He is a research leader of the Tree Protection Co-operative Programme and Centre of Excellence in Tree Health Biotechnology at the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute. He advises governmental and private organizations on tree protection issues in South Africa, Indonesia, Europe and the USA. He has received numerous awards, including from the International Union of Forestry Research Organizations for outstanding doctoral research and a Presidents Award from the National Research Foundation in South Africa. Bernard received a PhD from the UP.