Table of Contents - Texas A&M...

Table of Contents

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Table of Contents

Page

Introduction 1

Charge to Review Committee

Review Team Itinerary

Department Snapshot

Department Organizational Chart

Administrative Organizational Charts- COALS, Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University Organizational Chart

Campus Map

PLPM Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratories

Brief History of the Plant Pathology and Microbiology Program 15 Overview and History of the Department

Research Subject Focus Areas

List of Department Committees

Department Bylaws and Committee Responsibilities

Results of Last Program Review

Affiliated Programs 27 Introduction

Institute for Plant Genomics and Biotechnology (IPGB)

Program for the Biology of Filamentous Fungi (PBoFF)

Molecular and Environmental Plant Sciences

Center for Phage Technology (CPT)

Intercollegiate Faculty of Virology (IFOV)

Intercollegiate Faculty of Genetics (FOG)

Vision, Mission and Strategic Plan 31 Executive Summary

Vision and Mission Statements

Goals and Priority Objectives

Department Strategic Plan

Department Challenges

Faculty and Support Personnel 49 On campus Faculty

Off campus Faculty

Adjunct Faculty

Map of Research and Extension Centers

Faculty Awards

Faculty 2-page Curriculum Vitas

Staff Position Descriptions and Duties

Comparison of Faculty FTEs and Staff/Faculty Ratios

Table of Contents

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Research and Scholarly Activities 139 Definition and Scope of Research

Examples of recent PLPM Faculty Research Impacts

Productivity (FY06-FY10)

Grant Productivity per FTE

Distribution of Faculty PLPM FTEs for FY11

Current Grant Support: Research Faculty

Current Grant Support: Extension Faculty

Faculty Publications (2006 to Feb 2011)

Teaching

Undergraduate Program in Bioenvironmental Sciences (BESC) 175 Background

BESC majors since 2003

Program Summary and Course Requirements

Environmental Studies (ENST)

BESC Honors Program

Undergraduate Internships/Research Experiences

Undergraduate Student Awards

Recent BESC Graduates

International Education Programs (Study Abroad)

‘Invisible Jungle’ Radio Program

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Underrepresented Student Recruitment Efforts

PLPM Scholarships

Challenges to the BESC program

Teaching

Graduate Program in Plant Pathology and Microbiology (PLPM) 201 Introduction

Course Offerings

Graduate Student Enrollment

Post-doctoral Students

Graduate Student Support

Graduate Minority Programs

Challenges to the Graduate Program

Graduate Student Awards

Recent Graduates and Abstracts

Post-doctoral Student Mentoring & Development

Assessment of Student Learning: Undergraduate and Graduate 215 General Overview of Assessment

Assessment of Undergraduate Student Learning: BESC Program

Assessment of Graduate Student Learning: PLPM Program

Assessment of Faculty Teaching Proficiency

Current Faculty Teaching Assignments

Table of Contents

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BESC Senior Exit Survey Results

Impediments to Excellence 225

Potential Opportunities 231

Appendices Diskette Appendix A- University Vision 2020 and Action 2015 Plans.

Appendix B- COALS Strategic Plan

Appendix C-AgriLife Research Strategic Plan

Appendix D- AgriLife Extension Service Strategic Plan

Appendix E- Faculty Curriculum Vitaes

Appendix F- Course Syllabi

Appendix G- Graduate Student Handbook

Appendix H- Departmental Newsletter

Appendix I- Departmental Common Equipment

Charge to Review Team

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Charge to Peer Review Team

Plant Pathology and Microbiology Program Review

This letter provides you with a brief background on the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology

at Texas A&M University, and explains the expectations for our upcoming departmental review. The

Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology was created in 1985 from the Department of Plant

Sciences. The department offers an undergraduate B.S. in Bioenvironmental Sciences as well as the M.S.

and Ph.D. in Plant Pathology and Microbiology, plus a M.Agr. in Plant Protection or Plant Sciences. Each

year, the department awards approximately 60 B.S. degrees in Bioenvironmental Sciences and 2-3 M.S.

or Ph.D. degrees in Plant Pathology and Microbiology.

This review is part of a periodic review of all Texas A&M University academic programs, and offers an

opportunity to assess the standards of the programs and to learn from review team member’s experiences

with similar programs.

I request that the review team examine the undergraduate, graduate and research programs of the

Department using the materials that will be provided, information you gain through personal interactions

while visiting Texas A&M, and any additional information that you might request. While evaluating the

program, please consider the allocation of resources within the department (both human and fiscal) and

the absolute level of support the department receives from the university. Please comment as appropriate

on current and potential leveraging of these resources, as well as current and potential interaction with

other departments and groups, both on campus and off.

Also, please address the issue of learning-based outcomes:

Does the Department have ongoing and integrated planning and evaluation processes that assess

its programs and services that result in continuing improvement and that demonstrate that the

Department is effectively accomplishing its mission?

Has the Department identified expected outcomes for its educational programs?

Does the Department have evidence of improvement based upon analysis of results?

In addition, I ask that you address the impact of the Faculty Reinvestment Program, started by Texas

A&M University in 2003. The reinvestment program resulted in the hiring of approximately 450 new

faculty members dispersed throughout the University. The goal is to improve the quality of education for

Texas A&M students by having more faculty available for mentoring and advising, whether more courses

or sections are available, or by simply being more responsive to student needs. Through this review we

plan to track and measure real increases and improvements in the quality of the graduate and

undergraduate experiences across all dimensions. The Department was allowed to use some of the

reinvestment funding from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences for salary and startup for a

Director of the Institute for Plant Genomics and Biotechnology (M. Dickman) and one Assistant

Professor (L. Shan). We ask that you assess the success of the Department in moving their teaching and

research agendas forward with these hires based on information provided to you in the forthcoming self-

study.

I look forward to meeting with you and the entire committee in April. If you have any questions or require

additional information, please contact me.


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(Tentative) PLPM Review Team Itinerary

Sunday, April 17

Team members arrive in College Station and are transported to Rudder Jessup B&B, 115 Lee

Avenue, College Station (866-744-2470).

6:00 – 8:00 PM Dinner with Dept. Head Dr. Sandy Pierson, and Associate DHs Dr. David

Appel and Dr. Chuck Kenerley.

Monday, April 18

7:30 - 8:30 AM Breakfast at B&B with Provost Karan Watson, Vice Provost J. Martyn

Gunn, Associate VP Graduate Studies Karen Butley-Purry and Associate

Provost Undergraduate Studies Pamela Matthews.

8:45 AM Team is picked up by Dr. Pierson and transported to the new Agricultural

Administration Building on west campus.

9:00 – 10:00 AM Meet with Dean’s office.

10:00 AM Pick up by Dr. Pierson, transported to Peterson Building on main campus.

10:30 – 11:30 AM Meet with PLPM administration (Dr. Pierson, Dr. Appel, Dr. Kenerley,

and Linda Brochu).

11:30 – 12:30 PM Lunch with PLPM graduate students (Peterson 112).

12:30 – 1:30 PM Tour of Peterson Building and main campus greenhouses.

1:30 – 2:00 PM Meet with a Faculty group (Peterson 103).


3:00 – 3:15 PM Break.

3:15 – 3:45 PM Refreshments with BESC undergraduate students (Peterson 112).


4:15 – 5:00 PM Informal department reception (Fox and Hound).

5:00 PM Transport back to B&B.

6:00 – 8:00 PM Dinner.


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Tuesday, April 19

8:00 – 9:00 AM Breakfast on own at B&B.

9:00 AM Pick up by Dr. Pierson, transported to Peterson Building.

9:30 – 10:00 AM Meet with Undergraduate Program Committee (UPC) (Peterson 103).

10:00 – 10:30 AM Meet with Graduate Program Committee (GPC) (Peterson 103).

10:30 AM Break.

10:45 – 11:15 AM Meet with Student Advising and Assessment Committees (Peterson 103).

12:00 – 1:00 PM Lunch with COALS Department Heads (Rudder Tower University Club).

1:00 PM Transport to Borlaug Center on west campus.

1:30 – 2:00 PM Meet with Faculty at IPGB in Borlaug Center (M. Dickman, Director, L.

Shan, J. Yuan, P. de Figueiredo).

2:00 – 2:45 PM Tour of Borlaug Center and greenhouses.

2:45 PM Transport to Peterson.

3:00 – 5:00 PM Review Team’s choice: follow-ups, report discussion, or relax.

5:00 PM Transport to B&B. Working dinner.

Wednesday, April 20

7:30 – 9:00 AM Breakfast at B&B with Provost, Vice Provost, and Dean’s office.

9:30 AM Picked up by Dr. Pierson (with baggage).

10:00 – 10:45 AM Report to PLPM administrative team with discussion (Peterson 103).

10:45 – 11:15 AM Time for review team alone.

11:15 – 12:15 PM Open meeting between review team and department members (Evans

Library Room 106).

12:15 PM Brunch. Get team members to airport for flights home.

Organization

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Snapshot of Plant Pathology and Microbiology

The Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology (PLPM) is committed to advancing its

educational, research and extension programs with the goal of being recognized for excellence

both within its discipline and within the university. The department educates students at both the

undergraduate and graduate levels in bioenvironmental sciences and plant pathology,

respectively. The undergraduate Bioenvironmental Sciences (BESC) program consists of

approximately 200 majors that are trained for a variety of careers in the environmental,

consulting, and governmental areas of microbiology. We have recently initiated a BESC Honors

curriculum, the first in the college. The graduate plant pathology program offers both a M.S. and

a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology. Graduate students are trained in fundamental, molecular and practical

concepts associated with plant pathology. While students in BESC and PLPM receive formal

classroom learning, the degrees include significant hands-on learning. Students gain valuable

experience, learn to think critically, and how to reach their maximum potential. Graduate areas

covered include mycology, bacteriology, virology, nematology, plant biology, biochemistry and

physiology, genetics, genomics and bioinformatics. The department’s overall goal is to be

recognized as one of the elite research, extension and educational programs in the United States.

As of September 2010:

19 faculty (including 2 partial faculty) administratively located with the department in

COALS, 9 faculty administratively located in AgriLife Extension Service and overseen

by the department, and 8 AgriLife Research faculty administratively located with the

Agriculture Experiment Station Directors.

21 are located on the College Station campus.

1 faculty member is the Director of the Institute for Plant Genomics and Biotechnology

(IPGB) located in the Borlaug Center on the west campus.

The department houses the interdisciplinary Program for the Biology of Filamentous

Fungi (PBoFF).

Faculty are focused on multiple aspects of plant pathology and microbiology, including:

The physiology, genetics and genomics of plant pathogens.

Plant-associated microorganisms and biological control.

Plant innate immunity and genetics.

Plant virology, mycology, bacteriology, and nematology.

Plant resistance genes and traits.

Bioenergy and Biotechnology (one faculty member works on cancer cell biology).

AgriLife Extension Specialists focus on diseases of field and horticultural crops

important to Texas agriculture.

AgriLife Research faculty are involved in a wide range of areas, including plant

pathogens, transgenic crops, plant biology, and water quality issues.

Extramural support:

$1.9 million in competitive awards as of August 2010. The department is currently

ranked 9th (of 14) in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Organization

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The Plant Pathology and Microbiology has a Department Head with oversight of the entire

department. The Department Head works closely with two Associate Department Heads

(Teaching and Extension) and the departmental Business Administrator. Together they oversee

all of the research, teaching and extension missions of the department.

Departmental Organization Chart

Organization

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College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Organization Chart, including

AgriLife Research and AgriLife Extension Service

Organization

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Texas A&M University

Organizational Chart

Campus Map

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Texas A&M campus (partial)

L.F. Peterson Building

(PLPM & BESC Programs)

Main part of COALS

Ag Economics

Ag Leadership, Education & Comm.

Animal Sciences

Biochemistry/Biophysics

Ecosystem Science & Management

Entomology

Horticultural Sciences

Nutrition & Food Science

Poultry Sciences

Soil and Crop Sciences

Borlaug Center

Wellborn Rd.

Texas Plant Diagnostic Laboratories

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Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratories

The Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology runs two plant disease diagnostic clinics

for the state.

Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (TPDDL) The Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (TPDDL) was created in 1983 to provide plant

disease diagnostic support to our AgriLife Extension personnel and to assist clients in the

identification of plant disease problems. The laboratory, located on the west campus in the

Centeq Building, is devoted to the isolation and identification of plant pathogens. This

laboratory provides a fee-based plant disease diagnostic service to AgriLife Extension personnel,

homeowners, farmers, greenhouse and nursery producers, landscape contractors, interiorscapers,

arborists, consultants, and any other group or individual needing accurate identification of plant

disease problems. The TPDDL strives to provide the most accurate and rapid plant disease

diagnosis together with recommendations for effective plant disease management.

The TPDDL is a member of the National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN). The laboratory

website (http://plantclinic.tamu.edu) provides a number of services, including contact

information, how to submit samples, and fee structures. Additionally, the clinic website provides

information on current and emerging disease issues affecting Texans such as Citrus Greening

(Huanglongbing), powdery mildews, turf pathogens, composting, etc.

Laboratory personnel include Dr. Kevin Ong, (Director), Ms. Sheila McBride (Diagnostics), and

Ms. Bobbi Dupree (Technical Secretary). Additionally, the laboratory has two student workers

and routinely mentors visiting students and graduate students.

Texas Plant Diagnostic Clinic

The Texas High Plains Plant Diagnostic Lab (now referred to as the Texas Plant Diagnostic

Clinic) in Amarillo was initiated in 2003 by Dr. Charlie Rush with funding provided by the Great

Plains Diagnostic Network (GPDN) through the National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN)

through Texas Tech University. There were no formalized plant diagnostic extension activities

in the Texas Panhandle until that time. The lab provides small grain pathogen diagnostic services

to producers throughout the Northern Texas area and also to those in Southwestern Kansas, parts

of Oklahoma and New Mexico.

With the 2007 hire of Dr. Ronald (“Ron”) French-Monar, Statewide Small Grains Plant

Pathologist, and Regional Grain and Vegetable pathologist, diagnostic services were expanded to

cover the full range of potential crops and plant pathogens and diseases that may occur in

Texas Plant Diagnostic Laboratories

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Northern Texas and statewide. The diagnostic lab in Amarillo serves as a source of information

for faculty, county agents, scouts, IPM agents, and crop consultants. We also cater to small

producers, homeowners, and non-profit agencies such as Food Banks.

Role of Diagnostic laboratories and Extension in Teaching The training of a small number of students by the diagnostic labs is augmented by the direct

interaction and training of literally thousands of producers each year by the department’s

Extension Specialists across the state. These instructional activities have direct impacts on Texas

and Texas agriculture.

Challenges One challenge facing plant pathology today is a lack of adequately trained plant disease clinical

diagnosticians. It is difficult to recruit students into this area and even more difficult to fund their

studies while they master the art of disease diagnosis. As support from the college and university

becomes more limited, alternative strategies must be developed. One approach being considered

is to develop a Graduate Fellowship in Plant Disease Diagnostics.

Departmental Overview/History

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Overview and History

Texas A&M University System

The Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology (PLPM) is a member of a large,

comprehensive state-wide organization called the Texas A&M University System. At Texas

A&M University, the Agricultural program of Texas A&M includes two state-wide agencies,

eighteen institutes and centers, including the Colleges of Agriculture & Life Sciences, College of

Science, College of Education & Human Development, College of Liberal Arts, College of

Geosciences, and College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. A review of PLPM

programs should be done in the context of this broad operating environment. Plant Pathology &

Microbiology is one of 14 departments in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (COALS)

located on the Texas A&M College Station campus. The college has approximately 445 faculty,

6,500 students and offers more than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees. Many faculty have

split appointments in COALS and AgriLife Research or AgriLife Extension. Research programs

include food sustainability and safety; plant, human and animal health; genetics; renewable

natural resources; and bioenergy. The college has numerous institutes and centers, including the

Institute for Countermeasures Against Agricultural Bioterrorism, the Institute for Plant

Genomics and Biotechnology, the Norman Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture,

Agricultural and Food Policy Center, and the Center for Food Safety. In addition, members of

the department are also affiliated with two state-wide agencies, Texas AgriLife Research and

Texas AgriLife Extension. Texas AgriLife Research is headquartered in College Station, and has

13 research centers reaching from El Paso to Beaumont and Amarillo to Weslaco. Texas

AgriLife Extension, also headquartered in College Station, serves the entire state through its 250

county extension offices. Its overall mission is to improve the lives of people, businesses and

communities across Texas.

Origin and Growth of Plant Pathology and Microbiology

The Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology was established in 1985 as an independent

administrative unit upon the dissolution of the Department of Plant Sciences. Faculty with

expertise in Plant Pathology were moved into the new Department of Plant Pathology &

Microbiology under the direction of Dr. J. Artie Browning. The addition of “Microbiology” to

the department name was the result of plans for future development. All the curricula formerly

associated with Plant Sciences was incorporated into Plant Pathology & Microbiology, including

a M.S. and a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, a M.S. in Plant Protection, and a MAgr. in Plant Sciences.

The curricula also included undergraduate B.S. degrees in Plant Pathology, Plant Protection and

Bioenvironmental Sciences. The department originally had 16 faculty assigned to College

Station and an additional 25 faculty distributed around the state at Research and Extension

Centers.

Since 1985 major changes have occurred in every aspect of departmental operations, some based

on budgetary or mandatory considerations, but most were efforts to improve the departmental

mission. During Dr. Browning’s five year period as Department Head, he did not have direct

responsibility for the Extension Specialists. These were supervised by Dr. Wendell Horne,


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Program Group Leader for Extension. Dr. Horne had full and separate budgetary authority for all

Texas Agriculture Extension Service (known as TAEX then) operations in plant pathology.

In 1990 Dr. Neal Van Alfen was appointed as Department Head. Dr. Van Alfen was given

significant increased space and sufficient funding to renovate some existing space in the Peterson

Building and purchase new equipment. During this time period, the department’s mission

became more integrated as Extension was incorporated into the Teaching and Research efforts of

the department under Dr. Van Alfen’s oversight. Several changes were also made to the

departmental infrastructure and use of common resources, its participation in undergraduate

education and issues in graduate education, and internal departmental communications. One

important change was a larger allocation of resources to the department’s junior faculty. Dr. Van

Alfen left the department in 2000.

Dr. Dennis C. Gross became head of the department in 2001. Shortly after he arrived, the

department lost a total of twelve faculty (7 to retirement and 5 for other positions). This

provided a rare opportunity to bring in new expertise and directions for the department. Since

2001, 9 new departmental faculty members were hired, including M. Kolomiets, B. Shaw, W.

