Students
Aaron received his MS in 2011 from Sonoma State University, in Rohnert Park, California, where he worked on the use of soil amendments to limit disease in strawberry. He obtained his Bachelor’s in Fisheries Biology from Humboldt State University in 2003. He was a recipient of a national level fellowship from the ARCS Foundation in 2011. Before joining Dr. Johnson’s lab, Aaron was involved in researching as a special consultant for the FAB (Fuel from Aquatic Biomass) project which was awarded one of four Green Awards in 2011. Major Professor: Dr. Dennis Johnson |
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Bull’s-eye rot is a post-harvest disease of apple and pear fruit caused by a complex of four fungal species belonging to the Neofabraea genus. All four fungi are present in the Pacific Northwest with Neofabraea malicorticis typically restricted to the west side of the Cascade Mountains, N. perennans common to central and eastern Washington and N. alba more prevalent in pear orchards in Oregon. Recently, a newly described fungus, Cryptosporiopsis kienholzii, with a teleomorph referable to Neofabraea sp., was also found to cause bull’s-eye rot of apple fruit. N. malicorticis, N. perennans and N. alba are all known to cause canker diseases in apple and pear trees; however little is known regarding the biology and epidemiology of C. kienholzii. The objectives of my research are to understand the population biology of C. kienholzii in the PNW and to determine various environmental and host factors influencing canker and bull’s-eye rot development caused by this pathogen with comparison to other Neofabraea species commonly appearing in apple orchards in the region. The goal of my research is to better understand the disease epidemiology of this pathogen with the hope of developing more effective control measures. Major Professor: Dr. Chang-lin Xiao/Mark Mazzola |
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I am determining the etiological agent of apple green crinkle disease. I am using molecular tools to characterize virus(es) associated with this disease Major Professor: Dr. Ken Eastwell |
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Ana Vida AlcalaPhD Email: avialcala@wsu.edu |
My PhD research project deals specifically with the management of damping-off caused by Pythium spp. in organic vegetable production in the Pacific Northwest. The project aims to understand the biology of Pythium as the major pathogen that causes damping-off during early season planting of vegetables (specifically pea and sweet corn) in organic fields, and to examine the conditions that favor the disease. Management strategies are being evaluated, focusing on the use of seed or drench treatment products (biological and non-biological) that are approved by the USDA National Organic Program for use in certified organic production. I am also looking at the potential use of electrolyte conductivity as a predictor of seed quality, and as a tool to evaluate the risk of damping-off. The outcomes of this project, hopefully, will benefit stakeholders involved in organic vegetable production, specifically for early spring plantings when field conditions are highly favorable for damping-off. Major Professor: Dr. Lindsey duToit |
My research focus is on the molecular characterization, structure-function relationships and genetic complementation studies of plant pararetroviruses associated with dahlia (Dahlia spp). Using dahlia mosaic- associated caulimoviruses as a model system, my plan is to dissect the genetic elements involved in virus pathogenicity, transmission, gene expression and regulation. I started my PhD in fall 2008. I am a native of Lima, Peru where I obtained my BS in Biology from the National Agrarian University-La Molina. My undergraduate research was done at the International Potato Center where I studied the molecular detection of a sweetpotato virus. I obtained my MS from the University of Minnesota, St. Paul. My MS thesis research was on the characterization and identification of two previously undescribed viruses ocurring in greenhouse tomato and ornamental flowering maple. Major Professor: Dr. Hanu Pappu
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My research is Mycoflora of Lupine Seed, with Emphasis on Lupinus albus.I am working with white lupin (Lupinus albus ) seeds to document the most prevalent fungi associated with lupine seed in Washington State and to document presence or absence of plant-pathogenic fungi on lupine seed. Major Professor: Dr. Frank Dugan |
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My PhD research focuses on population genetics and evolutionary potential of the ubiquitous soilborne plant pathogen, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, collected from different field crops including alfalfa, canola, gourd, lentil, pea and potato. I am applying a variety of techniques including genotyping, HPLC, fungicide sensitivity assays and pathogenicity testes to measure genetic variation in neutral DNA markers and in quantitative traits of agricultural importance. Major Professor: Dr. Weidong Chen
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My PhD research is on developing tools for understanding the role of thrips vectors in tospovirus epidemiology, biological and molecular characterization of tospoviruses in vegetable cropping systems and developing novel strategies for virus suppression. Major Professor: Dr. Hanu Pappu
