I am currently enrolled for my PhD in Plant pathology under supervision of Dr. David L Nsibo and Prof. Lucy Moleleki.

I completed my under-graduate studies (BSc in Plant pathology) and Post graduate studies (BSc hon and MSc in Plant pathology) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg campus. My honours project focused on the inhibitory effect of Lantana camara, Cola nitida and Moringa oleifera extracts on Aspergillus flavus on ground nuts (Arachishypogaea L.). The extraction was performed using different solvents i.e. (i) Dichloromethane (DCM), (ii) Acetone, (iii) Ethyl acetate and (iv) H2O. The in vitro studies of this project revealed that A. flavus was significantly reduced when screened with different the plant extracts.

My MSc Project titled: MANAGEMENT OF BROWN LEAF SPOT OF POTATOES CAUSED BY ALTERNARIA ALTERNATA USING BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS AND ACIBENZOLAR-S-METHYL (ASM) sought to investigate the effect of some biological control agents and Acibenzolar-s-methyl (ASM) on potato brown leaf spot when applied individually or in combination. Results showed that combining the biological control agents and ASM treatments effectively suppressed A. alternata under greenhouse conditions. The combination of both treatments produced the lowest final disease severity compared to when the biological control agents are used individually. The results imply that combining biological control agents and reduced strength of ASM can effectively control potato brown leaf spot. Moderate disease suppressing can also be achieved when biological control agents are applied individually. However, the efficacy of these treatments needs to be tested under field conditions.

My current PhD project is titled: INVESTIGATION OF THE SENSITIVITY, CROSS RESISTANCE AND TRANSCRIPTIONAL RESPONSE OF EXSEROHILUM TURCICUM TO QUINONE OUTSIDE INHIBITOR (QOI) FUNDICIDES IN SOUTH AFRICA. The primary aim of this project is to assess the sensitivity, cross resistance and transcriptional response of QoI fungicides in South Africa. The success of this study will provide important data that will foster the conscientious and careful selection of fungicide application regimes in maize producing fields that rely heavily on fungicides use to effectively manage E. turcicum.