Norman Muzhinji obtained a BSc (hons) degree in Applied Biology in 2004, from the National University of Science and Technology in Zimbabwe with a specialization in molecular biology, genetics, biotechnology, virology and mycology. In 2007, he obtained a MSc degree in Biotechnology from the University of Zimbabwe with a focus on molecular biology, microbiology, and plant biotechnology. Immediately after finishing his MSc in Biotechnology, he was involved in tobacco research at Tobacco Research Board as a Molecular Plant Pathologist focusing on plant molecular pathology, breeding, diagnostics, tissue culture, plant-pathogen interaction. In 2016, he obtained his PhD in Plant Pathology from the University of Pretoria focusing on Rhizoctonia- Potato pathosystem, including various aspects such as occurrence and distribution of Rhizoctonia (https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-02-15-0236-RE), symptomatology (https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-08-13-0815-PDN), population genetics and evolution (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.funbio.2016.02.009), method of spread (https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-03-17-0329-RE), fungicide resistance monitoring (https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-09-17-1470-RE) and control. The research provided knowledge in the understanding of the distribution and biology of Rhizoctonia in South Africa and the knowledge is being used to optimize Rhizoctonia disease control management strategies.

After completing his PhD, he remained with the potato pathology group at University of Pretoria where his research focus was occurrence, epidemiology, understanding pathogen population genetics, plant-pathogen interaction, and molecular diagnostics. In one project ( https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-12-18-0467-R ), he investigated the population biology and genetic variation of Spongospora subterranea f. sp. subterranea, the causal pathogen of powdery scab and root galls on potatoes in South Africa. Despite being one of the most important potato pathogens in South Africa, little information was available on the genetic structure and diversity of Sss, which could provide insight into the factors shaping its evolution and the role of inoculum sources in disease development. In another work ( https://doi.org/10.1111/ppa.13029 ), we used used RNA-seq to identify differentially expressed genes in tolerant and susceptible potato cultivars in response to Spongospora subterranea f. sp. subterranea infection. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of resistance has the potential for development of molecular markers for selection of powdery scab tolerant potato lines in marker assisted breeding programs. In another work, he developed a TaqMan qPCR technique for identification of Pectobacterium brasiliense (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10658-020-02097-4), the causal agent of soft rot and blackleg diseases on potato. The developed assay is useful for routine diagnostics, surveillance, and epidemiological studies.

From 2022, Norman held a position of a Senior Lecturer and programme coordinator for the BSc Horticulture programme at the Namibia University of Science and Technology.   Currently he is  employed as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Plant Sciences, Division of Plant Pathology, of the University of Free State, South Africa. 

