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Arti Singh is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agronomy at Iowa State University. Her research focuses on plant breeding, soybean diseases, genomics, and phenomics, with a strong emphasis on integrating artificial intelligence and high-throughput technologies into agricultural systems. She leads projects involving AI-driven disease identification, precision agriculture, and crop improvement strategies. Her expertise includes developing machine learning models for real-time weed and insect classification (e.g., WeedNet and InsectNet), deploying drones and ground robots for crop phenotyping, and leveraging genomic data to map traits like flowering time and disease resistance in legumes. Singh collaborates on initiatives like the AIIRA Institute for Resilient Agriculture and the BioTrove biodiversity dataset. Singh’s work spans plant stress phenotyping, digital twin technologies for plant sciences, and multi-sensor phenotyping for early disease detection. Her research bridges computational methods with traditional agronomy, aiming to enhance crop resilience and sustainability in the face of environmental challenges. Her recent projects include optimizing robotic navigation for precision agriculture, improving soybean yield estimation via video analysis, and dissecting genetic architectures of traits in mungbean and soybean using GWAS and genomic tools. She actively contributes to conferences and publishes in high-impact journals, advancing both foundational and applied aspects of agricultural science.

• Plant breeding
• Soybean diseases
• Genomics
• +3 more

Sungkwon Park is a Professor in the Department of Food Science and Biotechnology at Sejong University, specializing in advanced food science and biotechnology research with a focus on meat science, cultured meat production, and sustainable food systems. His research integrates molecular biology, food biotechnology, and systems biology to develop innovative food solutions. His educational background includes a Ph.D. from Purdue University (2008), M.S. from Yeungnam University (2001), and B.S. from Yeungnam University (1999). Prior to his current position, he worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at Virginia Tech (2008-2012) and as a Research Officer at the National Institute of Animal Science, RDA (2012-2015). Professor Park's research interests focus on livestock production optimization, meat processing for health functionality, environmentally friendly animal production systems, and in vitro meat production. His work has led to significant achievements including the identification of calcium and glucose interaction mechanisms in muscle metabolism, development of oleogel-based meat processing techniques, optimization of feed ingredients for sustainable livestock, and establishment of in vitro meat production systems. His recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate a strong focus on cultured meat technology, meat science, and sustainable food production. The research spans cellular mechanisms for cultured meat production, safety and regulatory aspects of alternative proteins, comparative analysis of muscle satellite cells, and optimization of meat processing techniques. His work shows a clear trend toward developing practical applications for next-generation meat products with emphasis on health functionality and environmental sustainability. Professor Park actively serves as a reviewer for Frontiers in Veterinary Science and is an Editorial Board Member of the Korean Society of Animal Science. His laboratory, the M&M'a lab (Functional Food Lab), conducts research on high-value-added, health-functional BioFood and future foods using bio-convergence technologies.

• Livestock production & optimization
• Meat processing: healthy & functionality
• Establishment of environmentally friendly animal production
• +6 more

Katy D. Heath is a Professor of Plant Biology and Affiliate Professor in Microbiology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). She leads the Plant Biology department and is affiliated with the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology. Her research focuses on the evolution of mutualisms, particularly plant-microbe interactions such as legume-rhizobium symbiosis, emphasizing genetic and ecological factors influencing symbiotic stability and adaptation. She investigates how environmental pressures (e.g., global change) shape mutualistic relationships and microbial community dynamics. Education: B.S. (2000) and Ph.D. (2007) from the University of Illinois and University of Minnesota, respectively, followed by postdoctoral work at the University of Toronto (2007–2009). Research Interests: Symbiosis evolution, microbial genetics, plasmid transmission dynamics, and the impacts of agricultural practices on rhizobia populations. She studies diverse systems, including Medicago-Sinorhizobium, soybean-Bradyrhizobium, and invasive legume-rhizobium interactions. Recent publications (2020–2025) highlight studies on endophyte impacts on soybean yield, rhizobia diversity under conventional farming, and genomic analyses of symbiotic coevolution. Her work integrates molecular biology, quantitative genetics, and ecology. Grants & Collaborations: Lead PI on a $12.5M NSF Biology Integration Institute (Genomics and Eco-evolution of Multi-scale Symbiosis). Her team includes collaborations with institutions like Indiana University and the University of Chicago. Labs & Teams: Heath Lab focuses on symbiosis research, with active projects on microbiome dynamics, plasmid-host coevolution, and community outreach (e.g., Boys and Girls Club collaborations). Recent lab highlights include student graduations (e.g., Ivan Sosa Marquez, Chase) and awards like the John R. Laughnan Award in Plant Biology.