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The purpose of my project is to clarify the influence of crop volunteer and grassy weed greenbridges on Rhizoctonia root rot disease of cereals. I am also screening a collection of Brassica spp. and synthetic wheat germplasm for resistance to Rhizoctonia solani. Major Professor: Dr. Scot Hulbert
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I am researching methods and genes involved in pathogenicity of Enterobacter cloacae on onion. With a side MLSA project comparing various closely related species of Enterobacter cloacae. Major Professor: Dr. Brenda Schroeder |
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Research focuses on yeasts associated with wine grapes in Washington state. Major Professor: Dr. Dean Glawe |
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I am interested in RNA silencing mechanisms in hops and how they interact with Hop stunt viroid to modulate symptoms in hops infected with Hop stunt viroid alone or coinfected with Hop mosaic virus. Major Professor: Dr. Ken Eastwell |
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I am working on genomic study of wheat stripe rust pathogen Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici and identify wheat stripe rust resistant genes from durum wheat. Major Professor: Dr. Xianming Chen |
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I received a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Biochemistry in 2005 from the National University of Science and Technology in Zimbabwe. I have worked as a research scientist since 2007 at the Scientific and Industrial and Research Development Centre, Zimbabwe. My work focused on the production of virus-free plantlets and development of molecular diagnostics for plant viruses. I started my MS in the department in fall 2010 with a Fulbright Fellowship. My research project’s focus is on understanding tospovirus-plant interactions using molecular tools and approaches. Major Professor: Dr. Hanu Pappu |
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Bhanu received her MS in Plant Biotechnology from the University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India where she worked on a project "Study of tobacco transgenic plants constitutively expressing NPR1 and PI for enhanced resistance to Meloidogyne incognita". She was a recipient of a fellowship for Meritorious Students, “Achievers award”. She also received a medal of excellence from Dr. Abdul Kalaam, former President of India. She obtained her Bachelor’s in Biochemistry, Chemistry and Botany from the Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, India. Bhanu's research focus will be molecular biology of grapevine leafroll-associated viruses. Major Professor: Dr. Naidu Rayapati |
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My research focuses on studying the functions of Meloidogyne effector genes and the use of RNA interference to improve host resistance against parasitic nematodes Major Professor: Dr. Axel Elling |
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I am using molecular markers to determine the population structure of Verticillium dahliae isolates collected from potato and mint. I am also investigating the epidemiology of bacterial stem rot of potato caused by pectolytic bacteria in the Columbia Basin of Washington State. Major Professor: Dr. Dennis Johnson
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I work in the lab of Dr. Lindsey du Toit at Washington State University’s Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center in Mount Vernon, WA. Dr. du Toit’s research program focuses on the epidemiology and management of diseases in vegetable seed crops grown in the Pacific Northwest. I am developing risk assessment tools and evaluating sustainable management practices for control of the soilborne fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. spinaciae, which causes a vascular wilt disease of spinach seed crops. The persistent nature of the pathogen in soils forces growers to employ rotations of up to 15 years, which greatly limits the acreage available for spinach seed production in this region. Major Professor: Dr. Lindsey du Toit
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Shashika obtained her Bachelor’s in Plant Biotechnology from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. She was a recipient of Professor B.L.T. de Silva Memorial Prize in Plant Sciences, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka (2009) and the Staff Prize of the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka (2007). Before joining Dr. Mazzola’s lab, Shashika was involved in teaching in lab classes on Plant Pathology and conducting research on “Fungal Enzymology" at the University of Colombo. Major Professor: Dr. Mark Mazzola |
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I am from Puerto Limon, Costa Rica. For my Master’s degree in Crop Protection at the University of Costa Rica I studied plant parasitic nematodes in yams (Dioscorea spp.). My project included the identification of Pratylenchus, Meloidogyne and Scutellonema species using morphological, morphometric and molecular techniques. I was awarded with a Fulbright scholarship to continue the PhD on Plant Pathology in Washington State University. Major Professor: Dr. Axel Elling |
