2024
Student: Juanita Avontuur
Thesis Title: Genome-based systematics of Bradyrhizobium and its species.
Supervisor: Prof. ET Steenkamp
Co-supervisor: Prof. MPA Coetzee, Prof. SN Venter
External Co-supervisor: Prof. TM Stepkowski (Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Poland)
Student: Harm Barten
Thesis Title: Factors influencing the efficacy of biological control of Gonipterus sp. n. 2 by Anaphes nitens.
Supervisor: Prof. BP Hurley
Co-supervisors: Prof. B Slippers, Dr ML Schröder
Student: Julia Candotti
Thesis Title: Haplogenome analysis and genetic dissection of growth and wood property traits in Eucalyptus urophylla x E. grandis hybrids.
Supervisor: Prof. AA Myburg
Co-supervisors: Prof. E Mizrachi, Prof. S Naidoo, Prof. AT Duong
Student: Firehiwot Eshetu
Thesis Title: Diversity in Sirex noctilio, Amylostereum areolatum and Deladenus siricidicola populations in Australasia and its implications for biological control.
Supervisor: Prof. B Slippers
Co-supervisors: Prof. I Barnes
External Co-supervisor: Dr H Nahrung (University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia)
Student: Sasha-Lee Gush
Thesis Title: Disentangling shifts in the soil microbiome of potatoes infected with Rhizoctonia solani AG 3-PT in two contrasting regions of South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof. JE van der Waals
Co-supervisors: Prof. TA Coutinho, Prof. DA Cowan, Dr PH Bixirao Neto Marinho Lebre
Student: GuoQing Li
Thesis Title: Diversity and biology of Botryosphaeriaceae species associated with Eucalyptus in southern China.
Supervisor: Prof. SF Chen
Co-supervisors: Prof. B Slippers, Prof. MJ Wingfield
Student: WenWen Li
Thesis Title: Distribution, biology and diversity of Calonectria species on Eucalyptus in southern China.
Supervisor: Prof. AT Duong
Co-supervisors: Prof. MJ Wingfield, Prof. SF Chen, Dr FF Liu
Student: Teresia Macharia
Thesis Title: Identification and functional characterization of Meloidogyne javanica pathogenicity factors.
Supervisor: Prof. LN Moleleki
Student: Nam Pham
Thesis Title: Discovery of the cause and relevance of a serious new Eucalyptus foliar disease in Indonesia.
Supervisor: Prof. MJ Wingfield
Co-supervisors: Prof. I Barnes, Prof. BD Wingfield
Student: Lazarus Takawira
Thesis Title: Inferring secondary cell wall-related R2R3-MYB transcription factor gene targets in Eucalyptus grandis using DNA affinity purification sequencing.
Supervisor: Dr SG Hussey
Co-supervisors: Prof. E Mizrachi, Prof. AA Myburg
Student: Marthin Tarigan
Thesis Title: Emerging pathogens of Eucalyptus and Acacia plantation forestry in Indonesia.
Supervisor: Prof MJ Wingfield
Co-supervisors: Prof. I Barnes
Student: Demissew Teshome
Thesis Title: The response of Eucalyptus grandis to drought stress, rewatering and combined stress involving Chrysoporthe austroafricana infection.
Supervisor: Prof. S Naidoo
External Co-supervisors: Prof. GE Zharare (University of Zululand), Dr RAP Ployet (Oak Ridge National Laboratory, United States of America)
Student: Tanya Welgemoed
Thesis Title: Comparative genomics of diverse African isolates of Cercospora zeina.
Supervisor: Prof. DK Berger
Co-supervisors: Prof. I Barnes, Prof. AT Duong
External Co-supervisor: Prof. E Holtgrewe-Stukenbrock (Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, Germany)
2023
Student: Felipe Balocchi Schalchli
Thesis Title: Araucaria (Araucaria araucana) canker disease in Chile: etiology and fungal diversity
Supervisor: Prof. I. Barnes
Co-supervisors: Prof. MJ Wingfield, Dr RJ Ahumada
Student: Laura Bester
Thesis Title: The effects of neonicotinoids and increasing temperatures on the thermoregulation and flight ability of South African honey bees, Apis mellifera scutellata (Lepeletier)
Supervisor: Prof. CWW Pirk
Student: Dr Ayubo Kampango
Thesis Title: Characterization of mosquito community assemblages and vector species ecology to inform control interventions at hotel settings in Zanzibar
Supervisor: Prof. CW Weldon
Co-supervisor: Prof. P Furu (University of Copenhagen, Denmark), Prof. KL Schiøler (University of Copenhagen, Denmark)
Student: Dr QianLi Liu
Thesis Title: Phylogeny, taxonomy and the ecology of Calonectria species
Supervisor: Dr SF Chen
Co-supervisor: Prof. MJ Wingfield, Prof. BD Wingfield, Dr TA Duong
Student: Londiwe Mabuza
Thesis Title: Haploid-inducer development by CRISPR/Cas9 mediated CenH3 gene modification in Helianthus annuus (Sunflower)
Supervisor: Dr BG Crampton
Co-supervisor: Dr ZH Swanevelder (Agricultural Research Council)
Student: Privilege Makunde
Thesis Title: Biology and ecology of Eucalyptus psyllid pests in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. BP Hurley
Co-supervisor: Prof. B Slippers
Student: Silindile Maphosa
Thesis Title: Secretome analyses of selected Pectobacterium brasiliense 1692 secretion systems
Supervisor: Prof. LN Moleleki
Student: Mandy Messal
Thesis Title: Fungal community interactions in the Eucalyptus grandis phyllosphere
Supervisor: Prof. B Slippers
Co-supervisor: Prof. S Naidoo, Dr M Kemler (Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany)
Student: Rachel Mkandawire
Thesis Title: Diversity of Fusarium Link and mite species associated with malformed Syzygium cordatum Hochst. Ex Krauss (water berry) inflorescences
Supervisor: Dr G Fourie
Co-supervisor: Prof. ET Steenkamp, Prof. MJ Wingfield, Dr N Yilmaz
Student: Knowledge Mushonga
Thesis Title: Crop rotation effects on soil and plant health in a dryland production system in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. JE van der Waals
Co-supervisor: Prof. WJ Swart (University of the Free State)
Student: Deborah Narh Mensah
Thesis Title: Characterising some mechanisms of iron homeostasis in selected Armillaria species
Supervisor: Prof. MPA Coetzee
Co-supervisor: Prof. BD Wingfield
Student: Elisa Pal
Thesis Title:Ecology and management of Bathycoelia distincta (two-spotted stink bug) in Macadamia orchards in South Africa
Supervisor: Dr G Fourie
Co-supervisor: Prof. JD Allison, Prof. BP Hurley, Prof. B Slippers
2022
Student: Jane Chepsergon
Thesis Title: Identification and functional characterization of short linear motifs (SLiMs) of Phytophthora parasitica var nicotianae “Core” RxLR effector proteins.
Supervisor: Prof. L.N. Moleleki
Student: Agil Katumanyane
Thesis Title: Entomopathogenic nematodes associated with white grubs from forest and sugarcane plantations and mechanisms of resistance of white grubs to nematode infection.
Supervisor: Prof BP Hurley
Co-supervisor: Prof B Slippers, Dr MW Gossa, Prof. AP Malan (Stellenbosch University)
Student: Brigitte Langenhoven
Thesis Title: Insights into northern leaf blight disease: investigating the Exserohilum turcicum-Sorghum bicolor interaction.
