Frances Trail

Frances Trail is a Professor in Mycology and host-pathogen interactions at Michigan State University (MSU), affiliated with the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences within the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources. She holds a B.A. in Botany from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an M.S. in Plant Pathology from Oregon State University, and a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from Cornell University. Her research focuses on fungal biology, particularly Fusarium species, with an emphasis on mycotoxin production, host-pathogen interactions, and biocontrol strategies.

Her work integrates genomics, transcriptomics, and ecological studies to understand fungal lifecycle dynamics, including spore germination, pathogenic mechanisms, and microbiome interactions. The Trail Lab investigates Fusarium graminearum, a major agricultural pathogen causing head blight in wheat and barley, and explores natural compounds (e.g., lichen-derived metabolites) to inhibit mycotoxin production. Key projects include analyzing fungal biofilm formation and developing sustainable disease management approaches.

Publications highlight her contributions to understanding fungal development, toxin regulation, and microbial community responses to agricultural practices. Trail’s research bridges fundamental biology with applied solutions to combat crop diseases and reduce mycotoxin contamination in food systems.