1. Gaire, S., Muzhinji, N., Louws F.J., and Adhikari,T. B. 2026. Neopestalotiopsis spp., an invasive fungal pathogen, is a major threat to strawberry production: the current status, challenges, and future directions. Front Plant Sci. 28;17:1725321. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2026.1725321. PMCID: PMC12891159
2. Mangwende, E., Safari, S., Lepage, Z.,Muzhinji, N.,O`Halloran, L., Askarian, H., Akhavan, A.,and Yost, C. (2025). Pathogenicity and host range of Stemphylium vesicarium, causing leaf spot of quinoa in Canada. Plant Pathology. In Pres
3. Lekota, M., Nketsi, K.; Machela, S. Muzhinji, N. (2025) . Rhizoctonia solani AG4 HG-I Causing Black Scurf of Potato (Solanum tuberosum) Tubers in Lesotho. New Disease Reports, 2025, v. 52, n. 1, p. 1, doi. 10.1002/ndr2.7006
4. Lekota, M. Machela, S. Nketsi, K., Muzhinji, N. (2025). First Report of Fusarium Oxysporum and F. longifundum Causing Dry Rot of Potato (Solanum tuberosum) in Lesotho. New Disease Reports, 2025, Vol 52, Issue 1, p1
5. Lekota, M., Nketsi, K., Machela, S.and Muzhinji, N. (2025). Assessment of the impact of certified and uncertified potato seed tubers on yield, quality, and disease incidence in Lesotho. Plant Protection, 3: 609-622
6. Paudel, R., Muzhinji, N., Pandey, A. et al. 2025. Genome assembly and comparative analysis of Alternaria linariae reveal novel genes associated with host colonization and virulence. BMC Genomics 26, 638 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-025-11819-z
7. Adhikari,T. B., Muzhinji, N., Philbrick^, A. N, Guido Schnabel. And Louws, F. J (2025). Genome resource and whole genome sequencing of Colletotrichum species associated with leaf and crown rot anthracnose of strawberry in North Carolina. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1515894/abstract
8. Adhikari,T. B., Muzhinji, N., Philbrick^, A. N, Guido Schnabel. And Louws, F. J (2025). Genome resource and whole genome sequencing of Colletotrichum species associated with leaf and crown rot anthracnose of strawberries in North Carolina. Frontiers in Microbiology. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1515894/abstract
9. Adhikari,T. B., Muzhinji, N., Philbrick^, A. N, Guido Schnabel. And Louws, F. J (2025). Genome Sequence Resource of Four Botrytis cinerea isolates from North Carolina. Phyto Frontiers (https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTOFR-05-24-0060-A
10. Muzhinji, N and Lekota, M. (2024). Binucleate Rhizoctonia on potato: Geographic distribution, identification, taxonomy, genomics, host range, and disease management. Journal of Phytopathology 172, https://doi.org/10.1111/jph.13364
11. Muzerengwa, R.,Muzhinji, N.,Garwe, D.,Chisango, T. J.,Nyoni,M.,and Magama, F. (2024). Development of a PCR-based method for the detection and identification of tobacco mosaic virus and potato virus y in tobacco. International Journal of Plant Pathology and Microbiology Microbiol (2):15-21. DOI: 10.22271/27893065.2024.v4.i2a.85
12. Mothibeli, K.,Lekota,L., Liphoto, M., Morojele, M. E and Muzhinji. N (2023). First Report of Rhizoctonia solani Associated with Black Scurf of Potato Tubers in Lesotho.International Journal of Phytopathology. 20; 87-97.
13. Tjimune, R., Mangwende, M., Lekota, N., Muzhinji, N (2022). First Report of Rhizoctonia solani AG 3-PT causing black scurf on potato tubers in Namibia. New Disease Report. 1 e12066 2
14. Adhikari,T. B., Muzhinji, N., Meadows, I., Halterman, D., and Louws, F. J. (2021) Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Alternaria Species Infecting Tomato and Potato in North Carolina and Wisconsin Determined by DNA Sequence-Based Microsatellite Genotyping. Scientific Reports: 11:17024
15. Kimunye, J., Muzhinji. N., Mostert, D., Viljoen, A., van der Merwe A. E and Mahuku G. (2021) Genetic Diversity and Mating Type Distribution of Pseudocercospora fijiensis on Banana in Uganda and Tanzania, Phytopathology: 111: 741-750

Book Chapters

1. Nyoni, M., Muzhinji, N., Mawcha, K. T., Muzerengwa, R. and Gunda, T, J. (2026), Biofertilizers and Aquaculture in Africa: Enhancing Sustainable Fish Farming and Agricultural Synergies, In: Nciizah, A. D., Mupambwa, H. A., Nyambo, P. Biofertilizers

   for Sustainable Agriculture in Africa. Springer Nature Singapore P363

   Nyoni, M.,   Muzhinji, N.,  Mawcha, K. T.,  Muzerengwa, R.   and Gunda, T, J.   (2026).

2. Biostimulants and Biopesticides: Multifunctional Biological Solutions for African Agriculture In: Nciizah, A. D., Mupambwa, H. A., Nyambo, P. Biofertilizers for Sustainable Agriculture in Africa. Springer Nature Singapore P369

My current research interests include the biology and ecology of soil borne pathogens, identification of plant growth promoting microbes, plant-pathogen interactions, development of diagnostic tools for pathogen identification, surveillance and monitoring, plant disease epidemiology, soil and plant health.

PPLG 4824-Host -Pathogen Interaction

PPLG 3477- Ecology of plant pathogens