavu
Zoology and Entomology
MSc student
Ms Ongeziwe Mbhele
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Ms Monique Muller
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Ms Kiara Munsamy
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Ms Anja Piso
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Ms Lizzy Ramela
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Ms Vera Röder
Plant and Soil Sciences
MSc student
Mr Alinaswe Selebi
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Mr Drake Slabbert
Zoology and Entomology
MSc student
Mr Michal Slupski
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Mr Hannes Strydom
FABI
MSc student
Ms Taponeswa Tasiya
FABI
MSc student
Mr Grant Terblanche
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Mr Bertus van Rooy
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Ms Anien Viljoen
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
MSc student
Mr Nkhoye Zondo
Plant and Soil Sciences
MSc student

Ms Janie Coetzer
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Mr Kyle Craninx
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Ms Jennifer Gomes de Freitas
Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Ms Promise Ndlovu
Centre for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology


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New Publications

Cho SE, Seo ST, Nam Y, Wingfield MJ, Lee DY. (2024) Chalaropsis pruni sp. nov. (Ceratocystidaceae), a new species from Prunus serrulata var. pubescens in South Korea. Phytotaxa 671(2):191-197. 10.11646/phytotaxa.671.2.8
Balocchi F, Wingfield MJ, Paap T. (2024) First Report of Fusarium Wilt and Pink Rot of Phoenix canariensis in South Africa. Forest Pathology 10.1111/efp.70001 PDF
Makunde PT, Slippers B, Hurley BP. (2024) Exploring the diversity of leafrollers (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) associated with eucalypts in South African forestry nurseries and plantations, with a new report of Strepsicrates sp.. Southern Forests 86(4):1-8. 10.2989/20702620.2024.2394219
Fuchs T, Visagie CM, Wingfield BD, Wingfield MJ. (2024) Sporothrix and Sporotrichosis: A South African perspective on a growing global health threat. Mycoses 67(10):e13806. 10.1111/myc.13806
van Heerden A, Pham NQ, Wingfield BD, Wingfield MJ, Wilken PM. (2024) Six type-I PKS classes and highly conserved melanin and elsinochrome gene clusters found in diverse Elsinoë species. BMC Genomics 25:990. 10.1186/s12864-024-10920-z
Makunde PT, Slippers B, Hurley BP. (2024) First report of the giant conifer aphid, Cinara pinivora (Wilson) and the Monterey pine aphid, Essigella californica (Essig) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in South Africa. Southern Forests 86:1-5. 10.2989/20702620.2024.2394218
Pham NQ, Wingfield BD, Barnes I, Gazis R, Wingfield MJ. (2024) Elsinoe species: The rise of scab diseases. Plant Pathology 10.1111/ppa.14015
Vilanova L, Caballol M, Zhang K, Olson Å, Barnes I, Wingfield MJ, Oliva J. (2024) New simple sequence repeat markers reveal undetected diversity in Spanish and Californian Diplodia sapinea populations. Fungal Genetics and Biology 175:103937. 10.1016/j.fgb.2024.103937
Hough B, Wingfield B, Read DA. (2024) Identification and characterization of mycoviruses in transcriptomes from the fungal family Ceratocystidaceae. Virus Genes 10.1007/s11262-024-02112-4 PDF
Bose T, Mahomed TG, Mbatha KC, Joubert JC, Hammerbacher A. (2024) Tissue ontogeny and chemical composition influence bacterial biodiversity in the wood and shoot tip of Populus nigra. Plant Biology :1-11. 10.1111/plb.13724