Supervisor: Dr B.G. Crampton
Co-supervisor: Dr S.L. Murray (Centre for Proteomic and Genomic Research)
Student: Lorraine Mhoswa
Thesis Title: Genome-wide association study in Eucalyptus grandis for resistance to Leptocybe invasa.
Supervisor: Prof. S. Naidoo
Co-supervisor: Prof. A.A Myburg, Prof. B. Slippers
Student: Mmoledi Mphahlele
Thesis Title: Genomic breeding for accelerated improvement of growth, wood properties and plant defence in Eucalyptus grandis.
Supervisor: Prof. A.A. Myburg
Co-supervisor: Prof. G.R. Hodge (North Carolina State University, United States of America), Prof. F. Isik (North Carolina State University, United States of America
Student: Vallry Moloto
Thesis Title: Seedborne bacteria of onion: a study on pathogenicity and diversity.
Supervisor: Prof TA Coutinho
Co-supervisor: Prof LJ du Toit (Washington State University, United States of America); Dr T Goszczynska (Agricultural Research Council)
Student: Vongai Paradza
Thesis Title: Development of effective biopesticides against Greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in tomato and French bean
Supervisor: Prof. A.A. Yusuf
Co-supervisor: Dr K.S. Akutse (International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Kenya), Dr F.M. Khamis (International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Kenya)
Student: Ariska van der Nest Ariska
Thesis Title: Species diversity of Lecanosticta and population genetics of Dothistroma species: important needle pathogens of Pinus.
Supervisor: Prof I Barnes
Co-supervisor: Prof MJ Wingfield
Student: Roelof van Wyk
Thesis Title: Machine learning and network-based approaches unveil key aspects of gene regulation that drive Plasmodium falciparum pathogenesis.
Supervisor: Prof L Birkholtz
2021
Student: Istifanus Aiki
Thesis Title: Diversity, nesting behaviour, thermoregulation and cephalic secretions of termites from two Nigerian savannahs.
Supervisor: Dr. A.A. Yusuf
Co-advisor: Dr. C.W.W. Pirk
Student: Mahukpe Ayelo
Thesis Title: Identification of kairomones for the biological control of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) and Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood), two major pests of tomato Solanum lycopersicum L.
Supervisor: Dr. A.A. Yusuf
Co-advisor: Dr. C.W.W. Pirk, Dr. É.M.M Delétré (French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development, France)
Student: Bethelihem Bekele
Thesis Title: Semiochemicals from the African weaver ant Oecophylla longinoda (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and their repellency on mango fruit flies.
Supervisor: Dr. A.A. Yusuf
Co-advisor: Dr. C.W.W. Pirk, Dr. É.M.M. Delétré (French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development, France)
Student: Khumbuzile Bophela
Thesis Title: The effect of drought and ring nematode stress combinations in predisposing Prunus domestica (plum) to infection by Pseudomonas syringae.
Supervisor: Prof T.A. Coutinho
Co-advisor: Dr. C.T. Bull (Penn State University, USA), Dr. Y. Petersen (Agricultural Research Council)
Student: Juanita Engelbrecht
Thesis Title: Population genetics and genomics of Phytophthora cinnamomi.
Supervisor: Prof. N van den Berg
Student: Quentin Guignard
Thesis Title: Visual and chemical ecology of Sirex noctilio.
Supervisor: Dr. J.D. Allison
Co-advisor: Prof. B. Slippers
Student: Minette Havenga
Thesis Title: Biology and pathology of the Eucalyptus foliar pathogen Teratosphaeria destructans.
Supervisor: Dr. J. Aylward
Co-advisor: Prof. B.D. Wingfield, Prof. M.J. Wingfield, Dr. L.L. Dreyer (Stellenbosch University), Dr. F. Roets (Stellenbosch University)
Student: Caroline Kung'u
Thesis Title: Biological traits, plant sugar feeding patterns and chemical ecology of Aedes aegypti.
Supervisor: Dr. C.L. Sole
Co-advisor: Dr. C.W.W. Pirk, Dr. B. Torto
Student: Mammoloro Malefo
Thesis Title: Functional characterization of transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing the maize Bowman-Birk serine protease inhibitor gene under biotic and abiotic stress.
Supervisor: Prof. B.G. Crampton
Co-advisor: Prof. B.J. Vorster
Student: Marja Mostert O'Neill
Thesis Title: Genomic consequences of natural and artificial selection in wild and advanced breeding populations of Eucalyptus grandis.
Supervisor: Prof. A.A. Myburg
Co-advisor: Dr. J.O.C Borevitz (Australian National University, Australia), JJ Acosta Jaramillo (North Carolina State University, United States of America)
Student: Wilma Nel
Thesis Title: Ophiostomatoid fungi associated with fungus farming insects in South Africa.
Supervisor: Dr. T.A. Duong
Co-advisor: Prof. Z.W. de Beer, Prof. M.J. Wingfield
Student: Mmatshepho Phasha
Thesis Title: Functional characterization of pathogenicity genes in Fusarium circinatum.
Supervisor: Prof. E.T. Steenkamp
Co-advisor: Prof. M.P.A. Coetzee, Prof. B.D. Wingfield, Prof. M.J. Wingfield
Student: Joséphine Queffelec
Thesis Title: Influence of reproductive biology on the invasion dynamics of Sirex noctilio.
Supervisor: Prof. B. Slippers
Co-advisor: Dr. J.M. Greeff, Dr J.D. Allison
Student: Yosef Hamba Tola
Thesis Title: Characterization of the honey bee and stingless bee gut microbiota: A hidden diversity and host-specific microbiomes from sub-Saharan-African region.
Supervisor: Prof. B. Slippers
Co-advisor: Dr. J.C. Paredes Escobar (International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Kenya)
2020
Student: Akua Antwi-Agyakwah
Thesis Title: Development of semiochemical-based tools for the management of the African citrus triozid (ACT).
Supervisor: Dr. C.W.W. Pirk
Co-advisor: Dr. B. Torto, Dr A.A. Yusuf
Student: Robert Backer
Thesis Title: Molecular and bioinformatic analysis of the Persea Americana (Mill.) NPR1-dependent defense signalling pathway in response to Phytophora cinnamomi infection.
Supervisor: Prof N. van den Berg
Co-advisor: Prof S. Naidoo
Student: Katrin Fitza
Thesis Title: Diversity, specificity and admixture in the Sirex-Amylosterum-Deladenas symbiosis.
Supervisor: Prof. B. Slippers
Co-advisor: Dr. J.R. Garnas
Student: Joey Hulbert
Thesis Title: Phytophthora diversity in the Cape Floristic Region
Supervisor: Prof. M.J. Wingfield
Co-advisor: Prof. T.I. Burgess
Student: Miekie Human
Thesis Title: Effector identification from the susceptible Exserohilum turcicum - Zea mays interaction.
Supervisors: Dr B. Crampton
Co-supervisor: Prof. D. Berger
Student: Estiene Jordaan
Thesis Title: Triangulating charcoal rot in South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof. J.E. van der Waals
Co-advisor: Dr. N.W. McLaren (University of the Free State)
Student: Jieqiong Li
Thesis Title: Taxonomy, mating type distribution and population biology of Calonectria species.
Supervisor: Dr. S.F. Chen
Co-advisor: Dr. I. Barnes, Prof. M.J. Wingfield
Student: Edgar Mangwende
Thesis Title: identification and control of Colletotrichum species associated with Eucalyptus seeds.
