Professor Sanushka Naidoo, programme leader of the Forest Molecular Genetics and Eucalyptus and Pine Pathogen Interactions (FMG-EPPI) group in the Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology (BGM) at the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), has been honoured with the prestigious “Resounding Contribution to Forestry Science” award at the 2025 She Is Forestry SA Awards
Administered annually by She Is Forestry SA (SIFSA), a non-profit established by the Forest Sector Charter Council and Forestry South Africa, and supported by the forestry sector and its value chains.
These awards celebrate women who are making a profound and meaningful impact in the industry.
Professor Naidoo described herself as humbled by the nomination and genuinely surprised to have won, particularly as she stood among a group of equally inspiring female nominees.
She expressed gratitude to her FMG-EPPI research team and reflected on the rich, collaborative environment fostered within BGM and FABI.
She also highlighted the double celebration of a PhD student, Ms Anneri Lotter, who received the Postgraduate Award for her groundbreaking work in Eucalyptus pangenomics.
She emphasises that her ongoing research aims to improve tree resilience to pests, pathogens, and climate-related stresses at the genetic and molecular levels – work she believes is becoming increasingly urgent as South Africa grapples with more extreme weather events.
Reflecting on her career milestone, she noted that winning this award is one of the highlights of her professional journey. Previously head of the BGM department from 2020 to 2024, she feels that leading FMG-EPPI offers even greater opportunity to shape the future of forestry science.
Further cementing her commitment to innovation across the forestry continuum, Professor Naidoo and collaborators, including Prof Schalk Grobbelaar (York Timbers Chair, EBIT), Dr Johann van der Merwe, Mr Christo van der Hoven, Dr Michelle C van der Merwe, and Dr Tinashe Ndoro, are behind a research proposal titled “Unlocking Sustainability and Circularity through the ProtoBuilding Concept.”
This project, which integrates genetics, architecture, timber engineering, and marketing, was recently announced as the 2025 Senate Conference Research Project Competition winner.
She also called on her peers to act as mentors across gender, demographics and disciplines, envisioning a future where South Africa’s forest science community is even better prepared and more empowered thanks to shared guidance and support.
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