Clare Casteel

Clare Casteel is an Associate Professor in the School of Integrative Plant Science at Cornell University, specializing in the Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology Section. She leads research on plant-microbe-insect interactions with expertise in molecular mechanisms of pathogen defense, agroecosystem resilience, and climate adaptation strategies.

Education:

• Doctorate in Plant Biology, University of Illinois – Champaign/Urbana (2010)
• Master of Science, University of California – Riverside (2005)
• Bachelor of Science, University of Missouri – Columbia (2003)

Research Focus: Her laboratory investigates pathogenic and beneficial microbial functions in plant-insect systems. Primary themes include: molecular mechanisms of virus-vector manipulation; chemical ecology of multitrophic interactions; soil microbiome dynamics in organic farming; and engineering microbe-mediated climate resilience in agroecosystems.

Publication Trends: Recent articles (2019-2023) demonstrate consistent focus on viral effector proteins, plant stress responses, and vector behavior manipulation. Key patterns include drought resilience mechanisms in crops, hormone signaling in pathogen transmission, and organic farming impacts on plant-microbe-insect networks.

Honors & Awards:

• 2023 Mid-Career Award Plant Genome Research Program (National Science Center)
• 2018 Early Career Award Plant Genome Research Program (NSF)
• 2017 ASPB Women’s Young Investigator Travel Award
• 2016 Neish Young Investigator Award
• 2014 MPMI Young Investigator Travel Grant
• 2013 USDA-NIFA Postdoctoral Fellowship

Teaching & Outreach: Teaches graduate courses in Molecular Biology of Plant-Microbe Interactions (PLSCI 6010) and Plant Interactions Seminar (ENTOM 7640). Extension work focuses on organic agriculture, virus management, and climate-resilient farming practices.

Laboratory: Directs the Casteel Lab investigating microbe engineering for sustainable agriculture. Current projects include beneficial microbiome applications and pathogen defense mechanisms in plant-vector systems.