Welcome to the South African Genetics Society

Nominations for our awards are now open!

Nominate your friends and colleagues using the forms below.

Nomination Form Postgraduate Nomination Form

Who Are We?

The South African Genetics Society (SAGS) is the official professional organisation (as a registered voluntary association, in terms of the Natural Scientific Professionals Act of 2003) for geneticists in South Africa. As such, we provide a platform for discourse and collaboration for scholars, researchers, practitioners, and other stakeholders that have a vested interest in genetics as a science. We actively promote and foster genetics as an academic discipline, research enterprise and the responsible application and use of genetic knowledge in civil society by hosting conferences, symposia and workshops.

The SAGS assists and advises on the establishment of standards and best practice guidelines for teaching, research, and application of genetics in South Africa. We also facilitate genetic literacy through information sharing and public engagement on the value of historic and new developments in genetics and encourages education and training in this regard.

Through its various networks the SAGS strives to facilitate multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional scientific co-operation with genetics as the foundation, specifically within the context of southern Africa and Africa.

What We Do?

Represent the interests of Genetics and Geneticists in South Africa, locally and Internationally;
Promote, and foster Genetics as a discipline of scientific enquiry;
Establish standards and best practice guidelines for genetics education, research and practice;
Encourage formal genetics education, for the next generation of geneticists, and genetic literacy among the general public;
A platform for collaboration and communication.

What is Genetics?

Genetics is the fundamental discipline that underpins the modern biological sciences, it transects our understanding of all biological systems. At its core, Genetics is the study of variation in biological information: how it is created, encoded and stored; translated and expressed; and transmitted across generations. Genetics is an incredibly broad discipline, and can be subdivided into number subdisciplines:

Transmission Genetics – Fundamentally investigates how traits are passed on from one generation to the next.
Molecular Genetics – The study of the molecular nature of heredity, and is often concerned with investigating chemical changes in the DNA molecule and the resulting consequences on gene form and function
Cytogenetics – The study of chromosomes
Quantitative Genetics – The study of complex traits, influenced by many genes and the role of the environment in trait development.
Population and Evolutionary Genetics – The study of how genes and traits change over time in a population of organisms and how this my lead to new species.

The SAGS

It is one of the oldest learned societies in the country and was formally constituted in 1958 at the University of Pretoria during its inaugural conference. The society was born out of a need for geneticists across South Africa to have a common platform and remain in contact in order to discuss developments and advances in genetics.

Since then, the SAGS has evolved into a diverse and dynamic organisation that continues to advocate and promote genetics as a scientific enterprise to be used in service of civil society. We draw our membership from academia, industry, and the civil service, and are very happy to have seasoned researchers and professionals, as well as a growing number of aspiring young genetics among our membership.

The SAGS is also a member organisation of the National Science and Technology Forum and the International Genetics Federation.

BIO 2024

The SASBi and SAGS Executive Committees looking forward to welcoming you to BIO2024!

Meet the Team

Clint is a population- and quantitative geneticist, with a specific research interest in how various microevolutionary forces impact genomic diversity and phenotypic development. Although fundamental in nature, my research finds application in animal breeding and production, conservation management, and sustainable agriculture. Currently, his research group is resident in the Department of Genetics at Stellenbosch University, where he also teach undergraduate and advanced modules in genetics.

Prof. Clint Rhode

President

Trained as a biosystematist Marieka is interested in fungal taxonomy, biodiversity and conservation. Her research group is involved in applied projects where fungi can be used for industrial or medicinal uses, or causes problems as human or plant pathogens.

Prof. Marieka Gryzenhout

Vice President

Shannon completed her BSc degree in Biotechnology as well as BSc (Hons) and MSc degrees in Genetics at the University of Pretoria. Currently Shannon is working as an Analytic Scientist at Afrigen Biologics working on mRNA vaccine analytical testing and R & D. Shannon has experience in plant, viral and microbial genetics.