Shim, M. Thon, M. Dickman, P. de Figueiredo, J. Yuan and L. Shan. Additionally, 4 new

AgriLife research faculty were hired (G. DiGiovanni, X. Wang, Q. Yu, and S. Zhou) as were 6

new Extension Specialists (C. Bogran, R. French-Monar, Y. Jo, K. Ong, G. Schuster and K.

Steddom). In total 19 new positions were filled in the department. In addition to changes in the

composition of the faculty, the department’s focus expanded to include bioenergy and

biotechnology. Dr. Gross stepped down as Department Head to return to the faculty in fall 2009.

Current and Future Directions

Dr. Leland S. (Sandy) Pierson III was recruited to lead the department September 1, 2009. Dr.

Pierson is in his second year as Department Head and has initiated a number of changes to

provide the department more visibility across campus and the state. He is working to improve

communication among college faculty on campus and faculty and Research and Extension

Specialists located across the state. One goal is to further strengthen the department by

integrating it firmly into the strategic plans of the college and university. Several initial plans

have been altered due to the severity of state budgetary issues not projected during the new

Department Head’s recruitment. The current financial crisis in Texas is a major threat to the

continued excellence of the department. These state budgetary issues, the worst to hit Texas

A&M in 70 years, plus increasing uncertainty associated with federal funding (e.g. changing

NIFA priorities), are requiring the department to prepare for drastic steps. The ability of the

department to be involved in the recruitment of a junior faculty member as part of a joint Center

for Phage Technology is in doubt. In addition, two faculty members are nearing retirement, and

these positions will need to be replaced. However, current budget issues may affect all of these

positions.


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Changes in the Department since Its Inception

The Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology (PLPM) became an independent

administrative unit in 1985. The department had 32 faculty, of which 18 were located in College

Station, while seven TAES (now AgriLife Research) and seven TAEX (now AgriLife Extension)

faculty were located across the state at various Research and Extension Centers. The department

offered a Ph.D. and M.S. degree in Plant Pathology, a M. Agr. in Plant Protection and a MAgr. in

Plant Sciences. A B.S. in Bioenvironmental Sciences (BESC) was added in 1990. Originally,

departmental research focused primarily on selected diseases of important Texas crops, such as

cotton, corn, sorghum, peanuts and small grains. The majority of programs were focused on near

term improvements in disease control. Extension efforts were similar, with emphasis placed on

responding to a broad array of grower, landowner and producer concerns.

In 2010, the department has 28 faculty administratively tied to PLPM plus 8 faculty located at

Research Centers (administered by the Research Center Directors). Additionally, nine AgriLife

Research and four AgriLife Extension faculty are located either on campus or at one of eight

Research and Extension Centers across the state. The department offers a M.S. and Ph.D. in

Plant Pathology, a MAgr. in Plant Protection and a MAgr. In Plant Sciences. The department

continues to offer a B.S. in Bioenvironmental Sciences (BESC). Departmental research still

focuses on current and emerging plant disease issues but has also expanded to include more

fundamental and molecular studies of an array of plant pathogens, plant-microbe interactions,

plant immunity, plant biology and resistance, bioenergy, biotechnology, and microbial ecology.

During the past 25 years, total faculty numbers in the department have increased by

only three, while during the same period of time the focus of the department has

changed dramatically.

Subject Areas

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Plant Pathology and Microbiology

Subject Focus Areas

P = Professor, Ac = Associate Professor, As = Assistant Professor, ES = Extension Specialist.

The breadth of research in the Department reflects an impressive array of approaches and

technologies, particularly given the small size of the faculty.

Departmental Committees

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Departmental Committees

Undergraduate Programs Committee

(UPC)

2009-2011

Dr. Karen-Beth Scholthof, Chair

Dr. Libo Shan

Dr. David Appel

Mr. Sam Murdock

Dr. Charles Kenerley, ex-officio

Mr. Stephen Ahern

Graduate Programs Committee (GPC)

2009-2011

Dr. Herman Scholthof, Chair

Dr. Clint Magill

Dr. Jim Starr

Dr. Joshua Yuan

Dr. Charles Kenerley, ex-officio

Ms. Dawoon Chung (Graduate Student)

Graduate and Undergraduate Assessment

Committee

2009-2011

Dr. Brian Shaw, Chair

Dr. Mike Kolomiets

Graduate Recruitment Committee

2009-2011

Dr. Won-Bo Shim, Chair

Dr. Heather Wilkinson

Ms. Karen Hodges

Seminar and Distinguished Visitor

Committee

2009-2011

Dr. Paul de Figueiredo, Chair for 2009-2010

Dr. Young-Ki Jo, Chair for 2010-2011

Dr. Marty Dickman

Awards and Honors Committee

2009-2011

Dr. Carlos Gonzales, Chair

Dr. Dennis Gross

Ms. Linda Brochu

Ms. Martha Malapi-Nelson (Graduate

student)

Departmental Services Committee

2009-2011

Ms. Elena Kolomiets, Chair

Dr. Ramasamy Perumal

Mr. Robert Kwiatkowski

Information Technology Committee

2009-2011

Dr. Tom Isakeit, Chair

Mr. Chris Court

Dr. Kevin Ong

Dr. Dennis Gross

Ms. Linda Brochu

Facilities and Equipment Committee

2009-2011

Dr. Jim Starr, Chair

Dr. Dan Ebbole

Dr. Carlos Bogran

Ms. Betty Morgan

Departmental Bylaws & Committee s

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Department Bylaws Preamble

The Bylaws of the faculty of the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology guide the

process of governance of the faculty and to assure that academic responsibilities are handled in

an orderly manner. This document describes the processes and delegation of responsibilities

within the department.

Procedures

Any changes in the Bylaws are made by vote of the faculty. The faculty of the department are

defined as those who hold the rank of Assistant Professor or higher in COALS, AgriLife

Research, or AgriLife Extension Service. Changes in the Bylaws can only be made by a

majority vote of a quorum of the faculty during two successive faculty meetings held on different

days. A quorum is defined as two-thirds of the College Station faculty.

Faculty meetings are to be called by the Department Head and held at least once each semester.

(Currently, faculty meetings occur monthly).

The Bylaws are defined to include the Department Committees document and the Graduate

Student Handbook.

Department Standing Committees

Appointment of Committee Members:

The Department Head, acting with the advice of the Associate Department Heads, will appoint

committee members and designate a chairperson and a vice-chair for each committee. A

committee member will serve for three years, with one-third of the committee being rotated-off

each year. The chairperson will serve for one year, unless otherwise agreed upon, and will be

replaced by the vice-chair. Each committee will have a student member who will be appointed

for a one-year term. All committee meetings are open to those who are qualified to serve on

committees. Committee chairs are encouraged to announce meetings and agendas in advance.

Undergraduate Programs Committee

Responsible for the undergraduate degree programs and curriculum of the department. There are

three appointed faculty members. The Associate Department Head for Academic Programs and

the undergraduate advisors are ex-officio members of the committee. The chair of this

committee will serve a term of two years. The duties of the committee include the following:

Coordination of content and scheduling of undergraduate service courses with the

departments being served.

Review of new undergraduate courses, and of significant content changes in courses

currently being offered.

Monitors the relevance of the undergraduate curriculum offered by the department.

Makes recommendations to the Department Head for awarding of undergraduate

scholarships.

Recruiting of students into the department's undergraduate program.


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Development of effective placement procedures for graduates of the undergraduate

program.

Responsible for Career Day and other events associated with undergraduate programs.

Graduate Programs Committee

Responsible for the graduate degree programs of the department. There are five appointed

faculty members. The Associate Department Head for Academic Programs and the graduate

student advisor are ex-officio members of the committee. The chair of this committee will serve

a term of two years. The duties of the committee include the following:

Coordination of content of graduate courses.

Review of new graduate courses, and of significant changes in courses currently being

offered.

Monitors the progress of graduate students.

Serves as a review and appeals committee for adjudication of student-advisor disputes.

Makes recommendations to the Department Head for awarding of graduate fellowships

and assistantships.

Reviews nominations for graduate faculty membership.

Graduate and Undergraduate Assessment Committee

Responsible for the development and implementation of appropriate assessment criteria to

evaluate the effectiveness of faculty instruction and student learning outcomes. The committee is

charged with identifying the programmatic goals for each degree granting program the

department offers, including:

Bachelor of Science in Bioenvironmental Sciences (BESC)

Master of Science in Plant Pathology (PLPA)

Master of Agriculture in Plant Protection (PLPA)

Master of Agriculture in Plant Science (PLPA)

Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Pathology (PLPA)

Designs assessment plans that evaluates each program.

Coordinates implementation of program assessment plans with the teaching faculty.

Coordinates collection of assessment data from the teaching faculty.

Analyzes and interprets assessment data to evaluate programmatic effectiveness.

Reports data annually via the University ‘WEAVE’ online database.

Reports outcomes to the teaching faculty and solicits input on refinement of the

assessment plans and on improving programmatic effectiveness.

Refines each plan annually and make suggestions to faculty on programmatic

effectiveness.

Graduate Recruitment Committee

The committee is responsible for identifying, contacting and recruiting outstanding graduate

student applicants. In addition, this committee receives screens and evaluates all applications to

the PLPM graduate program and makes recommendations to the Department Head for

admissions and departmental assistantships.


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Facilities and Equipment Committee

Serves to advise the Department Head to assure that faculty, staff, and students have the

opportunity to counsel the Department Head in space and facility decisions. There are six

members of the committee, one of whom is a technical staff member of the Department. The

department safety officer and Technical Laboratory Coordinator are ex-officio members. The

responsibilities of the committee include the following:

Advises the Department Head on an ad hoc basis concerning specific facility and

equipment uses and future needs.

Schedules use, proposes guidelines, and assures proper maintenance of common-use

facilities, including: growth chambers, autoclave and media areas, dish-washing areas,

equipment rooms, teaching labs, common research labs, hallways, computer room,

greenhouses, soil handling areas, etc.

Advises the Department Head on research and teaching equipment needs of the

department.

Responsible for fire and safety activities of the department.

Seminar and Distinguished Visitor Committee

Organizes and coordinates departmental seminars, visits by distinguished scientists and teachers.

The committee determines the seminar schedule for each semester. The size of the committee

will be variable according to need.

Makes recommendations of individuals for University-supported sabbatical programs.

Invites one speaker per year based on the recommendation of the graduate students.

Invites one speaker per year as selected by the post-doctoral students. Both sets of

students gain insight into essential organizational skills by serving as the hosts for the

visiting speaker and by arranging all faculty appointments to meet with the visiting

speaker.

Awards and Honors Committee

Recommends faculty, staff, and students for honors, awards, and recognition as a result of the

person’s achievements. It is the charge of the committee to maintain a current file of appropriate

awards and to initiate the recommendations based upon qualification of individuals in the

department for such awards. The Associate Head for Extension is an ex-officio member of the

committee.

Department Staff Committee

Responsible for assuring that department service functions are coordinated and responsive to the

needs of the department. It also serves in an advisory capacity to the Department Head to assure

that the needs and concerns of the staff are being adequately addressed. The Department Head

and Business Administrator are ex-officio members. The committee consists of six staff

members.


23

Department Standing Committees

Tenure and Promotion

Individual Promotion and Mentoring Committees:

An Individualized Promotion and Mentoring Committee (IPMC) is assigned during the

first two years of the individual’s residence in the department.

The Department Head cannot be a member of the IPMC.

The committee will consist of five faculty, with one faculty member serving as chair. The

committee members are selected by the Department Head after consultation with the

candidate. The candidate has the right to reject proposed members of the committee.

This committee will evaluate and advise the candidate for the entire period leading up to

the tenure evaluation (or promotion evaluation for Research or Extension faculty).

The function of the IPMC is to mentor and evaluate the candidate and to represent the

needs of the candidate to the Department Head.

At the appropriate times, based on the candidate’s tenure/promotion clock, the committee

evaluates the candidate’s bid for promotion. The IPMC assists the candidate in the

preparation of the midterm dossier and the dossier and other materials required for tenure

and promotion (or promotion as appropriate for Research and Extension faculty).

As the committee knows the candidate well, the committee assists the Department Head

in the selection of appropriate outside reviewers.

The committee jointly writes three summary statements, one evaluating the candidate’s

contributions to teaching, one for research (or extension as appropriate) and a third for

service. The committee votes and provides the three summaries, an overall summation,

and the vote tally to the Departmental T&P Committee (DTPC) with a copy to the

Department Head.

Departmental Tenure and Promotion Committee (DTPC):

In August of the final year of evaluation of a candidate for tenure and promotion, promotion to

full professor, or promotion for Research/Extension faculty, the Departmental Tenure and

Promotion Committee (DTPC) receives the IPMC summary reports, its overall summation and

final vote. The DTPC reviews the candidate’s packet and the materials submitted by the IPMC.

The committee discusses and writes three summary statements evaluating the candidate’s

contributions to teaching, research and service (or extension as appropriate). The committee can

use or modify the summations provided by the IPMC or write independent summaries. The

DTPC votes and provides the vote tally, the individual summary statements, and an overall

summation of the candidate to the Department Head.

Specifics of the Departmental Tenure and Promotion (DTPC) Committee:

This committee is the group whose vote is forwarded to the college as the official faculty

vote on the candidate.

This is a faculty committee composed of all tenured faculty in the department.

Only tenured faculty are eligible to vote on tenure cases.

Voting faculty must hold a rank equal or higher than the candidate. Therefore, some

members might be ineligible to vote on some candidates (ex. Associate rank cannot

evaluate and vote on full rank).

A member of the IPMC can be a member of the DTPC.


24

The Department Head cannot be a member of the DTPC nor can the Department Head

participate during the DTPC evaluations of the candidate.

The actual process of evaluating and discussing candidates must be systematic and

uniform across candidates.

All DTPC members must be active participants in the evaluation process and must read

all of the pertinent materials. If a member has not read the dossier they should abstain

from voting. Minority reports are strongly discouraged. If submitted, the names of the authors must be

indicated.

Results of Previous Review

25

Responses to Previous 2003 Departmental Review

The Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology last underwent an Academic Program

Review in 2003. After the review, the external review team met with Dr. Elsa Murano (then

Dean of the college), and the Dean of Graduate Studies. The review committee made a number

of recommendations. The recommendations and subsequent responses are provided below.

Recommendation: Appoint a committee in COALS to examine the feasibility of

expanding faculty expertise in the area of environmental microbiology to enable the

development of a M.S. degree in Bioenvironmental Sciences.

Response: The plan to offer a M.S. in Bioenvironmental Sciences was contingent on the

acquisition of new faculty specifically focused on bioenvironmental issues to the

department. Since such new faculty were not hired, the decision was to postpone

development of the graduate degree and focus on diversifying the courses available to the

undergraduate major. This has been done.

Recommendation: The condition of the Peterson building was noted as poor with chronic

problems with air handling/quality, electrical, plumbing, and heating systems.

Improvements were needed.

Response: The electrical panels in the basement were upgraded, code issues in the

stairwells were addressed, the roof was resurfaced, and the HVAC system in the building

was renovated. The review team also remarked that the laboratories were “inadequate for

attracting and sustaining contemporary programs.” Unfortunately, this continues to be an

ongoing issue with the Peterson building, as is the lack of backup power.

Recommendation: Enhance departmental faculty via the faculty reinvestment program

initiated by then President Robert Gates.

Response: The faculty reinvestment program successfully recruited Dr. Martin Dickman

as Professor and holder of the Christine Richardson Professorship in Agriculture. Dr.

Dickman is Director of the Institute for Plant Genomics and Biotechnology (IPGB)

located in the Borlaug Center on west campus. In 2009 the department hired Dr. Libo

Shan as an Assistant Professor.

Recommendation: Several faculty needed equity/parity salary additions to base salary to

elevate their salaries to be more in line with faculty salaries at peer institutions. Several

mid-career faculty had left the department due to salary issues.

Response: Faculty salaries were and continue to be increased through promotions, equity

adjustments, faculty retention raises, as appropriate.

Recommendation: Increase the number of graduate students that receive in-state tuition

waivers to make the department more competitive for top quality applicants.

Response: All graduate students now receive coverage of the costs for in-state tuition.

Affiliated Programs

27

Affiliated Programs

Many PLPM faculty members participate in programs that promote linkages among faculty in

related disciplines and which offer enrichment opportunities for graduate students that may lead

to broader career choices. The following interdisciplinary programs can have a significant role

in the overall system of doctoral training available to PLPM faculty and students. In particular,

PLPM faculty members continue to have a leading role in the establishment and growth of the

Program for the Biology of Filamentous Fungi and the Intercollegiate Faculty of Virology.

Institute for Plant Genomics & Biotechnology (IPGB) (http://ipgb.tamu.edu/)

The IPGB is a multi-unit, multidisciplinary organization with participating faculty, students and

scientists from 14 units affiliated with Texas A&M University, the Texas Agricultural

Experiment Station, and the USDA-ARS. The IPGB mission is to develop plant genomics,

biotechnology, and allied life science technologies and to foster technology utilization through

multidisciplinary research and improvement activities on model plant systems, field, forest, and

horticultural crops. The Borlaug Center for Southern Crop Improvement on the west campus

provides IPGB with a base of operations including teaching and research laboratories,

greenhouses, infrastructure, and equipment for the plant science community at TAMU.

The IPGB is the home for the AgriLife Genomics and Bioinformatics Center and the Laboratory

for Genome Technology that offer researchers a fee-based range of Next generation sequencing,

bioinformatics and statistical services. The center has two Illumina Genome Analyzers (GAII)

and a Roche 454 FLX sequencer, as well as a Illumina iScan system. The center also has a staff

of experienced bioinformaticians who can assist with bioinformatic analysis, data acquisition,

sequence analysis and sequence management.

Currently, the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology has four faculty members

located in the Borlaug Center. These include the IPGB Director, Dr. Marty Dickman

(Professor), Dr. Libo Shan (Assistant Professor), Dr. Joshua Yuan (Assistant Professor) and Dr.

Paul de Figueiredo (Assistant Professor).

Program for the Biology of Filamentous Fungi (PBoFF) (http://pboff.tamu.edu/Site/Welcome.html)

Filamentous fungi are eukaryotic microorganisms that influence our everyday lives in such

diverse areas as industry, medicine, agriculture, and basic science. These fungi are responsible

for billions of dollars in crop losses annually from disease and post-harvest food spoilage. The

industrial production of valuable molecules and materials by genetically engineered fungi has

tremendous potential, and fungi are becoming recognized as important human pathogens and

allergens.

