Associate Professor
University of Pretoria
Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Prof. Sanushka Naidoo is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. She leads a programme on resilience in forest trees within the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI) where she studies the defence responses of forest tree species, Eucalyptus and Pine to pests and pathogens. Prof. Naidoo is interested in the molecular mechanisms underlying resistance with the view to select or develop more resilient trees. Prof. Naidoo uses association studies, transcriptomics, microscopy and functional genetic testing approaches in clones and at the population level to dissect complex tree defences. As climate change also drives the outcome of tree-pathogen interactions, her recent research focus is on the combined effect of abiotic (drought/ heat) and biotic challenges on host defences. Prof. Naidoo is also a passionate teacher and teaches Molecular Genetics to second year students in the BSc undergaduate programme.
Monday, August 7, 2023
1:23 PM – 1:43 PM EDT