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My research focuses on root-lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus neglectus and P. thornei) of wheat in the Pacific Northwest. I will use quantitative (Real-Time) PCR techniques to survey Eastern Washington to quantify nematode populations. I will also screen different wheat germplasm for resistance to root-lesion nematodes and cereal cyst nematode (Heterodera avenae). Major Professor: Dr. Timothy Paulitz |
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Madhu received her MS in Plant biology & Biotechnology from the University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India where she worked on changes in carotenoids during tomato fruit ripening. She obtained her Bachelor’s in Biochemistry from the Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, India. Before joining Dr. Naidu’s lab, Madhu was conducting research on Changes in carotenoids during tomato fruit ripening under mentorship of Dr. Y. Sree Lakshmi, University of Hyderabad. Madhu research focus will be molecular biology of grapevine leafroll-associated viruses. Major Professor: Dr. Naidu Rayapati |
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My research focus is placed on a phytotoxin, solanapyrone, produced by Ascochyta rabiei and other related species, which can cause necrotic diseases and severe yield loss in pulse crops (a.k.a. the Ascochyta blight). The phytotoxin has been considered a major virulent factor of the disease. However, the mode of action of the toxin remains largely unknown. The final goal of my doctorate study is to elucidate pathogenic roles of the phytotoxin in the Ascochyta blight. I am also interested in expression study of genes involved in toxin biosynthesis, and in RNA metabolism of the fungus during the pathogenesis. The studies will help develop pulse crop varieties with enhanced resistance against the Ascochyta blight. Major Professor: Dr. Weidong Chen |
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My research will focus on direct soil quantification using real-time PCR and population dynamics of Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium commune from Douglas-fir nursery soils. Major Professor: Dr. Gary Chastagner
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My research focus is on the molecular and biological characterization of Potato virus S, and genetics and genomics of potato-virus interactions. Using biological, genetic, and molecular approaches, I am investigating the structure-function relationships of viral genomes, and analyzing the virus-host interactions that result in resistant or susceptible phenotypes as a result of virus infection. Major Professor: Dr. Hanu Pappu
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Stacy received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from California State University, Monterey Bay, located in Seaside, CA. Before joining WSU, Stacy was involved in research at the United States Department of Agriculture-Agriculture Research Service in Salinas, CA. Stacy conducted research on bacterial diseases of vegetable crops. Major Professor: Dr. Timothy Murray and Dr. Brenda Schroeder
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Katie received her MS in Plant Pathology from Washington State University, Pullman, WA, where she worked on Phytophthora ramorum colonization of Douglas-fir. She obtained her Bachelor’s in Forest Health from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF). Before joining Dr. Chastagner's lab, Katie was involved in field forestry research with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences in Maine. Major Professor: Dr. Gary Chastagner
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My research is focused on the effect of phenazine-producing Pseudomonas spp. on Rhizoctonia root rot in dryland cropping systems. These studies involve determining the sensitivity of isolates and groups of Rhizoctonia spp. to phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA), assessment of biological control by phenazine producers and transgenic strains in wheat and other crops and determination of kinetics of PCA accumulation. Major Professor: Dr. Linda Thomashow |
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I joined Dr. Gary Grove’s lab as a Ph.D. student in fall 2011. I received an MS in Biology from Youngstown State University (YSU), Youngstown, OH, where I worked on the possible role of E.coli chromosomal arsenic resistant operon in selenite tolerance. I got my Bachelor's in Science and her Master’s Degree in Human Genetics from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, India. Before joining Dr. Grove's lab I was involved in teaching microbiology labs at YSU and involved in conducting research in microbial genetics. Major Professor: Dr. Gary Grove
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Khalid NaveedPhD Email:khalid.naveed@wsu.edu |
Khalid Naveed grew up in Kasur, Pakistan. He received his Bachelor's degree in Agriculture from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad in 2007. In 2009, he obtained his Master's degree in Plant Pathology from the same university. In Masters, his thesis work focused on characterization of epidemiological factors conducive to Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV)and its management through plant extracts. Khalid joined the department in spring 2010 to start his PhD. His research work focuses on interaction of Potato virus Y (PVY) with different potato cultivars. He is studying mechanisms of resistance and hypersensitivity in potato to PVY. Major Professor: Dr. Hanu Pappu |
