I hold a B-tech degree in Forestry from Nelson Mandela University in George, Western Cape. In 2021, I embarked on my journey with FABI as a phytosanitary intern based at the FABI Biocontrol Centre. Through this experience, I gained exposure to rearing a diverse range of insect species, including the eucalyptus snout beetle (Gonipterus sp. 2), the eucalyptus tortoise beetle (Trachymela tincticollis), and the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella).

Continuing my tenure at the FABI Biocontrol Centre, I now serve as a Technical assistant. My primary focus lies in the rearing of three economically significant Lepidopteran pests: the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), the maize stalk borer (Busseola fusca), and the spotted stem borer (Chilo partellus). I have actively engaged in establishing rearing colonies of these pests for national monitoring purposes and for the ongoing Bt resistance screening trials that are being conducted at our facility.

My dedication to this work stems from a passion for advancing sustainable solutions in agriculture and forestry. Each day presents an opportunity to contribute to the preservation and enhancement of our natural environment, and I am honoured to play an important role in fostering an innovative and sustainable forestry and agricultural sector in South Africa.