Shannon Wilson

Secretary

Rencia is an Associate Professor in Biochemistry at North-West University. Her research group specializes in Biochemical Genetics and focuses on elucidating the role of secondary detoxification pathways in alleviating the symptoms experienced by organic acidaemia patients. Through this research Rencia hopes to improve the quality of life of patients through a better understanding of individual enzymes responsible for detoxifying toxic metabolites.

Prof. Rencia van der Sluis

Treasurer

Natasha is a Field Application Scientist at SEPARATIONS. Natasha holds a PhD in Psychiatry from Stellenbosch University. Her PhD research investigated the role of the maternal and infant gut microbiome, and the maternal vaginal microbiome, in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Natasha is actively involved in advancing genomics capabilities on the African continent.

DR. Natasha Kitchin

Communications Manager

Alisa Postma is a Research Assistant and a PhD candidate at the Centre for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology and the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute at the University of Pretoria. Her research interests include genomics and transcriptomics analyses of forestry pests and pathogens. She is actively involved in Bioinformatics research and training.

Alisa Postma

Member

Cedric is a Principal Investigator in the Department of Biomedical Sciences, Stellenbosch University. His research interests have included tumours of the prostate, mechanisms of the descent of the testes, DNA fingerprinting, and tuberculosis host genetics. He is currently retired, but still serves on the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). His passion is in investigating the impact of genetic variation in protein structure and function, specifically with the aim to understanding the pharmacogenetics.

DR. Cedric Werely

Member

Lerato obtained her PhD in Genetics from the University of the Free State and is registered with the HPCSA as a Medical Biological Scientist. The subject of her PhD is related to the relationship between host genetic make-up and HIV in a South African population, where she explored the relationship between blood groups and HIV. Lerato currently works as an Associate Project Manager at Farmovs CRO.

DR. Lerato Diseko

Member

Matthew's research revolves around parasite and animal genetics.His research group employs molecular techniques, computational genomics, and immunoinformatics to understand genetic diversity and predict multi-epitope vaccine candidates against Apicomlexa. Additionally, his research group studies the animal microbiome using metagenomics.

Prof. Matthew Adeleke

Member

Njabulo is an MSc candidate in the Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology at the Faculty of Science in the University of Johannesburg. His current research project focuses on genomic sequencing of phytopathogenic Fusarium from the South African grassland biome.

Njabulo Khosa

Student Member

Message from the President

The South African Genetics Society (SAGS) is one of the oldest of the formal academic societies in South Africa (founded in 1958) and this highlights the importance and central role of genetics in the broader life sciences. In fact, few will argue these days, genetics is the cornerstone of modern biology and drives the research agenda for exploration, experimentation, innovation and discovery in biology. Theodosius Dobzhansky, in 1973, wrote “Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution”; I think it is safe to say that “Nothing in evolution makes sense except in the light of genetics”.

From the first humble experiments on peas to the most complete draft of the human genome to new gene editing technologies, genetics has become pervasive not just as a scientific enterprise, but in civil society, with applications in medicine, agriculture, bio-engineering and industrial processes, and conservation and sustainable development, and law enforcement. The importance and relevance of a national “Genetics Society” as the custodians of the discipline’s “knowledge wealth and collective wisdom” for South Africa, can therefore not be understated. With this, as knowledge experts and practitioners in the field we also have the duty to guard against potential elements of misappropriation and disinformation, that have in the past used scientific discovery to rationalise nefarious and unjust practices, and this is no truer than for genetics. We also have the very important task of inspiring and nurturing the next generation of geneticists to take our discipline into the future. This is an exciting time to be a geneticist. We might be diverse in the organisms that we study and the contexts in which we frame our research questions and hypotheses, but we are bound by the fundamental principles of heredity and its philosophy, experimental methodologies, and data analysis. Genetics unites biology and with the rapid development of technologies the horizon is endless.