Increasing recognition of the importance of filamentous fungi has led to more intensive research

toward increasing the benefits and mitigating the damages attributable to these fungi. Recent

genome sequencing efforts and newly developed techniques in molecular biology provide ways

of addressing many scientific problems that were previously intractable. The relative simplicity

Affiliated Programs

28

of fungal organisms makes them ideal tools for investigating basic biochemical and genetic

questions.

PLPM participating PBoFF faculty include David Appel, Marty Dickman, Dan Ebbole, Charles

Kenerley, Clint Magill, Brian Shaw, Won-Bo Shim, and Heather Wilkinson. Participating

faculty in the Biology Department include: Rodolfo Aramayo, Deborah Bell-Pedersen, Xiaorong

Lin, Kathy Ryan, Matt Sachs, Wayne Versaw, and Terry Thomas.

The PBoFF program was initiated in 1991 with a College of Agriculture Research Enhancement

Program training grant to support stipends for two students for two years and support for an

annual Symposium in fungal biology. In July 1994, support for the PBoFF Program was

obtained via an NSF IGERT award 0115642 that terminated in 2002. The award of $566,500

funded 25 graduate students over a 5-year period.

The current greatest need of PBoFF is the recruitment of high quality students that are U.S.

citizens. In particular, the IGERT program and many other training grant programs allow

support only for US citizens and permanent residents and the majority of students in PBoFF do

not qualify for this support mechanism. An area of significant opportunity for PBoFF is to

organize data mining and analysis of fungal genome sequences to generate program project

grants for functional analysis of fungal genomes.

Molecular and Environmental Plant Sciences (MEPS) (http://meps.tamu.edu)

MEPS evolved from the intercollegiate Faculty of Plant Physiology, originally formed in 1983,

in response to recommendations from an external panel of scientists convened to review the

Faculty's programs in 1998. The recommendation to make the Plant Physiology program more

inclusive of scientists in the plant sciences recognized an academic and research environment

that is rich in facilities and personnel resources that support the plant sciences. MEPS promotes

the unification of plant sciences at Texas A&M University through active support of

departmental and interdisciplinary efforts to develop internationally recognized programs of

excellence in research and graduate education. Prospective members are nominated through their

respective department heads, voted to membership by full MEPS members, and approved by the

appropriate dean. The MEPS Faculty comprises 42 full and 7 associate members. Associate

members, usually post-doctoral researchers and adjunct faculty, have all the rights and privileges

of full members except they may not vote nor hold elected office. PLPM has five faculty in the

MEPS program, including Mike Kolomiets (a member of the Executive Committee), Marty

Dickman, Paul de Figueiredo, Libo Shan, and Clint Magill. One adjunct faculty member,

Elizabeth Pierson, is also in the MEPS program.

Center for Phage Technology (CPT) (http://young.tamu.edu/center_for_phage_technology.htm)

In 2009 the university accepted faculty-driven “white papers” describing a number of areas of

potential future focus. The white paper for a Center for Phage Technology, written by Drs.

Carlos Gonzalez of Plant Pathology and Microbiology and Dr. Ry Young of Biochemistry and

Biophysics, was one of eleven selected for implementation. Bacteriophages ("phages") are

viruses that kill bacteria and are the most numerous life form in the biosphere. Coupled with

Affiliated Programs

29

modern DNA-based biotechnology, phages have enormous potential as "green" anti-bacterial

agents by reducing the effects of deleterious bacteria on human health and agriculture, microbial

corrosion, and biofouling, The CPT will be launched by the hiring of four junior faculty level

positions. The first two positions are proposed to be located in PLPM and in Biochemistry and

Biophysics. The remaining two hires will be split between Veterinary Medicine and Food Safety.

The CPT will position Texas A&M University as the world leader in the application of phage to

combat bacterial infections in humans, animals and plants, to promote food safety, to protect

against potential bacteriological weapons, and to prevent or mitigate the deleterious effects of

bacterial contamination, degradation and corrosion in important sectors of the economy,

especially in energy generation and delivery.

Intercollegiate Faculty of Virology (IFOV) (http://vtpb-www2.cvm.tamu.edu/Virology/Faculty.html)

The Intercollegiate Faculty of Virology at Texas A&M University provides a unique collective

effort in the country for comprehensive training in virology. The IFOV includes faculty from the

Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Science, and Veterinary Medicine, and the Health

Science Center. IFOV Members from Plant Pathology and Microbiology include Dr. Erik

Mirkov, Dr. Herman B. Scholthof, Dr. Karen-Beth G. Scholthof, and Dr. Xiaofeng Wang.

This diverse faculty has research, clinical, and teaching expertise with viruses that infect humans,

vertebrate animals, insects, fungi, bacteria, and plants. An interdisciplinary approach to virology

enables competitive graduate students to obtain virology positions in teaching, research, and

industry. All students have the opportunity to specialize in one of four areas: Biotechnology,

Virus-Host Interactions, Virus Immunology, or Molecular Virology. Our course PLPA 665

‘Virus Vectors and Gene Therapy’ is cross-listed within the Health Sciences Center and the

College of Veterinary Medicine.

Viruses represent some of the most difficult to control diseases in animals and plants. Advances

in the control of agriculturally important viruses have economically important consequences in

efficiently feeding and maintaining the health of an ever-increasing human population. The

health of companion animals, livestock, and wildlife affects the quality of human life. In

addition, non-human viral systems are a valuable resource towards understanding human disease.

The control of viral disease in fish, poultry, cattle, and plants that feed both humans and

livestock has a positive impact on agricultural economics and the quality of our lives.

Molecular virology continues to make major contributions to the understanding of the molecular

processes of life and to utilize viruses as tools in biotechnology. Our research and teaching

programs at Texas A&M University exemplify the diverse contributions that virology makes to

life sciences research. As part of this contribution a Ph.D. program is underway to train the next

generation of scientists to further our understanding of viruses with long term goals of

developing new and better treatment strategies with innovative research programs. Faculty

participating in IFOV received competitive funding from the USDA, NSF, NIH, and private

industry.

Affiliated Programs

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Intercollegiate Faculty of Genetics (FOG) (http://genetics.tamu.edu/)

Graduate degrees in Genetics at Texas A&M University are awarded through an Interdisciplinary

Faculty of Genetics (FOG). Currently, the faculty has 84 members representing 19 departments

from the Colleges of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Science, Veterinary Medicine and the Health

Science Center (College of Medicine and Institute of Biosciences & Technology). University-

approved bylaws of the FOG provide for a nine member executive committee elected by the

membership to serve staggered three year terms. The executive committee in turn selects a Chair

from its membership. Funds for the program are administered through the Department of

Biochemistry and Biophysics, which also administers an undergraduate Genetics degree and

provides an office for the FOG program.

Annual activities of the FOG include recruitment of graduate students (8 teaching assistantships

and 3 Regents Fellowships are available each year), a weekly seminar series, travel and

presentation awards for graduate students and oversight of the graduate curriculum. There are

currently 59 GENE graduate students scattered across most of the departments represented by

FOG members. Graduate students must satisfy degree requirements established by the program,

but are considered also to be members of the Department of their primary advisor. Most GENE

graduate students have committee members from several departments, which also helps to foster

collegiality among FOG members.

The FOG is able to function on a volunteer basis in part because the program attracts many high

quality graduate applications and also because teaching- and student-credits for GENE courses

are awarded to the instructors' home department. This applies not only to graduate but also to

undergraduate courses, the majority of which are taught by FOG members outside the

Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. State rules mandating that all faculty members

teach formal courses has at times meant that teaching of GENE courses provided an important

buffer, especially for small departments.

Five PLPM faculty are members of the Faculty of Genetics. These include Clint Magill, who

teaches GENE 310, GENE 482 and GENE 603. Carlos Gonzalez, Paul de Figueiredo, Dan

Ebbole, Charles Kenerley, Brian Shaw, Heather Wilkinson and Herman Scholthof are also

members, but do not teach GENE courses. C. Kenerley, Marty Dickman, and Herman Scholthof

each have a Genetics graduate student.

Vision, Mission and Goals

31

Vision, Mission and Goals: Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology

The Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology is committed to advancing its educational,

research and extension programs with the goal of being recognized for excellence both within its

discipline and within the college, university and community. The department developed a

strategic plan for the period 2001-2006 as part of a university-wide effort known as Vision 2020.

Recently, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and AgriLife Research released new

Strategic Plans (July 2010). In addition, the university is releasing Action 2015, its next 5-year

plan to complete Vision 2010.

Executive Summary

“Over the next 40 years, the world must produce more food than has been

produced over the past 10,000 years combined, while also providing feedstock for

energy production.”

(Coalition for a Sustainable Agricultural Workforce, 2010).

The Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology is contributing to this goal by educating

students and the public in plant pathology, plant-microbe interactions, plant health management

and bioenvironmental sciences. Our goal is to advance the understanding of plant-microbe

interactions and their effects on plant health management. We extend that knowledge to other

scientists and the public at large. We also provide leadership to the TAMU Agricultural Program

in the areas of plant diseases, plant health management, and environmental sciences. The

department aims to be one of the elite research, extension and education programs in the United

States.

Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology

Vision The Department will establish a culture of excellence in its teaching, research and extension

activities. We will provide pre-eminent programs and people as the premier source for excellence

in research on plant disease processes, pathogenic and beneficial plant-microbe interactions, and

plant health management. We will convey the expertise needed to protect the environment from

hazardous materials, including approaches for monitoring and modifying environmental hazards.

We will inspire students to excellence both at Texas A&M and in their future career choices.

Mission Our mission is to educate students in plant pathology and microbiology and the

bioenvironmental sciences. We expand understanding of the basis of plant-microbe-environment

interactions and bioenvironmental science and extend this knowledge to other scientists, the

public at large, and provide leadership to the Texas A&M University Agricultural Program in the

areas of plant health management, plant-microbe interactions, and the environmental sciences.


32

Goals and Priority Objectives for the Future (5-10 yrs)

The Department’s objectives and goals complement the university’s Vision 2020 initiative and

the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and AgriLife Research Strategic Plans. The current

departmental efforts exemplify the university’s Action 2015 ‘Education First’ 5-year plan.

Background and Context

Plant diseases have greatly influenced human behavior since the earliest examples of recorded

history. There are numerous descriptions of plagues of crops over time and one pathogen,

Puccinia graminis, causative agent of cereal rust, was so devastating that the Romans created a

unique god, Robigus, and made animal sacrifices to him in an attempt to avoid this disease.

Many other pathogens also have caused widespread famine and altered human society, including

P. infestans Potato Late Blight diseases, ergot, and other rusts and smuts. More recently, issues

such as coliform bacteria contamination of produce and other food safety issues are becoming a

growing concern. In addition to biotic factors, many abiotic factors are also affecting crop

production. The amount of arable land available for agriculture is decreasing due to urban

growth, and more marginal land is being used. Limitations and competition for water between

urban areas and agriculture is a growing crisis, and global climate changes are altering plant

stress and hence susceptibility to pathogen attack. These changes are also altering pathogen

distribution and mechanisms of potential spread. The ever increasing dependence of the U.S. on

international food shipments also is increasing the risk of pathogen and disease spread.

In spite of these issues, research on plant pathology and plant-associated microbes continues to

receive only modest budgets and student interest nationally and internationally. Plant pathology

departments across the country have experienced significant decreases in faculty numbers over

the past several decades. This is occurring in spite of the fact that knowledge of crop species and

their pathogens is becoming increasingly important to maximize crop productivity which will be

required for the well being and survival of the human population. One of the largest threats to the

field of plant pathology in the U.S. is the affordability of food and a lack of understanding by the

general public of the importance of plant pathology to the sufficient production of food to feed

the U.S. and the world.

Plant Pathology and Microbiology threads a fine line between the need to focus on research

competitive at the national level for funding versus programs focused on state, regional and local

needs. This balancing has become more difficult, as support for responses to local needs is

suffering from severe decreases in state and commodity group funding. Additionally, the

reorganization and uncertainty associated with national granting agencies, especially NIFA, has

made national funding even more competitive. While resources to work on important plant

pathogens is decreasing, the arrival of new and exotic plant pathogens and the emergence of

pathogen variants that overcome current management practices continue to increase. Pathogens

able to overcome crop resistance continually appear. There is an increased risk that as the

successful production of sufficient food, feed, fiber and bioenergy crops becomes critical we will

be unable to maintain sufficient yield increases to meet the needs of the growing population. As

societies turn to the universities for solutions, they may find deficiencies in knowledge and

insufficient numbers of well-trained personnel who can perform the research and disseminate the

results. We must continue to be able to perform cutting-edge research and extension.


33

Additionally, we must continue to improve in our efforts to train the next generation of scientists

and to educate the public at large as to the importance of agriculture to the continued success of

the United States and the world.

Plant Pathology and Microbiology: Strategic Plan

Recently, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, AgriLife Research, and Texas A&M

University released revised strategic plans. Although each has similarities and differences, the

goals of the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology exemplify the strategic goals of

the college, AgriLife Research, AgriLife Extension, and Texas A&M.

Education of undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral students is a core component of the

department. The training of our students occurs at several levels, including classical discourse in

lectures, hands-on experiences in laboratory classes, and via applied research experiences in the

laboratory and the field.


Teaching Components

In 2000 under then-President Dr. Robert Gates, Texas A&M University launched a bold series of

objectives to revamp education at the university by 2020. This plan, known as Vision 2020, set

out specific objectives to be reached. As it is now halfway through the Vision 2020 timeline, the

university revised its 5-year strategic plan (FY 11-FY 15) in a document known as Action 2015.

The basic idea behind Action 2015 is that there is no separation between teaching, research and

service. This is called ‘Education First.’


Action 2015 5-yr Plan

The Action 2015 now reflects what PLPM has been doing for many years.


34

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (COALS) strategic plan

Imperative 1: Elevate our Faculty and Their Teaching, Research and Scholarship.

1. Enhance the stature of our faculty.

A. Recruit quality faculty.

B. Promote international collaborations.

2. Sustain and grow teaching effectiveness and learning excellence.

A. Expand faculty mentoring for teaching.

3. Increase basic and translational research

A. Identify, build upon strengths.

B. Promote research excellence.

Imperative 2: Strengthen our Graduate Programs.

1. Increase and diversify our graduate student body.

A. Increase efforts to recruit under-represented students.

B. Increase financial support.

2. Increase opportunities for experiential learning.

A. Improve preparation in classroom teaching.

B. Broaden access to our academic programs beyond College Station.

Imperative 3: Enhance the Undergraduate Academic Experience.

1. Enhance undergraduate exposure to research.

A. Promote REUs.

B. Enhance honors programs.

C. Enhance financial support for undergraduate research.

2. Provide experiential learning opportunities that foster critical thinking, complex

problem solving, strong communication skills, community interaction, and social/global

awareness.

A. Expand out-of-classroom learning.

B. Foster real-world problem solving.

C. Expand cross-disciplinary learning.

Imperative 4: Diversify and globalize the A&M and College Communities.

1. Enhance/broaden the student’s educational experience to make them better

understand the world around them and how different perspectives contribute to its

strength.

A. Increase international activities.

B. Increase diversity of the student body.

2. Increase impact of faculty by broadening their experiences.

Imperative 5: Build engaging connections beyond the university.

1. Establish new and utilize existing partnerships with industry, communities and

other stakeholders.

2. Increase Intellectual Property (IP).

3. Engage non-degree earning learners/students.

4. Engage Pre-K through 12 education constituencies.


35

The department has focused historically on the first three imperatives. We are now beginning to

place emphasis on Imperatives 4 and 5 which represent new directions for the department.

The goal of the following sections is to illustrate the department’s current efforts in

terms of the five college strategic imperatives and how we plan to enhance our

efforts in the future.

Imperative 1: Elevate our faculty and their Teaching, Research and

Scholarship. 1. Enhance the stature of our faculty.

A. Recruit quality faculty from diverse backgrounds to broaden the thought and

educational environment.

Over the past 6 years, eleven faculty were recruited into the department by the former

Department Head. These faculty appointments are split among the college, AgriLife Research or

AgriLife Extension. Eight of these faculty replaced faculty that retired or left for other

institutions and two were hired as part of the Faculty Reinvestment program at Texas A&M.

Only five are located on the Texas A&M campus while the other six are located at

Research/Extension Centers across the state. These faculty additions include:

Faculty Member Yr of Hire Adloc* Physical Location

Dr. Paul de Figueiredo 2005 COALS College Station

Dr. Karl Steddom 2005 Extension Overton

Dr. Marty Dickman** 2006 COALS College Station

Dr. Jason Woodward 2006 Extension Lubbock

Dr. Ron French-Monar 2007 Extension Amarillo

Dr. Young-Ki Jo 2008 Extension College Station

Dr. Joshua Yuan 2008 COALS College Station

Dr. Libo Shan** 2009 COALS College Station

Dr. Xin-Gen ‘Shane’ Zhou 2009 Research Beaumont

Dr. Qingyi Yu 2009 Research Weslaco

Dr. Xiaofeng Wang 2009 Research Weslaco

*Most faculty have appointments split between COALS, AgriLife Research or AgriLife

Extension Service.

**Part of Faculty reinvestment Program.

Future:

Our goal is to identify and recruit faculty in emerging areas of relevance to plant pathology and

plant microbiology. Opportunities for hiring new faculty will be extremely limited due to the

number recently hired and budgetary limitations. A critical issue in the department is a lack of

sufficient faculty diversity. Currently, the department is 83% male, 17% female with 8%

Hispanic and 17% Asian faculty members. However, issues of faculty diversity can be remedied

only by additional positions. Currently, there is only one potential faculty recruitment for a junior

faculty member as a member of the Center for Phage Technology (CPT).


36

B. Promote international collaborations.

The department historically has focused on plant pathology issues specific to Texas and other

southern states to support our constituents. Recently, several of our faculty have begun

establishing collaborative interactions with colleagues at institutions in other countries. This new

direction supports the recent university shift to focus on international experiences for faculty and

students.

Examples of international collaborations include:

Dr. Dan Ebbole developed a new BESC 484W course in 2010 that involves a four-week

field experience in Taiwan. Three students have taken this new course, working with Dr.

Wei-Chang Shen at the National Taiwan University. This university teaches a course (in

English) on ‘Biodiversity, Agriculture and Culture in Taiwan.’ A future goal is the

establishment of a “3+1” program between the National Taiwan University and Texas

A&M University.

