Li–Jun Ma

Li–Jun Ma is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His research employs the fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum to investigate genome plasticity, horizontal chromosome transfer, and host-pathogen interactions, with applications in plant pathology and emerging infectious diseases.

Education:

• PhD: State University of New York, the College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry
• Postdoc: Harvard University

Research Interests:
Dr. Ma's lab studies the genetic mechanisms that allow F. oxysporum to adapt to changing environments. Key areas include structural and functional flexibility of the genome, horizontal transfer of pathogenicity chromosomes, molecular interactions within the genome, plant-fungal interactions using a Fusarium-Arabidopsis pathosystem, and virulence factors in animal models for emerging infectious diseases.

Laboratory:
He leads the Fungal Comparative Genomics Lab, which focuses on comparative genomics and evolutionary mechanisms in fungal pathogens.

Advising and Grants:
The provided text does not specify current students or grant awards, but his research program is supported by competitive funding for studies in fungal genomics and pathogenesis.