Taras obtained his BS and MS in breeding and genetics of crops from Ukrainian National Agricultural University. His PhD research focused on developing new and novel stripe rust resistant cultivars, including the development of genetic maps utilizing populations derived from landraces that have new novel stripe rust resistance crossed with adapted susceptible wheat cultivars like Avocet. Major Professor: Dr. Deven See
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Binod received his MS in Biology from the Eastern New Mexico Universiy, Portales, NM, where he worked on “Evaluation of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Cultivars on the Basis of Crop Performance at Different Seeding Rates and Tolerance Levels to Bacterial Blight (Xanthomonas campestris pv. malvsacearum)”. He obtained his Bachelors in Biology and Master’s Degree in Botany from Tribhuvan University, Nepal. Before joining Dr. Grove’s lab, Binod was involved in a peanut research project at the New Mexico State University, Agriculture Science Center at Clovis, NM. Major Professor: Dr. Gary Grove
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Marianne is part of the SCRI-SREP project “Biodegradable Mulches for Specialty Crops Produced Under Protective Covers.” Her thesis project will focus on (i) plant health and root disease issues resulting from growing crops under biodegradable mulches (BDMs) within open fields and high tunnel systems (ii) the relative ability of existing and emerging BDM products to meet performance standards and biodegrade in the soil environment (iii) the presence/absence of mulch by-products in the soil environment and the potential effects on soil ecology. Major Professor: Dr. Debra Inglis |
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My graduate research involves molecular biology and functional genomics of grapevine leafroll-associated viruses to better understand the biology of grapevine leafroll disease affecting wine grapes (Vitis vinifera). I also participate in IPM CRSP project funded by the USAID to characterize viruses in vegetable crops. Major Professor: Dr. Naidu Rayapati
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My PhD project will involve identification and functional characterization of conserved effector proteins from the transcriptome sequences of fungi causing stem rust, stripe rust and leaf rust and to use them to identify corresponding resistance genes from wild relatives of wheat. Major Professor: Dr. Scot Hulbert |
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Lucy obtained her Bachelor’s in environmental science from the University of Washington Tacoma. Before coming to Pullman, Lucy has been a volunteer in Dr. Chastagner's lab, supporting research conducted on Sudden Oak Death caused by the pathogen, Phytophthora ramorum. Her MS research focuses on water biofiltration of P. ramorum in infected waterways. Major Professor: Dr. Gary Chastagner
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Michael received his B.S. in Plant Biology from Ohio University in Athens, OH. He became a Masters student at WSU in 2010 and is currently working on evaluating a Botrytis Bunch Rot model for wine grapes in Eastern Washington Major Professor: Dr. Gary Grove |
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I am studying epidemiology of stripe rust and population diversity of Puccinia striiformis. I am developing an improved stripe rust forecasting model for the PNW and determining epidemiological regions based on temperature data and the over-summering and over-wintering potential of the pathogen. I will also be investigating the virulence spectrum of South Asian isolates of P. striiformis as well as polymorphisms at the molecular level for comparison with US populations. Major Professor: Dr. Xianming Chen
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I work on post harvest diseases in Apple in Washington state. My primary pathogen of interest is Phacidiopycnis washingtonensis. Major Professor: Dr. Chang-lin Xiao |
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I am working on identification of genetic variation in wild ancestors of modern cultivated wheat. My research will also deal with stem rust resistance in wheat, focusing on resistance to Ug99. Major Professor: Dr. Deven See |
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I am examining the resistance of Alternaria solani and Alternarai alternata, isolated from potato, to strobilurin fungicides. I will also be using molecular markers to determine the genetic variability and population structure of these Alternaria species in the Pacific Northwest. Major Professor: Dr. Dennis Johnson |
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I started my Ph.D. in Spring 2011. My research focuses on epidemiology of eyespot disease in wheat. I came from the Plant Protection Department of the National Institute of Agricultural Research (INIAP) in Ecuador. For the past years I participated in research on the effects of spatial arrangements in intercropping systems of cocoa-plantain, and how they affect intensity of the most important diseases of these crops, as well as providing support to a project on the conservation and use of genetic intraspecific diversity for the management of pests for sustainable agriculture. I hold my Master’s degree from Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil (on comparative epidemiology in the development of Black Sigatoka in banana and plantain). Major Professor: Dr. Timothy Murray |
