FABI hosted the 52^nd Congress of the Southern African Society for Plant Pathologists (SASSP) at the Future Africa campus from 1-3 August. The three-day event saw more than 250 delegates from across the globe present on a wide range of plant health related topics. FABI’s researchers and students excelled taking home several of the prizes at the awards evening or being recognised for their outstanding accomplishments in the field of plant pathology. The highlight of the evening was the awarding of the Christiaan Hendrik Persoon Medal to FABI Director Prof. Bernard Slippers, only the seventh recipient of this distinguished award since its inception.

Award Winners included:

Christiaan Hendrik Persoon Medal: Prof. Bernard Slippers

Pannar Floating Trophy for Best Oral Presentation by a Student: Lihan Esterhuizen

Pannar Award for Best Poster Presentation by a Student: Angel Maduke

Runner-up: Poster Presentation by a Student: Alida van Dijk

John and Petakin Mildenhall Best PhD Award: Minette Havenga

Fellow of the SASSP: Prof. Dave Berger (in recognition for outstanding accomplishments in plant pathology as well as support for and service to the SASPP society and to plant pathology in southern Africa).

Honorary Membership of the SASSP: Prof. Brenda Wingfield (in recognition of a lifetime of outstanding accomplishments in plant pathology as well as support for and service to the SASPP society and to plant pathology in southern Africa).