• Microbiome and Microbial Communities
• Evolutionary Genetics
• Symbiosis and Mutualism Evolution
• +3 more

Lina Bernaola is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University AgriLife Research. She holds a Ph.D. in Entomology and an M.S. in Agronomy from Louisiana State University, alongside a B.S. in Biology from Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (Peru). Her research focuses on plant-insect interactions, particularly rice pests, and explores the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in enhancing plant defense systems. She develops sustainable pest management strategies integrating agronomy, biochemistry, and ecology. Her expertise spans Host Plant Resistance, Plant-Microbe-Insect Interactions, and Integrated Pest Management. Recent work includes studies on rice delphacid control, biocontrol mechanisms, and the ecological impacts of mycorrhizal symbiosis. She is recognized for her leadership, becoming the first Latina president of the Entomological Society of America (ESA). Education: B.S. Biology, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos M.S. Agronomy, Louisiana State University Ph.D. Entomology, Louisiana State University Awards/Honors: Incoming President, Entomological Society of America (2023). Her research bridges fundamental and applied entomology, aiming to improve crop resilience through multidisciplinary approaches. Collaborations emphasize translational science for practical agricultural solutions.

• Host Plant Resistance
• Plant-Microbe-Insect Interactions
• Integrated Pest Management
• +3 more

Bo Lu is a Professor of Biostatistics and Statistics at The Ohio State University. His research focuses on advancing early detection technologies for forest pathogens and pests using spectroscopy, machine learning, and metabolomics. He specializes in understanding plant defense mechanisms against invasive species and climate-driven disease dynamics. Key research areas include: Non-invasive disease diagnostics via FT-IR/Raman spectroscopy Machine learning applications in plant health monitoring Molecular basis of plant-pathogen interactions Environmental risk modeling for emerging forest diseases Notable projects include developing early detection systems for ash dieback, beech leaf disease, and soybean cyst nematode infestations. His work integrates statistical modeling with biochemical analysis to improve forest biosecurity strategies globally. He advocates for international collaboration in addressing the global forest health crisis through improved diagnostic frameworks and resistance breeding programs.

• Plant Pathology
• Forest Health Management
• Environmental Risk Modeling
• +3 more

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

Somak Dutta is an Associate Professor at Iowa State University conducting interdisciplinary research at the intersection of statistical methodology, machine learning, and agricultural sciences. His work addresses critical challenges in plant breeding, genomics, and environmental modeling through innovative quantitative approaches. His academic foundation includes: PhD in Statistics, University of Chicago, 2015 M.Stat (First Division with Distinction), Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, 2010 B.Stat (Honours with Distinction), Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, 2008 Dr. Dutta specializes in developing advanced statistical frameworks for high-dimensional data analysis, Bayesian variable selection, and spatial modeling. His research directly impacts plant breeding programs through applications in phenotyping, haploid induction systems, drought response mechanisms, and genetic architecture studies across key crops including maize, soybean, and mungbean. He also contributes to meteorological science through machine learning applications for severe weather verification. Analysis of his 2023-2025 publications reveals two dominant research streams: (1) agricultural applications focusing on genomic selection, phenotyping technologies, and stress response modeling in crops, and (2) meteorological innovations applying machine learning to severe thunderstorm wind verification and precipitation forecasting. Both streams demonstrate his signature approach of developing novel statistical methodologies tailored to domain-specific challenges. No scientific awards were documented in the provided materials. Information regarding student advising, grant funding, laboratory infrastructure, or collaborative teams was not available in the source documentation.

• Statistics
• Machine Learning
• Genomics
• +5 more

Dr. Donna Harris is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Wyoming, based at the Sheridan Research & Extension Center. Her academic career includes roles as Senior Scientist at BASF Vegetable Seeds (2015–2020), Research Professional III at the University of Georgia (2007–2015), and prior industry experience with Monsanto and Pioneer Hi-Bred International. She holds a PhD (2014) and MS (2001) in Crop Science from the University of Georgia, alongside a BS (1998) in the same field. Her research focuses on plant breeding and genetics, addressing crop needs for Wyoming producers and consumers. Key areas include soybean rust resistance, quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis, and germplasm evaluation for disease resistance. She has contributed significantly to soybean breeding programs, identifying novel resistance genes and developing resistant cultivars. Dr. Harris has published extensively on soybean pathology and genetics, with work appearing in Theoretical and Applied Genetics , Molecular Breeding , and Crop Science . Her publications emphasize molecular mapping of resistance genes, germplasm screening, and disease management strategies. While no awards are explicitly listed, her impactful research has shaped soybean improvement efforts in the U.S. and globally. Her professional experience spans academic and industrial settings, with expertise in both theoretical genetics and applied breeding. Current research integrates field-based evaluations with genomic approaches to enhance crop resilience against biotic stresses.

