Who are we?

The African Microbiome Institute (AMI) is a coordinating and directive body for microbiome research, training, and service provision. It is officially hosted by Stellenbosch University's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences in the Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics. The AMI is uniquely mandated to also work across other faculties (AgriSciences and Science). The AMI serves as a central hub with three main objectives: 

1. Provide a platform where diverse perspectives on microbiome research can converge, including through networking
2. Facilitate the exchange of knowledge among microbiome researchers
3. Foster collaborative partnerships across various faculties (including Medicine and Health Sciences, Science, AgriSciences), the School of Data Science and Computational Thinking, and other institutions, to promote transdisciplinary investigations into the interconnections between microbes in humans, animals, and the environment.​

Learn more about our activities by reading our most recent annual report here.

Mission and Vision

The AMI's mission is to enhance capacity in the microbiome field by promoting research, training, and collaboration among researchers at SU and across Africa.

The vision of the AMI is to establish a unique cross-faculty Institute and a continental resource for diverse microbiome investigations involving humans, animals, plants, and environments. We aim to centralize expertise, attract funding from competitive sources, and facilitate research in advanced analytical techniques that, together, capacitates researchers to address critical continental challenges in health, agriculture and the environment.

The AMI's core values align with that of the FMHS and includes excellence, integrity, commitment, accountability, inclusivity, and innovation.

​​​Steering committee

The AMI has an active steering committee, who assists the director(s) with the management of the AMI and execution of its vision, mission and aims. Meet the AMI team here​ and the steering committee below. 

AMI co-directors​

Dr Charissa Marsh
location_away Lecturer, Clinical Mycobacteriology and Epidemiology (CLIME) Group​​​, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics
mail [email protected] 

Prof Evodia Setati
location_away Associate Professor, South African Grape and Wine Research Institute (SAGWRI), Faculty of AgriSciences
mail [email protected]​

​

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

Prof Nico Gey van Pittius
location_away Vice Dean: Research and Internationalisation​
mail Sonja van Staden: [email protected]​

Prof Andrew Whitelaw
location_away Professor, Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Pathology​
mail [email protected]

​Prof Grant Theron
location_away Professor, Clinical Mycobacteriology and Epidemiology (CLIME) Group​​​, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics
mail[email protected]

Faculty of AgriSciences

​​​Prof Florian Bauer
location_away Distinguished Professor, South African Grape and Wine Research Institute, Department of Viticulture and Oenology
mail [email protected]

Prof John Terblanche
location_away Professor, Applied Physiological Ecology Lab, Department of Conservation Ecology & Entomology
mail [email protected]

​Faculty of Science

Dr Itumeleng Moroenyane
location_away Senior Lecturer, Plant Holobiont Lab, Department of Botany and Zoology
mail imoroenyane​@sun.ac.za
Prof Karin Jacobs
location_away Professor, Jacobs Laboratory​, Department of Microbiology
mail [email protected]​