Bernard Slippers

Biography

Bernard Slippers is a Professor in Genetics at the University of Pretoria (UP). He is a research leader of the Tree Protection Co-operative Programme and Centre of Excellence in Tree Health Biotechnology at the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI). His research focus is on the molecular ecology and evolution of insects and micro-organisms that affect tree health, and anthropogenic influences on it. Bernard received a PhD from the UP and was a post-doctoral fellow at the Swedish University of Agriculture in Uppsala. He has received numerous awards, including from the International Union of Forestry Research Organizations (IUFRO) for outstanding doctoral research and a Presidents Award from the National Research Foundation in South Africa, the highest rating for a young scientist. He regularly participates in international scientific meetings and has published widely in international peer-reviewed journals and other scholarly sources. Bernard has been involved in the supervision or co-supervision of numerous post-graduate students. He participates in advising governmental and private organizations on tree protection issues in various parts of the world. The University of Pretoria (UP) is a leading research university in South Africa and one of the largest in the country. UP celebrated its Centenary in 2008. The Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI) is an internationally recognized, inter-disciplinary research institute in the broad field of Plant Biotechnology. The Tree Protection Co-operative Programme is a co-operative venture between forestry companies, private forest owners, other research organizations and government in South Africa, and the University of Pretoria. The Centre of Excellence in Tree Health Biotechnology is a government-funded program focusing on indigenous tree health. These programs are the largest in the world focusing on tree health.