Supervisor: Prof. T.A.S. Aveling
Co-advisor: Prof. W.P. Chirwa
Student: Jan Nagel
Thesis Title: Genomic insights into the biology and evolution of Botryosphaeriaceae.
Supervisor: Prof B. Slippers
Co-advisor: Prof M.J. Wingfield
Student: David Nsibo
Title of thesis: Population genetics of the maize foliar pathogen Cecospora zeina in five countries of sub-Saharan Africa. Supervisor: Prof. D. Berger
Co-supervisors: Prof. I. Barnes
Student: Nicky Olivier
Thesis title: Genome assembly, annotation and comparative analysis of the maize fungal pathogen Cercospora zeina. Supervisor: Prof. O. Reva
Co-supervisor: DK Berger
Student: Desré Pinard
Thesis title: Systems biology of organellar carbon metabolism in Eucalyptus xylogenesis.
Supervisor: Prof. E. Mizrachi
Co-supervisor: A.A. Myburg
Student: Ronel Roberts
Thesis title: Genetic and biological diversity of ‘Candidatus Liberibacters’ from South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof G. Pietersen (Stellenbosch University)
Student: Gloria Valentine Nakato
Thesis Title: Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum: population diversity and the identification of potential sources of resistance from banana accessions representing the Musa diversity worldwide.
Supervisor: Prof. T.A. Coutinho
Co-advisor: Dr. G. Mahuku (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Tanzania), Dr. E.P.P. Wicker (CIRAD Agricultural Research for Development, France)
Student: Ntombikayise Nkomo
Thesis Title: The use of transcriptome and functional analysis to unravel the role played by Phop and SlyA in the biology of Pectobacterium brasiliense1692 (Pb1692).
Supervisor: Prof. L.N. Moleleki
Co-advisor: Dr. D.Y. Shyntum, Dr. D. Bellieny-Rabelo (Umea University, Sweden)
Student: Mohammad Sayari
Thesis title: Secondary metabolite pathways in Ceratocystidaceae.
Supervisor: Prof B.D. Wingfield
Co-supervisors: Prof. ET Steenkamp, Dr MA van der Nest
Student: Gi Yoon (Gina) Shin
Thesis Title: Functional characterization of Hfq and identification of Hfq-dependent sRNAs in Pantoea ananatis.
Supervisor: Prof T.A. Coutinho
Co-advisor: Prof L.N. Moleleki, Dr D.Y. Shyntum
Student: Michel Tchoumi Tchotet
Thesis title: Wood-rot fungi in the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) and surrounds of South Africa: Identification and taxonomy.
Supervisor: Prof. J Roux
Co-supervisors: Prof. M.P.A. Coetzee, Dr D.M. Rajchenberg (CIEFAP - Centro de Investigacion y Extension Forestal Andino Patagonico, Argentina)
Student: Stephanie van Wyk
Thesis Title: Repeat-induced point mutations in the Fusarium fujikuroi species complex
Supervisor: Prof E.T. Steenkamp
Co-advisor: Prof B.D. Wingfield, Dr N.A. van der Merwe, Dr L. de Vos
Student: Andi Wilson
Thesis: Unisexual reproduction in filamentous Ascomycete fungi.
Supervisor: Prof. B.D. Wingfield
Co-supervisors: Prof. M.J. Wingfield, Dr PM Wilken, Dr MA van der Nest
2019
Student: Teddy Amuge
Thesis Title: Genome-wide transcriptome analysis of cassava challenged with Uganda cassava brown streak virus (UCBSV).
Supervisor: Prof. D. Berger
Co-advisors: Prof. A.A. Myburg, Dr M Ferguson (IITA)
Student: Chrizelle Beukes
Thesis Title: Genomic diversity and phylogeography of South African rhizobia.
Supervisor: Prof. E.T. Steenkamp
Co-advisors: Prof. S.N. Venter, Dr M. le Roux (SANBI), Prof. T. Stepkowski (Warsaw University of Life Sciences)
Student: Arista Fourie
Thesis Title: A genomic approach towards understanding host specificity and pathogenicity in two Ceratocystis species.
Supervisor: Dr I. Barnes
Co-advisor: Dr M. van der Nest, Prof. B.D. Wingfield, Prof. M.J. Wingfield
Student: Miekie Human
Thesis Title: Effector identification from the susceptible Exserohilum turcicum – Zea mays interaction.
Supervisor: Dr B. Crampton
Co-advisor: Prof. D Berger
Student: Zander Human
Thesis Title: The microbial ecology of Protea repens infructescences.
Supervisor: Prof. Z.W. de Beer
Co-advisors: Prof. S.N. Venter, Prof. M.J. Wingfield
Student: FeiFei Liu
Thesis Title: Species diversity and host associations of plant pathogenic Ceratocystis species in China.
Supervisor: Prof. S.F. Chen
Co-advisors: Dr I. Barnes, Prof. J. Roux, Prof. M.J. Wingfield
Student: David Nsibo
Thesis Title: Population genetics of the maize foliar pathogen Cecospora zeina Crous & U. Braun in five countries of sub-Saharan Africa.
Supervisor: Prof. D. Berger
Co-advisors: Dr I. Barnes
Student: Inosters Nzuki
Thesis Title: QTL mapping for pest and disease resistance in cassava cultivars Kiroba and AR37-80 and coincidence of QTL with introgression regions from Manihot glaziovii.
Supervisor: Prof. A.A. Myburg
Co-advisors: Dr N.A. van der Merwe, Dr M. Ferguson (IITA)
Student: Caryn Oates
Thesis Title: Eucalyptus morphological and molecular responses to Leptocybe invasa oviposition.
Supervisor: Prof. S. Naidoo
Co-advisors: Dr H. Nahrung (University of the Sunshine Coast), Prof. R. Buggs (Queen Mary University)
Student: Nicky Olivier
Thesis Title: Genome assembly, annotation and comparative analysis of the maize fungal pathogen Cercospora zeina.
Supervisor: Prof. O. Reva
Co-supervisor: Prof. D.K. Berger, Prof. A.A. Myburg
Student: Yewande Orubuloye
Thesis Title: Chemical ecology of Equid-Tsetse interactions for improved control of African Trypanosomosis.
Supervisor: Dr. A.A. Yusuf
Co-advisor: Dr C.W.W. Pirk, Dr. B. Torto
Student: Desré Pinard
Thesis Title: Systems biology of organellar carbon metabolism in Eucalyptus xylogenesis.
Supervisor: Dr E. Mizrachi
Co-advisor: Prof A.A. Myburg
Student: Ronel Roberts
Thesis Title: Genetic and biological diversity of 'Candidatus Liberibacters' from South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof. G. Pietersen (Stellenbosch University)
Student: Danielle Roodt
Thesis Title: The evolution of xylogenesis in the vascular plants.
Supervisor: Prof. E. Mizrachi
Co-advisors: Prof. Y. van der Peer (Gent University)
Student: Quentin Santana
Thesis Title: Population and genomic analyses on the pitch canker pathogen, Fusarium circinatum.
Supervisor: Prof. M. Coetzee
Co-advisors: Prof. E.T. Steenkamp, Prof. B.D. Wingfield, prof. M.J. Wingfield
Student: Mohammad Sayari
Thesis Title: Secondary metabolite pathways in Ceratocystidaceae.
Supervisor: Prof. B.D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. E.T. Steenkamp, Dr M van der Nest
Student: Vou Moses Shutt
Thesis Title: Bacterial pathogens of tomato in South Africa: identification, population diversity and cultivar susceptibility.
