TWAS is the Academy of Sciences for the developing world. It is an autonomous international organisation based in Trieste, Italy and its principal aim is to promote scientific capacity and excellence for sustainable development in the South.

This award is just one of many. Prof Slippers recently received the British Association Medal (Silver) from the Southern Africa Association for the Advancement of Science (S2A3). This medal is awarded on an annual basis to a person under the age of 40 years who is actively engaged in scientific research and who has proved evidence by way of publications, discoveries and/or skills of outstanding capability and achievement, especially when measured by international standards. The medal enjoys the status of being one of the highest awards for original scientific research in South Africa.

Another feather in his cap was when the Global Young Academy (GYA), an international, independent, science-based institution that aims for excellence and impact that was launched last year, elected Prof Slippers as the Co-chair. Prof Slippers is an Associate Professor in the Department of Genetics at the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI).

Prof Slippers is also one of three staff members of the University to be elected as Founding Members of the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS).