Prof. Cobus Visagie has been elected Vice-Chair of the Mycology and Eukaryotic Microbiology (MEM) Division of the International Union of Microbiological Societies (IUMS) for the 2026 to 2030 term. The vote took place during the 19th IUMS Congress, held in Lisbon (Portugal) from 4-6 November 2026. Dr Andrey Yurkov of the Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures (Germany) was elected Chair of the Division.
IUMS is a member of the International Science Council and represents the global microbiology community through three divisions: Bacteriology and Applied Microbiology, Virology, and Mycology and Eukaryotic Microbiology. The MEM Division brings together researchers working on fungi and other eukaryotic microorganisms, and works closely with several international commissions, including the International Commission on the Taxonomy of Fungi (ICTF) and the International Commission on Penicillium and Aspergillus (ICPA). Prof. Visagie already serves on both the ICTF and the ICPA, giving him first-hand experience of the Division’s work. As Vice-Chair, Prof. Visagie will work alongside Dr Yurkov to set the Division’s priorities and promote mycology at future IUMS congresses.
Prof. Visagie is internationally recognised for his work on the systematics and taxonomy of Aspergillus, Penicillium, Talaromyces and related fungi. His election places FABI and the University of Pretoria at the center of global discussions on fungal biodiversity, taxonomy, nomenclature and microbiology.