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I am examining the interaction between viroids and the viruses associated with leafroll and stem pitting in grapevines. The possible synergies among these agents are determined by looking at horticultural properties of wine grapes including berry yield and quality. The direct interaction of these pathogens will also be measured through changes in pathogen titer and/or changes in the accumulation small interfering RNA specific to each infectious agent. Major Professor: Dr. Ken Eastwell
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Michele obtained her BS in Biology from Oregon State University. Before joining Dr. Xiao's lab, Michele was involved in research with Dr. Lee Taylor at the Molecular Microbial Ecology Lab at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks studying post-fire disturbance mycorrhizal succession and community development. Prior to working for Dr. Taylor, Michele worked under Dr. Joseph Spatafora at Oregon State University's fungal herbarium and assisted master's student, Katie Gallagher, with Erigeron decumbens recruitment research. She is now conducting research on two undescribed fungal pathogens that cause post-harvest fruit rot on apples. Major Professor: Dr. Chang-lin Xiao
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Chongjing obtained his BS in Plant Protection from Northwest A&F University, China. Before joining Dr. Xianming Chen’s lab, he was involved in projects studying genetics of stripe rust resistance in wheat cultivars, disease survey and sample collection. He is now conducting research on development molecular markers associated to avirulence\virulence genes in the stripe rust pathogen, using markers to tag specific groups of stripe rust races, and understanding mechanisms of host-rust interactions. Major Professor: Dr. Xianming Chen
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For my PhD dissertation, I am working on the influence of meteorological parameters on airborne conidia concentrations of Erysiphe necator, Podosphaera clandestina, and P. humuli, incitants of the powdery mildews of grapes, cherries, and hops. My research also focuses on the use of virtual weather in plant disease assessment and forecasting. Major Professor: Dr. Gary Grove |
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Ying received her MS in Cell Biology from Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China, where she worked on rice blast resistance. She obtained her Bachelor’s in Biotechnology from Hebei University, Baoding, China. Before joining Dr. Pappu’s lab, Ying was involved in teaching Botany and Molecular Biology at Shijiazhuang College and conducting research on rice functional genomics. Major Professor: Dr. Hanu Pappu |
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Other Students Advised by Plant Pathology Faculty |
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My research focuses upon the ecology, diversity, and physiology of phenazine (specifically phenazine-1-carboxylic acid, or PCA) producing fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. isolated from the rhizosphere of dryland wheat from the Columbia Plateau that likely play a role in fungal pathogen suppression. Specifically I am interested in how populations of PCA-producers are enriched in the dryland region and the major environmental driving force behind that enrichment as well as their molecular interactions with other members of the rhizosphere population. Major Professor: Dr. Linda Thomashow
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Diwaker was born in India. He received his Masters degree in Biotechnology from India in 2004. After working as a research fellow in India for three years, he joined the department of biochemistry at the East Tennessee State University (ETSU) in 2008 for his second Masters degree. His research was focused on understanding the complex interactions among plants, pathogens and chemical inducers at molecular level. After completing his Masters in Biology/Biochemistry, he came to the WSU in fall 2010 to pursue Ph.D. in molecular plant sciences (MPS). His research focuses on understanding virus response to chemical stimuli that trigger systemic acquired resistance in hosts using tospoviruses as a model system. He is interested in dissecting the biochemical and molecular events that are triggered by tospovirus infections. Major Professor: Dr. Hanu Pappu
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Ying received his MS in Plant Pathology from China Agricultural University, Beijing, China, where he worked on apple virus and the interaction of maize and Sugarcane mosaic virus. He obtained his Bachelor’s in Plant Protection from Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China. Before joining Dr. Pappu’s lab, Ying was involved in apple pathology research project at China Agricultural University, Beijing, China. Major Professor: Dr. Hanu Pappu
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Heading using the h3 tag
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