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:
- Provide a platform where diverse perspectives on microbiome research can converge, including through networking
- Facilitate the exchange of knowledge among microbiome researchers
- 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
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Prof Nico Gey van Pittius
Vice Dean: Research and Internationalisation
Email: Sonja van Staden - svanstaden@sun.ac.za
Prof Andrew Whitelaw
Professor, Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Pathology
Email: awhitelaw@sun.ac.za
Prof Grant Theron
Professor, Clinical Mycobacteriology and Epidemiology (CLIME) Group, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics
Email: gtheron@sun.ac.za
Dr Charissa Naidoo (AMI co-director)
Lecturer, Clinical Mycobacteriology and Epidemiology (CLIME) Group, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics
Email: ccnaidoo@sun.ac.za
Faculty of AgriSciences
Prof Florian Bauer
Distinguished Professor, South African Grape and Wine Research Institute, Department of Viticulture and Oenology
Email: fb2@sun.ac.za
Prof John Terblanche
Professor, Applied Physiological Ecology Lab, Department of Conservation Ecology & Entomology
Email: jst@sun.ac.za
Prof Evodia Setati (AMI co-director)
Associate Professor, South African Grape and Wine Research Institute (SAGWRI), Faculty of AgriSciences
Email: setati@sun.ac.za
Faculty of Science
Dr Itumeleng Moroenyane
Senior Lecturer, Plant Holobiont Lab, Department of Botany and Zoology
Email: imoroenyane@sun.ac.za
