Jeff Anderson

Jeff Anderson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology at Oregon State University (OSU), affiliated with the College of Agricultural Sciences. His research focuses on molecular mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis and plant disease resistance, particularly the inter-kingdom chemical signaling between Pseudomonas syringae and Arabidopsis. He investigates how bacterial pathogens use plant-derived metabolites to activate virulence and how plants activate immune responses. His lab employs genetic, biochemical, and omics approaches to study host-pathogen interactions.

Anderson holds a Ph.D. from Cornell University (2006). He teaches courses in biology and functional genomics, including BI221 and BDS478/578. His research has been supported by grants such as the NSF CAREER award (2020), which funds studies on plant-pathogen metabolic interfaces. He has mentored multiple students, including PhD candidate Dylan Gregory and undergraduates Sarah Khan, Grace Norman, and Gustavo Velazquez.

Key research trends in his articles include host-derived metabolite signaling, plant immune activation via pattern-triggered immunity, and bacterial virulence regulation. He has also explored the role of proline depletion in plant defense and the molecular mechanisms of thiamin priming in crop protection.

• Awards:
  • 2025 R.M. Wade Award for Excellence in Teaching
  • 2025 Registry of Distinguished Teachers
  • 2021 Savery Outstanding Young Faculty Award
  • 2020 NSF CAREER Award

Anderson leads a research group that emphasizes translational outcomes in plant disease management. His work on metabolite signaling and host-pathogen interactions has implications for developing crop protection strategies against bacterial pathogens.