Post-Doctoral Researchers & Visiting Scholars
Dr. Chris Smallwood (2019-2021)
| Post-Doctoral Fellow |
| Google Scholar |
| [email protected] |
| Current Position: Adjunct Professor, Department of Plant Sciences |
| Research Focus: Chris’ research focused on improving tree and forest quality and health using both plant breeding and IPM strategies in Thousand Cankers Disease system. |
Dr. Romina Gazis-Seregina (2015-2017)
| Post-Doctoral Fellow |
| Google Scholar |
| [email protected] |
| Twitter:@ClinicPlant |
| Current Position: Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology and Director of the Tropical Plant Clinic and Research Lab |
|
Research Focus: Romina’s research focused on the co-evolution of fungal pathogens and insect vectors in Thousand Cankers Disease system
|
Dr. Sima Khodaei (2022-2023)
| Visiting Scholar from the University of Tabriz |
| Google Scholar |
| [email protected] |
| Current Position: |
| Research Focus: My research mainly focuses on the molecular detection, phylogeny, and evolution of fungi, especially Coelomycetes. Currently, my main project is centered on the fungal pathogens of poplars. |
Graduate Students
Dr. Aaron Onufrak (2019-2023)
|
Ph.D. Student & Lab Manager
USDA NIFA Pre-Doctoral Fellow
|
| Google Scholar |
| [email protected] |
| Twitter: @AaronOnufrak |
| Current Position: Post-Doctoral Fellow at Oak Ridge National Lab |
| Research Focus: Aaron’s PhD research used applied microbial ecology and bioinformatics tools to answer questions related to plant pathology and fungal ecology amongst Geosmithia species and the biological and chemical control of Thousand Cankers Disease. |
Beant Kapoor (2018-2020)
| M.S. Student |
| [email protected] |
| Twitter: @BeantKapoor |
| Current Position: PhD Student, Advised by Dr. Meg Staton at The University of Tennessee |
| Research Focus: Beant’s research focused on how the constituents of the microbiome of flowering dogwood respond to fire and which microbes may be playing an active role in enhancing tree health and recovery to planned prescriptive fire management. |
Tyler Edwards (2015-2018)
| M.S. Student |
| Publications |
| [email protected] |
| Current Position: Research Technician, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center |
| Research Focus: Tyler’s research focused on the conservation and involved problem pathogens and population genetics of two endangered species, Pityopsis ruthii and Helianthus verticillatus. |
Emel Oren (2015-2016)
| M.S. Student |
| Google Scholar |
| [email protected] |
| Current Position: PhD Candidate / Agriculture Engineer (Researcher) at Diyarbakır Plant Protection Research Instıtute |
| Research Focus: Emel’s current research focuses on the identification, biology, epidemiology, and control of fungal pathogens on vines and tree fruit, particularly almond red leaf blotch, Polystigma amygdalinum. |
Undergraduate Students
David Holdridge (2023)
| Undergraduate Research Assistant |
| [email protected] |
| Research Focus: I am interested in the practice of restoring degraded lands and the conservation of native forest ecosystems, particularly focusing on sustainable practices in the forestry industry. I am currently assisting on a project assessing Trichoderma antagonism to Geosmithia morbida. |
Esmeralda Mattarazzo (2023)
| Undergraduate Research Assistant |
| [email protected] |
| Research Focus: I am currently investigating the in vitro effects of fungicide treatments on Geosmithia morbida. |
Ivan Perez (2022)
| Undergraduate Research Assistant |
| [email protected] |
| Research Focus: I am currently assisting in the exploration of the Helianthus verticillatus fungal microbiome. |
Justin Kosiewska (2021)
| Undergraduate Research Assistant |
| Research Focus: My research interests focus on the intersection of wildlife management, biodiversity, and forest health. |
Gaige Lariscy (2021)
| Undergraduate Research Assistant |
| [email protected] |
| Research Focus: My research interests lie in incorporating molecular techniques for the practical application of plant pathology. |
Casey Richards (2020-2021)
| Undergraduate Research Assistant |
| [email protected] |
| Current Position: PhD Student at the University of Chicago |
| Research Focus: My primary research interests are the connectivity of populations and how bio-physical and terrestrial factors contribute to the genetic diversity and structure of populations. |
Undergraduate Students (continued)
- Alexandra Eguiluz, Explore BiGG (Bioinformatics, Genetics, and Genomic) Data REU, Summer 2020
- Errin Miller, Explore BiGG (Bioinformatics, Genetics, and Genomic) Data REU, Summer 2020
- Taylor Van Hout, Undergraduate Research Assistant (2019-2020)
- Anthony Moore, Undergraduate Research Assistant (2018-2019)
- Jamie Ragos, Undergraduate Research Assistant (2017)
- Bethany Haga, Undergraduate Research Assistant (2017)
- Phoebe Anderson, Undergraduate Research Assistant (2017)
- Angel Chaffin, Undergraduate Research Assistant (2016)
- Elizabeth Clare Buckner, Undergraduate Research Assistant (2015-2016)
- Stuart Thomas (Kat) Lloyd, Undergraduate Research Assistant (2015)
- Laura Poplawski, Undergraduate Research Assistant (2014-2016)
- Monil Mehta, Undergraduate Research Assistant (2014-2017)
- Sarah Boggess, Undergraduate/Graduate Research Assistant (2007–2012)
- E. Anne Hatmaker, Undergraduate Research Assistant (2010–2013)
- Kristie Mantooth, Undergraduate Research Assistant (2010–2011)
- Ryan Milstead, Undergraduate Research Assistant (2011 – 2013)
- Brian Hendricks, Undergraduate Research Assistant (2012)
- Matthew Aldrovandi, Undergraduate Research Assistant (2012)
- Nicole Hensley, Undergraduate Research Assistant (2012)
- Dixie Daniels, Undergraduate Research Assistant (2012-2014)
- Robert Lord, Undergraduate/Graduate Research Assistant (2013-2014)
- Jeremiah Williams, Undergraduate Research Assistant (2013-2014)