Prof. Mike and Brenda Wingfield of the University of Pretoria have been elected as Fellows of the American Academy of Microbiology, an honour recognising their contributions to microbiological science and their work in fungal biology and forest health.
In communication to PDBY, Brenda Wingfield confirmed that the election is not a recent development, but the recognition has recently resurfaced across several media platforms. This could still provide an opportunity to highlight the research associated with the two scientists and the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI) at UP.
The American Academy of Microbiology (AAM) is the honourific leadership group of the American Society for Microbiology. According to information provided by the Wingfields, fellowship is awarded through a selective peer-review process to scientists who have demonstrated significant scientific achievement and contributed to the advancement of microbiology.
The Wingfields’ research has focused particularly on fungi associated with trees and forest ecosystems, with their careers closely connected to the development of FABI and its research programmes in forest pathology, fungal genetics and genomics, and fungal pathogens. Mike Wingfield’s research has examined the emergence and movement of tree pests and pathogens, as well as their effects on forestry and natural ecosystems. He has also held international leadership roles in forest health and microbiology and has contributed to research capacity development, particularly in Africa.
Brenda Wingfield, who holds the DST/NRF SARChI Chair in Fungal Genomics, has focused on the genetics, genomics, and evolution of fungal pathogens. Her research has contributed to the study of fungal evolution, speciation, mating systems, and pathogen diversity, according to information supplied by the Wingfields.
The professors’ election also reflects the international reach of research conducted through FABI, which the Wingfields said has contributed to establishing South Africa as an internationally recognised centre for research into fungal biology and forest health.
Their work has also involved developing research programmes, collaborations, and scientific capacity over their careers. The Wingfields said that the recognition was notable because both were elected as Fellows, highlighting their closely connected careers and their collaboration on issues involving tree health. The election places the two UP academics among an international community of microbiologists recognised by their peers for scientific achievement and leadership in the field.
While the fellowship itself is not a recent development, the recognition provides a look at the scale of research associated with FABI and the university’s contribution to international work on fungi, tree health, and forest ecosystems.
