Benny Bytebier

Research Scientist African Orchids Department: Research Contact: bennybytebier@gmail.com Phone: +27 33 2605145 Google Scholar  |  ResearchGate  |  ORCID  | Web of Science

I am a plant systematist using integrative taxonomy (morphological and molecular analysis) to study the taxonomy, evolutionary history and biogeography of African orchids.I am particularly interested in large clades such as, for instance Disa, Habenaria and the eulophiinae orchids. I also have an interest in herbarium digitisation and management, as well as the history of botany in Africa. I have extensive field experience in sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian Ocean islands.

Qualifications
Degrees

• PhD, Stellenbosch University, 2007 
• Licenciate, Free University Brussels (VUB), 1984 

Employment history

• Associate Professor and Curator of the Bews Herbarium (NU), University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2022 - present
• Senior Lecturer and Curator of the Bews Herbarium (NU), University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2019 - 2022
• Lecturer and Curator of the Bews Herbarium (NU), University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2009 - 2019
• Associate Researcher at the East African Herbarium (EA), National Museums of Kenya, 2008 - 2009
• Post-doctoral researcher, University of Stellenbosch, 2007
• PhD student, University of Stellenbosch, 2001 - 2006
• Research Scientist East African Herbarium (EA), National Museums of Kenya, 2000 - 2001
• Manager/Resident Scientist for the University of Antwerp’s “Taita Hills Biodiversity Project” based at National Museums of Kenya, 1998 - 2000
• Plant Database Coordinator at the East African Herbarium (EA), National Museums of Kenya, 1997 - 1998
• Volunteer researcher at the African Herbarium (BR), National Botanic Garden of Belgium, 1996
• Research Scientist, East African Herbarium (EA), National Museums of Kenya, 1994 - 1996
• Lecturer at the Botany Department of the University of Nairobi, 1990 - 1994
• Research scientist, Free University of Brussels (VUB), 1987 - 1990
• Fellow of the IWONL, Free University of Brussels (VUB), 1984 - 1987

Professional activities

• Editor-in-Chief, Journal of East African Natural History, 1995-present
• Steering Committee Member of the South African Natural Sciences Collection Facility (NSCF), 2016-present
• Executive Committee Member of Nature Kenya, 1995-present
• Member of the IUCN/SSC Orchid Specialist Group, 1998-present
• Professional Natural Scientist (Pr. Sci. Nat.) with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP)
• C1-rated researcher with the National Research Foundation, South Africa

Publications

Google Scholar  |  ResearchGate  |  ORCID  | Web of Science