Current & alumni

Our people

A growing community of 109+ researchers and students trained since 2019, across the University of Limpopo, UNISA and partner universities.

Leadership

Principal Investigator

Prof. Thobela Louis Tyasi

Principal Investigator

Prof. Thobela Louis Tyasi

  • Full Professor in Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Limpopo, South Africa
  • Adjunct Associate Professor in Animal Genetics, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Botswana
  • PhD in Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Jilin Agricultural University, China
  • MSc in Animal Production (Animal Breeding and Genetics), cum laude, University of Limpopo
  • BSc Agriculture in Animal Production, cum laude, University of Fort Hare
Postdoctoral research

Post-doctoral fellow

Dr Madumetja Cyril Mathapo

Dr Madumetja Cyril Mathapo

Member of the group since 2019

  • B.Agric, University of Limpopo, 2016
  • Honours, University of Limpopo, 2019
  • Masters in Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Limpopo, 2022
  • PhD in Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Limpopo, South Africa, 2025
Students

Current students & graduates

Doctoral, Masters, Honours and BSc Agric fourth-year students supervised in the group.

Portrait of Kwena Mokoena
PhD candidate

Kwena Mokoena

Genetic improvement of chickens

University of Limpopo · Joined 2019

Portrait of Victoria Rankotsane Hlokoe
PhD candidate

Victoria Rankotsane Hlokoe

Genetic improvement of chickens

University of Limpopo · Joined 2020

Portrait of Thlarihani Cynthia Makamu
PhD candidate

Thlarihani Cynthia Makamu

Genetic improvement of goats

University of South Africa · Joined 2021

Portrait of Percy Tebogo Thepa
PhD candidate

Percy Tebogo Thepa

Genetic improvement of goats

University of South Africa · Joined 2022

Portrait of Ledimo Faith Makgopa
PhD candidate

Ledimo Faith Makgopa

Genetic improvement of sheep

University of Limpopo · Joined 2022

Portrait of Masixole Maswana
PhD candidate

Masixole Maswana

Genetic improvement of goats

University of South Africa · Joined 2022

Portrait of Travor Tshepiso Magonyane
PhD candidate

Travor Tshepiso Magonyane

Genetic improvement of chickens

University of Limpopo · Joined 2025

Portrait of Abigail Mmapaseka Phaladi
PhD candidate

Abigail Mmapaseka Phaladi

Genetic improvement of sheep

University of Limpopo · Joined 2021

Portrait of Mlungisi Richard Shiba
PhD candidate

Mlungisi Richard Shiba

Genetic improvement of cattle

University of South Africa · Joined 2025

Portrait of Kgotso Patrick Matli
PhD candidate

Kgotso Patrick Matli

Central University of Technology · Joined 2022

Portrait of Azwitamisi Ramaite
PhD candidate

Azwitamisi Ramaite

Genetic improvement of sheep

University of South Africa · Joined 2019

Portrait of Nduduzo Dlodlo
PhD candidate

Nduduzo Dlodlo

Genetic improvement of cattle

University of KwaZulu Natal · Joined 2025

Portrait of Mathemba Kwezi Molosi
PhD candidate

Mathemba Kwezi Molosi

Genetic improvement of goats

University of South Africa · Joined 2024

Alumni

Our alumni

Graduates of the group by graduating class.

Class of 2024 Graduated

Portrait of Lindiwe Johannah Sathekge

Lindiwe Johannah Sathekge

Chicken Breeding and Genetics · University of Limpopo

Portrait of Joas Albino Tsenane

Joas Albino Tsenane

Chicken Breeding and Genetics · University of Limpopo

Portrait of Prudence Shibe Mokgapa

Prudence Shibe Mokgapa

Chicken Breeding and Genetics · University of Limpopo

Portrait of Salome Mhlabini

Salome Mhlabini

Chicken Breeding and Genetics · University of Limpopo

Class of 2023 Graduated

Portrait of Aron Swahlane Walter Mahaole

Aron Swahlane Walter Mahaole

University of Limpopo

Portrait of Ledimo Faith Makgopa

Ledimo Faith Makgopa

University of Limpopo

Portrait of Pretty Rachuene

Pretty Rachuene

University of Limpopo

Portrait of Mpho Ramuada

Mpho Ramuada

University of Limpopo

Portrait of Kagiso Suzan Diale

Kagiso Suzan Diale

University of Limpopo

Portrait of Tshepho Matshebuka

Tshepho Matshebuka

University of Limpopo

Portrait of Mathemba Kwezi Molosi

Mathemba Kwezi Molosi

University of South Africa

Portrait of Cecilia Wawira Munyoki

Cecilia Wawira Munyoki

University of Limpopo

Class of 2022 Graduated

Portrait of Thlarihani Cynthia Makamu

Thlarihani Cynthia Makamu

University of Limpopo

Portrait of Percy Tebogo Thepa

Percy Tebogo Thepa

University of Limpopo

Portrait of Abigail Mmapaseka Phaladi

Abigail Mmapaseka Phaladi

University of Limpopo

Portrait of Mojakgomo Sidney Mamakoko

Mojakgomo Sidney Mamakoko

University of Limpopo

Portrait of Andile Mophere Kgaditsi

Andile Mophere Kgaditsi

University of Limpopo

Portrait of Temosho Chuene

Temosho Chuene

University of Limpopo

Portrait of Emily Simango

Emily Simango

University of Limpopo

Class of 2021 Graduated

Portrait of Makopi Sophia Mampuru

Makopi Sophia Mampuru

University of Limpopo

Class of 2020 Graduated

Portrait of Kwena Mokoena

Kwena Mokoena

University of Limpopo

Portrait of Kagisho Madikadike Molabe

Kagisho Madikadike Molabe

University of Limpopo

Portrait of Victoria Rankotsane Hlokoe

Victoria Rankotsane Hlokoe

University of Limpopo

Portrait of Madumetja Cyril Mathapo

Madumetja Cyril Mathapo

University of Limpopo

Portrait of Lebelo Joyceline Selala

Lebelo Joyceline Selala

University of Limpopo

Portrait of Blantina Fangele Zulu

Blantina Fangele Zulu

University of Limpopo

Portrait of Masixole Maswana

Masixole Maswana

University of Limpopo

Class of 2019 Graduated

Portrait of Lebo Trudy Rashijane

Lebo Trudy Rashijane

University of Limpopo

Portrait of Azwitamisi Ramaite

Azwitamisi Ramaite

University of Limpopo

Get involved

Study, research or partner with A-AGRI

We welcome Honours, Masters and PhD students, self-motivated postdoctoral researchers, and partners in animal breeding, genetics, genomics, AI and sustainable livestock production.