معرفی
Dr. Katherine Zulak is a Lecturer at Curtin University's School of Molecular and Life Sciences within the Faculty of Science and Engineering. Her research focuses on molecular plant pathology, particularly fungicide resistance in agricultural crops. She develops innovative tools using third-generation DNA sequencing (e.g., Oxford Nanopore) for real-time monitoring of pathogen resistance. Her work emphasizes barley phytopathogens like Pyrenophora teres and wheat stripe rust, with applications in sustainable agriculture and disease management.
Her research also extends to plant-microbe interactions, including studies on aphid-legume interactions and conifer defense mechanisms. She has contributed to understanding terpenoid biosynthesis pathways in sandalwood and opium poppy, exploring metabolic reprogramming in elicitor-treated cultures. Her methodologies include proteomics, metabolomics, and next-generation sequencing technologies.
Key Contributions:
- Development of portable DNA sequencing for field-based resistance monitoring
- Characterization of fungal secretomes and pathogen virulence factors
- Metagenomic analysis of crop microbiomes
- Integration of omics data for plant defense studies
Dr. Zulak collaborates with industry partners to translate molecular insights into practical solutions for crop protection. Her work bridges fundamental research and agricultural applications, addressing global challenges in sustainable crop production.
