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Background

I have a background in food engineering and food microbiology through my Hons BSc and MSc degrees received from Ege University and Istanbul Technical University (Turkey). I moved to the Netherlands in 2010 to start my PhD study at Utrecht University and Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute (CBS). My studies focused on the polyphasic taxonomy of Talaromyces based on molecular, morphological, physiological and chemical characters. We divided Talaromyces into 7 sections and monographed 88 species (Yilmaz et al. 2014). We provided a full DNA sequence database for all accepted species’ ITS and beta-tubulin (BenA), while the latter was proposed as the secondary identification marker for the genus. This paper also included one of the first fungal nomenclatural accepted species lists in the "one fungus = one name" era that incorporated phylogenetic data. Since 2014, more than 60 new Talaromyces has been described and the paper including the accepted species list got more than 160 citations. 

At the end of 2014, I moved to Canada and started a one-year at Carleton University Chemistry Department. I designed a q-PCR protocol for the detection of Phialocephala scopiformis, a foliar fungal endophyte of white spruce that produces the anti-insect compound rugulosin. 

I then completed another post-doc with Prof Keith A. Seifert at Agriculture and Agrifood Canada (AAFC, Ottawa, Canada; registered at University of Ottawa). I worked on the Alfred P. Sloan foundation project focused on studying the diversity of xerophilic fungi from indoor environments. I identified many of the isolates using morphology and DNA sequence data. Populations were dominated by xerophilic Aspergillus species and these were included in several large reviews (Visagie et al. 2017, Sklenár et al. 2017, Tannet et al. 2017).

Applied Mycology 

I started my post doc at FABI in April 2018. I am leading the Applied Mycology Research Programme together with Prof. Pedro Crous. My research interest is focused on the taxonomy and systematics of the genus Fusarium. The genus Fusarium includes many species of destructive pathogens of almost all cultivated crops and produces mycotoxins that threaten food security and human health not only in South Africa, but the rest of the world. The taxonomy of Fusarium has not been stable since it has been described and debates are still continuing. Additionally there are several established Fusarium species lack the type material. During my postdoc I am mainly focusing on Fusarium fujikuroi species complex (FFSC) with an aim of completing a monograph on the species complex, describing new species and designating epitypes where necessary.

As a part of Applied Mycology Research Programme, I lead the Citizen Science Project “Fungi for Future” together with Westerdijk Institute and the University Museum Utrecht in the Netherlands. Its aim is to generate awareness and excite young children about science and mycology. A sampling kit is distributed to children who use it to collect soil from their gardens. These soil samples are examined at WI who isolate fungi from it. When new species are discovered, it is named after the child who collected the soil sample.

The Grain Research Programme

I am also member of the Grain Research Programme. It is estimated that about 80% of the global food and feed output is contaminated by mycotoxins. This number is higher for the African continent due to the lack of regulations and lax enforcement of regulations in many countries. The aim of AMRP, is to explore the biodiversity and phylogeny of fungi related with food and animal feed and the raw materials used in its production. Identification of food and feed spoilage fungi applying both traditional and molecular monitoring methods is very important in maintaining food safety and quality of food and feed products from farm to fork. In collaboration with GrainSA, the team screen Fusarium,Aspergillus and Penicillium from maize, soybean seeds, sunflowers seeds, and animal feed, combining data with mycotoxin levels detected in samples. In the process, the team isolate and identify fungi, describe novel species and develop rapid identification techniques for the monitoring of important species.