Prof. Bernard Slippers
Bernard Slippers is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology and the Director of the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI) at the University of Pretoria. He is the founding Director of the Future Africa Institute and Innovation Africa@UP at the same University. He leads the Tree Protection Co-operative Programme and is a core team member Centre of Excellence in Plant Health Biotechnology in FABI.
Bernard’s research focuses on the ecology and evolution of insects and micro-organisms that affect plant health, and the development of tools to mitigate their impact. He has received wide recognition for his research, including as a Highly Cited Researcher (Clarivate Analytics) and the Christiaan Hendrik Persoon Gold Medal for Plant Pathology. He has published more than 320 papers, 3 edited books and a number of book chapters, which have been cited more than 19000 times. He has trained more than a 100 PhD and MSc students.
Bernard is passionate about science development. He is a founding member of the Global Young Academy (GYA) and the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS). He has served in the leadership of these organisations, including as co-chair of the GYA. He has initiated and led the Africa Science Leadership Programme. Bernard is an elected fellow of the Academy of Science of South Africa and the Royal Society of South Africa.