African Microbiome Institute
Welcome to Stellenbosch University

​​​​​​​​The Af​rican Microbiome Institute (AMI)​​​

​​About

The African Microbiome Institute (AMI) is a coordinating and directive body for microbiome research, training, and service provision. It is officially hosted by Stellenbosch University's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences in the Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics. The AMI is uniquely mandated to also work across other faculties (AgriSciences and Science). The AMI serves as a central hub with three main objectives: 

  1. Provide a platform where diverse perspectives on microbiome research can converge, including through networking
  2. Facilitate the exchange of knowledge among microbiome researchers
  3. Foster collaborative partnerships across various faculties (including Medicine and Health Sciences, Science, AgriSciences), the School of Data Science and Computational Thinking, and other institutions, to promote transdisciplinary investigations into the interconnections between microbes in humans, animals, and the environment.​

The AMI has an active steering committee, who assists the director(s) with the management of the AMI and execution of its vision, mission and aims. Meet the AMI team here​ and the steering committee below. 


​​​Steering committee


AMI co-directors​

Dr Charissa Naidoo
Lecturer, Clinical Mycobacteriology and Epidemiology (CLIME) Group​​​, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics
​Email: ccnaidoo@sun.ac.za





Prof Evodia Setati
Associate Professor, South African Grape and Wine Research Institute (SAGWRI), Faculty of AgriSciences
Email: setati@sun.ac.za



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Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

GeyvanPittius.jpg

Prof Nico Gey van Pittius
Vice Dean: Research and Internationalisation
Email: Sonja van Staden - svanstaden@sun.ac.za





whitelaw.jpg

Prof Andrew Whitelaw
Professor, Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Pathology
Email: awhitelaw@sun.ac.za




theron.pngProf Grant Theron
Professor, Clinical Mycobacteriology and Epidemiology (CLIME) Group​​​, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics
Email: gtheron@sun.ac.za





Faculty of AgriSciences

​​​bauer.jpgProf Florian Bauer
Distinguished Professor, South African Grape and Wine Research Institute, Department of Viticulture and Oenology
Email: fb2@sun.ac.za





​​terblanche.pngProf John Terblanche
Professor, Applied Physiological Ecology Lab, Department of Conservation Ecology & Entomology
Email: jst@sun.ac.za



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​Faculty of Science

moroenyane.pngDr Itumeleng Moroenyane
Senior Lecturer, Plant Holobiont Lab, Department of Botany and Zoology
Email: imoroenyane​@sun.ac.za

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Karin_Jacobs.pngProf Karin Jacobs
Professor, Jacobs Laboratory​, Department of Microbiology
Email: kj@sun.ac.za​