Professor Bernard Slippers is the Director of the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), the Founding Director of the Future Africa Institute and a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology at the University of Pretoria. He is the director of the Tree Protection Co-operative Programme and a core team member Centre of Excellence in Plant Health Biotechnology. Prof Bernard’s research focuses on the ecology and evolution of insects and micro-organisms that affect plant health, and the development of tools to mitigate their impact. He has received wide recognition for his research, including a President's Award and a B1 rating from the South African National Research Foundation. He has published more than 250 papers, an edited book and a number of book chapters, which have been cited more than 12000 times.
Apart from his research interest, he is also passionate about science development and the role of science in broader society. In this regard he has been involved in the global Young Academy movement, being a founding member of the Global Young Academy (GYA) in 2010 and the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS) in 2011. He has served in the leadership of both these organisations and is a past co-chair of the Global Young Academy (GYA). He has also initiated and lead the Africa Science Leadership Programme. Prof Bernard is also an elected fellow of the Academy of Science of South Africa.
