Sershen is a multi-disciplinarian working across the Natural and Social Sciences on projects focused on plant ecophysiology, water and sanitation, waste management, urban ecology, marine ecophysiology and sustainability science. Additionally, he is a specialist in curriculum design and research methodology, having served as an Associate Professor in Plant Ecophysiology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the Grants, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at the South African Technology Network. He holds a PhD in Plant Biology and a Post-graduate Diploma in Higher Education, and is a fellow of the South African Young Academy of Sciences. He is a Honorary Research Fellow at the University of the Western Cape and is recognised for his seminal work in several disciplines in the Life Sciences with over 80 publications, several international keynote addresses and invited research sabbaticals. His involvement in community-based projects across the country, has seen him being appointed as an expert consultant by a number of government departments, a trustee of the Durban Botanic Gardens and a council member of the Botanical Society of South Africa. As Executive Director of the INR, he provides strategic leadership on projects in all the thematic areas in which the Institute operates.