Dr. Won-Bo Shim is working to establish an international consortium of scientists to

study pathogenic Fusarium spp. These pathogenic fungi represent the most important

agricultural plant pathogenic fungi due to the wide range of agricultural crops they attack

and their ability to produce mycotoxins that pose critical health concerns for human and

animal consumption. It is estimated that ~25% of crops world-wide are contaminated

with mycotoxins. Dr. Shim has traveled to China and is interacting with the laboratory of

Dr. Zonghua Ma at Zhejiang University in China. This collaboration would result in

students from A&M traveling to China to work in laboratories at Zhejiang University. An

aspect that makes this experience even more beneficial for A&M students is that China

pays living, boarding and food expenses during the student visits.

Dr. Young-Ki Jo hosts one Chinese internship student in his lab each fall, which

supports the Michigan State University - China Turfgrass Management Program. The

student has completed most course requirements for a 4-year turfgrass management

degree (B.S.) in China. The internship experience in the U.S. is a requirement for

completing the degree program. During the internship in his lab, the student is involved

in multiple field and lab research projects focused on turfgrass pathology.

Dr. Young-Ki Jo has established a research agreement with the Rural Development

Administration (RDA) in South Korea (the Korean equivalent of the USDA). The

research will be carried out for three years with rice pathologists in RDA. RDA is

contributing $120,000 for this project, titled “Development of control methods for seed

borne diseases using plasma technology and silver nanoparticles in rice.” The goal of this

project is to control important seed borne diseases on rice in Texas and South Korea. The

particular objectives of this project are: 1) To develop the cold plasma technology for

eradication seed borne pathogen in rice, and 2) To develop the silver nanoparticle

compounds with antifungal property against pathogens concerned with seed borne

diseases in rice. Each year, scientists associated with this project will be exchanged

between Texas and South Korea.

Dr. Joshua Yuan, Dr. Won-Bo Shim and Dr. Dan Ebbole traveled to China for a

bioenergy conference held in Beijing in October, 2009. Dr. Yuan was an organizer and


37

host for the first US-China Bioenergy Forum as part of the US-China Relationship

Conference. In addition, he co-hosted the International Symposium of Biotechnology and

Biofuels at Peking University. He also was a keynote speaker in a symposium for the

dedication of Bioenergy Research Center in Jiangsu University and has accepted an

Adjunct Professorship at Jiangsu University. The US-China Bioenergy Forum is one of

the first high level bioenergy specific forum with leading scientists from both nations in

attendance. A TAMU graduate student, Aaron Smith from Chemical Engineering,

attended the conference and gave a talk.

Drs. Chuck Kenerley, Heather Wilkinson, Herman Scholthof and Jim Starr hosted

four Borlaug Fellows last fall. Our faculty have participated in these international

programs for several years. Drs. Dan Ebbole and Brian Shaw hosted Borlaug Fellows

from Cameroon in Fall 2007.

Dr. Jim Starr travels extensively to West Africa to collaborate on research to develop

nematode resistant crops. He has also hosted scientists from West Africa in his laboratory

at Texas A&M.

Dr. Mike Kolomiets is interacting with three scientists at CONACYT in Mexico, Dr.

Martin Heil (Plant-Insect Mutualism), Dr. Doralida Guzmán (Mycotoxins), and Dr. Jean-

Philippe Vielle (Functional Genomics and Apomixis). To date he has obtained seed from

Dr. Vielle for 16 landraces of maize to sequence LOX4 and LOX5 to see if resistance to

aflatoxin contamination and drought can be associated with any alterations in those two

genes.

Dr. Brian Shaw traveled to Mexico three times in the past three years to attend the Latin

American Mycology Congress. He has long-standing collaborations with Dr. Rosa

Mourino-Perez and Dr. Meritxel Riquelme at CICESE in Ensenada Mexico and serves on

the advisory committee of Diego Delgado, a Ph.D. student of Dr. Mourino-Perez. Drs.

Shaw and Riquelme are co-editors for an special issue of the journal Fungal Biology.

Dr. Libo Shan is initiating collaboration with faculty of College of Life Science at

Beijing Normal University. She gave a keynote talk in their annual Plant Calcium

Signaling Symposium on December 2010. The efforts to recruit talented Ph.D. students

with China Scholar Council (CSC) fellowships are undergoing.

Dr. Libo Shan is collaborating with Dr. Zhaohu Li, the Dean of College of Agriculture

and Biotechnology, Beijing Agricultural University on the study of cotton abiotic stress

resistance. One joint publication has been accepted by The Plant Journal. Two Ph.D.

students with CSC fellowships are being recruited into Dr. Shan’s lab.

Dr. Libo Shan is collaborating with Dr. Gonçalo Apolinário de Souza Filho from the

Center of Bioscience and Biotechnology, North State University of Rio de Janeiro,

Brazil. A Ph.D. student, Ms. Aline Chaves Intorne, will join Dr. Shan’s lab for one year

(January to December 2011 to study the early signaling events in plant innate immunity.


38

Dr. Herman Scholthof collaborates with the John Innes Center in England.

Drs. Herman Scholthof and Karen-Beth Scholthof will be giving a lecture series on

Plant Virology in May at the L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, in Astana,

Kazakhstan.

Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (FAFU), FaoHou, China. Dr. Libo Shan

has a graduate student from FAFU in her laboratory. Recently, Dr. LS Pierson led a visit

to FAFU to give invited lectures and discuss A&M faculty minicourses and research

collaborations. Accompanying him were Drs. EA Pierson, L. Shan and Ping He. The trip

was organized by Dr. Zonghua Yuan, Professor of Plant Pathology & Molecular

Genetics, Vice President of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University. An MOU is

under development.

o In the summer of 2011, Drs. Daniel Ebbole and Won-Bo Shim will teach a

graduate level course in “fungal genetics/genomics and fungal-plant interactions”

at Fujian Agricultural and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Peoples Republic of

China. Dr. Zonghua Wang, Professor of Plant Pathology and Vice President of

International Affairs, is sponsoring this two-week summer intensive course. In

addition to teaching the course, Drs Ebbole and Shim will interact with graduate

students and faculty at Fujian Agricultural and Forestry University to strengthen

research collaborations.

Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China. After a visit by several Deans and

Department Heads from Huazhong, a symposium was organized by Dr. Xianlong Zhang,

Vice President of HUAZ. Eight faculty (6 from PLPM) led by Dr. LS Pierson traveled to

Huazhong Agricultural University this past spring break for a 2-day symposium. Mutual

research interests as well as teaching and graduate student exchanges were discussed. An

MOU is being developed to further promote our relationship.

Future:

We will continue to pursue international collaborations that can support and enhance our core

mission to agriculture, Texas and its citizens. For example, several faculty are traveling to China

to explore collaborations with two universities (see above). However, in order to be successful,

these international efforts require sufficient levels of support from the department, the college

and the university. Faculty are exploring competitive support for these programs, but in the near

term immediate college and university support is needed.

2. Sustain and grow teaching effectiveness and learning excellence that prepares students for

life-long learning.

A. Expand faculty mentoring for teaching.

The department encourages and has sponsored faculty participation in teaching workshops.

Faculty members are recognized regularly for their teaching efforts. Measurements of faculty

success in teaching include:


39

Dr. Karen-Beth Scholthof received the 2008 Center for Teaching Excellence/University

Writing Center "W-Course" Teaching Award.

Dr. Karen-Beth Scholthof received the 2009 TAMU Association of Former Students

Distinguished Achievement Award for Teaching.

Dr. Brian Shaw received the Student-Led Awards for Teaching Excellence (SLATE),

award for spring 2009 and also for spring 2010 (in 2010, only 5 were awarded in

COALS).

Dr. Greta Schuster received the 2008 and 2009 Texas A&M Kingsville Chancellor’s

Teaching Excellence Award.

Dr. Jason Woodward was nominated for the 2009 Texas Tech University CASNAR

award.

Dr. Leland S. Pierson III received the 2006-2007 Outstanding Faculty Teaching Award

from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at The University of Arizona.


40

Future:

The Department Head has begun attending lectures by junior faculty in the department for the

purpose of providing feedback support and suggestions. All faculty currently are evaluated by

the Center for Teaching Excellence based on student evaluations and these ratings are discussed

during the annual faculty reviews.

3. Increase basic and translational research.

A. Identify, build upon current strengths. The discipline of plant pathology covers a diversity

of areas relevant to plant health and agriculture, from basic molecular studies to applied research.

Being a relatively small department, each faculty member brings specific expertise and a unique

perspective to the unit.

Current Focus areas and Research Strengths: (Please see Figure on pg. 18)

Host-plant interactions.

Bacteriology

Bioenergy & Biotechnology

Pathogenic fungi and mycology

Disease resistance

Virology & Bacteriophage biology

Nematology

Plant biology

Ecology & evolutionary biology

Waterborne pathogens

Institute for Plant Genomics and

Biotechnology

The faculty have been successful in obtaining grants in support of their research. Please see the

section on Research Productivity for more detailed information on projects, grants, and funds.

Extension Research:

The department is comprised of COALS, AgriLife Research and AgriLife Extension faculty.

Faculty Research/Extension Location

Dr. David Appel Extension College Station

Dr. Mark Black Extension Uvalde

Dr. Carlos Bogran (50%) Extension College Station

Dr. Ron French-Monar Extension Amarillo

Dr. George Di Giovanni Research El Paso

Dr. Erik Mirkov Research Weslaco

Dr. Tom Isakeit Extension College Station

Dr. Young Ki Jo Extension College Station

Dr. Gary Odvody Extension Corpus Christi

Dr. Kevin Ong Extension College Station

Dr. Charlie Rush Research Amarillo

Dr. Greta Schuster Extension Kingsville

Dr. Karl Steddom Extension Overton

Dr. Xiaofeng Wang Research Weslaco

Dr. Terry Wheeler Research Lubbock

Dr. Jason Woodward Extension Lubbock

Dr. Qingyi Yu Research Weslaco

Dr. Xin-Gen (Shane) Zhou Research Beaumont


41

The department has two plant disease diagnostic laboratories, the Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic

Laboratory (TPDDL) located in the Centeq building on the College Station campus and the Great

Plains Diagnostic Laboratory (GPDN) located at the Amarillo Research Center. Dr. Kevin Ong

is the Director of the TPDDL and Dr. Ron French-Monar operates the GPDN laboratory.

Plant Pathology and Microbiology faculty are also working on important existing and emerging

plant pathogens that threaten Texas agriculture and that of the U.S. Faculty perform research and

field work supported by grants from several Texas commodity groups, including the Texas

Pierce’s Disease Research & Education Program and the grape industry, the Texas Corn

Producers Board, Texas Cotton State support, Cotton Incorporated, Plains Cotton Improvement

Program, Texas Citrus Mutual, and Texas Wheat Producers.

Future:

Further strengthening of the connections between faculty on main campus and those located at

the Research and Extension Centers around the state is needed to increase the integration

between basic laboratory research with field applications. Major hurdles include the distances

across Texas, schedule conflicts between field studies and classes, and funding. Many Centers

lack housing, or students have to pay rent at two locations simultaneously. Also, research and

extension have not been treated equivalently at some centers.

B. Promote research excellence. Examples of faculty members in the department who have

been recognized recently for research excellence include:

Dr. Erik Mirkov recognized by the Vice Chancellor at the 2010 Annual Patent Awards

Luncheon for 4 US and 1 Australian issued patents.

Dr. Herman Scholthof received the 2009 TAMU Association of Former Students

Distinguished Achievement Award for Research.

Dr. Herman Scholthof received the 2009 Ruth Allen Award, presented for outstanding,

innovative contributions to research that has changed, or has the potential to change the

direction of research.

Dr. Herman Scholthof was elected a Fellow of the American Phytopathological Society

in 2009.

Dr. George Di Giovanni received the 2009 Faculty Fellow distinction, Texas AgriLife

Research.

Dr. Brian Shaw received the 2009 Alexopoulos Prize, the Outstanding Early-Career

Mycologist Award awarded by the Mycological Society of America.

Dr. Marty Dickman received the 2011 E. C. Stackman Award, granted to individuals of

any country and nationality for outstanding achievements in plant pathology. Past

recipients include Dr. Luis Sequeira and Dr. Norman Borlaug.

Dr. Marty Dickman was recently elected an AAAS Fellow.

Dr. Mike Kolomiets received the 2011 MEPS Outstanding Young Faculty Award.

Imperative 2: Strengthen our Graduate Programs. 1. Increase and diversify our graduate student body.

The graduate program in the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology has been revised

several times over the years. The Graduate Program Committee is charged with the oversight of


42

the graduate program curriculum. Please see the section on Graduate Teaching for a full

description of the Graduate Program.

A. Increase efforts to recruit underrepresented students.

The department encourages eligible students to apply for one of several possible fellowship

programs, including:

Alfred P. Sloan Foundation under-represented minority graduate recruitment. The

Alfred P. Sloan Foundation's Minority Ph.D. Program has two components. The Ph.D.

component offers substantial scholarship support to underrepresented minority students

who are beginning their doctoral work in engineering, natural science and mathematics.

Since its establishment in 1995, the program has provided direct support to over 900

minority Ph.D. students in these fields. The smaller Feeder component offers

underrepresented minority B.S. or M.S. student’s access to select faculty and departments

that have demonstrated success in sending their students on to doctoral programs.

MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences)

program. The MANRRS program is aimed at the development of leadership and

professional skills and scholarly excellence among members in the early stages of their

careers. The overall objective of MANRRS is to foster inclusion and advancement of

members of ethnic/cultural groups underrepresented in agricultural and natural resource

sciences and related fields in all phases of career preparation and participation.

Hispanic Leadership in Agriculture and Environment Fellows program.

Association for Former Students Graduate Merit Fellowship.

B. Increase financial support.

Currently for graduate student support, the department receives $62,909 base funding plus

variable amounts in a graduate enhancement account. The new department head negotiated 2 yrs.

of an additional $50,000, expiring September 2011. These monies are primarily used for

recruitment of new students. Faculty are expected to support their students from federal or state

grant funds, or from teaching assistantships. A major area of debate, for all faculty, is whether to

use limited (and increasingly precious) support monies for graduate students or for post-doctoral

fellows. During times of limited funding opportunities, the need for rapid progress on research

areas often places the need for more productive post-doctoral students above the longer term

training of graduate students.

2. Increase opportunities for experiential learning that prepares students for life.

A. Improve preparation in classroom teaching.

The department has been updating classroom technology by the installation of Smart Boards in

most of its classrooms. One teaching laboratory had new chairs installed in fall, 2009. Since

September 2009, several updates to the Peterson building 1st floor hallway have been

implemented, including a monitor that displays information on the department, its faculty, its

programs, and additional information of current interest, such as seminars and departmental

functions.

The department has limited funds available to support student travel in order to present research

at national and international meetings. Attending and presenting their work, whether orally or at

poster sessions, is an important teaching component and trains students to become better

scientists and helps to establish useful collaborations and future contacts. In addition, the


43

Department Head is supportive of the request by the Post-doctoral student committee to guest

lecture in specific classes to gain experience for the next level of their professional career.

B. Broaden access to our academic programs beyond College Station.

This is a new area for the department and we are beginning to plan how best to do this. The

department currently integrates teaching, research and extension as they are inseparable in the

field of plant pathology. Plant Pathology is a hands-on major. The department has several faculty

associated with other educational centers around the state. These faculty include Dr. Jason

Woodward who has a 75% AgriLife Extension Specialist and 25% Instruction appointment at

Texas Tech University in Lubbock to teach plant pathology. He also serves as major professor

and committee member for graduate students at Texas Tech. Dr. Greta Schuster has a 25%

AgriLife Extension appointment and a 75% teaching appointment at the Texas A&M Kingsville

campus. She currently teaches plant pathology and trains undergraduate and graduate students.


44

Imperative 3: Enhance the Undergraduate Academic Experience.

Since its inception in 1990, the undergraduate Bioenvironmental Sciences major has grown in

size from 153 majors in 1992 to 227 majors in 2010. The major graduates on average nineteen

students per semester. The BESC major has an excellent Student-to-Faculty ratio, with 227

students being taught by 20 faculty (ratio = 11.4 to 1). In addition, all BESC courses are taught

by tenured or tenure-track faculty. More detailed information regarding the BESC major are

provided in the section on Teaching.

1. Enhance UG exposure to research.

A. Promote REUs. All faculty on campus are involved in training undergraduate researchers.

More information on the departmental REU programs is in the Teaching section.

B. Enhance honors programs. Dr. Karen-Beth Scholthof led the effort to develop a Honors

Program for the Bioenvironmental Sciences major. This is the first honors program in COALS.

Please see the Undergraduate Teaching section for more information on the BESC honors

program.

C. Increase financial support for UG research. All BESC majors must complete an internship in

order to be able to graduate. Many students fulfill this requirement by working in a research

laboratory. As indicated in the Undergraduate Teaching section, since 2003 PLPM faculty have

trained over 200 undergraduate students in their research laboratories.

2. Provide experiential learning opportunities that foster critical thinking, complex problem

solving, strong communication skills, community interaction, and social/global awareness.

A. Expand out-of-classroom learning (Study Abroad).

The department has had a number of undergraduate students participate in Study Abroad

programs in Brazil, Costa Rica, Australia, Fiji, Ireland, Belgium, and Dominica.

B. Foster real-world interdisciplinary problem solving.

C. Expand cross-disciplinary learning.

Please see the Teaching section on the BESC program for more information.


45

Imperative 4: Diversify and globalize the A&M and College Communities. 1. Enhance and broaden the student’s educational experience to make them better understand

the world around them and how different perspectives contribute to its strength.

A. Increase international activities. Please see page 37. In addition, several faculty visited

CONACYT in Mexico with the goal of developing international research initiatives and student

exchange programs.

B. Increase diversity of the student body.

Overall demographics of the undergraduate BESC major for the years 2008-2010:

Gender Number Percent

Male 118 44.5%

Female 147 55.5%

Total 265 100.00%

Ethnicity Number Percent

African American 14 5.3%

Hispanic 65 24.5%

Native American 5 1.9%

Asian 15 5.7%

White 166 62.6%

Overall demographics of the PLPM graduate program as of 2010:

Gender Number Percent

Male 12 36.4%

Female 21 63.6%

Total 33 100.00%

Ethnicity Number Percent

African American 2 6.1%

Hispanic 11 33.3%

Native American 2 6.1%

Asian 9 27.3%

White 9 27.3%

2. Increase impact of faculty by broadening their experiences.

Tenured faculty members at Texas A&M University have the ability to apply for Faculty

Development Leave. Recent examples:

Herman Scholthof spent 6 months in the laboratory of Dr. Peter Moffett whose research

group focuses on molecular resistance mechanisms of plants against pathogens at the

Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) for Plant Research at Cornell University in Ithaca New

York. Dr. Scholthof’s goal was to learn new research techniques applicable to my own

molecular virology program by performing hands-on state-of-the-art research in the


46

laboratories and greenhouse facilities at BTI. To date, one publication has resulted from

this visit.