Supervisor: Prof. T.A. Coutinho
Co-advisor: Prof. J.E. van der Waals, Dr. T. Goszczynska (Agricultural Research Council)
Student: Elrea Strydom
Thesis Title: Soybean blotchy mosaic virus: Molecular characterization and seasonal persistence.
Supervisor: Prof. G. Pietersen
Student: James Tchotet Tchoumi
Thesis Title: Wood-rot fungi in the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) and surrounds of South Africa: Identification and taxonomy.
Supervisor: Prof. J Roux
Co-advisors: Dr M.P.A. Coetzee, Dr M Rajchenberg (CIEFAP)
Student: Erika Viljoen
Thesis Title: Genetic diversity analysis of the Amaranthus genus using genomic tools.
Supervisor: Prof. D.K. Berger
Student: Eric Visser
Thesis Title: Transcriptomic model of resistance mechanisms in the Pinus-Fusarium circinatum interaction.
Supervisor: Prof. S Naidoo
Co-advisors: Prof. E.T. Steenkamp, Prof A.A. Myburg
Student: Andi Wilson
Thesis Title: Unisexual reproduction in filamentous Ascomycete fungi.
Supervisor: Prof. B.D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. M.J. Wingfield, Dr M. van der Nest, Dr M. Wilken
2018
Student: Tanay Bose
Thesis Title: Phytophthora species diversity associated with native and non-native forests in South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof. M.J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Dr J. Roux, Prof. T. Burgess (Murdoch University)
Student: Gabrielle Carstensen
Thesis Title: Bacterial wilt of Eucalyptus: Understanding pathogenicity and the virulence of the causal agents.
Supervisor: Prof. T. Coutinho
Co-advisors: Prof M.J. Wingfield, Prof. S.N. Venter
Student: RunLei Chang
Thesis Title: Ophiostomatoid fungi associated with conifer-infesting bark beetles and their mites in China.
Supervisor: Prof. ZW de Beer
Co-advisor: Prof. M.J. Wingfield, Prof. X. Zhou, Dr T.A. Duong
Student: Felix Fru
Thesis Title: Population genetics and ecology of Fusarium circinatum on Pinus species in eastern South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof. J Roux
Co-advisors: Prof M.J. Wingfield, Prof. E.T. Steenkamp
Student: Esther Masumba
Thesis Title: Mapping of QTL associated with resistance to Cassava Brown Streak and Mosaic Disease in cassava farmer varieties from Tanzania.
Supervisor: Dr A van der Merwe
Co-advisors: Prof. AA Myburg, Dr M. Ferguson (IITA)
Student: Osmond Mlonyeni
Thesis Title: Characterisation of genetic variability in the Sirex-Amylostereum-Deladenus symbioses.
Supervisor: Prof. B Slippers
Co-advisors: Prof. BD Wingfield, Prof. MJ Wingfield, Dr J. Greef
Student: Valentine Nakato
Thesis Title: Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum: Population diversity and the identification of potential sources of resistance from accessions representing the Musa diversity worldwide
Supervisor: Prof. T Coutinho
Co-advisors: Dr E Wicker (CIRAD), Dr G. Mahuku (IITA)
Student: Margot Otto
Thesis Title: Bacterial canker of cherry trees: Insight into pathogen biology and epidemiology.
Supervisor: Prof. T Coutinho
Co-advisors: Prof. J. Roux, Dr Y. Petersen (ARC-Infruitec)
Student: Marike Palmer
Thesis Title: Genome based systematics of taxa in the Erwiniaceae.
Supervisor: Prof. S.N. Venter
Co-advisors: Prof. E.T. Steenkamp, Dr M. Coetzee
Student: Zelda Pieterse
Thesis Title: Fungal biodiversity associated with mesembs in the Namaqua National. Park in the Succulent Karoo biome.
Supervisor: Prof. T Aveling
Co-advisors: Dr A Venter (ARC)
Student: Vou Shutt
Thesis Title: Bacterial pathogens of tomato in South Africa: Identification, population diversity and cultivar susceptibility.
Supervisor: Prof. T Coutinho
Co-advisors: Prof J van der Waals, Dr T. Goszczynska (ARC)
Student: Melissa Simpson
Thesis Title: Mating in Ceratocystis fimbriata.
Supervisor: Prof. BD Wingfield
Co-advisors: Dr MA van der Nest, Dr MPA Coetzee
Student: Collins Tanui
Thesis Title: Pectobacterium brasiliense: Genes involved in ecological fitness and virulence mechanisms during potato tuber infection.
Supervisor: Prof. L Moleleki
Student: Johan van der Linde
Thesis Title: Fungi, insects and abiotic factors associated with the death of Euphorbia ingens in South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof. J Roux
Co-advisors: Prof. MJ Wingfield, Prof. D. Six (University of Montana)
Student: Erika Viljoen
Thesis Title: Genetic diversity studies of the genus Amaranthus using genomic tools.
Supervisor: Prof. D Berger
2017
Student: Birhan Abate
Thesis Title: Molecular characterisation and evaluation of entomopathogenic nematodes in South African forestry plantations.
Supervisor: Dr B.P. Hurley
Co-advisors: Prof. B. Slippers, Prof. M.J. Wingfield
Student: Mesfin Gossa
Thesis Title: Ecology and diversity of introduced Pissodes (Coleoptera: Curculionidea) in South Africa.
Supervisor: Dr B.P. Hurley
Co-advisors: Prof. B. Slippers, Dr J. Garnas
Student: Aquillah Kanzi
Thesis Title: Comparative genomics of Chrysoporthe species
Supervisor: Dr A. van der Merwe
Co-advisors: Prof. B.D. Wingfield, Prof. E.T. Steenkamp
Student: Stanford Kwenda
Thesis Title: Transcriptome profiling of potato plant stems challenged with Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. brasiliense and elucidation of the role of small RNAs in Pectobacterium survival mechanisms.
Supervisor: Prof. L. Moleleke
Co-advisor: Prof. P. Birch
Student: James Mehl
Thesis Title: Factors influencing the distribution of selected species of the Botryosphaeriaceae.
Supervisor: Prof. M.J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. B. Slippers, Prof. J. Roux
Student: Jacqueline Meyer
Thesis Title: RNA-Seq and metabolic profiling of resistant and susceptible tropical maize lines reveals a role for kauralexins in resistance to grey leaf spot disease caused by Cercospora zeina.
Supervisor: Prof. D. Berger
Co-advisors: Prof. S. Murray (University of Cape Town), Prof. A.A. Myburg.
Student: Eston Mutitu
Thesis Title: Invasion history of Thaumastocoris peregrinus and development of a biological control agent.
Supervisor: Prof. B. Slippers
Co-advisors: Prof. B. Slippers, Prof. J. Roux
Student: Alexander Osorio
Thesis Title: Diseases of mangrove trees in South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof. J. Roux
Co-advisors: Prof. Z.W. de Beer, Prof. B. Slippers, Prof. M.J. Wingfield
Student: Priyen Pillay
Thesis Title: Characterisation of VP1 protein sensitivity against proteases and identification of agroinfiltration-induced proteases in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves.
Supervisor: Dr B.J. Vorster
Student: Siphathele Sibanda
Thesis Title: Functional analysis of quorum sensing in Pantoea ananatis LMG 2665T.
Supervisor: Prof. T.A. Coutinho
Co-advisors: Prof. L. Moleleki, Dr D. Shyntum
Student: Velushka Swart
Thesis Title: Functional genomics of the cercosporin biosynthetic gene cluster in the maize pathogen, Cercospora zeina.
