Keynote Speakers & Special Guests
ALGAC is privileged to welcome distinguished scholars whose groundbreaking research has shaped their fields and influenced policy, practice, and public discourse worldwide. Our keynote speakers represent the pinnacle of academic achievement whilst remaining deeply committed to mentorship, collaboration, and the democratisation of knowledge. click on the links provided to read more about our distinguished guests.
Dr Khanyisile Mdladla
Profile: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ktzS2pcAAAAJ&hl=en
Dr Khanyisile Hadebe holds a PhD in Genetics from University of KwaZulu-Natal. She is currently the Acting Senior Manager at the Biotechnology Platform of the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), South Africa, a recognised Y2 NRF‑rated scientist and a Professional Natural Scientist in Agricultural Sciences. Her research focuses on the characterization and sustainable use of indigenous Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR), with expertise in population relatedness, genetic structure, signatures of selection and adaptation, and the environmental fitness of locally adapted livestock breeds. A leading figure in applied livestock genomics, Dr Hadebe develops and optimises community‑based breeding programmes (CBBPs) that strengthen indigenous livestock populations while enhancing productivity and resilience for smallholder and communal farmers. Her work advances climate‑resilient livestock development and supports the long‑term conservation of South Africa’s unique genetic resources through farmer‑centred, data‑driven breeding approaches. Dr Hadebe is actively involved in community projects that empower village‑based farmers to improve record‑keeping, make informed management decisions, and optimise production to meet market standards, unlocking local market opportunities within livestock value chains. She also leads a national training programme that builds capacity in advanced genomics, quantitative genetics, marker‑assisted breeding, and bioinformatics, strengthening skills across the animal improvement and conservation sectors.
With her combined leadership, scientific expertise, and commitment to community‑centred innovation, Dr Hadebe continues to shape the future of sustainable livestock improvement in South Africa and beyond.
Dr Pranisha Soma
Dr Pranisha Soma is a molecular geneticist and livestock genomics researcher at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), South Africa. She obtained her PhD in Animal Science from the University of Pretoria and has established herself as a leading scientist in the application of molecular genetics and genomics to livestock improvement. Her expertise encompasses livestock genomics, DNA-based parentage verification, animal forensic genetics, microbiomics, transcriptomics, population genetics, and bioinformatics, making her one of the leading multidisciplinary researchers in the field of animal biotechnology and genetic improvement.
Over the course of her career, Dr Soma has contributed extensively to the development and implementation of advanced genomic technologies for livestock production systems. She has managed large-scale DNA parentage verification and livestock identification programmes involving thousands of cattle, sheep, goats, and horses annually while ensuring compliance with international standards established by the International Society for Animal Genetics (ISAG). Her research has strengthened animal breeding programmes, biodiversity conservation initiatives, and forensic applications within the livestock industry.
Dr Soma's research interests extend to the discovery of genetic markers associated with economically important traits, genome-wide analyses of livestock populations, microbial diversity studies, and host–microbe interactions. She has increasingly focused on integrating genomics, microbiomics, transcriptomics, and bioinformatics to better understand the biological mechanisms driving productivity, health, adaptation, and resilience in livestock populations. Her work contributes directly to climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable food production systems.
Beyond research, Dr Soma has successfully supervised and mentored postgraduate students and postdoctoral researchers, secured significant competitive research funding, and developed extensive national and international collaborations. She serves as a reviewer, evaluator, external examiner, and active member of several professional scientific organisations, contributing to research excellence and capacity development throughout the animal science sector.
Prof Bohani Mtileni
Prof Bohani MTILENI | LinkedIn
Prof Mtileni is a recognised leader in animal breeding and genetics with a focus on genomics, climate resilience and sustainable livestock production systems. He integrates molecular and quantitative genetics to identify adaptive and disease-resistant traits in livestock, thereby improving productivity, adaptability and disease resistance, particularly in smallholder and emerging farming systems operating in variable-climate environments across Africa. His work responds to the need for climate-smart agricultural systems that strengthen food security and support sustainable rural development.
He has led and coordinated several nationally and internationally funded research initiatives, including collaborative programmes with academic and research institutions in Germany, the Netherlands, China, Japan, Egypt, Ethiopia, and across Southern Africa. His scholarship has produced extensive peer-reviewed publications in high-impact international journals and conference proceedings. Through contributions to genomic selection, climate-smart breeding strategies, and evidence-based livestock improvement policies, he has supported progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on zero hunger, climate action and sustainable agriculture.
Prof Mtileni has supervised postgraduate students at the Honours, Master’s, Doctoral, and postdoctoral levels, while he has also mentored early-career researchers. He has contributed to curriculum development, postgraduate training, and academic governance and has served on key institutional research and ethics structures. His work strengthens research capacity, international partnerships, and translational research that bridges science, industry and policy in line with the University’s vision of a responsive, globally connected institution.
He is a member of the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions, the South African Society of Animal Science, the South African Genetics Society and the International Society for Animal Genetics.