Karen-Beth Scholthof had a 6 month Visiting Scholar appointment in the Department of

Science and Technology Studies at Cornell University. Her visit enabled her to continue

her NSF-funded research on the history of plant virology, specifically Tobacco mosaic

virus in the early 20th century in the United States. She spent much of the time intensively

reading of plant pathology, plant genetics, and virology literature from 1900-1935 and the

historiography of these topics at the Mann Agricultural Library. She also worked at the

Kroch Library (Archives) to investigate the development of the American

Phytopathological Society (APS), and the links between Cornell University Plant

Pathology and the development of the Boyce Thompson Institute. She also prepared a

manuscript on F. O. Holmes and the local lesion assay. . To date, two publications

resulted from this visit.

Mike Kolomiets spent 6 months in the laboratory of Dr. Ivo Feussner at the Institute of

Plant Biochemistry, University of Goettingen, Germany. Dr. Kolomiets’s Faculty

Development Leave was to gain analytical expertise in modern, state-of-the-art

biochemical techniques of plant metabolome and lipidome profiling. While learning new

metabolome analyses techniques, another important goal was to profile and quantify

lipids and major plant hormones in the maize lipid metabolism mutants that Dr.

Kolomiets has generated at Texas A&M. This training was necessary to take his already

successful research program in maize molecular genetics to the next level of excellence

and competitiveness.

Herman and Karen-Beth Scholthof will be giving an invited lecture series on Plant

Virology in May at the L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, in Astana,

Kazakhstan. One of their goals is to recruit new graduate students to Texas A&M.

In addition, as a result of our interactions with Fujian Agriculture and Forestry university and

Huazhong Agriculture University several faculty have the opportunity to travel and provide

mini-courses at these institutions. For example:

In the summer of 2011, Drs. Daniel Ebbole and Won-Bo Shim will teach a graduate level course

in “fungal genetics/genomics and fungal-plant interactions” at Fujian Agricultural and Forestry

University, Fuzhou, Peoples Republic of China. Dr. Zonghua Wang, Professor of Plant

Pathology and Vice President of International Affairs, is sponsoring this two-week summer

intensive course. In addition to teaching the course, Drs Ebbole and Shim will interact with

graduate students and faculty at Fujian Agricultural and Forestry University to strengthen

research collaborations.

Several additional faculty are initiating their own international collaborations to expand their

interactions which will greatly benefit the department, the college and the university.


47

Imperative 5: Build engaging connections beyond the university. 1. Establish new and utilize existing partnerships with industry, communities and other

stakeholders.

Many faculty in the department are involved in research and field experiments funded by Texas

agriculture commodity groups and companies. In addition, many are involved with public

groups.

Examples of Commodity Group Interactions:

Cotton Incorporated

National Peanut Board

National Cotton Foundation

Plains Cotton Growers

Texas Arboriculture Industry

Texas Citrus Mutual

Texas Citrus Producers

Texas Corn Producer Board

Texas Fruit Grower Association

Texas Grape Growers

Texas Landscape Industries

Texas Nursery Growers

Texas Peanut Producers Board

Texas Potato Growers

Texas Rice Research Foundation

Texas Sorghum Board

Texas Vineyard Owners/Managers

Texas Wheat Producers Board

Turf Producers of Texas

Texas Department of Agriculture (government)

Examples of Industry Interactions:

ACI

Agraquest

Americot-Nexgen

Arysta

Bayer CropScience

BASF

Becker Underwood

Biotechnology and Research Development Corporation

Bioworks

Cerexagri

Cheminova

Cleary

Dynagrow

Devgin

Dow Agrosciences

DuPont

Fibermax


48

Frito Lay

GmBH

Monsanto

Natural Industries, Inc.

Nichino America

Pasteuria BioSciences

Pioneer Hybrid

Plant Biosciences Ltd.

Prophyta

Quali-Pro

Sipcam

Syngenta

Valent

Examples of Public Interactions:

Blackland Urban Forestry Council

Citizen Forester Program

Coastal Ben Pest Control Association

Future Farmers of America

International Society of Arboriculture Texas

Lubbock Arborists

Lubbock Petal Pushers

Master Gardeners

Texas Bobwhite Brigade

Texas Envirothon, Environmental Institute of Houston

Urban Plant Detectives Program

2. Increase IP. Young Ki Jo is a member of a multi-department group exploring the use of cold

plasma technology for the removal of microorganisms from seed. He has filed a Disclosure

Statement with the university and is proceeding with the research. Dr. Carlos Gonzalez has

agreements on his bacteriophage research and Dr. Erik Mirkov is actively pursuing patents on

transgenic projects. Dr. Herman Scholthof has 1 patent pending, and another patent application

with Dr. Karen-Beth Scholthof has been provisionally extended.

3. Engage non-degree earning learners/students.

Expand distance education offerings.

Currently, the department offers one distance education course, PLPA 603 Plant Disease

Management taught by Dr. J. Starr.

4. Engage Pre-K through 12 education constituencies. Dr. Paul de Figueiredo developed the

‘Invisible Jungle’ radio program aimed at broadcasting sound bites prepared by undergraduate

honors students on topics of microbiological importance via public radio. This program is

described in more detail in the Undergraduate Teaching section.

On Campus Faculty

49


On campus Faculty

David Appel, Professor and Associate Department Head

∙Understanding the epidemiology of plant diseases such as Oak Wilt, Pierce’s Disease

of grapes, and invasive pathogens for better disease management.

∙Extension Interests: Provide quality, relevant educational opportunities for Texans

regarding the identification and control of important plant diseases.

Carlos Bogran (50% appt), Associate Professor & Extension Specialist

∙Resistance of wax Begonia cultivars to Rhizoctonia solani.

∙Enhancing pest/disease management with reduced inputs.

Thom DeWitt (25% appt), Associate Professor ∙Ecological Quantitative Genetics; Functional Ecology; Phenotypic Plasticity; Natural

Selection; Conservation Biology; Environmental Stochasticity; Biomathematical

Models; Development; Freshwater Ecology.

Paul de Figueiredo, Assistant Professor

∙Microbial physiology and molecular mechanisms mediating host-pathogen

interactions.

∙Animal and plant disease model systems, including Brucella spp.

∙Bioenergy production.

Marty Dickman, Professor, Director of the Institute for Plant Genomics and

Biotechnology

∙Understanding the mechanisms that regulate plant apoptosis and implementing

intervention or alternative strategies to generate transgenic plants with novel

mechanisms of pathogen resistance and stress tolerance.

∙Fungal genomics and pathogenic mechanisms.

Dan Ebole, Professor ∙Interests are in fungal genetics, focusing on development and pathogenesis.

∙Understanding of signaling in plant-microbe interactions, focusing on secreted

proteins in the rice blast pathosystem.

∙Exploring developmental processes in Neurospora crassa, a model genetic system,

and evolution of developmental pathways in ascomycete fungi.

On Campus Faculty

50

Carlos Gonzalez, Professor ∙Encompasses a range of studies that address mechanisms involved in the plant-

bacterial, human-bacterial and phage-bacterial–interactions.

∙The model systems used are members of the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) and

the xylem limited bacterium Xylella fastidiosa and their respective phages.

Dennis Gross, Professor

∙Molecular genetic studies of plant pathogenic bacteria, especially Pseudomonas

syringae pv. syringae.

∙The influence of bacterial metabolites and virulence factors, as modulated by the plant

environment, on ecological success.

Tom Isakeit, Professor & Extension Specialist

∙Directed by the needs of Texas growers.

∙Diseases of agronomic and vegetable crops.

∙Management of Phymatotrichopsis (cotton) root rot, aflatoxin on corn, and downy

mildew of sorghum.

∙Coordination of soybean rust monitoring in Texas.

∙Watermelon diseases.

Young Ki Jo, Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist

∙Chemical and biological management of diseases associated with turfgrass and rice.

∙Development of molecular identification and quantitative methods for plant pathogens

and beneficial microbes.

∙Improvement in seed treatment methods to manage seed-borne diseases.

Chuck Kenerley, Professor and Associate Department Head ∙Characterizing the role of secondary metabolites in the life stages of Trichoderma

virens.

∙Understanding the mechanisms Trichoderma virens employs to induce resistance

responses in plants.

∙Discovering novel fungal elicitors involved in the induction of systemic resistance in

plants.

Michael Kolomiets, Associate Professor ∙Functions of lipid-based biochemical and signal transduction pathways in maize

defenses against pathogens, pests and abiotic stresses.

∙Requirement for host and fungal lipids as molecular signals in the regulation of

pathogenicity and mycotoxin production by seed infecting fungi.

On Campus Faculty

51

Clint Magill, Professor ∙Use of molecular probes to gain new insights into fungal plant pathogens and to

measure host responses to pathogens.

∙Development of real-time PCR primers for downy mildew pathogens.

∙PCR-based tags for genes conferring resistance to headsmut, anthracnose, downy

mildew and grain mold in sorghum.

Kevin Ong, Associate Professor and Director, Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab

∙Disease diagnostic service to AgriLife Extension personnel, homeowners, farmers,

nursery producers, landscape contractors, interiorscapers, arborists, consultants.

∙Develop educational programs to encourage the public awareness and appreciation for

plant diseases and their impact to society.

∙Implementation of sound low-impact management approaches to plant disease.

Leland S. (Sandy) Pierson III, Professor and Head ∙Secondary metabolite production and regulation in bacteria.

∙Multiple roles of secondary metabolites, including as signals altering patterns of gene

expression.

∙Signaling among microbial populations in vitro and in situ.

∙Microbial communities: involvement in speleothem formation.

Karen-Beth Scholthof, Professor ∙Molecular virology of Panicum mosaic virus and its satellite virus, SPMV.

∙Emphasis on SPMV biology and biotechnology applications.

∙History of plant pathology, with an emphasis on Tobacco mosaic virus in the early 20th

century in the United States.

Herman Scholthof, Professor ∙Molecular and biochemical mechanisms controlling virus-induced RNA silencing, its

suppression, and virus transport.

∙Precision engineering of novel molecular biotechnology and bioenergy tools based on

plant viruses and their encoded products.

∙Characterization of emerging arthropod-transmitted diseases in Texas, such as Zebra

Complex disease on potatoes.

Libo Shan, Assistant Professor

∙Understanding how host-microbe interactions shape the evolution of microbial

pathogenicity.

∙Plant immunity in both model and economically important plants.

On Campus Faculty

52

Brian Shaw, Associate Professor

∙Fungal Growth and Development; Evolution of Conidiation.

∙Characterization of virulence mechanisms in pathogenic fungi associated with maize

stalk rot.

∙Role of Endocytosis in cell shape; Characterization of Polarity Determinants

Won-Bo Shim, Associate Professor

∙Biology of fungal pathogens of corn and sorghum.

∙Mycotoxin production by Fusarium verticillioides and Cercospora zeae-maydis.

Jim Starr, Professor

∙Identification, characterization, and deployment of resistance to nematodes in

important crop species.

Heather Wilkinson, Associate Professor

∙Understanding mechanisms underlying adaptive traits as well as their evolution.

∙Exploitation of resources available from a variety of different fungal systems to

understand how traits (most of which are extremely well understood genetically)

contribute to fungal fitness.

Joshua Yuan, Assistant Professor

∙Natural biocatalyst systems for reverse design of biorefinery.

∙Development of strategies for structure dynamics-guided biocatalyst improvement.

∙Novel solutions for algae-based biofuels.

∙Plant systems biology research to study the plant insect interaction and various protein-

protein and protein-DNA interaction networks for plant defense and stress responses

∙Bioinformatics tool development for the large-scale biological data analysis

PLPM Faculty: Off Campus

53


Off campus Faculty

Mark C. Black, Professor & Extension Specialist

∙ Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Uvalde

∙Vegetation management and host plant resistance for Pierce's disease of grape

∙Peanut resistance for Tomato spotted wilt virus

∙Resistance screening nursery for cotton root rot of pecan

∙Diagnostic services

Ron French-Monar, Assistant Professor & Extension Plant Pathologist

∙Grain Crops and Vegetables.

∙Texas A&M Research and Extension Center at Amarillo.

∙Director, Texas High Plains Plant Diagnostic Lab.

George D. Di Giovanni, Professor and Faculty Fellow

∙Environmental microbiology & waterborne pathogens.

∙Texas A&M Agricultural Research and Extension Center at El Paso.

T. Erik Mirkov, Professor

∙Plant molecular virology in subtropical crops.

∙Biotechnological approaches to control viral and bacterial diseases and their vectors in

citrus, sugarcane and potato.

∙Development of sugarcane as a biofactory.

∙Texas A&M Research and Extension Center at Weslaco.

Gary N. Odvody, Associate Professor

∙Sorghum and Corn Diseases.

∙Texas A&M Research and Extension Center at Corpus Christi.

Charlie Rush, Professor ∙Soil borne Diseases, wheat streak virus, Zebra Chip Complex.

∙Texas A&M Research and Extension Center at Amarillo.

Greta Schuster, Professor

∙Integrated Pest Management.

∙Texas A&M Kingsville.

PLPM Faculty: Off Campus

54

Karl Steddom, Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist

∙Horticultural crop pathology.

∙Texas A&M Research and Extension Center at Overton.

Xiaofeng Wang, Assistant Professor

∙ Virus replication mechanism and virus-host interactions.

∙Texas AgriLife Research Center at Weslaco.

Terry Wheeler, Professor

∙Soil borne diseases of cotton and peanut.

∙Texas A & M Research and Extension Center at Lubbock.

Jason E. Woodward, Assistant Professor & Extension Plant Pathologist

∙Peanut and cotton diseases.

∙Texas A&M Research and Extension Center at Lubbock.

Qingyi Yu, Assistant Professor

∙Plant molecular biologist, sex determination in papaya.

∙Texas AgriLife Research Center at Weslaco.

Xin-Gen (Shane) Zhou, Assistant Professor

∙Epidemiology and integrated management of rice and bioenergy crop diseases.

∙Texas A&M Research & Extension Center at Beaumont.

Adjunct Faculty

55

Adjunct Faculty

Elizabeth (Betsy) Pierson, Associate Professor (Horticulture)

∙Microbe-microbe, microbe-plant, or microbe-insect interactions in plant-associated or

insect-associated biofilm communities.

∙Cell-cell communication among bacteria co-inhabiting plant surfaces that influence the

outcome of competition by affecting the regulation of physiochemical behaviors at a

genetic level.

∙Dynamics of native and invasive introduced plant species.

Kelly Craven, Assistant Professor (Noble Foundation, Ardmore, OK)

∙Microbial bio-diversity in the prairie grasslands.

∙Exploitation of microbial symbionts and/or useful genes derived from them for crop

enhancement.

∙Basic tropic responses in fungi as they relate to the processes of nutrient acquisition and

colonization.

Louis K. Prom, Research Plant Pathologist, Crop Germplasm Research

No Photo ∙Sequence repeat markers for sorghum downy mildew (Peronosclerospora sorghi) and

on File related species.

∙Infection of Claviceps africana Frederickson, Mantle and de Milliano in sorghum

in Mexico and the United States.

Map of Research and Extension Centers

56

Locations of Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Centers

Center names in bold indicate where PLPM Research (R) and/or Extension (E) faculty are located. We

have an open position in Dallas, but will probably lose this due to budget reductions.

Distance issues make frequent visits between centers difficult. The department is exploring ways to

improve communication and interaction with all of its faculty.

Amarillo

Lubbock

El Paso Overton

Beaumont

Corpus Christi

Weslaco

Bushland

Uvalde

Dallas

Stephenville

San Angelo

Temple College Station

C. Rush (R)

J. Woodward (E)

G. DiGiovanni (R)

K. Steddom (E)

S. Zhou (R)

T. Wheeler (R)

R. French (E)

G. Odvody (R)

G. Schuster (E)

E. Mirkov (R)

X. Wang (R) Q. Yu (R)

M. Black (E)

C. Bogran (E)

T. Isakeit (E)

Y.Jo (E)

K. Ong (E)

Faculty Awards

57

Plant Pathology and Microbiology Faculty Awards

2003-2011

David Appel

2004 Outstanding Professional of the Year Community Forestry Award, Texas

Urban Forestry Council and International Society of Arboriculture

Carlos Bogran

2007 Texas AgriLife Extension Superior Service Award for Diversity

Paul de Figueiredo

2010 Keynote speaker, Academic Scholarship Recognition Ceremony, Texas A&M

2007 Grantsmanship Award, Mexican American U.S. Latino Research Center, Texas A&M

2007 Awardee, Ralph E. Powe New Investigator Award

2006 Fellow, Sloan Minority Ph.D. Program, Texas A&M University

2006 Fellow, Mexican American U.S. Latino Research Center, Texas A&M University

2006 Mentor, Pathways to the Doctorate Program, Texas A&M University

2003 2nd Place, Harvard Biotechnology Business Plan Competition, Harvard Business School

2003 Semi-finalist, MIT 50K Business Plan Competition, MIT

Martin Dickman

2011 Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

2011 E.C. Stackman Award for Research Excellence in Plant Pathology

2006 - 2011 Christine Richardson Professorship in Agriculture

2003 - 2005 Charles Bessey Professor of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska

2003 Fellow, American Phytopathological Society

2003 Distinguished Alumni Award, University of Hawaii, Hilo

George Di Giovanni

2009 Faculty Fellow Distinction, Texas AgriLife Research

2007 Texas Environmental Excellence Award, Texas Commission on

Environmental Quality and Governor Rick Perry

2007 Award for Outstanding Integrated Activities for Water Resources, Rio

Grande Basin Initiative Team Member, USDA CSREES National Water

Program

2006 Vice Chancellor’s Award in Excellence, Rio Grande Basin Initiative Team

Member, Texas A&M University Agriculture Program

Carlos Gonzalez

2010 Chapter of the Year, Faculty Mentor, Minorities in Agriculture, Natural

Resources and Related Sciences

Charles Kenerley

2004 Faculty Award for Outstanding Achievement, Department of Plant

Pathology and Microbiology

Faculty Awards

58

Mikhailo Kolomiets

2011 MEPS Outstanding Young Faculty Award.



Clint Magill

2008 Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Erik Mirkov

2009 Vice-Chancellor’s Award in Technology Innovation, Texas A&M

University


University


University



2007 Vice-Chancellor’s Award in Excellence, Individual Research, Off

Campus, Texas A&M University


University

2004 – 2005 American Phytopathological Society Senior Editor, APS

Kevin Ong

2005 Texas Cooperative Extension Team Award for Superior Service

Leland S. Pierson III

2006 Outstanding Faculty Teaching Award, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences,

University of Arizona

Charlie Rush


2007 Regents Fellow, Texas A&M University System

2007 Faculty Fellow, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station

Herman Scholthof


2009 Association of Former Students Distinguished Achievement Award for Research,


2007 Ruth Allen Award, American Phytopathological Society



Karen-Beth Scholthof

2009 Association of Former Students Distinguished Achievement Award for Teaching,


Faculty Awards

59

2008 Center for Teaching Excellence and University Writing Center W-Course Award,


2004 Excellence in Teaching Award, American Phytopathological Society

Greta Schuster

2010 Outstanding Junior Researcher, Texas A&M, Kingsville

2009 Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Award, Texas A&M University

2008 Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Award, Texas A&M University

2002 - 2003 Outstanding Club Advisor, Collegiate 4-H, West Texas A&M

Brian Shaw

2010 SLATE (Student Led Award for Teaching Excellence), Texas A&M

University

2009 Alexopolous Prize, Mycological Society of America

2009 SLATE (Student Led Award for Teaching Excellence), Texas A&M

University

Won-Bo Shim

2003 Certificate of Merit, United States Department of Agriculture,

Agricultural Research Service

James Starr

2008 Distinguished Alumni, College of Food, Agriculture and Environment,

The Ohio State University


2003 Fellow, Society of Nematologists

Terry Wheeler

2009 West Texas Agricultural Chemical Institute Institutional Award

Jason Woodward

2010 Junior Faculty Award, Texas Tech University College of Agricultural

Sciences and Natural Resources

2006 George Washington Carver Award, National Peanut Board

The following pages contain 2 page CVs of each faculty member. Complete CVs are included in

Appendix E on the diskette at the back of the document.

