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Prof Bernard Slippers

Prof Bernard Slippers

South Africa

University of Pretoria

Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute

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Work and Research

Bernard Slippers is the Founding Director of Future Africa. He is the Director of the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI) and the Tree Protection Co-operative Programme at the University of Pretoria. He is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology. Bernard’s research focus is on the ecology, evolution and management of insects and fungi that affect tree health. He uses genetic, genomic and chemical tools to characterize patterns of diversity and global spread of invasive tree pests and pathogens, as well as their population dynamics, communication systems, mating strategies and community structures.

Fields Of Expertise

Forest Health
Molecular Ecology
Biotechnology

Research Profiles

Research capacity development and personal

Bernard is committed to capacity development and has acted as supervisor or co-supervisor to a number of postdoctoral researchers, and more than 50 PhD and MSc students. Bernard is also passionate about the transformation of science in Africa (and beyond) towards a more transdisciplinary and competitive system, and with a greater impact on society. Much of this has been done through his active involvement with Academies and the global Young Academy movement. He is a founding member and past co-chair/executive committee member of both the Global Young Academy and South African Young Academies of Science. With these and other collaborators, he has also been involved in various projects to advance Young Academies and development of research capacity . A prominent example is the Africa Science Leadership Programme (ASLP), amongst others.

Bernard and his wife Jana have two daughters, Yvonne and Mia.