About us

Meet the people behind the NGRP

Supporting research, collaboration and innovation

The National Grain Research Platform (NGRP) brings together leading researchers, scientists and support teams dedicated to advancing grain research across South Africa. Our multidisciplinary team works collaboratively to drive innovation, strengthen food security and support sustainable agricultural development.

Through shared expertise, cutting-edge facilities and strong industry partnerships, NGRP enables impactful research that benefits producers, communities and future generations.

Our people are at the heart of everything we do — combining knowledge, experience and passion to deliver meaningful scientific outcomes.

Pests and Diseases

Dave Berger

Plant & Soil Sciences
Professor

Martin Coetzee (2)

Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Associate Professor
Research Leader

Zoology and Entomology
Professor

Plant and Soil Sciences
Lecturer

Robert Mangani (1)

Plant & Soil Sciences

Nicky Creux (1) (1)

Plant and Soil Sciences
Senior Lecturer

Diagnostics

Thabiso Motaung (1)

Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Lecturer

Bernard Slippers (1)

FABI
Director of FABI

Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Professor

Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Associate Professor

Markus Wilken (1)

Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Lecturer

Prof-Albe-van-der-Merwe (1)

Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Associate Professor

Biosecurity

Brenda Wingfield

Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
DST / NRF SARChI Chair in Fungal Genomics

Neriman Yilmaz (1)

FABI
Senior Lecturer

Agronomy

Dave Berger

Plant & Soil Sciences
Professor

Martin Coetzee (2)

Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Associate Professor
Research Leader

Zoology and Entomology
Professor

Plant and Soil Sciences
Lecturer

Robert Mangani (1)

Plant & Soil Sciences

Nicky Creux (1) (1)

Plant and Soil Sciences
Senior Lecturer

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