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18/06/2026

: This Youth Month, we celebrate young innovators who are using their knowledge and creativity to solve real-world challenges.

At just 30 years old, UP researcher Dr Kadima Tshiyoyo is helping to develop NutraPectin, an innovative health supplement made from citrus waste with the potential to address lifestyle diseases while making health products more accessible and affordable.

Read more: https://ow.ly/eA9g50Zb6np

11/06/2026

Congratulations Prof Wingfield

A heartfelt congratulations to Prof Brenda Wingfield, a finalist in the Lifetime Award category in the 2025/2026 NSTF-South32 Awards, known as ‘Science Oscars’ of South Africa. She has earned her place among the best. These prestigious awards recognise and promote outstanding contributions to science, engineering, technology (SET) and innovation by related professionals, practitioners, teams, partnerships and organisations in South Africa.

Prof Wingfield is a DSTI-NRF SARChI Chairholder: Fungal Genomics; Professor: Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria. She is a finalist for her lifetime of contributions to understanding the genetics and genomics of fungal plant pathogens and to the education and mentorship of established and emerging researchers.

Read more about each finalist and their work: https://nstf.org.za/current-finalists/


South32 Department of Science,Technology and Innovation SA

02/06/2026

: Nine UP staff members & departments have been named finalists in the 2025/2026 NSTF-South32 Awards, widely recognised as South Africa’s ‘Science Oscars’.

This year’s finalists reflect the breadth of expertise across the University, with recognition spanning disciplines from fungal genomics, physics, environmental chemistry & AI to science communication, neurosurgery, engineering & animal science.

Read more: https://ow.ly/b60w50Z7cjK

02/06/2026

Happy World Milk Day 2026! 🥛🌍

Today we celebrate the vital roles of Women Farmers and Women in Science. 👩‍🌾👩‍🔬

Supported by Milk SA and led by PI Dr. Neriman Yilmaz at FABI, our mission is to identify South African Pseudopithomyces species and map the genes responsible for producing Sporidesmin A, the toxin causing hidden liver damage, with the future goal of developing advanced early detection and warning tools for farmers. 🔬🐮

By securing our dairy supply, we are fostering more resilient and vibrant communities. 🐄🌟

02/06/2026

29/05/2026

LEAVING A LEGACY: Nicola Engelbrecht (23) lived a life far greater than the number of years she was given. Nicola passed away on 5 May 2026 and was awarded her honours degree in Bioinformatics (with distinction) in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences posthumously at the University of Pretoria's recent Autumn graduation ceremonies.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3RsbqAd

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28/05/2026

08/05/2026

team of FABIans travelled to the Eastern Cape for a field trip to maize farms supported by the Ukhanyo Farmer Development Programme (UFD)