Award Allows Student to Attend Biology Conference in the USA

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PhD student in the School of Life Sciences, Mr Tendekai Mahlanza, has been awarded the 2014 Phillip R. White Award by the Society for In Vitro Biology, (SIVB) allowing him to travel to the United States to attend the World Forum on Biology in Georgia.

Mahlanza was chosen after the SIVB’s Student Affairs Committee selected his abstract as the best submitted by a student. Mahlanza’s work is titled: “In vitro mutagenesis and selection of Fusarium sacchari-tolerant sugarcane plants for biological control of Eldana saccharina”.

His research involves trials on sugarcane mutants to assess the potential of using the fungus Fusarium sacchari as a biological control agent against the African sugarcane stalk borer Eldana saccharina - a pest which has hampered sugarcane production in South Africa.

Mahlanza said his interest in biology was sparked partly by the challenge of feeding a growing population in Africa and the rest of the world. ‘I am inspired by the potential of plant biotechnology to provide solutions which can contribute to food security.’

Mahlanza completed his BSc Honours degree in Biological Sciences at Midlands State University in Zimbabwe before pursuing his master’s degree while at the South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI). He was awrded his master’s degree cum laude in 2012 and continued his PhD research through SASRI. He was also the recipient of a College Award from UKZN which will contribute to his trip to the Forum.

‘The Society of In Vitro Biology meetings are attended by crop improvement scientists from leading universities and companies and they feature presentations on the latest technologies in plant biotechnology,’ said Mahlanza.  ‘It is also a very student-orientated meeting.

‘This year’s Conference is a joint meeting with the Society of Cryobiology so I am looking forward to interacting with all these dynamic scientists and students with different expertise and experience.’

Mahlanza said his drive to succeed and his passion for science had earned him impressive results.

Mahlanza thanked his supervisors Professor Paula Watt, Dr Sandy Snyman and Dr Stuart Rutherford for their guidance, and his family for their motivation and support.

‘I hope my work will contribute meaningfully to the production of improved crops that will result in economic benefits for the countries they are grown in,’ said Mahlanza.

-          Christine Cuénod