Professor Brett Hurley presented his inaugural address marking his promotion to full Professorship on Tuesday 26 September. He was joined by his family and friends and many colleagues from FABI and the Department of Zoology and Entomology to celebrate this significant milestone in his research career. He was welcomed by UP Vice-Principal: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Education, Prof. Sunil Maharaj, the Dean: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Prof. Barend Erasmus and acting Head of Department: Department of Zoology and Entomology, Prof. Michael Somers.

In his address, “Protecting Africa’s forest resources” Prof Hurley explained how his research in FABI and as part of the Tree Protection Co-operative Programme (TPCP) is promoting forest health on the African continent and worldwide. Brett, an NRF-rated researcher, is a Research Associate at the ICFR and also a coordinator for the Forest Invasive Species Network for Africa (FISNA), which is led by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations based in Rome.  He has had 27 postgraduate students complete degrees under his supervision and has published 85 papers in peer-reviewed journals.  In his acknowledgements, he specifically thanked FABI Director, Prof. Bernard Slippers and Prof. Mike Wingfield for their mentorship role in promoting his career.