Enlisted graduates

Short bio I've been very fortunate to have spent more than ten years in a stimulating research environment in the Genetics Department at Stellenbosch University. The focus of my work to date has been on applying molecular biology tools to study plant-pathogen interactions in two economically important woody perennial crops, namely grapevine and citrus. This has provided valuable opportunities to acquire the hard skills necessary to accurately and rigorously conduct scientific research in a laboratory environment, but also the soft skills that accompany successfully working within a larger group. I'm passionate about making a success of my undertakings, and also contributing positively to the success of any team I form part of, be it in a leadership capacity or otherwise.

Short bio Dr Michaela van Staden, a recent PhD graduate, specialises in the integrated management and conservation of endemic sharks and rays. She is one of the few female geneticists in South Africa with expertise in both traditional and molecular taxonomy, and possesses diverse technical skills applicable to species delimitation, biodiversity conservation and evolutionary genomics – which are particularly useful for the ongoing projects within the Shark Genetics Lab. Dr van Staden has already made significant contributions to elasmobranch genetics research with several authored/co-authored scientific articles.

Short bio I have a PhD in Biochemistry from Stellenbosch University, South Africa. I have completed several post doctoral fellowships and I am currently a post-doctoral fellow at the Plant Breeding Laboratory at Stellenbosch University. My interests lie in molecular biology and bioinformatics, specifically the regulation of cellular processes, transcriptomics as well as phylogenetics and evolution. We are currently examining local wild relatives of crop species for traits of benefit to commercial crops species, such as salinity tolerance and disease resistance.

Short bio I am an Agricultural Engineer from the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil (2014), with a Master's in Plant Genetic Resources (2016) from the same institution, and a PhD in Biotechnology from the University of São Paulo, Brazil (2021). With a focus on interdisciplinary research, I enjoy working with an approach that correlates different areas of knowledge such as phytopathology, entomology, microbiology, and biotechnology. Currently, at Stellenbosch University, my research in the Genetics Department focuses on Citrus Black Spot disease, integrating knowledge from both microbiology and genetics.