Supervisor: Prof. D.K. Berger
Co-advisor: Dr B.G. Crampton
2016
Student: Elsie Magretha Cruywagen
Thesis Title: Diversity and taxonomy of fungi infecting species of Adansonia (Baobab)
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisor: Prof. B. Slippers, Prof. J. Roux
Student: Gerda Fourie
Thesis Title: Evolution of mitochondrial genomes in the Fusarium fujikuroi species complex.
Supervisor: Prof. ET Steenkamp
Co-advisors: Prof. BD Wingfield, Prof MJ Wingfield, Prof. NA van der Merwe
Student: Luke Jimu
Thesis Title: Diseases and pests of Eucalyptus species in Zimbabwe with particular reference to Teratosphaeria stem canker
Supervisor: Prof. J. Roux
Co-advisor: Prof. M.J. Wingfield, Prof. E. Mwenje (University of Bindura, Zimbabwe)
Student: DongYeon Lee
Thesis Title: Biology of Ceratocystis albifundus and C. pirilliformis in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisor: Prof. J. Roux, Prof. B.D. Wingfield
Student: Waheed Mahomed
Student: Ritesh Mewalal
2015
Thesis Title: Describing the continuum of salicylic acid and jasmonic acid mediated defence response in avocado-Phytophtora cinnamomi interaction
Supervisor: Prof. N. van den Berg
Co-advisor: Dr. B. G. Crampton
Student: Ronishree Mangwanda
Thesis Title: Transcriptional profiling of Eucalyptus grandis and Chrysoporthe austroafricana elucidates host defence mechanisms and putative pathogenicity strategies
Supervisor: Dr. S. Naidoo
Co-advisor: Dr. N. A. van der Merwe, Prof. A. A. Myburg
Thesis Title: Functional characterisation of cell wall-related proteins of unknown function (CW-PUFs) in Arabidopsis thaliana
Supervisor: Prof. A. A. Myburg
Co-advisor: Dr. E. Mizrachi, Prof. S. Mansfield
Student: Sarai Olivier-Espejel
Thesis Title: Patterns and drivers of insect community diversity and composition in non-native black wattle and pine plantations in South Africa
Supervisor: Dr. J. Garnas
Co-advisor: Dr. B. P. Hurley
Student: Markus Wilken
Thesis Title: Mating in Ceratocystis.
Supervisor: Prof. BD Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. MJ WIngfield, Prof. ET Stenkamp, Prof. ZW de Beer
Student: Gudrun Dittrich-Schroder
Thesis Title: Molecular ecology and management of Leptocybe invasa (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)
Supervisor: Prof. B. Slippers
Co-advisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Dr. B. P. Hurley
Student: Gerda Fourie
Thesis Title: Evolution of mitochondrial genomes in the Fusarium fujikuroi species complex
Supervisor: Prof. E. T. Steenkamp
Co-advisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Dr. N. A. van der Merwe
Thesis Title: Molecular responses of maize to its foliar pathogen, Cercospora zeina
Supervisor: Prof. D. K. Berger
Co-advisor: Dr. B. G. Crampton
Student: DongHyeon Lee
Thesis Title: Invasive biology of Ceratocystis in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Prof. J. Roux
Student: David Read
Student: Bianca ReekstingThesis Title: Improving co-existence of the citrus industry and Citrus Tristeza virus through better genotype detection and understanding populations
Supervisor: Prof. G. Pietersen
Thesis Title: Elucidating the early response of Persea americana to Phytophthora cinnamomi and flooding
Supervisor: Prof. N. van den Berg
Co-advisor: Dr. N. Taylor
Student: Stephen Taerum
Thesis Title: Origin and diversity of the invasive red turpentine beetle and its fungal symbionts
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisor: Dr. Z. W. de Beer
Student: Stefan van Wyk
Thesis Title: Soybean nodule development and senescence: The role of cysteine proteases and their inhibitors
Supervisor: Dr. B. J. Vorster
Co-advisor: Dr. Z. W. de Beer
Thesis Title: Genomic and functional characterization in Pantoea ananatis
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. Coutinho
Co-advisors: Prof. I. Toth, Dr. P. de Maayer
Student: Markus Wilken
Thesis Title: Mating in Ceratocystis
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisor: Prof. E. T. Steenkamp, Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Dr. Z. W. de Beer
Thesis Title: Taxonomic revision of four major species complexes in the Ophiostomatales (Fungi, Ascomycota), with specific reference to associates of conifer-infesting bark beetles in China
Supervisor: Dr. Z. W. de Beer
Co-advisor: Dr. X. D. Zhou, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
2014
Student: Bertha-Lucia de Castro
Thesis Title: Diseases of coffee with particular references to those affecting stems and roots in Colombia
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisor: Prof. J. Roux
Student: Nanette Christie
Thesis Title: Transcriptional regulation underlying the quantitative genetic response of maize to grey leaf spot disease
Supervisor: Prof. D. K. Berger
Co-advisor: Prof. A. A. Myburg
Student: Nicole M. Creux
Thesis Title: In silica and functional characterization of the cellulose synthase 1 gene promoter of Eucalyptus trees
Supervisor: Prof. A. A. Myburg
Co-advisor: Prof. C. Maritz-Olivier
Student: Dawit Degefu
Thesis Title: Ecology and genetic diversity of Coryphodema tristis on Eucalyptus nitens in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. B. Slippers
Co-advisors: Dr. J. R. Garnas, Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Dr. B. P. Hurley
Student: Karen Anne Eatwell
Thesis Title: Remediation of instability in Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) in tree breeding populations
Supervisor: Prof. C. Z. Roux
Co-advisors: Prof. S. D. Verryn
Student: James du Guesclin Harrison
Thesis Title: Phylogeny of the Pegyline and taxonomy of selected southern African Leucopholina (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae), with an emphasis on genera of agricultural concern
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Steven Grant Hussey
Thesis Title: Functional genomics of NAC transcription factor SND2 regulating secondary cell wall biosynthesis in Arabidopsis and Eucalyptus
Supervisor: Prof. A. A. Myburg
Co-advisors: Prof. D. K. Berger, Dr. E. Mizrachi
Student: Fahimeh Jami
Thesis Title: Taxonomy and ecology of Botryosphaeriaceae associated with Acacia karroo in South Africa
Supervisor: Dr. M. Gryzenhout
Co-advisors: Prof. B. Slippers, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Matome Eugene Makgopa
Thesis Title: Production and characterization of trangenic Arabidopsis and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) plants overexpressing oryzacystatin-1
Supervisor: Prof. K. J. Kunert
Student: Celia M. Martins
Thesis Title: Characterizing four cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) Mozambican landraces deposited in a seed bank for drought tolerance
Supervisor: Prof. K. J. Kunert
Student: Michael Mbenoun
Thesis Title: Diversity, ecology and taxonomy of tree infecting Ceratocystis species in Africa
Supervisor: Prof. J. Roux
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Eshchar Mizrachi
Thesis Title: Functional genomics and systems genetics of cellulose biosynthesis in Eucalyptus
Supervisor: Prof. A. A. Myburg
Co-advisors: Prof. D. K. Berger
Student: Divine Y. Shyntum
Thesis Title: Characterising the Type VI secretion system in Pantoea ananatis
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. Coutinho
Co-advisors: Prof. S. N. Venter, Dr. L. N. Moleleki
2013
Student: Rodrigo J. Ahumada N.