Aylward J, Marincowitz S, Basson RJ, Rippon W, Wingfield MJ, Roets F. (2024) Four new Geosmithia species from bark beetles infesting indigenous South African trees. Fungal Biology 10.1016/j.funbio.2024.09.006
Nel WJ, Randolph C, Paap T, Hurley BP, Slippers B, Barnes I, Wingfield MJ. (2024) Fusarium species associated with Euwallacea xanthopus in South Africa, including two novel species. Mycologia :1-20. 10.1080/00275514.2024.2394758
Swalarsk-Parry BS, De Vos L, Fru FF, Santana QC, van der Nest MA, Wingfield BD, Wingfield MJ, Herron DA, Ramaswe JB, Dewing C, Sayari M, van der Merwe NA, van Wyk S, Lane FA, Wilson AM, Adegeye OO, Soal NC, Price J-L, Steenkamp ET. (2024) Wide variation in aggressiveness and growth in South African Fusarium circinatum isolates with geographical origin as the primary determinant. Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science 10.2989/20702620.2024.2363749
Lin L, Fan XL, Groenewald JZ, Jami F, Wingfield MJ, Voglmayer H, Jaklitsch W, Castlebury LA, Tian CM, Crous PW. (2024) Cytospora: an important genus of canker pathogens. Studies in Mycology 109:323-401. PDF
Cortina-Escribano M, Veteli P, Wingfield MJ, Wingfield BD, Coetzee MPA, Vanhanen H, Linnakoski R. (2024) Phylogenetic analysis and morphological characteristics of lactate Ganoderma specimens in Finland. Mycologia 10.1080/00275514.2024.2381424
Nkomo T, Bose T, Wingfield BD, Knoppersen R, Mbhele O, Nemesio‐Gorriz M, Rodas CA, Paetz C, Cilliers CT, Ferreira MA, Hammerbacher A. (2024) Geographic location shapes fungal communities associated with Epidendrum roots. Mycological Progress 23:54. 10.1007/s11557-024-01990-0
Ribeiro MF, Cavallini G, Solce GN, Favoreto AL, Passos JRDS, Hurley BP, Wilcken CF. (2024) Polyandry contributes to Gonipterus platensis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) rearing. PeerJ 12:e17929. 10.7717/peerj.17929
Basson RJ, Roets F, Wingfield MJ, Aylward J. (2024) Bark beetles and their associated fungi infesting native Widdringtonia species in the Western Cape province of South Africa. African Entomology 32(e18505) 10.17159/2254-8854/2024/a18505
Solís M, Naidoo S, Wingfield MJ, Joubert J, Hammerbacher A. (2024) First line of defence: Eucalyptus leaf waxes influence infection by an aggressive fungal leaf pathogen. Plant Biology 10.1111/plb.13707
Nsibo DL, Barnes I, Berger DK. (2024) Recent advances in the population biology and management of maize foliar fungal pathogens Exserohilum turcicum, Cercospora zeina and Bipolaris maydis in Africa. Frontiers in Plant Science 15:1-23. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2024.1404483
Lynn KMT, Wingfield MJ, Hammerbacher A, Barnes I. (2024) High-resolution melting curve analysis: A detection assay for Ceratocystis eucalypticola and C. manginecans in infected Eucalyptus. Fungal Biology 10.1016/j.funbio.2024.07.011 PDF
Yurkov A, Visagie CM, Crous PW, Hashimoto A, Baschien C, Begerow D, Kemler M, Schoutteten N, Stadler M, Wijayawardene NN, Hyde KD, Zhang N, Boekhout T, Group IYW, May TW, Thines M, Hawksworth DL. (2024) Cultures as types and the utility of viable specimens for fungal nomenclature. IMA Fungus 15:20. 10.1186/s43008-024-00155-8
Liu QL, Wingfield MJ, Duong TA, Wingfield BD, Chen SF. (2024) Diversity of Calonectria species from leaves and soils in diseased southern China Eucalyptus plantation. Fungal Biology 128:2007-2021. 10.1016/j.funbio.2024.07.007