2 Page Faculty CV’s

61

DAVID N. APPEL Associate Department Head and Professor

Texas AgriLife Extension Service



College Station, TX 77843-2132

EDUCATION

1973 B.A. (Biology) West Virginia University Morgantown, WV

1976 M.S. (Plant Path) West Virginia University Morgantown, WV

1981 Ph.D. (Plant Path) Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA

PROFESSIONAL AND ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS

1975-76 Research Assistant, Plant Pathology West Virginia University

1976-80 Research Assistant, Plant Pathology Virginia Tech

1981-87 Assistant Professor Texas A&M University, PLPA

1987-95 Associate Professor Texas A&M University, PLPA

1995-present Professor Texas A&M University, PLPA

1989-90 Interim Department Head Texas A&M University, PLPA

1990-2006 Associate Department Head, Academics Texas A&M University, PLPA

2001-2002 Interim Department Head Texas A&M University, PLPA

2009-present Associate Department Head, Extension Texas A&M University, PLPA

PROFESSIONAL AWARDS AND RECOGNITION (Career)

1976 Graduate Student Award, Potomac Division, American Phytopathological Society

1982 Outstanding Professor, Plant Sciences Club

1991 Outstanding Plant Pathology Faculty Award, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology

1995 Participant in ESCOP (Experiment Station Committee on Organization and Policy) Leadership

Development Program (Class 5)

2004 Outstanding Professional of the Year, Community Forestry Award, sponsored by the Texas Forest

Service, Texas Urban Forestry Council and Texas Chapter of the International Society of

Arboriculture

PUBLICATIONS (Past 4 Years)

Ancona, V., Appel, D.N., and P. de Figueiredo. 2010. Xylella fastidiosa: a model for analyzing agricultural

biosecurity. Biosecurity and Bioterrorism 8:171-182.

Camilli, K., Appel, D.N., and Watson, W. Todd. 2007. Studies on pruning cuts and wound dressings for

oak wilt control. J. Arboric. & Urban For. 33:132 - 139.

Greene, T.A., Reemts, C.M., and D.N. Appel. 2008. Efficacy of basal girdling to control oak wilt fungal

mat production in Texas red oak (Quercus buckleyi) in Central Texas. Southern Journal of Applied

Forestry. 32:168-172.

Juzwik, J., Harrington, T.C., MacDonald, W.L., and D.N. Appel. 2008. The origin of Ceratocystis

fagacearum, the oak wilt fungus. Ann. Rev. Phytopath. 46:13-26.


62

Watson, W.T., Appel, D.N., Arnold, M.A., Kenerley, C.M., Starr, J.L. and T.M. Trinidad. 2007.

Inoculation, symptoms, and colonization in containerized apple trees by Phymatotrichopsis omnivora

(Duggar) Hennebert. Agrociencia 41:459-468.

EXTERNALLY FUNDED PROJECTS (Current)

“Streamside Survey for Phytophthora ramorum in Texas (Sudden Oak Death)”, 2011 – 2012, US Forest

Service, Forest Health Monitoring

“Epidemiology and Control of Pierce’s Disease of Grapes”, 2011 – 2012, USDA APHIS/PPQ

“Upper Gulf Coast Survey for the Asian Citrus Psyllid”, 2010 – 2011, USDA APHIS/PPQ

COURSES TAUGHT (Career)

Undergraduate

PLPA 301 Introduction to Plant Pathology

FRSC 307 Forest Protection

FRSC 420 Arboriculture

FRSC 421 Urban Forestry

PLPA 489 Environmental Toxicology and Regulations

Graduate

PLPA 611 Advanced Plant Pathology

PLPA 626 Diagnosis of Plant Diseases

PLPA 629 Diseases of Forest and Shade Trees

PLPA 681 Seminar

GRADUATE STUDENTS ADVISED (Career, Major Professor)

M. Agric. – 2

M.S. - 13

Ph.D. - 3

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP

American Phytopathological Society

International Society of Arboriculture

Nature Conservancy


63

MARK C. BLACK

Professor and Extension Plant Pathologist, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Texas A&M University

System, P.O. Box 1849, Uvalde, TX 78802-1849, 830-278-9151 ext. 141, FAX 830-278-4008, E-mail:

[email protected]

EDUCATION: B.S.A. (Plant Pathology), University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, 1975

M.S. (Plant Pathology), University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, 1978

Ph.D. (Plant Pathology), North Carolina State University, Raleigh, 1983

PROFESSIONAL AND ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS: Professor and Extension Plant Pathologist, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, TAMUS, Uvalde 1997-

present

Associate Professor and Extension Plant Pathologist, Texas Agricultural Extension Service, TAMUS,

Uvalde 1991-1997

Extension Plant Pathologist, Texas Agricultural Extension Service, TAMUS, Uvalde 1983-1991

RECENT PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES AND RECOGNITION: American Phytopathological Society, Extension Committee 1989-1995 (Vice-Chair 1993,

Chair 1994); Public Responsibilities Committee 1989-1993 ; Ad Hoc Prescription Pesticides

Committee 1994; ad hoc reviewer for Plant Disease 1984-present and Plant Health Progress

2006-present; Section Editor (Vegetables) for B&C Tests 2004-2006; Senior Editor for Plant

Health Progress 2007-2009; ad hoc reviewer for Compend. of Onion Diseases 2nd edition 2005.

American Peanut Research and Education Society, Annual Meeting Local Arrangements Committee chair

1996, 2004; Site Selection 1993-97, chair 1996-97; Fellows Committee, 1998-2001, chair 1999-

2000; Nominating Committee 2003-04; Bailey Award Committee 2005-07; Ad Hoc Committee

on CAST membership 1986; Ad Hoc Committee on Membership Categories 2006; Coyt T.

Wilson Award Committee 2006-2008; Associate Editor for Peanut Science, 1999-2005; Exec.

Officer Search Com. 2006-07.

Department External Review Committee, Dept. Plant Pathology & Microbiology, TAMU (1994-95).

Plant Pathology & Microbiology Department Head Search Committee, 1999; several faculty

search committees, 1983-present.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS:

Baring, M.R., W.L. Rooney, C.E. Simpson, J.L. Starr, M.D. Burow, M.C. Black, J.M. Cason, and J.L.

Ayers. 2011. Sequential vs. pedigree selection for multiple disease resistance in peanut. Peanut

Sci. 38:00-00 (accepted).

Wilson, J.N., Wheeler, T.A., Black, M.C., Burow, M.D., and Mullinix, B.G. 2011. Effect of container

size, inoculum density, and test duration on detecting resistance to Cylindrocladium black rot of

peanut. Peanut Sci. 38:00-00 (accepted).

Appel, D.N., M.C. Black, J.S. Kamas, D.H. Hopkins, K. Palacios. 2010. Biological control trials with

EB92-1 in Texas. Pages 151-154 in T. Esser and D. West, eds., Proc. 2010 Pierce’s Disease

Research Symposium. California Dept. Food Agric., Sacramento.

Black, M.C. 2010. Phymatotrichopsis root rot. Pages 00-00 in: T.B. Sutton and J.F. Walgenbach, eds.

Compendium of apple and pear diseases, 2nd edition. APS Press, St. Paul, MN. (in press)

Black, M.C., J. S. Kamas, A. M. Sanchez, L. S. Silva, and P. S. Adams. 2010. Progress of Pierce’s

disease in three Vitis vinifera scions grafted on three rootstocks. Pages 155-158 in T. Esser and

D. West, eds., Proc. 2010 Pierce’s Disease Research Symposium. California Dept. Food Agric.,

Sacramento.

Reed, J. D., J. E. Woodward, K. L. Ong, M. C. Black, and L. A. Stein. 2010. Plant Disease 94:1377.

First report of Stemphylium botryosum on spinach in Texas. DOI: 10.1094/PDIS-06-10-0471


64

Summer, E.J., C.J. Enderle, S.J. Ahern, J.J. Gill, C.P. Torres, D.N. Appel, M.C. Black, R.Young, and

C.F. Gonzalez. 2010. Genomic and biological analysis of phage Xfas53 and related prophages

of Xylella fastidiosa. J. Bacteriol. 192(1):179-190.

Black, M.C., A.M. Sanchez, L.M. Silva, and A.V. Pepi. 2009. Responses of additional ground cover

plant species to mechanical inoculation with diverse Xylella fastidiosa isolates. Proc. 2009

Pierce’s Disease Research Symposium. Calif. Dept. Food Agric., Sacramento p. 164 (abstr).

Morano, L., Lin, H., Black, M., Bextine, B., Garcia, D., and Lew, R. 2008. Genotyping grape Xylella

fastidiosa Isolates in Texas. Page 131 in Proc. 2008 Pierce’s Dis. Res. Symp., California Dept.

Food Agric., Sacramento, CA (abstr., poster, San Diego, CA 15-17Dec08).

Morano, L. D., B. R. Bextine, D. A. Garcia, S. V. Maddox, S. Gunawan, N. J. Vitovsky, and M. C.

Black. 2008. Initial genetic analysis of Xylella fastidiosa in Texas. Curr. Microbiol. 56:346–

351, DOI 10.1007/s00284-007-9088-2.

M. C. Black, A. M. Sanchez, J. L. Davis, E. D. Diaz, and A. V. Pepi. 2008. Responses of ground cover

plant species to mechanical inoculation with diverse Xylella fastidiosa isolates. Pages 135-141 in

Proc. 2008 Pierce’s Dis. Res. Symp., California Dept. Food Agric., Sacramento, CA (poster, San

Diego, CA 15-17Dec08).

M. Black, Sanchez, A., Davis, J., Kamas, J., and Adams, P. 2008. More Texas Xylella fastidiosa

isolates colonized Helianthus annuus and Iva annua than Ambrosia trifida var. texana and Vitis

vinifera ‘Chardonnay.’ Phytopathology 98S:23 (abstr.).

M.C. Black, A.M. Sanchez, J.L. Davis, J.S. Kamas, and P.S. Adams. 2007. Assays of Texas vineyard

soils for effects on Pierce’s disease of grape. Proc. 2007 Pierce’s Dis. Res. Symp., California

Dept. Food Agric., Sacramento, CA (abstr.)(poster, San Diego, CA 12-14Dec07).

T. Isakeit, A.M. Idris, G. Sunter, M.C. Black, and J.K. Brown. 2007. Tomato yellow leaf curl virus in

tomato in Texas, originating from transplant facilities. Plant Dis. 91:466. doi:10.1094/PDIS-91-4-

0466A.

I.-M. Lee, K. D. Bottner, and M.C. Black. 2007. First report of yucca phyllody associated with 16SrI-A

Phytoplasmas in Texas. Plant Dis. 91:467. doi:10.1094/PDIS-91-4-0467C.

Wilson, J. N., Wheeler, T. A., and Black, M. C. 2007. Screening peanut germplasm for resistance to

Cylindrocladium parasiticum. Phytopathology 97S:183 (abstr.)

Woodward, J. and Black, M. C. 2007. Disease and nematode management. Pages 54-77 in Baughman,

T. and Dotray, P., eds., Texas peanut production guide. TX Cooperative Extension, TX.

M. R. Baring, C. E. Simpson, M. D. Burow, M.C. Black, J. M. Cason, J. Ayers, Y. Lopez, and H. A.

Melouk. 2006. Registration of ‘Tamrun OL07’ peanut. Crop Sci. 46:2721-2722.

doi:10.2135/cropsci2006.06.0413

M.C. Black, A.M. Sanchez, J.L. Davis, J.S. Kamas, and P.S. Adams. 2006. Greenhouse responses of

Vitis vinifera ‘Chardonnay,’ Ambrosia trifida var. texana, and Iva annua with Xylella fastidiosa

isolates from Texas host plants. Page 202 in: Proc. 2006 Pierce’s Dis. Res. Symp., California

Dept. Food Agric., Sacramento, CA. (poster, San Diego, CA 27-29Nov06)

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/pdcp/ResearchSymposium/2006Section3.pdf

J.S. Kamas, P.S. Adams, M.C. Black, A.M. Sanchez, and J.L. Davis. 2006. Response of ungrafted grape

rootstocks to Xylella fastidiosa at a Pierce’s disease site in Texas. Pages 229-231 in: Proc. 2006

Pierce’s Dis. Res. Symp., California Dept. Food Agric., Sacramento, CA. (poster, San Diego, CA

27-29Nov06) http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/pdcp/ResearchSymposium/2006Section4.pdf

M. E. Miller, R. R. Saldana, M.C. Black, and H. R. Pappu. 2006. First Report of Iris yellow spot virus

on onion (Allium cepa) in Texas. Plant Dis. 90:1359. doi:10.1094/PD-90-1359B.

C.E. Simpson, M.R. Baring, A.M. Schubert, M.C. Black, H.A. Melouk, and Y. Lopez. 2006.

Registration of ‘Tamrun OL 02’ peanut. Crop Sci. 46:1813-1814. doi:10.2135/cropsci2006.02-

0125




65

CARLOS E. BOGRÁN Department of Entomology and Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology,

Texas A&M AgriLife; 2150 TAMU, Texas A&M University. College Station, TX

Phone 979-845-6800; Fax 979-845-6800; email: [email protected]

EDUCATION:

Ph.D. Entomology Texas A&M University 2000

M.S. Entomology Iowa State University 1996

B.S. Crop Protection Zamorano University (Honduras) 1993

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

2008- present Associate Professor & Extension Specialist, Entomology and Plant Pathology &

Microbiology, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Bryan, Texas.

2001- 2008 Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist, Entomology and Plant Pathology &

Microbiology, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Bryan, Texas.

199- 2000 Research Assistant, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College

Station, Texas.

1994- 1996 Research Assistant, Department of Entomology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

1991- 1993 Research Assistant, Center for the Evaluation and Management of Pesticides.

Department of Plant Protection, Zamorano University, Honduras.

1990- 1991 Production Manager, Finca Montecristo, Amarateca, Honduras (20 acres of

vegetable production).

HONORS AND AWARDS:

Superior Service Award; Diversity Category (2007). Presented by Texas AgriLife Extension Service;

College Station, TX, January 2008.

Outstanding State IPM Program Award (team) (2008). Presented by the Southern IPM Center;

Friends of Southern IPM Awards Program.

John Henry Comstock Graduate Student Award (1999). Presented by the Entomological Society of

America.

SYNERGISTIC ACTIVITIES:

Research: Pest and disease management in ornamental plants. The main focus is to develop and

implement sustainable tools and practices that reduce long term costs and risks in the production and

trade of ornamental plants.

Teaching: Graduate seminar in Extension Entomology. Have hosted undergraduate student as part of

NSF funded REU program. I have also lectured in three departments at Texas A&M University

(Entomology, Plant Pathology, Horticulture).

Extension/ Outreach: Programs, presentations, and publications as part of multidisciplinary teams that

support the ornamental industry in Texas and the US.

Professional Service: Subject Editor, Journal of Integrated Pest Management (2010 – present); published

by the Entomological Society of America (ESA). Section Editor- Arthropod Management Tests (2009-

present); published by ESA. Associate Editor- Spanish, Southwestern Entomologist (2000-2004).

FUNDED GRANTS

2009. Title: Effectiveness of irradiation as a post-harvest quarantine treatment of imported cut

flowers. Colombian Association of Flower Exporters (ASOCOLFLORES). PI (T. Starman, S.

Pillai and K. Heinz Co-PI’s). $ 74,725.00.


66

2007. Title; ‘Biology and management of Azalea bark scale on Crepe Myrtle’. Texas Nursery and

Landscape Association. Co-PI (M. Merchant, S. Ludwig and K. Schofield, Co-PI’s). $10,000.00

2007. Title: ‘Taller MIP/IPM Workshop- a bilingual worker education program on Integrated Pest

Management for the southern Nursery and Floriculture industry’. USDA-CSREES; Regional

Integrated Pest Management Competitive Grants Program, Southern Region (2 years). PI (Scott

Ludwig, Co-PI) $52,585.00.

2006. Title: ‘Enhancing efficacy of two Beauveria bassiana products using insect attractants and

growth regulators. USDA-IR4 Biopesticide Grants Program. PI. $20,000.00.

REFEREED JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS (last 4 years):

Knutson, A. J. Butler, J. Bernal, C. Bográn and M. Campos. 2011. Impact of area-wide malathion

applications on predatory arthropods and insect pests in cotton during boll weevil eradication in Texas.

Crop Protection (in press).