To the outgoing executive and council, especially Prof. Sanushka Naidoo, as the outgoing President, I would like to thank you for the many years of service that you have rendered to the Society, under extraordinary and often difficult circumstances. You have left us with a solid foundation to work from, and I know that all of you will always be available for advice and support. To the incoming council and especially the executive office-bearers, thank you for availing yourselves and opting-in to walk this path with me. I look forward to working with you and every other member of the SAGS over the next term and taking our society to new heights!

Kind Regards,

Dr Clint Rhode Associate Professor of Genetics, M.Sc., Ph.D. (Genet.), M.S.A.G.S. (Ord.), Pr.Sci.Nat. (Biol. Sci.)

The SAGS Awards

As part of the South African Genetics Society’s mandate to promote Genetics, as a discipline, the Society gives recognition to deserving students, academics, researchers and practitioners within the field, through awards of excellence. These awards take the following forms:

Hofmeyr-Van Schaik Medal (Bronze): to the most distinguished fourth year student in Genetics at representative universities.
Hofmeyr-Van Schaik Medal (Silver): to a distinguished early career academic (or other professional), usually under the age of 40 years, for excellence in research, teaching and/or professional practice in Genetics.
Hofmeyr-Van Schaik Medal (Gold): to a distinguished established academic (or other professional) for excellence in research, teaching and/or professional practice in Genetics.
SAGS Fellowship Award: to a member of the Society that has demonstrated excellence in Genetics and exceptional service to the Society.

The Hofmeyr-Van Schaik Medal (Bronze) is awarded annually at the various representative universities on the recommendation of the respective university panels. Currently, the following Universities hold the privilege:

Stellenbosch University
University of the Free State
University of KwaZulu Natal
University of Pretoria
University of the Witwatersrand

The President on behalf of Council has the pleasure to invite nominations for the following awards, to coincide with biennial conference of the South African Genetics Society

Hofmeyr-Van Schaik Medal (Silver)
Hofmeyr-Van Schaik Medal (Gold)
SAGS Fellowship Award

Nominations are to be sent to the Secretary (secretarysags@gmail.com) on the required templates.

Membership

The following membership categories are open for application:

Ordinary Member – A person suitably qualified as a Geneticist (par. 2.1.6 of the constitution) may apply in this category.
Associate Member – A person who is formally engaged in advanced study or training to be qualified as a Geneticist (i.e. registered for postgraduate level studies or as a candidate scientist), may apply in this category.
Affiliate Member – A person who has limited training as a Geneticist (e.g. an undergraduate student or lay hobbyist) or is trained in a complementary discipline, but nevertheless has shown a keen interest in Genetics or the SAGS may apply in this category.
Retired Member – Upon reaching retirement from professional duties, a paid-up member may apply for retired membership of the Society at a nominal fee at the discretion of the ExCo.

Applications must be made using the prescribed form linked below.

Membership application

An non-refundable application fee equivalent to the membership fee will be payable, and be converted to a membership if the application is approved by Council.

FAQ

How do membership fees work?

SAGS collects membership fees on a biennial basis to coincide with years in which we have a congress. Registration for a congress, regardless of what kind of member attends the congress, includes a two-year membership until the next conference. Payment is due upon consideration to join the Society and which will only last until the next conference.

I am a registered post-graduate student. What is my membership type and fee?

Associate Member – A person who is formally engaged in advanced study or

training to be qualified as a Geneticist may apply in this category. The membership fee is R200 for two years until the next conference. A two-year membership is included in registration for a SAGS conference.

I am a qualified Geneticist. What is my membership type and fee?

Ordinary Member – A person suitably qualified as a geneticist may apply in this category. The membership fee is R400 for two years until the next conference. A two-year membership is included in registration for a SAGS conference.

I am interested in Genetics but have limited formal training. What is my membership type and fee?

Affiliate Member – A person who has limited training as a Geneticist (e.g. an

undergraduate student or lay hobbyist) or is trained in a complementary

discipline, but nevertheless has shown a keen interest in Genetics or the SAGS

may apply in this category. The membership fee is R200 for two years until the next conference. A two-year membership is included in registration for a SAGS conference.

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