Professor Alexander (Zander) Myburg

Professor Zander Myburg’s research focuses on the genetics of growth and development in forest trees. He has pioneered the use of population genomics and systems genetics approaches to unravel the genetic control of growth and wood formation in Eucalyptus trees.

In 2001, he joined the University of Pretoria where he established and directed the Forest Molecular Genetics (FMG) Programme in the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI) from 2002 to 2024. He joined Stellenbosch University in 2024 as a professor in genetics.

Currently, he is leading an international project for the large-scale sequencing of ~3700 eucalypt genomes, including reference and pangenome sequencing of Eucalyptus grandis and a landscape genomics effort for this iconic plantation species. His team is also sequencing the genomes of tropical pine trees and has produced draft genomes for black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) and Macadamia cultivars in South Africa.

His research outputs over the last eight years include 37 peer-reviewed journal articles, 80 conference outputs, and eight keynote/plenary addresses. Over the course of his career, he has supervised/co-supervised 50 Honours, 40 Master’s, and 27 PhD graduates, as well as 12 postdoctoral Fellows.

Some of his most recent accolades include the UP Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research (2019); election as a Fellow of the SA Genetics Society (2018); and receiving the IUFRO International Forest Biotechnologist of the Year Award (2019).