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Nomination is a reminder that service through science matters

16 May 2025 | Story André Damons | Photo Supplied

Dr Lisa Rothmann, a plant disease epidemiologist from the University of the Free State (UFS) who was nominated in the TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Emerging Researcher category for this year’s NSTF-South32 Awards, says that the nomination is a reminder that service through science matters.

“I am humbled by the nomination. For me, it reflects not just individual recognition, but also the shared effort of the team of postgraduate academics, research assistants, partners, and farmers with whom I've had the privilege to work with. It is affirming to see plant pathology and field-based research recognised in this way; it highlights the consistent (hard) work we do to make a meaningful contribution to agriculture and to serve the grain industry and farmers,” says Dr Rothmann.

She was nominated by Grain South Africa (Grain SA), with whom she has been working closely since 2018 to contribute research that aligns with the organisation’s mission to strengthen the grain sector. They play a key role in supporting sustainable grain production and farmer development.

Dr Rothmann, who is one of eight UFS researchers and a research team nominated for the NSTF-South32 Awards – also known as the ‘Science Oscars’ – is nominated for her contribution to interdisciplinary, team-based research to develop practical solutions for plant diseases in order to protect crops and empower communities.

Motivation to keep growing

The Senior Lecturer in the Department of Plant Sciences within the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (NAS) says that while she is proud of the work she has done, she sees this recognition as a team effort. Says Dr Rothmann: “It motivates me to keep growing as a researcher, rooted in impact and integrity. I’m not a prolific peer-reviewed publisher; my academic record includes 10 journal articles and one book chapter, but I have written around 50 popular articles – often as a solo author, in collaboration with postgraduates and peers.”

“These pieces translate plant pathology topics such as the Sclerotinia life cycle, disease surveillance, and management into accessible information for producers and the public. To me, this nomination is a symbol that making a meaningful impact doesn't only come from journal impact factors. This nomination has reminded me that building a career in academia is a relay, not a race, and that lasting impact comes from investing in others.”

As a plant disease epidemiologist, she specialises in field pathology – an area of plant pathology that explores how disease epidemics in crops develop, spread, and can be effectively managed within agricultural systems. Their work centres on understanding and managing Sclerotinia diseases in oilseed and protein crops such as canola, soybean, and sunflower, as well as disease surveillance in key grain crops including dry bean, sorghum, and sunflower.

New research

After participating in the US-based National Sclerotinia Initiative in 2017, she was inspired to establish a South African Sclerotinia Research Network with the support of Grain SA, creating a platform for researcher collaboration, farmer engagement, and the development of on-farm management strategies. Over time, explains Dr Rothmann, their research has expanded to include cultivar screening, national disease surveys, fungicide registration trials, and the development of disease-assessment tools. More recently, they have embedded sociological surveys into sorghum disease work to better understand farmers’ knowledge and needs, ensuring that research remains practical and co-created with producers.

According to Dr Rothmann, they have been privileged to work in a space that supports producers and protects crops through applied plant disease management strategies. While high-value crops often attract attention due to export markets, the grain that feed the nation forms the backbone of food security. As part of their new research, Dr Rothman and the research team are currently contributing to the Sorghum Cluster Initiative's pre-breeding programme, where they have screened 160 accessions for diseases to support future cultivar development.

They are also going to explore how both emerging and commercial farmers will adopt these new cultivars. She is actively seeking collaborators in sociology/psychology or similar fields to better understand farmers’ decision-making. They are developing a plant disease dashboard to map disease occurrences across South Africa – an effort aligned with the Plant Health (Phytosanitary) Act 35 of 2024 to help guide appropriate disease risk categorisation. In the long term, concludes Dr Rothmann, they hope to establish a diagnostic hub for central South Africa in partnership with Agricultural Research Council-Grain Crops to strengthen local disease identification and support producers in real time.

News Archive

Alumni in the financial sector: money talks!

