The avocado research project is a joint venture between FABI and The Hans Merensky Foundation. The aim of this project will be to shed light and understand the mechanisms and gene expression pathways whereby tolerant avocado rootstocks, are protected against Phytophthora cinnamomi. My education is in the fields of Plant Pathology and Botany and my research experience is in molecular plant-micobe interactions with a special interest in the identification and isolation of defence-related genes.