It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of Terry Aveling on 18 December 2020, from complications of the COVID-19 infection.
Terry was an Associate Professor in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Pretoria and had been a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Agricultural Science since 2006 due to her expertise in seed science, pathology and mycology. She was a stalwart of the South African Society of Plant Pathologists. Terry was a regular attendee at the Seed Symposium within the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) congresses and was particularly keen to involve her senior students in the poster sessions, where they were always successful in gaining interest and accolades. She also always had the time to talk to graduate students from other countries and to encourage their work.
Some of Terry's research formed part of an EU FP7 project called TESTA, in which she led one of the seven work-packages. Her research team also maintained strong ties with the University of Almeria, Spain and the Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland. Terry was appointed as Chairman of the Seed Pathology Committee of the International Society of Plant Pathology (ISPP) in 2013 and held this position until her death.
During her career, Terry received a number of awards including the best paper presentation at the 32nd International Seed Testing Association (ISTA)* Congress in Hyderabad, India, 2019 and the 2015 SANSOR-Bayer Science for a Better Life Award in 2015, awarded by the South African National Seed Organisation and Bayer Crop Science in recognition of her leadership, innovation and positive contributions to the seed industry and agriculture.
In addition to her place on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Agricultural Science, Terry was also Vice-Chairperson of the Seed Health Committee of the International Seed Testing Association, and Chairperson of the International Society for Plant Pathology's Seed Pathology Committee.
Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad time.
Prof. Gerrit Hoogenboom, Editor-in-Chief, Crops & Soils
Prof. Julian Wiseman, Editor-in-Chief, Animals
Prof. Robert E. L. Naylor, former Senior Editor
Mrs. Alison Sage, Peer Review Administrator
