Research areas include bacterial food safety of fresh produce in the formal and informal sector, food genomics, and antibiotic resistance in the agroecosystem. A focus on bacterial foodborne illnesses and the presence of foodborne pathogens on fresh produce within the agroecosystem from production through to sale are my areas of focus. An emerging area of concern if the presence of antibiotic resistant organisms found on food and within the agricultural sector. The development of antibiotic resistance globally is an interesting issue that needs our concerted effort in understanding the drivers that allow the spreading of these antibiotic resistant organisms. Additionally, Stacey has a passion for new and innovative technologies and laboratory set ups. She is a member of the International Association of Food Protection as well as the South African Association for Food Science and Technology.

MSc: Applied Food Safety and Quality Management

Whole genome sequencing of multidrug resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae through the SeqAfrica funding.

2020/2021. The Fleming Fund through the University of Pretoria.

The purpose of the whole genome sequencing of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae which have been classified as multidrug resistant, extended spectrum- and/or AmpC producing Enterobacteriaceae will allow the determination of characteristics that these organisms can exhibit, mainly interested in antibiotic resistance characteristics that these organisms have a potential to express. The fact that these have been isolated from environmental and food sources further add to the importance of the antibiotic surveillance required to understand the most recent emerging health risk of antibiotic resistance.

Nutrition, Health and Safety for Food Security Programme. Safe Food Project.

2015-2021 Department of Science and Innovation-National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence in Food Security through the University of Pretoria.

In line with global food safety authorities, three areas of priority were addressed within South Africa’s formal and informal fresh produce supply chain. An integrated approach was taken which included risk analysis, risk reduction and mitigation through innovation, education and communication as well as assessing the effect of the naturally occurring microorganisms in the prevention of disease in the hope to reduce risk within vulnerable communities to lessen the double burden of food insecurity and communicable disease.

A Long-term European Union- Africa Research and Innovation Partnership on Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (LEAP-Agri).

2019-2021, through the University of Pretoria.

Strategy for the development of food safety management systems of redistributed fresh produce as well as the determination of fresh produce safety from informal hawker markets in the urban city food systems of Cape Town, South Africa and Accra, Ghana.

University of Pretoria Microbial Diagnostic Platform (including a MALDI Biotyper Sirius, MALDI Biotyper microflex upgrade and a Freeze Dryer).

2020/2021. National Research Foundation, through the University of Pretoria.

The implementation of the MALDI Biotyper in 2011 within the Plant Health and Safety laboratories at the University of Pretoria revolutionized the way bacterial identification and research were being conducted and therefore allowed multidisciplinary research to take place. The addition of a second innovative MALDI Biotyper Sirius to the diagnostic platform at the University of Pretoria has further enhanced their diagnostic capabilities within the Plant Health and Safety laboratories.

• Ms M. Ratshilangano: Determining the microbiological safety of commercially produced lettuce and spinach. University of Pretoria, MSc Plant Pathology 2021, passed. Supervised by Professor L. Korsten (University of Pretoria). Co-supervised by Dr E.M. Du Plessis (University of Pretoria) and Dr S. Duvenage (University of Pretoria).
• Ms C. Coetzee. Microbial dynamics and prevalence of foodborne pathogens associated with avocado fruit Persea americana Mill. University of Pretoria, MSc Plant Pathology 2021, passed. Supervised by Professor L. Korsten (University of Pretoria). Co-supervised by Dr E.M. Du Plessis (University of Pretoria) and Dr S. Duvenage (University of Pretoria).
• Ms M. Dlangalala. Molecular detection, quantification and characterization of extended spectrum β-lactamase and AmpC encoding genes from a cucumber agroecosystem. University of Pretoria, MSc Biotechnology 2021, passed cum laude. Supervised by Professor L. Korsten (University of Pretoria). Co-supervised by Dr E.M. Du Plessis (University of Pretoria) and Dr S. Duvenage (University of Pretoria).
• Ms L. Richter. Prevalence and characterisation of antimicrobial resistant Enterobacteriaceae in fresh vegetables from farm to retail in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. University of Pretoria, PhD Biotechnology, submitted for examination. Supervised by Professor L. Korsten (University of Pretoria). Co-supervised by Dr E.M. Du Plessis (University of Pretoria) and Dr S. Duvenage (University of Greenwich).
• Ms N. Mbamba. South African water contamination and mitigation through filtration. University of Pretoria, MSc Biotechnology. Supervised by Professor L. Korsten (University of Pretoria). Co-supervised by Dr S. Duvenage (University of Greenwich) and Dr E.M. Du Plessis (University of Pretoria).
• Ms D. Kgoale. A comparative microbial analysis of dark leafy green vegetables (Morogo) produced, prepared and sold formally and informally. University of Pretoria, PhD Biotechnology. Supervised by Professor L. Korsten (University of Pretoria). Co-supervised by Dr S. Duvenage (University of Greenwich) and Dr E.M. Du Plessis (University of Pretoria).

• Baloyi, Tintswalo, Duvenage, Stacey, Du Plessis, Erika, Villamizar-Rodríguez, German and Korsten, Lise (2021) Multidrug resistant Escherichia coli from fresh produce sold by street vendors in South African informal settlements. International Journal of Environmental Health Research (doi: 10.1080/09603123.2021.1896681).
• Richter, L., Du Plessis, E.M., Duvenage, S. and Korsten, L. 2020. High prevalence of multidrug resistant Escherichia coli isolated from fresh vegetables sold by selected formal and informal traders in the most densely populated Province of South Africa. Journal of Food Science, 86 (1):161-168. (doi: 10.1111/1750-3841.15534).
• Richter, L., Du Plessis, E.M., Duvenage, S. and Korsten, L. 2020. Occurrence, phenotypic and molecular characterization of extended-spectrum- and AmpC- β -lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae isolated from selected commercial spinach supply chains in South Africa. Frontiers in Microbiology, 11 (April):1-10. (doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00638).
• Richter, L., Du Plessis, E.M., Duvenage, S. and Korsten, L. 2019. Occurrence, identification, and antimicrobial resistance profiles of extended-spectrum and AmpC β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae from fresh vegetables retailed in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Foodborne Pathogens and Disease, 16 (6):421-427. (doi: 10.1089/fpd.2018.2558).
• Duvenage, S. and Korsten, L. 2017. Assessment of foodborne pathogen presence in the peach supply chain and its potential risk to the end consumer. Food Control, 78:374-382. (doi: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2017.03.003).

Responsibilities include high quality teaching on Food Safety and Quality Management postgraduate programmes, with delivery of existing programmes and programme development. Engaging in research and professional practice across the fresh produce food safety research area and contribution towards the research profile of the NRI.

Responsibilities further include the mentorship of Masters’ and PhD students through their research within the Food and Markets Department and within collaborating institutions. Additionally, I am responsible for MSc student internship mentoring during their industrial placements.