Caroline Moffat

Dr. Caroline Moffat is a Senior Research Fellow in the School of Molecular and Life Sciences at Curtin University, affiliated with the Centre for Crop Disease Management (CCDM). Her research focuses on fungal pathogens of cereal crops, particularly the wheat tan spot pathogen Pyrenophora tritici-repentis. Her work spans genomic analysis of pathogen virulence factors, effector proteins, and host-pathogen interactions to enhance crop resistance. She has contributed to genome sequencing projects, functional genomics studies, and identification of novel phytotoxins and genetic markers for disease management.

Key research areas include pathogen population genetics, molecular mechanisms of fungal pathogenicity, and application of bioinformatics tools to study plant-microbe interactions. Collaborations involve international wheat diversity panels and breeding programs aimed at improving disease resistance in crops. Her publications highlight advances in understanding Tox gene evolution, effector secretion pathways, and genomic plasticity in fungal pathogens.