Thesis Title: Diseases of Pinus radiata in Chile
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. B. Slippers
Student: Tuan Duong Anh
Thesis Title: Taxonomy, mating type distribution and population biology in species of Leptographium and Grosmannia
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Dr. Z. W. de Beer
Student: Berhanu Amsalu Fenta
Thesis Title: Investigation of the physiological responses in soybean and common beans to water deficit
Supervisor: Prof. K. J. Kunert
Student: James du Guesclin Harrison
Thesis Title: Phylogeny of the Pegylina and taxonomy of selected southern African Leucopholina (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae): with an emphasis on genera of agricultural concern
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Anand R. K. Kullan
Thesis Title: Genomic mapping of growth and wood properties in interspecific hybrids of Eucalyptus grandis and E. urophylla
Supervisor: Prof. A. A. Myburg
Student: Kershney Naidoo
Thesis Title: Mitochondrial genomes and concerted evolution in Ceratocystis
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. E. T. Steenkamp, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Carlos Alberto Rodas Peláez
Thesis Title: Important pests and diseases of plantation grown pines and Eucalyptus in Colombia and their control
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: René Sutherland
Thesis Title: The effect of cold stress on resistance in Cavendish bananas to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense "subtropical" race 4
Supervisor: Dr. N. van den Berg
Co-advisors: Prof. A. Viljoen, Prof. A. A. Myburg
Student: Matšepo Motšelisi Taole
Thesis Title: Phylogenetic reassessment and population biology of the Eucalyptus pathogen Teratosphaeria suttonii isolated from diseased Eucalyptus leaves
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Dr. T. I Burgess, Dr. M. Gryzenhout
Student: Marelize van Wyk
Thesis Title: Phylogenetic relationships and taxonomy of species in Ceratocystis sensu lato
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
2012
Student: Ali 'Obaid Khamis Al 'Adawi
Thesis Title: Studies on Ceratocystis spp. associated with mango die-back in Oman
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. M. Deadman, Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Dr. I. Barnes
Student: Zacharias Wilhelm de Beer
Thesis Title: Taxonomy and phylogeny of Ophiostoma spp. with Sporothrix anamorphs and their generic relationships in the Ophiostomatales
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Lieschen de Vos
Thesis Title: Genetic linkage map and QTL analysis of a cross between Fusarium subglutinans and Fusarium circinatum
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. A. A. Myburg, Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Prof. E. T. Steenkamp
Student: Inge Gazendam
Thesis Title: Identification and functional evaluation of a drought induced "late embryogenesis" gene from cowpea plants.
Supervisor: Prof. D.K. Berger
Co-advisor: Dr. D. Oelofse (ARC)
Student: Endale G. Kedisso
Thesis Title: Manipulation of gibberellin biosynthesis for the control of plant height in tef (Eragrostis tef) for lodging resistance
Supervisor: Prof. K. J. Kunert
Student: Richard G. Mitchell
Thesis Title: Reducing the risk of the pitch canker fungus (Fusarium circinatum) to Pinus patula in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. Coutinho
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Prof. E. T. Steenkamp
Student: David Talengera
Thesis Title: Functional analysis of Cyclin D2;1-type genes expressed in transgenic banana plants
Supervisor: Prof. K. J. Kunert
Co-advisors: Prof. G. T. S. Beemster
Student: Nicolaas Albertus van der Merwe
Thesis Title: Phylogeography and population biology of Chrysoporthe austroafricana and allied species
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. E. T. Steenkamp, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
2011
Student: ShuaiFei Chen
Thesis Title: Fungal diseases of eucalypts in China
Supervisor: Dr. X. D. Zhou
Co-advisors: Prof. J. Roux, Prof. Y. J. Xie, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Charles Amadeus Hefer
Thesis Title: Assembly, annotation and polymorphism analysis of a draft transcriptome sequence for a fast-growing Eucalyptus plantation tree
Supervisor: Prof. F. Joubert
Co-advisors: Prof. A. A. Myburg
Student: Wubetu Bihon Legesse
Thesis Title: Understanding the global population genetics of Diplodia pinea and its life cycle in plantation pines
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Prof. B. Slippers, Dr. T. Burgess
Student: María-Noel Cortinas Irazabal
Thesis Title: Taxonomy and population genetics of Teratosphaeria causing stem cankers on Eucalyptus trees
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Pieter de Maayer
Thesis Title: Genome comparisons to identify selected pathogenicity factors of a plant-associated Pantoea ananatis strain
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. Coutinho
Co-advisors: Prof. S. N. Venter, Dr. P. R. J. Birch
Student: Rosita Endah Yocgo
Thesis Title: Functional characterization of two banana NPR1 genes for pathogen defense response in Arabidopsis
Supervisor: Dr. R. Chikwamba
Co-advisors: Prof. K. J. Kunert
Student: Adriaana Jacobs
Thesis Title: Taxonomy of species within the Gibberella fujikuroi species complex
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. Coutinho
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Prof. W. F. O. Marasas
Student: Gilbert Kamgan Nkuekam
Thesis Title: Ophiostomatoid fungi and their insect associates on Eucalyptus trees in Australia and South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. J. Roux
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Alejandro Guillermo Pérez Suárez
Thesis Title: Global genetic diversity of the Eucalyptus leaf pathogen Teratosphaeria nubilosa species complex in native forests and commercial plantations
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Prof. B. Slippers
Student: Zacharias Hendrik Swanevelder
Thesis Title: Aphid-plant interactions and the possible role of an endosymbiont in aphid biotype development
Supervisor: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster
Co-advisors: Dr. E. Venter
Student: Magrieta Aletta van der Nest
Thesis Title: Mycelial compatibility in Amylostereum areolatum
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Prof. B. Slippers, Prof. J. Stenlid
2010
Student: Aime-Didier Begoude Boyogueno
Thesis Title: Characterization of Botryosphaeriaceae and Cryphonectriaceae associated with Terminalia spp. in Africa
Supervisor: Prof. J. Roux
Co-advisors: Prof. B. Slippers, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Alvaro Jorge Durán Sandoval
Thesis Title: Determination and characterization of the causal agent of Pinus radiata needle blight in Chile
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Dr. M. Gryzenhout, Prof. B. Slippers
Student: William Andile Grootboom
Thesis Title: Effect of RNAi down-regulation of three lysine-deficient kafirins on the seed lysine content of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]
Supervisor: Dr. R. Chikwamba
Co-advisors: Prof. K. J. Kunert
Student: Brett Phillip Hurley
Thesis Title: Factors influencing the control of the Sirex woodwasp in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. B. Slippers
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Lorenzo Lombard
Thesis Title: Phylogeny and taxonomy of Calonectria and its Cylindrocladium anamorphs
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Prof. P. W. Crous
Student: Bruce O'Clive Zwelibanzi Maseko
Thesis Title: Dieback of cold tolerant eucalypts associated with Phytophthora spp. in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. Coutinho
Co-advisors: Dr. T. I. Burgess, Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Student: Ryan L. Nadel
Thesis Title: Molecular and chemical ecology of the Eucalyptus pest, Thaumastocoris peregrinus
Supervisor: Prof. B. Slippers
Co-advisors: Prof. M. C. Scholes, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
2009
Student: Carrie Louise Brady
Thesis Title: Taxonomic evaluation of the genus Pantoea based on a multigene approach
Supervisor: Prof. S. N. Venter
Co-advisors: Prof. T. A. Coutinho
Student: Juanita de Wet
Thesis Title: Molecular studies on the taxonomy, host-associations and viruses of the Diplodia-like anamorphs of the Botryosphaeriaceae
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Dr. O. Preisig
Student: Irene Barnes
Thesis Title: Taxonomy, phylogeny and population biology of the red band needle blight pathogen and related species
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Ronald Natale Heath
Thesis Title: Ceratocystis species in southern and eastern Africa with particular reference to Ceratocystis albifundus
Supervisor: Prof. J. Roux
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Draginja Pavlic
Thesis Title: Taxonomy and population diversity of Botryosphaeriaceae associated with woody hosts in Southern Africa and Western Australia
Supervisor: Prof. B. Slippers
Co-advisors: Prof. T. A. Coutinho, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Seyed Mahdi Ziaratnia
Thesis Title: Identification and characterization of a novel phenolic compound and cinnamate 4-hydroxylase in Helichrysum aureonitens Sch. Bip.
