Find Academic Supervisors

Mehdi Kabbage is a Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison . His research focuses on necrotrophic fungal pathogenesis, particularly the role of oxalic acid and programmed cell death (PCD) in plant-pathogen interactions. He teaches courses in fungal biology and plant-microbe interactions. Education : Ph.D. in Plant Pathology (Kansas State University), M.S. in Plant Pathology (Kansas State University), B.S. in Engineering (Ecole d'Ingénieurs de Purpan, France) Dr. Kabbage investigates how Sclerotinia sclerotiorum manipulates plant PCD through oxalic acid secretion and explores strategies to inhibit this process for crop protection. His work spans molecular mechanisms of fungal virulence, plant stress tolerance, and genetic resistance in soybeans. Recent publications highlight his research on fungal effector proteins, host-induced gene silencing, oxalic acid signaling, and autophagy-based resistance strategies. He collaborates extensively on soybean and dry bean pathosystems, with a focus on integrated disease management and climate resilience. His lab develops transgenic approaches for stress tolerance, studies BAG protein family functions in plant defense, and investigates fungal enzymatic virulence factors like alcohol oxidases and laccases. Current projects include chemical genomics for resistance pathway discovery and novel antifungal agents such as poacic acid.

• Necrotrophic fungal pathogenesis
• Programmed cell death in plants
• Plant-microbe interactions
• +4 more

Burt H Bluhm is a Professor in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at the University of Arkansas, Bumpers College of Agriculture, Food, and Life Sciences. He holds additional roles as Director of the Experiment Station (DREX) and serves on editorial boards of journals like Phytopathology . His research focuses on molecular plant pathology, particularly fungal pathogenesis mechanisms in crops such as maize, soybean, and spinach. Bluhm's work integrates genomic, metabolomic, and biochemical approaches to understand host-pathogen interactions. Education includes a Ph.D. and M.S. in Plant Pathology from Purdue University, and dual B.S. degrees in Chemistry and Botany from the University of Oklahoma. His grants portfolio includes over $500,000 annually from NSF, USDA-NIFA, and commodity boards. Research highlights include identifying new pathogen races of Cercospora sojina , developing molecular markers for spinach disease resistance, and creating the Mycotoxins smartphone app for farmer education. His lab has published 9 peer-reviewed articles in 2018, focusing on topics such as mycotoxin control, fungal genomics, and pathogen virulence regulation. Key Projects: Genetic basis of soybean seed quality under seedborne diseases Host-induced gene silencing for mycotoxin reduction Phomopsis seed decay pathogenicity genes Grantsmanship: 10 active grants in 2018, including USDA-NIFA and NSF funding Teaching: Graduate course on Plant Pathogenic Fungi Service: Vice President of Southern Soybean Disease Workers, editorial board roles, and leadership in aflatoxin mitigation initiatives Labs/Teams: Bluhm Lab focuses on fungal genetics and plant disease management, collaborating with international researchers on projects like the Mycoleptodiscus terrestris genome sequencing.

• Molecular Plant Pathology
• Fungal Pathogenesis
• Plant-Fungal Interactions
• +5 more

Dr. Dario Cantù is an Associate Professor and Louis P. Martini Endowed Chair in Viticulture and Enology at the University of California, Davis. His research focuses on systems biology, genomics, and plant-microbe interactions to develop disease-resistant grapevine varieties and improve crop resilience. Key areas include bacterial/fungal pathogen defense, genetic resistance mechanisms, and environmental stress adaptation. Research interests include genomic analysis of grapevine pathogens (e.g., downy mildew, powdery mildew), microbiome recruitment dynamics, and structural genomic variation influencing traits like fruit quality and disease tolerance. He leads projects on genome assembly of Vitis species and coffee varieties, leveraging advanced sequencing technologies. Publications highlight breakthroughs in pathogen virulence mechanisms, resistance gene discovery (e.g., Ren6/Ren7 loci), and applications of AI in crop improvement. Work on smoke taint and chloride exclusion addresses pressing viticultural challenges. His research integrates field observations with lab-based molecular techniques to bridge genotype-to-phenotype understanding. Dr. Cantù collaborates extensively, publishing in high-impact journals like Nature Genetics and Plant Biotechnology Journal . His lab focuses on translating genomic insights into practical solutions for sustainable viticulture, including biocontrol strategies and precision breeding.

