I graduated with a BSc Zoology degree from the University of Pretoria. I am currently pursuing BScHons in Genetics under the supervision of Prof Irene Barnes and mentor Firehiwot Eshetu with a project focusing on the genetic diversity and population structure of Fusarium euwallaceae in South Africa. The project is part the Tree Protection Co-operative Programme (TPCP) that is of great importance to the protection of trees within South Africa.