Supervisor: Prof. J. J. M. Meyer
Co-advisors: Prof. K. J. Kunert
2008
Student: Veloshinie Govender
Thesis Title: Vigour of fungicide-treated and untreated maize seeds following storage
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. S. Aveling
Co-advisors: Dr. Q. Kritzinger
Student: Andrew Kiggundu
Thesis Title: Engineering plant cysteine protease inhibitors for the transgenic control of banana weevil, Cosmopolites sordidus (Germar) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) amd other coleopteran insects in transgenic plants
Supervisor: Prof. K. J. Kunert
Co-advisors: Prof. A. Viljoen, Prof. D. Michaud
Student: Barnabas Anthony Kiula
Thesis Title: Increasing line combining ability and gray leaf spot resistance in maize by integrating conventional with DNA marker technology
Supervisor: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster
Co-advisors: Dr. N. G. Lyimo
Student: Sanushka Naidoo
Thesis Title: Microarray expression studies in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana infected with the bacterial pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum
Supervisor: Prof. D. K. Berger
Co-advisors: Dr. K. J. Denby
Student: Pamela Paparu
Thesis Title: Plant defense responses against Radopolus similis in East African Highland bananas (EAHB-AAA) inoculated with endophytic non-pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum
Supervisor: Prof. A. Viljoen
Co-advisors: Dr. T. duBois, Dr. D. Coyne
Student: Anneke Prins
Thesis Title: Proteases and protease inhibitors involved in plant stress response and acclimation
Supervisor: Prof. K. J. Kunert
Co-advisors: Dr. C. Foyer
Student: Carlos Alberto Pérez Rodríguez
Thesis Title: Relationship between pathogens of Eucalyptus and native Myrtaceae in Uruguay
Supervisor: Prof. R. Blanchette
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Dr. N. Altier
Student: Barend Juan Vorster
Thesis Title: Using whole genome comparison to detect sequence similarities between plants and microbes
Supervisor: Prof. K. J. Kunert
Co-advisors: Prof. C. A. Cullis
2007
Student: Sissay Bekele
Thesis Title: Identification of citrus (Citrus sinensis) postharvest pathogens from Ethiopia and their control
Supervisor: Prof. L. Korsten
Co-advisors: Dr. T. Regnier
Student: Teresa Goszczynska
Thesis Title: Emerging diseases of maize and onion caused by bacteria belonging to the genus Pantoea
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. Coutinho
Co-advisors: Prof. S. N. Venter
Student: Ahmed Idris Hassen
Thesis Title: Efficacy of rhizobacteria for growth promotion and biocontrol of Pythium ultimum and Fusarium oxysporum on sorghum in Ethiopia and South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. N. Labuschagne
Co-advisors: Prof. L. Korsten
Student: Gavin Craig Hunter
Thesis Title: Taxonomy, phylogeny and population biology of Mycosphaerella species occuring on Eucalyptus
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Prof. P. W. Crous
2006
Student: Shahasi Yusuf Athman
Thesis Title: Host-endophyte-pest interactions of endophytic Fusarium oxysporum antagonistic to Radopholus similis in banana (Musa spp.)
Supervisor: Prof. N. Labuschagne
Co-advisors: Dr. A. Viljoen, Dr. T. Dubois, Dr. D. Coyne
Student: Getu Beyene
Thesis Title: Gene expression and plant performance in oryzacystatin-I expressing transformed tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Samsun) plants under abiotic stress
Supervisor: Prof. K. J. Kunert
Co-advisors: Prof. C. H. Foyer
Student: Mesfin Bogale
Thesis Title: Molecular characterization of Fusarium isolates from Ethiopia
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Dr. E. T. Steenkamp
Student: Sari Ramón Mohali Castillo
Thesis Title: Taxonomy and ecology of Botryosphaeria species and their anamorphs from Venezuela
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Dr. B. Slippers, Dr. T. Burgess
Student: Bridget Genevieve Crampton
Thesis Title: Elucidation of defence response mechanisms in pearl millet
Supervisor: Prof. D. K. Berger
Student: Johan de Graaf
Thesis Title: Integrated pest management of the banana weevil, Cosmopolites sordidus (Germar), in South Africa
Supervisor: Dr. P. Govender
Co-advisors: Dr. A. Viljoen, Prof. A. Schoeman
Student: Gertina Wilhelmina du Plooy
Thesis Title: Aspects of mango (Mangifera indica L.) fruit rind morphology and chemistry and their implication for postharvest quality
Supervisor: Prof. L. Korsten
Student: Marieka Gryzenhout
Thesis Title: Taxonomy and phylogeny of Cryphonectria and allied genera
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Student: Grace Nakabonge
Thesis Title: Studies on Cryphonectria species in Africa
Supervisor: Prof. J. Roux
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Ida Paul
Thesis Title: Modelling the distribution of Citrus Black Spot caused by Guignardia citricarpa Kiely
Supervisor: Prof. A. S. van Jaarsveld
Co-advisors: Prof. L. Korsten
Student: Noëlani van den Berg
Thesis Title: Identification of genes associated with tolerance in the Cavendish banana selection, GCTCV-218, against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense, 'subtropical' race 4
Supervisor: Dr. A. Viljoen
Co-advisors: Prof. D. K. Berger, Dr. P. R. J. Birch, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
2005
Student: Yoseph Beyene Aydagn
Thesis Title: Genetic analysis of traditional Ethiopian Highland Maize (Zea mays L.) using molecular markers and morphological traits: implication for breeding and conservation
Supervisor: Dr. A. A. Myburg
Co-advisors: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster
Student: Legesse Wolde Beyene
Thesis Title: Genetic diversity, combining ability and heterosis in maize inbred lines (Zea mays L.) for the highlands of Ethiopia
Supervisor: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster
Co-advisors: Dr. A. A. Myburg, Dr. K. V. Pixley
Student: Quenton Kritzinger
Thesis Title: Antimicrobial activity and fumonisins associated with cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. S. Aveling
Co-advisors: Dr. N. Lall
Student: Sabine Lezar
Thesis Title: Assessment and development of microarray-based DNA fingerprinting in Eucalyptus grandis and related species
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Dr. A. A. Myburg, Prof. D. K. Berger, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Joseph Ndunguru
Thesis Title: Molecular characterization of cassava mosaic geminiviruses in Tanzania
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. S. Aveling
Co-advisors: Dr. G. Thompson, Dr. J. Legg, Dr. C. Fauquet
Student: Ella Johanna van der Linde
Thesis Title: Ergot of nut sedge in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. S. Aveling
Co-advisors: Prof. F. C. Wehner
2004
Student: Appolinaire Adandonon
Thesis Title: Damping-off and stem rot of cowpea in Benin caused by Sclerotium rolfsii
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. S. Aveling
Co-advisors: Dr. M. Tamo
Student: Martin Petrus Albertus Coetzee
Thesis Title: Molecular phylogenetic studies on Armillaria with specific reference to Southern Hemisphere species
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Prof. P. Bloomer
Student: Pascal Fandohan
Thesis Title: Fusarium infection and mycotoxin contamination in preharvest and stored maize in Benin, West Africa
Supervisor: Prof. W. F. O. Marasas
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Mauricio Alejandro Marín Montoya
Thesis Title: Phylogenetic and molecular population biology studies on Ceratocystis spp. associated with conifer and coffee diseases
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Dr. O. Preisig, Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Dr. T. Kirisits
Student: Joseph Obagwu