2016-12-26

Marina Marinkov, Economist at the
International Monetary

Evangelina Nailenge, General
Manager: Investment Institutions at
Namibia Financial Supervisory Authority.

Vuyelwa Vumendlini, Chief Director:
Global and Emerging Markets, National
Treasury.

Prof Meshach Azaikpono, Professor of
Development Finance, University of
Stellenbosch.

Anton Nicolaisen, Provincial Head for
the Free State Province, Standard Bank.

Where are they now?

On good days, most of us battle to set our personal finances straight, let alone be responsible for a large enterprise. So we are extremely proud of the well-trained and talented Kovsie alumni who fill prominent shoes. Operating mostly away from the public eye, they make decisions to improve the economy on various levels. It is heartening to know that the UFS contributes to financial matters and training all across the globe.

Marina Marinkov

Courses: BCom (Economics), BCom Hons (Money and Banking), and MCom (Economics) (2000-2004)
Current position: Economist at the International Monetary Fund
Biggest career obstacle: I once worked for an organisation with poor leadership which negatively affected employee morale and job performance. It still proved to be a great learning experience, though. Bad bosses can teach us powerful lessons.
Best career advice: Stop doubting yourself, work hard and be humble.
Fondest memory of UFS: Time spent on campus with my classmates, whether studying for finals at the library or just catching up between classes. The UFS was also my first employer and I have plenty of wonderful memories with colleagues at the Department of Economics.

Evangelina Nailenge

Courses: BCom Hons (Money and Banking) MCom (Money and Banking) (2005-2006)
Current position: General Manager: Investment Institutions at Namibia Financial Supervisory Authority
Biggest career obstacle: At times, being one of the youngest requires you to work twice as hard to earn your voice and cue at the decision-making table.
Best career advice: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.” Eccl. 9:10
Fondest memory of UFS: Walking around the campus. Its well-manicured lawns and gardens had a calming effect in the midst of academic pressures. I will forever treasure the moment I first saw my name engraved in the walls of FGG, as the best postgraduate student for both 2005 and 2006.

Vuyelwa Vumendlini

Course: BCom Hons (Economics) (1996-1999)
Current position: Chief Director: Global and Emerging Markets, National Treasury
Biggest career obstacle: Doubting your own capabilities.
Best career advice: The sky is the limit, go for it all out, but most importantly, do something that you are passionate about it. It makes your work much more meaningful.
Fondest memory of UFS: Working as a tutor in my honours year and being able to help other students. I also enjoyed hanging out at Mooimeisiesfontein on Saturday afternoons.

Prof Meshach Azaikpono

Course: PhD in Economics (2004-2008) “The Depth of Financial Integration and its Effects on Financial Development and Economic Performance of the Southern African Customs Union Countries”. He received the Founders’ Medal for the best PhD dissertation in Economics in South Africa.
Current position: Professor of Development Finance, University of Stellenbosch.
Biggest career obstacle: I was fortunate to never have experienced a major career obstacle.
Best career advice: Pursue and focus on your passion.
Fondest memory of UFS: Being a part-time student, I had very limited interaction with the broader university environment. But I really enjoyed the support provided by the library staff and the staff from the Department of Economics. It was always like coming to see friends.

Anton Nicolaisen

Course: BEcon (1986-1989), MBA (1999-2003)
Current position: Provincial Head for the Free State Province, Standard Bank
Biggest career obstacle: Earlier in my career, I fell into a comfort zone and had to acquire the willingness to change.
Best career advice: Continuously challenge yourself to be the best possible person you can be, and run your own race. Learn through difficult times, and be open to change.
Fondest memory of UFS: Although I was not the biggest academic, I enjoyed interacting with lecturers … their stories and unique characteristics. Back then, I interpreted some as funny or awkward, only later did I realise how much I had learned from them. And of course, I’ll always remember the team spirit at athletics meetings and intervarsity.

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