Lerato Matsaunyane (D.Phil)

is a plant molecular biologist turned molecular breeder in the Plant Breeding Division of the ARC at the Vegetable and Ornamental Plants (ARC-VOP) campus. She holds a D.Phil in Biochemistry from the University

of Johannesburg and an MSc in Plant Science from the University of Pretoria. Her doctoral study investigated transformation-induced unintended effects following genetic modification of a potato crop with an antifungal gene for enhanced resistance against Verticillium wilt.

Considering the challenges related with the production and registration of a genetically modified (GM) crop, Dr Matsaunyane sought to investigate alternative crop protection methods with the aim of assisting household, resource-poor and smallholder farmers mitigate crop loss. She collaborated with Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) and investigated the benefit of botanical extracts as alternative crop protection agents. In addition, she is currently investigating the incorporation of molecular techniques into the current ARC-VOP potato breeding programme. The aim of which is to use marker assisted selection to breed for climate resilient potato crops with special focus on drought tolerance and late blight resistance in collaboration with partners from the Sweden University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU).

Since her entrance into the agricultural sector was through the ARC-professional development programme (ARC-PDP), she is paying it forward by mentoring students, which ranges from experiential, internship as well postgraduates.