Michael J. Wingfield

Michael J. Wingfield is a South African botanist and pathologist.

Biography

Professor Michael John "Mike" Wingfield[1] is the founding Director of the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI)[2] at the University of Pretoria[3] and the President[4] of the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO)[5] for the term 2014–2019. He retired from his Directorship at the end of 2017 after 20 years at the helm of the Institute. He holds the Mondi Chair of Forest Pathology and is also the Director of the Tree Protection Co-operative Programme (TPCP)[6] and Department of Science and Technology-National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence in Tree Health Biotechnology (CTHB)[7].

Mike Wingfield's primary interest is in tree health, particularly in the impact and global movement of insect pests and pathogens. He has worked and published widely in this field for more than 30 years. He has also provided ongoing advice to many forestry companies globally. As a University-based academic, he is passionate about tertiary education and has been the adviser to more than 80 Doctoral and Post-Doctoral students. He is married to Professor Brenda Winfield[8], a geneticist with whom he collaborates actively.

Education

Mike Wingfield commenced his studies at the University of Natal[9] where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree and completed his Honours degree the following year. He completed his Masters degree at the University of Stellenbosch[10] in 1979, graduating cum laude. He read for a Ph.D. in plant pathology and entomology at the University of Minnesota[11] where he graduated in 1983. Wingfield is also a graduate of the Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Programme, which he completed in 2008.

Research interests

Prof. Wingfield's primary research focus is on the study of forest tree pests and diseases. A particular emphasis of this research has been on trees grown as plantation crops, especially, but not exclusively, in the tropics and southern Hemisphere. Here, a specific strength has been developed in the identification of pathogens of plantation-grown trees such as species of Pinus, Eucalyptus, Acacia and Gmelina, as well as in devising strategies to reduce the impact of the disease that they cause. A strong belief is held that a comprehensive understanding of the biology and genetics of tree pests and pathogens is needed in order to reduce their impact. This has been the basis for an intensive basic research programme using the most modern biotechnology tools. Results have continuously been transferred to the plantation level with considerable success and this has led to support from private forestry companies and conservation groups, worldwide.

Major awards and recognition

1989–1999

  • President's Award, Foundation for Research Development (1989–1992) (South Africa)
  • Certificate of Merit, South African Association for the Advancement of Science (1990)
  • Finalist, Four Outstanding Young South Africans (1992)
  • Senior Captain Scott Memorial Medal, South African Academy for Arts and Science (1995)
  • Elected Fellow of the Southern African Society for Plant Pathology (1995)
  • 'A' rated (one of 43 in South Africa at the time) by the Foundation for Research Development (FRD) (1996) and included a list of the 14 most highly rated FRD-linked scientists in South Africa in 1998
  • Promoted to 'Super Professor' rank, University of the Free State (1997) based on exceptional accomplishment
  • Recipient of the Havenga Prize of the South African Academy for Arts and Science (1998)
  • Elected to the South African Academy of Science (1998)
  • Awarded fellowship of the Royal Society of South Africa (1998)
  • Recipient of the National Science and Technology Forum's (NSTF, represented by more than 100 organizations in the fields of science and technology in South Africa) Award for the most outstanding contribution by an individual in the field of science, engineering and technology (1998)
  • Christiaan Hendrik Persoon Medal, highest award of the Southern African Society for Plant Pathology (1999).

2000–2009

  • International Union for Forest Research Organisations (IUFRO), Scientific Achievement Award, Kuala Lumpur, August 2000
  • University of Minnesota Plant Pathology Distinguished Alumnus Award, 2000
  • Chancellor's Medal for Research, University of Pretoria, 2001
  • University of Pretoria Outstanding Achiever's Award 2002–2004
  • Research Programme awarded Centre of Excellence Status by Department of Science and Technology (DST), one of the first six in South Africa, 2004 with intended ten-year term
  • Southern African Association for the Advancement of Science, Gold Medal, 2005
  • Laureatus Award of the Alumni Association of the University of Pretoria, 2005
  • Recipient of Honorary Membership of the Mycological Association of America, 2006
  • University of Pretoria Chancellor's Medal for research, 2007
  • Fellowship of the American Phytopathological Society 2008
  • Biotech Fundi Award, Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, 2009 (South Africa).

2010–Present

  • Johanna van Westerdijk Award[12] from the Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures (Netherlands Academy of Sciences) now the Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute[13] (2012)
  • Conferred an honorary Doctor of Science Degree from the University of British Colombia (Canada) in November 2012
  • Conferred an honorary Doctorate from North Carolina State University (USA) in May 2013
  • Kwame Nkrumah Scientific Award[14] from the African Union, May 2013
  • University of Minnesota Distinguished Leadership Award[15], 2016
  • John Herschel Gold Medal[16] from the Royal Society, South Africa 2017
  • China Friendship Award[17], 2017


References

  1. ↑ https://www.fabinet.up.ac.za/index.php/people-profile?profile=1022. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ↑ https://www.fabinet.up.ac.za/index.php. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. ↑ http://www.up.ac.za. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. ↑ https://www.iufro.org/who-is-who/board/#president. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  5. ↑ https://www.iufro.org. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. ↑ https://www.fabinet.up.ac.za/index.php/research-groups/tree-protection-co-operative-programme. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  7. ↑ https://www.fabinet.up.ac.za/index.php/research-groups/dst-nrf-centre-of-excellence-in-tree-health-biotechnology. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. ↑ https://www.fabinet.up.ac.za/index.php/people-profile?profile=908. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. ↑ https://www.ukzn.ac.za. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  10. ↑ https://www.sun.ac.za/english. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  11. ↑ https://twin-cities.umn.edu. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  12. ↑ https://www.acgt.co.za/newsroom/general/prof-mike-wingfield-receives-another-prestigious-award/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  13. ↑ http://www.westerdijkinstitute.nl. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  14. ↑ http://www.up.ac.za/en/microbiology-plant-pathology/news/post_2290540-international-leadership-award-for-prof-mike-wingfield. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  15. ↑ https://global.umn.edu/honors/dlai/16_wingfield.html. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  16. ↑ https://www.royalsocietysa.org.za/?page_id=2376. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  17. ↑ https://www.fabinet.up.ac.za/index.php/news-item?id=561. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  18. ↑ IPNI.  M.J.Wingf.


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