David Straney

David Straney is an Associate Professor and Associate Chair for Undergraduate Programs in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Maryland, College Park. His research focuses on the regulation of gene expression and development in response to external cues, particularly in plant-pathogen interactions. His lab investigates how fungal pathogens recognize host plants through defense compounds and trigger pathogenesis. He teaches courses including Principles of Genetics and Molecular Genetics Laboratory.

Education: Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from Yale University (1987).

Research Interests: Straney’s work spans molecular mechanisms of fungal pathogenesis, host recognition via plant defense chemicals, and transcriptional regulation. His studies utilize molecular biology tools to dissect signal pathways in fungal pathogens like Trichoderma virens and Nectria haematococca.

Awards: Received the Provost’s Academic Advisor of the Year Award (2022-23) and recognition in Faculty Honors & Awards (2023). His contributions to teaching and undergraduate program leadership are notable.

Lab and Teams: His research group explores topics such as non-ribosomal peptide synthetases, gene clusters in filamentous fungi, and the role of secondary metabolites in pathogenesis. Collaborations include studies on epipolythiodioxopiperazine (ETP) gene clusters and transcriptional regulation in bacterial systems.