FABI congratulates the seven PhD and six MSc graduates from the Institute who were conferred their degrees at the University of Pretoria ’s Spring Graduation ceremony on 3 September. Well-done on an excellent achievement! PhD Dr Shae Cooper Thesis: The defence potential of Eucalyptus grandis Supervisor: Prof. S Naidoo Co-Supervisor: Prof. AT Duong Dr Ntaoleng Maduke Thesis: Diversity and pathogenicity of Botryosphaeriaceae occurring on Macadamia in South Africa Supervisor: Prof. G Fourie Co-supervisors: Prof. B Slippers , Prof. MJ Wingfield External co-supervisor: Dr EJ van der Linde (Agricultural Research Council) Dr Dineo Mailula Thesis: Catabolism of amino acids and production of volatiles by Ceratocystis albifundus and other species in the Ceratocystidaceae Supervisor: Prof. A Hammerbacher Co-supervisors: Prof. BD Wingfield , Dr MA van der Nest Dr Lazarus Mavima Thesis: Evolution and biology of South African Paraburkholderia species Supervisor: Prof. SN Venter Co-supervisors: Prof. MPA Coetzee , Prof. ET Steenkamp Dr Trystan Nadasen Thesis: Transcriptomics and structural phylogenetics reveals cell-death inducing effectors in the latent necrotrophic pathogen Cercospora zeina of maize Supervisor: Prof. DK Berger External co-supervisor: Prof. I Hein (University of Dundee, United Kingdom) Dr Alisa Postma Thesis: Genome and transcriptome insights into the evolution and ecology of Sirex noctilio and its fungal and nematode symbionts Supervisor: Prof. B Slippers Co-supervisor: Prof. F Joubert Dr Luki-Marié Scheepers Thesis: Chemical ecology for the management of three plantation pests in South Africa Supervisor: Prof. JD Allison Co-Supervisor: Prof. ER Rohwer, Prof. B Slippers MSc Allen Arineitwe Dissertation: Phytophthora parasitica var. nicotianae effector (PpRxLR4) targets host proteins across multiple subcellular compartments to regulate immunity Supervisor: Prof. LN Moleleki Johan Griesel Dissertation: Sporulation and protoplast production in Chrysoporthe austroafricana Supervisor: Prof. NA van der Merwe Co-Supervisor: Prof. MPA Coetzee Monique Horn Dissertation: Sequencing and analysis of the gene space of tropical pine trees in a trio of Pinus patula , Pinus tecunumanii and their F1 hybrid Supervisor: Prof. S Naidoo Co-Supervisor: Dr RE Pierneef External co-Supervisors: Prof. AA Myburg (Stellenbosch University), Dr N Christie (Stellenbosch University) Zimazile Jazi Dissertation: Dispersal behaviour of Anaphes nitens (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) Supervisor: Dr ML Schröder Co-supervisors: Prof. BP Hurley , Dr PT Makunde Kelebogile Sathekge Dissertation: Development and evaluation of a haplotype reference panel pipeline for Eucalyptus grandis Supervisor: Prof. S Naidoo Co-supervisor: Dr RE Pierneef External co-supervisors: Prof. AA Myburg (Stellenbosch University), Dr N Christie (Stellenbosch University) Michal Slupski Dissertation: Evolution of circadian rhythm genes in the Diaporthales with specific reference to Chrysoporthe austroafricana Supervisor: Prof. NA van der Merwe Co-supervisor: Prof. S Naidoo