Dr Dimakatso Masindeni-Ndou obtained her BSc Agric Degree from the University of the North, an MSc Degree in Plant Breeding, and currently holds a PhD in Plant Breeding fron University of the Free State, South Africa. She started her career in 2004 as a Professional Development Intern with the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and was later appointed as a Maize Resarcher (Breeder) until 2009. She then joined Limpopo Department of Agriculdture and Rural Development (LDARD) as an Agricultural Specialist Researcher and was later appointed as Research Scientific Manager heading Plant Breeding Program, where she also acted as a Director (Research Services). She is currently registered as Professional Natural Scientist with SACNASP. She was a Lead Researcher on Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) and New Seed Initiative Maize (NSIMA) projects. She collaborated on Improved Maize for African Soils (IMAS) project and regional maize trials with ARC and CIMMYT. Currently her research focus is on evaluating crops that can adapt in Limpopo Province. She has further conducted technical audits for the National Research Foundation (NRF) on Research and Technology Fund (RTF). She is currently the Secretariat of research commitee which is tasked with reviewing research proposals that links to the LDARD strategy. Her research mandate is to provide expert, problem focused and client-centric agricultural research, technology development and transfer of information. Dr. DR Masindeni-Ndou