Melissa G Mitchum

Melissa G. Mitchum is a Professor of Plant Nematology at the University of Georgia, affiliated with the Department of Plant Pathology, Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics & Genomics, and Center for Applied Genetic Technologies. Her research focuses on molecular plant-nematode interactions with emphasis on cyst and root-knot nematodes.

• Ph.D. in Plant Pathology (minor Biotechnology) - North Carolina State University (2001)
• Postdoctoral Fellow - Duke University (2003)
• MS in Plant Pathology - University of Nebraska (1995)
• BS in Biology - University of Puget Sound (1993)

Research explores nematode effector proteins that manipulate plant developmental pathways through CLE peptide mimicry, phytohormone hijacking, and nuclear-targeted gene regulation. Key work includes identifying serine hydroxymethyltransferase 8 as a critical resistance gene and discovering nematode secreted receptor-interacting effectors.

Current projects integrate CRISPR genome editing, transcriptomics, and high-throughput phenotyping to engineer nematode-resistant crops. Collaborates with plant breeders across North America to develop durable resistance strategies through gene pyramiding and rotation systems.