Visagie CM, Yilmaz N, Allison JD, Barreto RW, Boekhout T, Boers J, Delgado MA, Dewing C, Fitza KNE, Furtado ECA, Gaya E, Hill R, Hobden A, Hu DM, Hülsewig T, Khonsanit A, Luangsa-Ard JJ, Mthembu A, Pereira CM, Price J-L, Pringle A, Qikani N, Sandoval-Denis M, Shumacher RK, Seifert KA, Slippers B, Tennakoon DS, Thanakitpipattana D, vanVuuren N, Groenewald JZ, Crous PW. (2024) New and Interesting Fungi. 7.. Fungal Systematics and Evolution 13:441–494. 10.3114/fuse.2024.13.12 PDF
Bhunjun C, Chen Y, Phukhamsakda C, Boekhout T, Groenewald J, McKenzie E, Francisco E, Frisvad J, Groenewald M, Hurdeal V, Luangsa-ard J, Perrone G, Visagie C, Bai F, Błaszkowski J, Braun U, D Souza F, De Q, Dutta A, Gonkhom D, Goto B, Guarnaccia V, Hagen F, Houbraken J, Lachance M, Li J, Luo K, Magurno F, Mongkolsamrit S, Robert V, Roy N, Tibpromma S, Wanasinghe D, Wang D, Wei D, Zhao C, Aiphuk W, Ajayi-Oyetunde O, Arantes T, Araujo J, Begerow D, Bakhshi M, Barbosa R, Behrens F, Bensch K, Bezerra J, Bilański P, Bradley C, Bubner B, Burgess T, Buyck B, Čadež N, Cai L, Calaça F, Campbell L, Chaverri P, Chen Y, Chethana K, Coetzee B, Costa M, Chen Q, Custódio F, Dai Y, Damm U, De Azevedo-Santiago A, De Miccolis-Angelini R, Dijksterhuis J, Dissanayake A, Doilom M, Dong W, Alvarez-Duarte E, Fischer M, Gajanayake A, Gené J, Gomdola D, Gomes A, Hausner G, He M, Hou L, Iturrieta-González I, Jami F, Jankowiak R, Jayawardena R, Kandemir H, Kiss L, Kobmoo N, Kowalski T, Landi L, Lin C, Liu J, Liu X, Loizides M, Luangharn T, Maharachchikumbura S, Makhathini Mkhwanazi G, Manawasinghe I, Marin-Felix Y, McTaggart A, Moreau P, Morozova O, Mostert L, Osiewacz H, Pem D, Phookamsak R, Pollastro S, Pordel A, Poyntner C, Phillips A, Phonemany M, Promputtha I, Rathnayaka A, Rodrigues A, Romanazzi G, Rothmann L, Salgado-Salazar C, Sandoval-Denis M, Saupe S, Scholler M, Scott P, Shivas R, Silar P, Souza-Motta C, Silva-Filho A, Spies C, Stchigel A, Sterflinger K, Summerbell R, Svetasheva T, Takamatsu S, Theelen B, Theodoro R, Thines M, Thongklang N, Torres R, Turchetti B, Van den Brule T, Wang X, Wartchow F, Welti S, Wijesinghe S, Wu F, Xu R, Yang Z, Yilmaz N, Yurkov A, Zhao L, Zhao R, Zhou N, Hyde K, Crous P. (2024) What are the 100 most cited fungal genera?. Studies in Mycology 108:1-411. 10.3114/sim.2024.108.01
Coutinho TA, Carstensen G, Venter SN, Chen SF, Tarigan M, Wingfield MJ. (2024) Bacterial community in apparently healthy and asymptomatic Eucalyptus trees and those with symptoms of bacterial wilt. Journal of Plant Pathology 10.1007/s42161-024-01697-x
Visagie CM, Cruywagen EM, Duong TA. (2024) A new Paecilomyces from wooden utility poles in South Africa. Fungal Systematics and Evolution 13:163–181. 10.3114/fuse.2024.13.10
Aylward J, Wilson AM, Visagie CM, Spraker J, Barnes I, Buitendag C, Ceriani C, Del Mar Angel L, du Plessis D, Fuchs T, Gasser K, Krämer D, Li W, Munsamy K, Piso A, Price J-L, Sonnekus B, Thomas C, van der Nest A, van Dijk A, van Heerden A, van Vuuren N, Yilmaz N, Duong TA, van der Merwe NA, Wingfield MJ, Wingfield BD. (2024) IMA Genome – F19: A genome assembly and annotation guide to empower mycologists, including annotated draft genome sequences of Ceratocystis pirilliformis, Diaporthe australafricana, Fusarium ophioides, Paecilomyces lecythidis, and Sporothrix stenoceras. IMA Fungus 15(1):12. 10.1186/s43008-024-00142-z
Ceriani C, Wingfield MJ, Fru F, van Wyk S, Rodas C, Wingfield BD, Steenkamp ET. (2024) Clonality and limited population diversity of Fusarium circinatum in Colombia. Forest Pathology 54(3):e12864. 10.1111/efp.12864
Paap T, Balocchi F, Burgess TI, Bose T, Wingfield MJ. (2024) A diverse range of Phytophthora species from botanical gardens in South Africa, including the novel Clade 5 species, Phytophthora mammiformis sp. nov.. Fungal Systematics and Evolution 13:111-122. 10.3114/fuse.2024.13.05