Smith, J. & C.E. Bográn. 2008. First report of Xyleborinus gracilis (Eichhoff) in Texas (Curculionidae:

Scolitinae). Coleopterists Bulletin, 62: 380.

Bader, A.E., K.M. Heinz, R. A. Wharton & C.E. Bográn. 2006. Assessment of interspecific

interactions among parasitoids on the outcome of inoculative biological control of leafminers attacking

chrysanthemum. Biological Control 39:441-442.

Cognato, A.I., C.E. Bográn & R. Rabaglia. 2006. An exotic ambrosia beetle, Xylosandrus mutilatus

(Blandford) (Scolytinae: Xyleborina) found in Texas. Coleopterists Bulletin 60: 162-163.

Bográn, C.E. & K.M. Heinz. 2006. Time delay and initial population density affects interactions

between Encarsia pergandiella Howard and Eretmocerus mundus Mercet (Hymenoptera:

Aphelinidae). Environmental Entomology 365: 661-669.

NON-REFEREED TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS (last 4 years):

Chow, A. P. Krauter, C. Valencia, C. E. Bográn and K. M. Heinz. 2010. Combining an insect growth

regulator and a novel Beauveria bassiana product for management of thrips on potted roses.

Proceedings of SNA Research Conference 55: 232- 236.

Chow, A. C. E. Bográn, A. Chau & K. M. Heinz. 2008. Reducing fertilization for potted Mandevilla:

impacts on crop quality and spidermite control. Proceedings of SNA Research Conference 53: 334-

339.

Ludwig, S. & C. E. Bográn. 2008. Insecticide resistance threatens thrips pest management. TNLA

(Texas Nursery and Landscape Association) Green Magazine 10(9):26

Spiers, J., F. T. Davies Jr, C. He, K.M. Heinz, C. E. Bográn & T. Starman. 2008. Do insecticides affect

plant growth and development. Greenhouser Grower. February 2008.

Junek, T., C. E. Bográn & P. Pietrantonio. 2008. Monitoring Bemisia Resistance to Neonicotinoid

Insecticides in Floriculture Crops. pp 25 In PA, Stansly and C.L. McKenzie (Eds.) Proceedings,

Fourth International Bemisia Workshop; December 3–8, 2006, Duck Key, Florida, USA. Journal of

Insect Science 8:4. insectscience.org/8.04


67

THOMAS J. DEWITT

Interdisciplinary Research Program in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

Department of Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences

Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology

Texas A&M University, 2258 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-2258

Tel. (979) 458-1684; Fax (979) 845-4096; E-mail [email protected]

Webpage http://wfsc.tamu.edu/faculty/tdewitt/webpage.htm

Professional preparation

1987 BSc, Grand Valley State University

1989 Naturalist-Ecologist Training Program, University of Michigan Biological Station

1990 MA, Boston University

1995 PhD, SUNY at Binghamton (Advisor: David Sloan Wilson)

1995-1997 Postdoc, University of Kentucky (Advisor: Andrew Sih)

Appointments

Sept. 2006- Associate Professor, Department of Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences (75%) and

Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology (25%)


2001-2006 Assistant Professor, Department of Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences (75%) and

Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology (25%)


1999-2001 Research Scientist, Department of Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences,


1997-1999 Research Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences,

University of Kentucky

Publications (10 selected from 29 total)

Ruehl CB, Shervette V, DeWitt TJ (In press) Replicated shape variation between simple and complex

habitats in two estuarine fishes. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society.

Tobler M, DeWitt TJ, Schlupp I, García de León FJ, Herrmann R, Feulner PGD, Tiedemann R, Plath M

(2008) Toxic hydrogen sulfide and dark caves: Phenotypic and genetic divergence across two abiotic

environmental gradients in Poecilia mexicana. Evolution 62:2643-2658.

Johnson JB, Burt DB, DeWitt TJ (2008) Form, function, fitness—pathways to survival. Evolution

62:1243-1251.

Langerhans RB, Chapman LJ, DeWitt TJ (2007) Multiple phenotypes, multiple environmental gradients:

complex phenotype-environment associations in an East African cyprinid.

Journal of Evolutionary Biology 20: 1171–1181.

Langerhans RB, Layman CA, DeWitt TJ (2005) Male genital size reflects a tradeoff between attracting

mates and avoiding predators in two livebearing fish species. PNAS 102: 7618-7623.

Ruehl CB, DeWitt TJ (2005) Trophic plasticity and fine-grained resource variation in populations of

western mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis. Evolutionary Ecology Research 7: 801–819.

Dayton GH, Saenz D, Baum KA, Langerhans RB, DeWitt TJ (2005) Body shape, burst speed and

predator susceptibility of larval anurans. Oikos 111:582-591.

Langerhans RB, DeWitt TJ (2004) Shared and unique features of evolutionary diversification.

American Naturalist 164: 335-349.

Langerhans RB, DeWitt TJ (2004) Shared and unique features of evolutionary diversification.

mailto:[email protected]

http://wfscnet.tamu.edu/faculty/tdewitt/webpage.htm


68

American Naturalist 164: 335-349.

Langerhans RB, Layman CA, Shokrollahi AM, DeWitt TJ (2004) Predator-driven phenotypic

diversification in Gambusia affinis. Evolution 58: 2305–2318.

DeWitt TJ, Sih A, Hucko JA (1999) Trait compensation and cospecialization: Size, shape, and

antipredator behaviour. Animal Behaviour 58: 397-407.

Summary statistics on publications • Total citations: 1200 by Web of Science; 1700 by Google Scholar.

• DeWitt articles average approximately 60.3 citations per publication (articles ≥ 2 years old).

• Journals in which DeWitt publishes have an average impact factor of 3.8.

• DeWitt’s h-index is 14 (14 by Web of Science, 15 by Google Scholar).

Synergistic Activities

Broadening participation of underrepresented groups in science. I have a long history of including in my

research and mentoring students from underrepresented groups. I have included 19 undergraduate

students since I assumed my tenure-track position. Of these students 10 are female and 6 are

minorities. Of my 8 graduate students, past and present, 1 is female and 3 are minorities. I am a Sloan

Foundation Minority Mentor.

Work with land owners / land stewards. Through my involvement with Texas EcoLab I am working with

six landowners who desire learn about and support ecological and conservation research on their land.

Innovations in teaching. My work on data analysis and shape studies has given me a unique view of

statistics. I have twice taught a concept course entitled Excel Biometry. It is a graduate course in

which the philosophy is that statistics is really geometry, and students learn to do all the mathematics

“by hand”, using Excel spreadsheets.

Development and refinement of research tools. I am developing methods to fuse data sets, such as

geometric and traditional morphometric data. I am also developing methods to test for statistical

significance of parallelism for multivariate vectors.

Development of public databases. I am working with anthropologists to measure the shape of all

documented human prehistory spear tips in the new world, and to provide these data to the greater

scientific and public community on the internet.

Collaborators & Other Affiliations

Collaborators—Lauren Chapman (McGill University), Brent Burt (Stephen F. Austin University),

John McEachran (Texas A&M University, Emeritus), Michi Tobler (Texas A&M University), Ingo

Schlupp (University of Oklahoma), Martin Plath (University of Potsdam).

Graduate Advisors and Postdoctoral Sponsors—Frederick Wasserman (Boston University), David

Sloan Wilson (Binghamton University), Andrew Sih (University of California, Davis).

Thesis and Postgraduate Advisees—I have supervised nine graduate students and one postdoc. Graduate

students: Brian Langerhans (North Carolina State University), Cliff Ruehl (Florida International

University), Mark Garza (US Fish & Wildlife), RJ McClure (environmental consulting), Jeffrey

Francis (Texas A&M Univesity, Corpus Christi), Anthony Papadopoulos (Texas Tech Univeristy),

Chevaun McCray, Nicholas Troendle (current PhD students). Postdoc: Pim Edelaar (Uppsala

University).


69

PAUL de FIGUEIREDO Assistant Professor


Professional Program in Biotechnology

Faculty of Molecular & Environmental Plant Sciences

Department of Veterinary Pathobiology

A. EDUCATION

Rice University B.A. 1986 Mathematics & Political Science

Stanford University M.A. 1989 Religious Studies

Cornell University Ph.D. 1997 Biochem, Molec & Cell Biology

MIT post-doc 1998-1999 Vertebrate genetics

Univ. of Washington post-doc 2000-2005 Microbiology

B. POSITIONS AND HONORS

Positions and Employment

1987-1987 Consultant, Arthur Anderson & Co.

1989-1991 Biologist, NHLBI, National Institutes of Health

2007-present Center for Microencapsulation and Drug Delivery, Texas A&M System, Member

2007-present Program in the Biology of Filamentous Fungi, Member

2005-present Asst. Professor, Faculty of Genetics, Program in Biotechnology, Faculty of Molecular

and Environmental Plant Sciences, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Department

of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Texas A&M University

2010-present Borlaug Advanced Rsearch Center, Investigator

Other Experience and Professional Memberships

2005-2010 American Microbiological Society

2005-2010 American Association for the Advancement of Science

2005-2010 American Society for Cell Biology

2004 Founder, AvanViva, Inc.

2008, 2010 NSF Review Panel Member, Integrated and Organismal systems (IOS)

2008-present NIH Review Panel Member, Special Emphasis Panel/Scientific Review Group

ZRG1 IDM-A, Intracellular bacterial pathogenesis

2009, 2010 NSF Review Panel Member, Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and

Transport Systems (CBET)

Selected Honors

National Merit Scholar

Stanford University Graduate Research Assistantship

NIH Graduate Research Training Grant

Du Pont Teaching Prize

Fuertes Writing Prize

Biochemistry Teaching Prize

The American Society for Cell Biology/Hybridon Predoctoral Travel Award

Harvard Biotechnology Business Plan Competition, Runner Up (Harvard Business School)

MIT 50K Business Plan Competition. Semifinalist

Mexican American and Latino Research Center Fellow

Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Minority Program Mentor

Hispanic Leadership Program Mentor


70

Oak Ridge Associated University Junior Faculty Award

C. SELECTED PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS (in chronological order).

1. de Figueiredo P, Brown WJ. A role for calmodulin in organelle membrane tubulation. Mol Biol Cell.

1995 6:871-87. PMID: 7579700

2. de Figueiredo P, Drecktrah D, Katzenellenbogen JA Strang M, Brown WJ. Evidence that

phospholipase A2 activity is required for Golgi complex and trans Golgi network membrane

tubulation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1998 95:8642-7. PMID: 9671731

3. de Figueiredo P, Polizotto RS, Drecktrah D, Brown WJ. Membrane tubule-mediated reassembly and

maintenance of the Golgi complex is disrupted by phospholipase A2 antagonists. Mol Biol Cell. 1999

10:1763-82. PMID: 10359595

4. de Figueiredo P, Doody A, Polizotto RS, Drecktrah D, Wood S, Banta M, Strang MS, Brown WJ.

Inhibition of transferrin recycling and endosome tubulation by phospholipase A2 antagonists. J Biol

Chem. 2001 276:47361-70. Epub 2001 Oct 03. PMID: 11585839

5. Qin QM, Pei J, Ancona V, Shaw BD, Ficht TA, de Figueiredo P. RNAi screen of endoplasmic

reticulum- Brucella replication. PLoS

Pathog. 2008 Jul 25;4(7):e1000110 PMCID: PMC2453327

6. Hou H., Li L, de Figueiredo P* and Han A.* Microfabricated microbial fuel cell arrays reveal

electrochemically active microbes. 2009. PLoS ONE 2009 Aug 10;4(8):e6570 PMCID:

PMC2718701

7. Jupiter D, Ficht TA, Samuel J, Qin Q, and de Figueiredo P. DNA watermarking of infectious agents:

progress and prospects. PLoS Pathog. 2010 Jun 17;6(6):e1000950. PMID: 20585560

8. Ancona V, Appel DN, de Figueiredo P. Xylella fastidiosa: a model for analyzing agricultural

biosecurity. Biosecur Bioterror. 2010 Jun;8(2):171-82. PMID: 20569058

9. Dodsworth, JA, Li, L, Wei S, Hedlund BP, Leigh JA and de Figueiredo P. Inter-domain conjugal

transfer of DNA from Bacteria to Archaea. Appl. Environ. Micro. 2010 Aug;76(16):5644-7. Epub

2010 Jun 2 PMID: 20581182

10. Hou H, Li L, de Figueiredo P, Han A. Air-cathode microbial fuel cell array: A device for identifying

and characterizing electrochemically active microbes. Biosens Bioelectron. 2010. Jul 1. Epub ahead

of print PMID: 20655725

* Shared senior authorship

D. RESEARCH SUPPORT

1. NSF0854684, de Figueiredo (PI), 08.15.2009 to 08.14.2011, NSF/CBET, Microbe-mediated electricity

generation. Role: Project leader

2. 5R21AI072446-02, de Figueiredo (PI), 02.15.2008 to 09.11.2011, no cost extension, NIH/NIAID,

Identification and analysis of host factors that support Brucella infection. Role: Project leader

3. NSF0818758, de Figueiredo (PI), 08.15.2008 to 08.14.2011, NSF/IOS, Molecular analysis of Brucella

host factors. Role: Project leader

4. Diamond Blackfan Anemia Foundation, de Figueiredo (PI), 9.15.2010 to 9.14.2011. Discovery of

therapeutics for treating Diamond Blackfan Anemia. Role: Project Leader

5. Shwachman Diamond Research Foundation, de Figueiredo (PI), 11.2.2010 to 11.1.2011 Development

of small molecule therapeutics for Shwachman Diamond Syndrome. Role: Project leader, Amount

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=Search&Term=%22Qin%20QM%22%5BAuthor%5D&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlus

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=Search&Term=%22Pei%20J%22%5BAuthor%5D&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlus

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=Search&Term=%22Ancona%20V%22%5BAuthor%5D&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlus

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=Search&Term=%22Shaw%20BD%22%5BAuthor%5D&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlus

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=Search&Term=%22Ficht%20TA%22%5BAuthor%5D&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlus

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=Search&Term=%22de%20Figueiredo%20P%22%5BAuthor%5D&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlus

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20655725

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20655725


71

GEORGE D. DI GIOVANNI

Texas AgriLife Research Center at El Paso


1380 A&M Circle

El Paso, TX 79927-5020

Phone (915) 859-9111; Fax (915) 859-1078

[email protected]

EDUCATION

Doctor of Philosophy, Microbiology and Immunology. The University of Arizona, December 1994.

Bachelor of Science (Cum Laude), Microbiology and Immunology. The University of Arizona,

December 1990.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Professor, Environmental Microbiology, 09/01-present. Texas AgriLife Research Center at El Paso,

Texas AgriLife Research, Texas A&M University System and Department of Plant Pathology and

Microbiology.

Associate Professor, Environmental Microbiology, 09/01-8/08. Texas AgriLife Research Center at El

Paso, Texas AgriLife Research (formerly Texas Agricultural Experiment Station), Texas A&M

University System and Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology.

Adjunct Professor (2008-present; Associate Professor, 2007-2008). University of Texas at El Paso,

Doctoral Program in Environmental Science and Engineering.

Adjunct Professor (2008-present; Associate Professor, 2005-2008). University of Texas School of

Public Health at Houston, Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences.

Senior Environmental Scientist, 12/99-08/01. American Water Works Service Co., Inc., Belleville, IL.

Environmental Scientist, 06/97-11/99. American Water Works Service Co., Inc., Belleville, IL.

Nat. Research Council Research Associate, 01/95 - 06/97. Environmental Protection Agency, Corvallis,

OR.

ACTIVITIES AND HONORS

Awarded Faculty Fellow distinction, Texas AgriLife Research, Texas A&M University System,

2009

Texas Environmental Excellence Award for bacterial source tracking research. Presented by the

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and Governor Rick Perry, May 2, 2007, Austin,

Texas

Appointed Member, State of Texas Bacterial TMDL Task Force

Chair, Microbiological Contaminants Res. Comm., American Water Works Association (2006-

2010)

Technical Laboratory Auditor, USEPA Method 1623 “Detection of Cryptosporidium and Giardia

in Water by Filtration/IMS/FA” (2002-present)

Co-author of the first USEPA “Quality Assurance/Quality Control Guidance Manual for

Laboratories Performing PCR Analyses on Environmental Samples” (2004)

Member of the American Water Works Association Organisms in Water Committee (2002 -

present)

Member of the AWWA Microbiological Contaminants Research Committee (1998 - present)

Member of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Working Group on

Waterborne Cryptosporidiosis (1999-2001)


72

Ad hoc reviewer for the following journals: Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Water

Research, Journal of Water and Health, Journal of the American Water Works Association,

Environmental Science and Technology, Journal of Applied Microbiology, Journal of Clinical

Microbiology, Journal of Parasitology, Journal of Environmental Quality, Journal of Water

Supply: Research and Technology - AQUA, International Journal of Environmental Health

Research, Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology, and Phytopathology

PATENTS

U.S. Patent 6,153,411 “Methods and Kits for Detection of Cryptosporidium parvum Using

Immunomagnetic Separation and Amplification”. M. Abbaszadegan, G. D. Di Giovanni and M.

W. LeChevallier. November 28, 2000. European Patent EP1127162, August 29, 2001.

U.S. Patent 6,395,517 “Methods and Kits for Detection of Cryptosporidium parvum”. M. Abbaszadegan,

G. D. Di Giovanni and M. W. LeChevallier. May 28, 2002.

Hong Kong Patent 1039965 “Methods and Kits for Detection of Cryptosporidium parvum”. M.

Abbaszadegan, G. D. Di Giovanni and M. W. LeChevallier. May 31, 2002.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Besner, M-C, R. Broséus, J. Lavoie, G. Di Giovanni, P. Payment, M. Prévost. 2010. Pressure monitoring

and characterization of intrusion pathways at the site of the Payment drinking water

epidemiological studies. Environmental Science & Technology 44:269-277.

Lalancette, C., G. D. Di Giovanni, M. Prévost. 2010. Dual direct detection of total and infectious

Cryptosporidium oocysts on cell culture with immunofluorescent assay (3D-CC-IFA): A method

to improve risk analysis. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 76:566-577.

Ajeagah, G. A., T. Njine, C. F. Bilong Bilong, S. M. Foto, M. Wouafo Ndayo, N. M., G. D. Di Giovanni,

and H. Smith. 2010. Seasonal distribution of enteric opportunistic Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts

and Giardia spp. cysts in a tropical water basin, Cameroon. WATER 2:44-57.

Lamendella, R., J. W. Santo Domingo, A. C. Yannarell, S. Ghosh, G. D. Di Giovanni, R. I. Mackie, D.