• Plant Breeding
• Genetics
• Crop Science
• +3 more

Mary Catherine Aime is a Professor of Botany & Plant Pathology at Purdue University's College of Agriculture, where she serves as Director of the Purdue University Herbaria (Arthur Fungarium and Kriebel Herbarium). Her research program focuses on the systematics, biodiversity, and evolution of Fungi, with particular emphasis on the earliest diverging lineages of Basidiomycota, rust fungi, fungi in tropical ecosystems, and fungal diseases of tropical tree crops. Dr. Aime's research interests span fungal systematics, biodiversity, and evolution. Her lab employs diverse methodologies from genomics to field studies in remote regions to investigate vastly underexplored fungal lineages. She has made significant contributions to the understanding of rust fungi (Pucciniales) taxonomy, establishing a comprehensive higher-rank classification based on molecular, morphological, and ecological data. Her work has important implications for plant pathology, agriculture, and biodiversity conservation. Dr. Aime's publication record demonstrates consistent contributions to fungal systematics, particularly in rust fungi research. Her work spans taxonomic revisions, molecular phylogenetics, biodiversity documentation, and the development of practical identification tools like Rust HUBB. Her research shows a clear progression from foundational taxonomic work to the development of molecular resources that benefit the broader plant pathology community. As Director of the Purdue University Herbaria, Dr. Aime oversees one of the most important collections of rust fungi (Pucciniales) in the world through the Arthur Fungarium (PUR). Her leadership in maintaining and expanding these critical research collections supports global mycological research efforts.

• Fungal Systematics
• Biodiversity
• Evolution of Fungi
• +7 more

Daniel J Eck is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Statistics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign within the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. His research focuses on statistical methodology development driven by collaborations in diverse fields such as sports analytics, evolutionary biology, economics, and biostatistics. He holds a PhD in Statistics from the University of Minnesota (2017) and a BS in Mathematics from Southern Illinois University Carbondale (2009). Education: PhD in Statistics, University of Minnesota, 2017 BS in Mathematics, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 2009 His research interests emphasize methodological innovation in areas like envelope models, variance reduction techniques, and applications in sports and ecology. Recent work explores fire effects on plant fitness, soybean genomics, and infectious disease intervention design. He actively collaborates with researchers across disciplines and mentors graduate students in statistical methods. Eck teaches courses such as Baseball Analytics and Advanced Regression Analysis. Research Trends: His articles span statistical theory (e.g., envelope estimation), applied ecology (fire-pollination interactions), and sports analytics (player performance comparisons). He balances foundational methodology with practical applications in diverse domains. Advising & Grants: Eck advises graduate students on projects in evolutionary biology and economics. While specific grant details are not provided, his research reflects active engagement with funded collaborative projects. He maintains affiliations with the Department of Statistics and has ties to computational biology and public health initiatives. Labs/Teams: While no specific lab is mentioned, his work aligns with interdisciplinary teams at UIUC and Yale School of Public Health (prior postdoctoral affiliation).

• Sports Analytics
• Evolutionary Biology
• Biostatistics
• +4 more

David Hyten, Jr. serves as the Haskins Professor of Plant Genetics within the Department of Agronomy & Horticulture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he leads research advancing soybean genomics and breeding methodologies for global food security. Education: Ph.D., University of Maryland, 2005 M.S., University of Tennessee, 2002 B.A., Southern Illinois University, 1999 Research Focus: Dr. Hyten's program integrates high-throughput genotyping with quantitative genetics to dissect complex traits including disease resistance (cyst nematode, stem borer), seed composition (protein/oil), and yield stability. His work pioneers genomic selection pipelines and recombination hotspot analysis to accelerate breeding cycles, with emphasis on translating genomic discoveries into practical cultivar development through marker-assisted selection and predictive modeling. Publication Trends: Recent outputs (2021-2025) reveal evolving emphasis from foundational genomics (recombination mapping, QTL identification) toward applied breeding solutions, including cost-effective DNA extraction methods, pedigree-based imputation techniques, and community strategic planning for soybean genomics. His work increasingly addresses genotype-environment interactions and stability of key traits across diverse production systems.