• Plant Genomics
• Pathogen Resistance
• Systems Biology
• +4 more

Gazala Ameen is an Assistant Professor of Plant-Pathogen Interactions in the Department of Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science at South Dakota State University (SDSU). She holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Plant Pathology from North Dakota State University, with a dissertation focusing on resistance genes against barley spot blotch. Her research emphasizes understanding plant-pathogen interactions, particularly fungal and bacterial diseases affecting crops like wheat, barley, and sugar beet. Key areas include genetic resistance mechanisms, programmed cell death, and fungicide resistance dynamics. Education: Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, North Dakota State University (2019) M.S. in Plant Pathology, North Dakota State University (2014) Research Interests: Dr. Ameen investigates host-pathogen interactions, focusing on identifying resistance genes (e.g., rcs5), studying necrotrophic fungal pathogens, and developing strategies to combat diseases like Fusarium head blight, stem rust, and Cercospora leaf spot. She employs advanced techniques like RNAscope FISH for spatial gene expression analysis and collaborates on initiatives such as the Plant Cell Atlas. Her work bridges basic research and applied agriculture, targeting sustainable disease management through genetics, microbiome utilization, and precision agriculture. Grants & Funding: Principal Investigator: South Dakota Wheat Commission grants ($50,000–$104,824) for wheat disease resilience and FHB screening. Co-PI: NSF Building Research Capacity in Biology grant ($494,829) for wall-associated kinase immunity studies. Lead on South Dakota Soybean Council projects addressing white mold and foliar diseases. Awards & Recognition: Early Career Researchers Award (NSF, 2020) Bayer Diversity Initiative Scholar (2020) Featured on Dakota Farm Talk and South Dakota Public Broadcasting (2022–2024) Teaching & Mentoring: Teaches courses like Principles of Plant Pathology and Advanced Plant Pathology, advises undergraduate research, and mentors capstone projects. She balances academic instruction with hands-on lab experiences and honors credit programs. Labs & Collaborations: Leads research on barley immunity, soil microbiome impacts on crop health, and robotics for disease surveillance. Collaborates with institutions like Washington State University and SDSU’s Plant Science teams.

• Plant Pathology
• Plant-Pathogen Interactions
• Fungal Diseases
• +6 more

Karl D. Glover is a Professor in the Department of Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science at South Dakota State University (SDSU). His research focuses on improving hard red spring wheat (HRSW) through breeding and genetics, emphasizing agronomic traits, disease resistance, and end-use quality. Approximately 75% of HRSW acres in South Dakota utilize cultivars from his breeding program, which aims to enhance grower profitability through genetic advancements. Education: Ph.D. in Agronomy/Plant Breeding, Kansas State University (2000) M.S. in Agronomy, South Dakota State University (1996) B.S. in Agronomy, South Dakota State University (1994) Research Interests: Glover’s work centers on wheat breeding, disease resistance (e.g., Fusarium head blight, bacterial leaf streak), and improving yield and quality traits. He has released multiple HRSW varieties, including 'Surpass', 'Boost', 'Focus', and 'Prevail', which are protected by Plant Variety Protections. His studies utilize genomic tools, QTL mapping, and pathogen diagnostics to address challenges in wheat cultivation. Key Contributions: He chairs the National Wheat Improvement Committee and the US Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative. His publications span disease resistance mechanisms, genomic selection, and pathogen population studies. Recent work includes diagnosing new wheat diseases and advancing high-throughput phenotyping techniques. Awards: Plant Variety Protections for multiple HRSW cultivars Labs/Teams: Glover collaborates with the SDSU HRSW breeding program and the Seed Technology Lab, advancing applied research in wheat improvement and seed quality.

• Wheat Breeding
• Plant Genetics
• Disease Resistance in Crops
• +3 more

Jonathan Richards is an Associate Professor at Louisiana State University's College of Agriculture, Department of Plant Pathology & Crop Physiology. His research focuses on molecular mechanisms of fungal pathogenesis, genome evolution, and host defense dynamics in agricultural systems. Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, North Dakota State University (2016) B.S. in Biological Sciences, North Dakota State University (2011) Dr. Richards investigates host-pathogen interactions using next-generation sequencing and classical genetics. His work emphasizes fungal effectors, genomic forces shaping virulence, and tissue-specific plant resistance in rice and soybean pathosystems. His recent publications highlight comparative genomics, effector-target interactions, and population biology of Cercospora and Pyrenophora species. Collaborative studies span wheat, barley, and rice pathologies with implications for global food security.

• Plant Pathology
• Host-Pathogen Interactions
• Fungal Genomics
• +4 more

Dandan Shao serves as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the John W. and Jeanne M. Rowe Center for Research in Virology, Morgridge Institute for Research, where she investigates viral genome replication mechanisms using molecular, cellular, and biochemical approaches. Her work bridges fundamental virology with agricultural applications, focusing on plant-pathogen systems. Her research expertise spans Virology , Molecular Biology , Plant Pathology , and Fungal Genetics , with specific emphasis on gene silencing and plant-microbe interactions . She employs viral vectors to target fungal pathogens in crops, studies effector proteins in necrotrophic fungi, and develops molecular tools for pathogen quantification, aiming to elucidate infection mechanisms and engineer disease resistance. Analysis of her publication record (2014-2021) reveals a cohesive trajectory in plant virology-pathology interfaces, particularly in soybean and specialty crops. Her work integrates viral vector technology with fungal pathogenesis research, demonstrating consistent innovation in host-induced gene silencing applications and molecular diagnostics for oomycete and fungal pathogens. Dr. Shao operates within the Rowe Center for Research in Virology, a specialized unit dedicated to advancing virology through interdisciplinary collaboration. The center provides infrastructure for cutting-edge studies on viral replication, host interactions, and translational solutions for viral diseases, positioning her work at the intersection of basic virology and agricultural biotechnology.

• Virology
• Molecular Biology
• Plant Pathology
• +3 more