Last week on the 2nd and 3rd of April 2025, four Centre for Biological Control graduates had their degrees conferred. Two of them graduated with their master’s degrees and two became Doctors after their long research journeys. We are very proud of all of them and would like to congratulate them on their achievements. Graduates and their thesis titles are below.

MSc Graduates 

BOON, Erin Ashley, BScHons (Rhodes), in Entomology, with distinction, in the Department of Zoology and Entomology. Thesis: Bioprospecting for entomopathogenic fungi against a foliar citrus pest. Supervisor: Distinguished Professor MP Hill. Co-supervisors: Dr C Coombes and Professor S Moore (CRI).

DE LA FONTAINE, Benjamin, BScHons (Rhodes), in Entomology, with distinction, in the Department of Zoology and Entomology. Thesis: Pre-release evaluation of stem-galling and seed-feeding midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) from South Africa as biological control agents for Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus) in Texas, United States. Supervisor: Professor ID Paterson. Co-supervisor: Dr G Sutton.

PhD Graduates

GITHAE, Michael Mathenge, MSc (Nairobi), in Entomology, in the Department of Zoology and Entomology. Thesis: Enhancing the effectiveness of the Thaumatotibia Leucotreta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) sterile insect technique release programme. Supervisor: Distinguished Professor MP Hill. Co-supervisors: Professor S Moore (CRI), Dr C Coombes and Dr R Mutamiswa.

MINUTI, Gianmarco, BSc (Milan), MSc (Vrije, Brussels), in Entomology, in the Department of Zoology and Entomology. Thesis: FOLLOW THE YELLOW FLAG ROAD. Advancing the biological control of a global wetland invader, and a case study on ecosystem recovery. Supervisor: Professor JA Coetzee. Co-supervisor: Dr I Stiers (Vrije).