Ms Alishia Van Heerden

PhD student | |
Department |
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Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology |
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Short CV | |
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Member of:
My Supervisor/s
Primary Supervisor | |
Brenda Wingfield | |
Co Supervisor |
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Nam Pham | |
Mike Wingfield |
I am a passionate researcher with a strong background in bioinformatics, next-generation sequencing analysis, microsatellite design, and diagnostic assay development. My journey with the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI) began in 2020, where I have been dedicated to advancing scientific discovery and developing innovative solutions.
I completed my Honours degree in Genetics under the supervision of Dr. Markus Wilken. My Honours project focused on developing a mutant library of Ceratocystis albifundus, which provided me with valuable experience and honed my skills in conducting scientific research at an advanced level.
For my MSc, I continued under the mentorship of Dr. Markus Wilken, investigating a newly identified Eucalyptus fungal pathogen, Elsinoë necatrix. My project involved developing a diagnostic assay using Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), with a characteristic toxin cluster serving as a molecular marker.
Currently, I am pursuing my PhD under the guidance of Prof. Brenda Wingfield. My research focuses on developing molecular diagnostic tools such as LAMP and microsatelite markers for Ganoderma philippii, a formidable root rot pathogen. This work allows me to combine my expertise in molecular diagnostics with my passion for tackling significant challenges in plant pathology.
My Journal Articles
Publication |
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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 |
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 |
van Heerden A, Pham NQ, Wingfield BD, Wingfield MJ, Muro Abad JI, Durán A, Wilken PM. (2024) LAMP assay to detect Elsinoë necatrix; an important Eucalyptus shoot and leaf pathogen. Plant Disease
10.1094/PDIS-01-24-0086-RE |