Our research connects to viticulture, oenology as well as biotechnology research areas. We seek to unravel the influence of farming practices on the vineyard and wine fermentation microbiome; the ecological interactions that drive fermentation population dynamics; the phenotypic and genotypic diversity of wine fermentation microorganisms. We apply basic microbiological techniques, Automated Ribosomal Intergenic Spacer Analysis, amplicon sequencing and transcriptomic analysis as well as their associated bioinformatics and multivariate data analysis tools. Our work investigates the oenological traits of various species; we also design model consortia to study ecological interactions.

Evodia is currently a Associated Professor in wine sciences. She matriculated from Khaiso High School (Seshego, Limpopo Province), obtained a BSc (microbiology and physiology) and BscHons (Microbiology) from University of Limpopo and a PhD (Microbiology) from Stellenbosch University (SU). She also holds an MPhil (Management Coaching) from SU business school. She was postdoctoral fellow with Prof. Martie Smit at University of the Free State (UFS; 2002-2003). Evodia held a lecturing position at UFS from 2003-2006 and University of KwaZulu-Natal from July 2006 to February 2010.

Office 2006, JH Neethling Building, Victoria Street, Stellenbosch