Thesis Title: Developing biopesticides for control of citrus fruit pathogens of importance in global trade
Supervisor: Prof. L. Korsten
Co-advisors: Dr. T. Regnier
Student: Yolisa Patronella Pakela
Thesis Title: Interaction between Colletotrichum dematium and cowpea
Supervisor: Prof. T. A. S. Aveling
Co-advisors: Prof. T. A. Coutinho
Student: Jacqueline Elise van der Waals
Thesis Title: Epidemiology of early blight on potatoes in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. L. Korsten
Co-advisors: Prof. T. A. S. Aveling, Dr. F. D. N. Denner
Student: Schalk Willem van Heerden
Thesis Title: Studies on Cryphonectria cubensis in South Africa with special reference to mycovirus infection
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Dr. O. Preisig, Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Student: Eduard Venter
Thesis Title: The molecular characterization of the interaction between Fusarium circinatum and Pinus patula
Supervisor: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Marinda Visser
Thesis Title: Molecular biological studies of the Fusarium wilt pathogen of banana in South Africa
Supervisor: Dr. A. Viljoen
Co-advisors: Prof. T. R. Gordon, Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
2003
Student: Deidrè Fourie
Thesis Title: Bacterial diseases of dry beans in South Africa special reference to common bacterial blight and its control
Supervisor: Prof. P. S. van Wyk
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Alemu Gezahgne
Thesis Title: Diseases of exotic plantation forestry trees in Ethiopia
Supervisor: Dr. J. Roux
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Student: Pramanathan Govender
Thesis Title: Soil invertebrate pests in the re-establishment of plantations in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. C. H. Scholtz
Student: Lynelle Lacock
Thesis Title: Profiling of gene expression in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) line PI 137739 in response to Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia Mordvilko) feeding
Supervisor: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster
Student: Henrietta Myburg
Thesis Title: Molecular phylogenetic studies on species of Cryphonectria and related fungi
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Dean Oelofse
Thesis Title: Molecular approaches towards anthracnose resistance in lupins
Supervisor: Prof. I. A. Dubery
Co-advisors: Prof. D. K. Berger
Student: Bernard Slippers
Thesis Title: Taxonomy, phylogeny and ecology of Botryosphaeriaceous fungi occurring on various woody hosts
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. T. A. Coutinho, Prof. P. W. Crous, Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Student: Christell van der Vyver
Thesis Title: Stress-induced genome alterations in plants
Supervisor: Prof. K. J. Kunert
Co-advisors: Prof. C. A. Cullis
Student: Chantal van Niekerk
Thesis Title: Analysis of gene expression in Triticum aestivum L. cv. 'Tugela DN' after Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia Mordvilko) infestation
Supervisor: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster
Co-advisors: Prof. K. J. Kunert
Student: Jan Hendrik Viljoen
Thesis Title: Mycotoxins in grain and grain products in South Africa and proposals for their regulation
Supervisor: Prof. W. F. O. Marasas
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: XuDong Zhou
Thesis Title: Taxonomy and biology of Ophiostomatoid fungi associated with conifer-infesting bark beetles
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
2002
Student: Sandra Denman
Thesis Title: Botryosphaeria diseases of Proteaceae
Supervisor: Prof. P. W. Crous
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Henriette Britz van Heerden
Thesis Title: Taxonomy and population genetics of Fusarium subglutinans sensu lato on pine and mango
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. T. A. Coutinho, Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Prof. W. F. O. Marasas
Student: Ntsane Moleleki
Thesis Title: RNA viruses of Sphaeropsis sapinea and Diaporthe ambigua and their possible use as biological control agents
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Dr. O. Preisig
Student: Esmé van Jaarsveld
Thesis Title: Phytophthora nicotianae on tobacco and its control in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Dr. A. Drenth, Prof. B. D. Wingfield
2001
Student: Percy Maruwa Chimwamurombe
Thesis Title: Molecular plant-pathogen interactions with special reference to Eucalyptus grandis polygalacturonase-inhibiting proteins and fungal polygalacturonases
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster, Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Hendrik Smith
Thesis Title: Biology of Botryosphaeria dothidea and Sphaeropsis sapinea as endophytes of eucalypts and pines in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. T. A. Coutinho, Prof. P. W. Crous
Student: Emma Theodora Steenkamp
Thesis Title: Molecular taxonomic studies of selected species in the Gibberella fujikuroi complex
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Dr. T. A. Coutinho, Prof. W. F. O. Marasas
2000
Student: Cousins Gwanama
Thesis Title: The hererotic patterns of fruit yield and quality of Cucurbita moschata using RAPD genetics markers and combing ability estimates
Supervisor: Prof. M. T. Labuschagne
Co-advisors: Prof. A.-M. Botha-Oberholster
Student: Karin Jacobs
Thesis Title: The genus Leptographium: a critical taxonomic analysis
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. B. D. Wingfield, Prof. P. W. Crous
Student: Baone Cynthia Kwerepe
Thesis Title: Integrated pest management of Meloidogyne incognita on Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea)
Supervisor: Dr. N. Labuschagne
Co-advisors: Prof. A. S. Claassens
Student: Conrad L. Schoch
Thesis Title: Phylogenetic relationships and population dynamics of Calonectria
Supervisor: Prof. P. W. Crous
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Prof. B. D. Wingfield
1999
Student: Zachee Ngoko
Thesis Title: Mycotoxin contamination of maize in relation to insect infestation, agricultural practices and agroecology in the republic of Cameroon
Supervisor: Prof. W. F. O. Marasas
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Dr. K. F. Cardwell
Student: Daniël Jacobus Theron
Thesis Title: Fusarium dry rot of potatoes etiology, epidemiology, toxicity and control
Supervisor: Prof. W. F. O. Marasas
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Leonel Merwe van Zyl
Thesis Title: Factors associated with Coniothyrium canker of Eucalyptus in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Dr. T. A. Coutinho, Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Student: Jacobus Francois Wolfaardt
Thesis Title: Utilization of wood-decay fungi for Biokraft pulping of softwood
Supervisor: Dr. C. J. Rabie
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
1998
Student: Celeste Linde
Thesis Title: Population structure of Phytophthora cinnamomi in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Dr. A. Drenth
Student: Jolanda Roux
Thesis Title: Diseases of Acacia mearnsii in South Africa, with particular reference to Ceratocystis wilt
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Student: Stephanus Hendrik Swart
Thesis Title: The biology, aetiology and control of Alternaria brown spot disease of Minneola tangelo in South Africa
Supervisor: Prof. M. J. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. W. J. Swart
Student: Regina Cornelia Witthuhn (née Strydom)
Thesis Title: Molecular taxonomy and mating type genes in Ceratocystis sensu stricto
Supervisor: Prof. B. D. Wingfield
Co-advisors: Prof. M. J. Wingfield, Prof. T. C. Harrington