• Plant Genetics
• Soybean Genomics
• Molecular Breeding
• +4 more

Dr. Francisco Ochoa Corona is a Professor at Oklahoma State University's Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology and the Institute for Biosecurity & Microbial Forensics. His expertise spans forensic plant pathology, agricultural biosecurity, and microbial forensics. He develops diagnostic tools for plant viruses and phytopathogens, focusing on biosecurity threats and emergency management. His research integrates molecular biology, genomics, and field-deployable diagnostics. Education: Agricultural Engineering, Universidad del Zulia, Venezuela M.S. in Plant Protection, University of Central Venezuela Ph.D. in Plant Pathology (Plant Virology), University of Florida Postdoctoral training in Plant Virology at the University of Florida Research Interests: Development of diagnostics for plant viruses and vectors Biosecurity and microbial forensics applications Waterborne plant viruses and arthropod surveillance Emerging pathogens and global disease dynamics EDNA (Electronic-probe Diagnostic Nucleic-acid Analysis) technology Pathogen genomics and molecular signatures Teaching: Courses include Global Agricultural Biosecurity and Forensics, Plant Virology, and Seed Pathology Fundamentals. He employs a 'Coach-Athlete' model emphasizing collaborative learning and problem-solving. Grants & Funding: Leads projects funded by USDA-NIFA, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and industry partnerships. Recent grants focus on wheat disease resistance, rose rosette disease, and diagnostic tool development. Labs & Teams: Heads a research team advancing EDNA platforms, LAMP assays, and molecular diagnostics. Collaborates with global institutions on biosecurity and plant health initiatives.

• Biosecurity science and invasive species ecology
• Virology
• Forensic biology
• +3 more

Dr. Wayne Parrott is a Distinguished Research Professor in the Department of Crop & Soil Sciences at the University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences . He leads research at the Center for Applied Genetic Technologies (CAGT) and is affiliated with the Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics . His work focuses on crop genetic engineering , genome editing , and insect resistance in plants. Research in the Parrott Lab emphasizes molecular marker-assisted breeding , gene discovery , and Agrobacterium optimization for plant transformation. They have developed CRISPR/Cas9 tools for crops like soybean and switchgrass, while also studying epigenetic changes during tissue culture and exploring regulatory frameworks for genetically modified organisms. Key scientific contributions include the PlantGENE initiative for advancing plant transformation and awards for his research excellence as a Distinguished Research Professor . The lab investigates transgene deployment in bioenergy crops and addresses regulatory challenges in agricultural biotechnology.

• Crop Genetic Engineering
• Genome Editing
• Molecular Marker-Assisted Breeding
• +2 more

Shavannor M. Smith is an Associate Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences . Smith's research focuses on plant-pathogen interactions , particularly the structure and evolution of disease resistance loci , and genetic improvement of crop plants for disease resistance . With appointments since 2007 and graduate program coordination from 2017-2022, Smith has established a multidisciplinary research program integrating genetics, genomics, and plant biology. Research interests include: Genetic basis of host plant resistance Evolution of resistance genes in crops Plant-pathogen co-evolution dynamics Application of genomic tools to crop protection Recent scholarly works emphasize: Rust resistance in switchgrass Quantitative trait loci mapping Host response signatures to fungal pathogens Genotype-by-environment interactions Awards and honors include: UGA Teaching Academy (2022) Dean's Award for Graduate Education (2022) D. W. Brooks Diversity Award (2021) Lilly Teaching Fellow (2010-2012) Smith's funding portfolio features grants from the USDA NIFA, National Corn Growers Association, and NSF for projects on: Next-generation maize biotechnology Rust resistance mechanisms Microbiome-pathogen interactions Genetic diversity analysis

• Plant Pathology
• Genetics
• Crop Resistance Breeding
• +2 more

Mark R. Marten is a Professor and Department Chair at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, in the College of Engineering and Information Technology, Department of Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering. He leads the Marten Lab, which focuses on understanding and manipulating microbial expression systems. Education: Ph.D. Chemical Engineering – Purdue University, 1991 M.S. Chemical Engineering – Purdue University, 1988 B.S. Chemical Engineering – State University of New York at Buffalo, 1986 Research interests center on fungal biology and biotechnology, particularly using advanced analytical tools like electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and proteomic analysis to study fungal cell walls and stress responses. Current projects investigate autophagy mechanisms and morphology-secretion relationships in filamentous fungi. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on Aspergillus nidulans cell wall stress responses, kinase signaling pathways, and mycelial material properties. Research integrates molecular biology with materials science, showing consistent themes in fungal adaptation mechanisms and biotechnological applications. Lab activities include collaborative projects on plant phenotype design, antifungal mechanisms, and nano-mechanical characterization of fungal structures.

• Microbial Expression Systems
• Filamentous Fungi
• Proteomic Analysis
• +4 more