Meet the team

Prof. Charl (Cherlie) Reinhardt  | Project leader

Charlie obtained his BSc and BSc (Hons) degrees in Botany from the University of the Free State between 1975 and 1978. After a brief career at Ciba-Geigy he joined the University of Pretoria in 1980 where he obtained a BSc Agric, MSc (Agric) and PhD (Agronomy) specializing in Weed Science. Charlie has produced 78 peer-reviewed research articles, 80 conference papers and more than 150 articles for popular agriculture-focused magazines. To date 35 Masters and 10 Phd students have completed their studies under his supervision.

Career profile:

1981 – 2008 University of Pretoria (Researcher/ Lecturer/ Senior Lecturer/ Associate Professor and Full Professor), 2001 – 2008 University of Pretoria (Profesor and Head of the Department of Plant Production and Soil Science), 2009 – 2010 Research manager at SASRI, 2012 – 2020 Dean of the Villa Academy, 2020 – 2024 Contract appointment as Professor in Agronomy at the North-West University.

 ResearchGate Profile  |  Scopus Profile 

Prof Juan Vorster  | Project leader

Juan obtained his BSc in Plant Physiology followed by a BSc (Hons) in Genetics at the University of Pretoria. This was followed by a MSc and PhD in Plant Science at the same university. Following his PhD, he spent time at the Université Laval in Quebec City, Canada. He joined the University in 2010 as a lecturer and is currently and Associate Professor in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. His research focus is mainly on plant and crop physiology using various molecular biology techniques to gain a better understanding of plant stress and stress avoidance.

Juan has authored 40 peer-reviewed papers and graduated 20 Masters and 8 PhD students. He has served on the board of the Board of the South African Society of Crop Production (SASCP) since 2012 and as President of the Society in 2019 – 2021. He is also a member of Management Board of the South African Journal of Plant and Soil Science.

ResearchGate profile  |  Scopus Profile  | Google Scholar Profile    

Jaco Snyman

Contract Manager (University of Pretoria Business Enterprises)

As a Contract Manager with Business Enterprises since 2008, Jaco has successfully delivered a wide array of projects to diverse clients both locally in internationally. With a strategic view on clients’ needs and the ability to mobilise commensurate expertise for agile and rigorous solutions, Jaco enjoys adding true value that makes a measurable difference. 

Jaco manages all contract research between SAHRI and commercial partners.

Nhlanhla Shabangu

PhD Agronomy

Herbicide resistance in Amaranthus hybridus and the possibility of hybridization with Amaranthus palmeri

Adelaide Simelane

PhD Plant Science

Population diversity and structure of Amaranthus palmeri in South Afica