B. Oerther. 2009. Evaluation of swine-specific PCR assays used for fecal source tracking and

analysis of molecular diversity of Bacteriodales-swine specific populations. Applied and

Environmental Microbiology 75:5507-5513.

Sifuentes, L. Y. and G. D. Di Giovanni. 2007. Aged HCT-8 cell monolayers support Cryptosporidium

parvum infection. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 73:7548-7551.

Casarez, E. A., S. D. Pillai, and G. D. Di Giovanni. 2007. Genotype diversity of Escherichia coli isolates

in natural waters determined by PFGE and ERIC-PCR. Water Research 41:3643-3648. Casarez, E. A., S. D. Pillai, J. Mott, M. Vargas, K. Dean and G. D. Di Giovanni. 2007. Direct

comparison of four bacterial source tracking methods and a novel use of composite data sets. Journal of Applied Microbiology 103(2):350-364.

Di Giovanni, G. D., W. Q. Betancourt, J. Hernandez, N. W. Assadian, J. P. Flores Margez, and E. Jaramillo Lopez. 2006. Investigation of potential zoonotic transmission of cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis through agricultural use of reclaimed wastewater. International Journal of Environmental Health Research 16(6): 405-418.

Assadian, N. W., G. D. Di Giovanni, J. Enciso, J. Iglesias, and W. Lindemann. 2005. The transport of waterborne solutes and bacteriophage in soil subirrigated with a wastewater blend. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 111:279-291.


73

MARTIN B. DICKMAN

Professor and Director

Institute for Plant Genomics and Biotechnology

AgriLife Research Genomics and Bioinformatics Center



College Station, Texas 77843-2132

Education

B.S. University of Hawaii, Hilo, 1979 Horticulture

M.S. University of Hawaii, 1982 Plant Pathology

Ph.D. University of Hawaii, 1986 Plant Pathology

Post Doctoral Research Fellow, Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman,

WA, 1986 - 1987

Employment Background

Professor and Director; Texas A&M University, December 2005-Present

Christine Richardson Professor, Texas A&M University, January 2006

Charles Bessey Professor, University of Nebraska, 2003- 2005

Professor, Plant Pathology, Univ. of Nebraska, July 1, 1997 – 2005

Associate Professor, Plant Pathology, Univ. of Nebraska, July 1993 - 1997

Assistant Professor, Plant Pathology, Univ. of Nebraska, August 1987 - 1993

Honors and Awards Received

University of Nebraska IANR, Junior Faculty Recognition for Excellence in Research Award, 1991

University of Hawaii-Hilo, Distinguished Alumni Award-2002

Charles Besssey Professor-University of Nebraska-2003

Fellow-American Phytpathological Society-2003

Christine Richardson Chair in Agriculture-2006; Texas A&M University

E.C. Stakman Award-2011

Fellow-American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)-2011

Professional Activities

US-AID International Development Grant Program Grant Review Committee, 1990

Associate Editor, Applied Environmental Microbiology, January 1991 - February 2001

Senior Editor, Mycological, July 1996 - June 1999

Senior Editor, Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology, June 1997 - May 2002

Senior Editor, Archives of Microbiology, July 1996 - June 1999

USDA-CSRS Competitive Grants - Panel Member Plant Pathology, 1996

USDA-CSRS Competitive Grants - Panel Member Special Grants, 1997, 1998, 1999

Chairman and Founder, Genetic Basis for Pathogenicity in the Genus Colletotrichum

BARD Panel Manager- Crop protection, 2001, 2002

NSF/USDA Microbial Genome Sequencing-Panel Member-2003

USDA Panel Manager, Plant Associated Microorganisms-2005.

DOE Panel Member- 2006

USDA- OSQR Program Review Panel Member, NPR 303-Plant Disease Resistance-2006

National Institute of Health (NIH) Development Panel Member-2007, 2008

National Science Foundation (NSF) Symbiosis, Defense and Self-Recognition Panel Member-2007

Senior Editor-GM Crops 2009-


74

National Institute of Health (NIH) Economic Stimulus -Panel Member-2009

American Phytopathological Society-Scientific Program Board, 2009-2012

Review Editor-Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 2010-

Publication List: (Selected publications) -from a total 116

Doukhanina, E.V., Chen, S., van der Zalm, E. Godzik, A., Reed, J. and Dickman, M.B. 2006.

Identification and functional characterization of the BAG protein family in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Journal of Biological Chemistry 281:18793-18801.

Khanna, H.K., Paul, Y.Y., Harding, R.M., Dickman, M.B., and Dale, J.L. 2007. Inhibition of

Agrobacterium-Induced Cell Death by Antiapoptotic Gene expression Leads to Very High

Transformation Efficiency in Banana. Mol. Plant-Microbe Inter.20: 1048-1054.

Kabbage, M. and Dickman, M.B. 2008. The BAG proteins: A ubiquitous family of chaperone regulators.

Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences 65:1390-1402.

Williams, B., Kabbage, M., Britt, R., and Dickman, M.B. 2010. AtBAG7, a unique endoplasmic

reticulum-localized Bcl-2 associated athanogene is involved in stress responses in Arabidopsis.

Proc. Natl.Acad. Sci. 107: 6088-6093.

Kabbage, M., Li,W., Chen, S. and Dickman, M. B. 2010. The E3 ubiquitin ligase activity of an insect

anti-apoptotic gene (Sf-IAP) is required for plant stress tolerance. Physiol. Mol.Plant Path. 74:

351-362.

Dickman,M.B.,Park,Y.K.,Oltersdorf, T.,Li, W.,Clemente,T.and French, R. 2001. Abrogation of disease

development in plants expressing animal anti-apoptotic genes. Proc. Natl.Acad. Sci. 98: 6957-

6962.

Chen, C., and Dickman, M.B. 2005. Proline suppresses apoptosis in the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum

trifolii. Proc. Natl.Acad. Sci 102: 3459-3464.

Williams, B., and Dickman, M.B. 2008. Plant programmed cell death: can’t live with it; can’t live without

it. Molecular Plant Pathology 9: 531-544.

Kim. K.Y., Min, J-Y., and Dickman, M. B. 2008. Oxalic acid is an elicitor of plant programmed cell

death during Sclerotinia sclerotiorum disease development. Mol. Plant Microbe Interactions

21:605-612.

Li, W., Kabbage, M. and Dickman, M. B. 2010. Transgenic expression of an insect inhibitor of apoptosis

gene, Sf-IAP, confers abiotic and biotic stress and delays tomato fruit ripening. Physiol.

Mol.Plant Path. 74:363-375

Synergistic Activities: Along with Drs. Jan Leach and Thomas Wolpert, the first ever Internet 2 course

was developed and delivered by myself and Drs. Leach and Wolpert. This course, Molecular Plant

Pathology, has been the focus of a lead article in the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Graduate and postdoctoral advisors: Patil, S. S. (University of Hawaii); Kolattukudy, P. E. (Washington

State)


75

DANIEL J. EBBOLE (i) Professional Preparation

Indiana University Microbiology B.A., Biochemistry B.S. 1983

Purdue University Biochemistry Ph.D. 1988

Stanford University Fungal Genetics Postdoctoral 1988-1991

NIH NRSA Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 1988-1991

(ii) Appointments

Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University, Aug. 1991-1997

Associate Professor, Plant Pathology and Microbiology, and Genetics, 1997-2004

Professor, Dept. Plant Pathology and Microbiology, and Genetics, August 2004-present

(iii) Publications

Most relevant to current project

Chung, DW., Greenwald, C., Upadhyay, S., Ding, S., Wilkinson, HH., Ebbole, D.J., Shaw, BD. 2011.

acon-3, the Neurospora crassa ortholog of the developmental modifier medA, complements the

conidiation defect of the Aspergillus nidulans mutant.

Greenwald, CJ., Kasuga, T., Glass, NL., Shaw, BD., Ebbole, DJ., Wilkinson, HH. 2010. Temporal and

Spatial Regulation of Gene Expression During Asexual Development in Neurospora crassa.

Genetics 186:12-17-1230.

Hollister, EB., Forrest, AK., Wilkinson, HH., Ebbole, DJ., Malfatti, SA., Tringe, SG., Holtzapple, MT.,

and Gentry, TJ. 2010. Structure and dynamics of the microbial communities underlying the

carboxylate platform for biofuel production. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 88:389-399.

Zhou J, Lin CZ, Zheng XZ, Lin XJ, Sang, SH., Wang ZH., Ebbole D.J., Lu GD. 2009. Functional

analsyis of an -1,2-mannosidase from Magnaporthe oryzae. Curr. Genet. 55:485-496.

Meng S, Brown DE, Ebbole DJ, Torto-Alalibo T, Oh YY, Deng J, Mitchell TK, Dean RA. 2009. Gene

Ontology annotation of the rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae. BMC Microbiol. 19:S8.

Zhou J, Zheng XZ, Lan L, Lin CZ, Wu YB, Lin XJ, Ebbole D.J., Lu GD, Wang ZH. 2008. Biochemical

and molecular characterization of a putative endoglucanase in Magnaporthe grisea. Curr. Genet.

53:217-224.

Ebbole., D.J. 2007. Magnaporthe as a model for understanding host-pathogen interactions. Annu. Rev.

Phytopathol. 45:437-456.

Soderlund, C., Haller, K., Pampanwar, V., Ebbole, DJ., Farman, M., Orbach, MJ., Wang, GL., Wing, R.,

Xu, JR., Brown, D., Mitchell, T., Dean, R. 2006. MGOS: A resource for studying Magnaporthe

grisea and Oryza sativa interactions. Mol. Plant Microbe Interact. 19:1055-1061.

Li, D., Bobrowicz P., Wilkinson, HH., and Ebbole, DJ. 2005. A mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway

essential for mating and contributing to vegetative growth in Neurospora crassa. Genetics

170:1091-1104.

Ebbole, D.J., Jin, Y., Thon, M., Pan, H., Bhattarai, E., Thomas, T., and Dean, R. 2004. Gene discovery

and gene expression in the rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe grisea: Analysis of expressed sequence

tags. Mol. Plant-Microbe Interact. 17:1337-1347.

Rerngsamran, P., Murphy, MB., Doyle, SA., and Ebbole. DJ. 2005. Fluffy, the major regulator of

conidiation in Neurospora crasa directly activates a developmentally regulated hydrophobin gene.

Mol. Microbiol. 56:282-297.

Xie, X., Wilkinson, H.H., Corea, A., Lewis, Z.A., Bell-Pedersen, D., and Ebbole, D.J. 2004.

Transcriptional response to glucose starvation and functional analysis of a glucose transporter of

Neurospora crassa. Fungal Genet. Biol. 41:1104-1119.

Bailey-Shrode, L., and Ebbole DJ. 2004. The fluffy gene of Neurospora crassa is necessary and sufficient

to induce conidiophore development. Genetics 166:1741-1749.


76

(iv) Teaching activities

PLPA689 Fungal Physiology and Genetics. This 2 cr. Lecture course is taught in the Fall

semester of even numbered years. The course focuses on fungal genomes and genome evolution,

environmental sensing and signal transduction, transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation

of gene expression, metabolism and physiology, fungal development and pathogenesis.

PLPA689 Fungal Physiology and Genetics Laboratory. This 1 cr. laboratory course is concurrent

with the lecture and is team taught with Dr. Shaw. Students gain first hand experience examining

the major groups of fungi, microscopy, cell biology, sexual and asexual development, genetics,

identification of unknowns, and fungal fermentation and biotechnology.

PLPA611 Advanced Plant Pathology. This is a required course for all graduate students in the

department. Topics covered include plant defense mechanisms and pathogen strategies in plant

disease.

(iv) Synergistic activities

Program for the Biology of Filamentous Fungi, Texas A&M.

Member, Texas A&M Interdisciplinary Faculty of Genetics

Editor, Current Genetics.

Book Editor. Cellular and Molecular Biology of Filamentous Fungi. ASM Press.

Member, Faculty of 1000.

American Phytopathological Society Member

American Society for Microbiology Member

(v) Advisors

Howard Zalkin, Purdue University, retired.

Charles Yanofsky, Stanford University, Emeritus.

(vi) Thesis Advisor and Postdoctoral Sponsor (Last Five Years)

Ph.D. Students

Cristina Filippi Research Scientist, EMBRAPA, Brazil

Dan Li Postdoctoral Scientist, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Postdoctorals

Shengli Ding Postdoctoral, TAMU

Jenny Lee Currently at National Renewable Energy Lab, Colorado

MingYuan Cheng Postdoctoral, TAMU

Total Advised: 7 Graduate Students, 8 Postdoc

(vii) Current Research Support:

Title: Evolution of Asexual Sporulation in Filamentous Fungi

Agency: NSF

Total Award Amt: 438,601

Award Period: September 2007 to August 2011


77

RONALD D. FRENCH-MONAR


Texas AgriLife Extension-Texas A&M System

6500 Amarillo Blvd. W.,Amarillo, TX 79106 Tel: 806-677-5600

E-mail : [email protected]

Grain and horticultural crops are produced in the Texas High Plains and face old and new disease problems. My

extension and applied research programs include field days, field and lab experiments, agent training, extension

bulletins, and pathogen characterization. The plant diagnostic lab tries to determine the pathogen(s) involved with a

specific disease problem brought in for diagnosis..

Education

Cornell University, Ithaca, NY Plant Science B. S. 1992

North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC Plant Pathology M. Ag. 1995

University of Florida, Gainesville, FL Plant Pathology Ph. D. 2004

Appointments

Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Texas

AgriLife Extension Service-Texas A&M System, Amarillo, TX 79106 (March 2007 – present); &

Coordinator, Texas Plant Diagnostic Clinic (Texas High Plains Plant Diagnostic Laboratory,

Amarillo, TX)

Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Florida-IFAS, Southwest Florida Research and Education

Center, Immokalee, FL 34142 (May 2004-February 2007)

Peer-Reviewed Publications (Since 2007)

French-Monar, R.D., Rodrigues, F.A., Korndorfer, G.H., and Datnoff, L.E. 2010. Silicon suppresses

Phytophthora blight development on bell pepper. J. Phytopathol 158:554-560. (Manuscript)

French-Monar, R.D., Abad, J.A., Patton, A.F., Schuster, G., Wallace, R.W., Wheeler, T., and Douglas,

J. 2010. First Report of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ on Field Tomatoes in the United

States. Plant Disease 94: 481 (First Disease Report)

French-Monar, R. D., Wallace, R. W., Abad, J. A., and Wheeler, T. A. 2010. ‘Candidatus Liberibacter

solanacearum’ on tomato and potential losses in field production. Phytopathology 100:S 173.

Li, W., Abad, J.A., French-Monar, R.D., Rascoe, J., Wen, A., Gudmestad, N.C., Secor, G.A., Lee, I-M.,

Duan, Y., and Levy, L. 2009. Multiplex real-time PCR for detection, identification and

quantification of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ in potato plants with zebra chip. Journal

of Microbiol. Methods 78:59-65. (Manuscript)

Abad, J.A., Bandla, M., French-Monar, R.D., Liefting, L.W., and Clover, G.R.G. 2009. First Report of

the Detection of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter’ Species in Zebra Chip Disease-Infected Potato Plants in

the United States. Plant Dis. 93: 108. (First Disease Report)

Padley, L.D., Kabelka, E.A., Roberts, P.D., and French, R. 2008. Evaluation of Cucurbita pepo

Accessions for Crown Rot Resistance to Isolates of Phytophthora capsici. HORTSCIENCE

43(7):1996–1999. (Manuscript)

French-Monar, R.D., Jones, J.B., Ozores-Hampton, M., and Roberts, P.D. 2007. Survival of inoculum of

Phytophthora capsici in soil through time under different soil treatments. Plant Dis 91:593-598

Extension Publications-most recent (some available through http://sickcrops.tamu.edu)

Sheila McBride, Ron French, Greta Schuster, and Kevin Ong. 2010. Citrus Disease Guide: The Quick

ID to Emerging Diseases of Texas Citrus. E-265 (English), E265S (Spanish), E-265V

(Vietnamese). Texas AgriLife Extension Service -Texas A&M System.



78

Sheila McBride, Ron French, Greta Schuster, and Kevin Ong. 2010. Citrus Greening Guide. E-264

(English), E-264S (Spanish), E-264V (Vietnamese). Texas AgriLife Extension Service .

French, R. 2010. Bean Common Mosaic Virus (BCMV). Texas AgriLife Extension Service -Texas

A&M System.

French, R.D., and Schultz, D. 2010. Stripe Rust (Yellow Rust) of Wheat. Texas AgriLife Extension

Service -Texas A&M System.

French-Monar, R. 2010. Fungicides for rusts on wheat. Texas AgriLife Extension Service -Texas

A&M System.

Duncan, R., French, R., and Hathcoat, D. 2010. Stripe Rust in Central Texas Wheat. Texas AgriLife

Extension Service -Texas A&M System.

French-Monar, R. 2010. Stripe Rust on Wheat: Scouting, Spraying and Potential Yield Losses. Texas

AgriLife Extension Service -Texas A&M System.

French, R. 2010. Powdery Mildew of Roses. AgriLife Extension Service -Texas A&M System.

French, R.D., and Schultz, D. 2010. Head Smut of Corn.. Texas AgriLife Extension Service -Texas

A&M System.

Schultz, D. and French, R.D. 2010. Common Smut of Corn. Texas AgriLife Extension Service -Texas

A&M System.

French, R. 2009. Phomopsis Fruit Rot and Blight on Eggplant. Texas AgriLife Extension Service -Texas

A&M System.

French, R., and Schultz, D. 2009. Loose Smut of Wheat. Texas AgriLife Extension Service-Texas

A&M System.

Awards and Merits

Graduate Student Paper Competition (Florida Phytopathological Society Meeting, May 5-7, 2003,

Florida). Second Place

Best Doctoral Student Presentation (American Phytopathological Society-Caribbean Division Meeting,

April 5-10, 2003, Texas). First Place

Graduate Student Paper Competition (American Phytopathological Society-Southern Division Meeting,

April 5-10, 2003, Texas). Third Place

Graduate Student Paper Competition (Soil and Crop Science Society of Florida Meeting, May 22-24,

2002, Florida). First Place

Current Funded Grants

Texas Wheat Producers Board. Developing a Stripe Rust management Threshold for Texas Wheat. (Co-

Principle Investigator)

Professional Development

Co-instructor in the “Second International Workshop for the Morphological and Molecular Identification

of the Straminipiles: Phytophthora and Pythium”. North Carolina State University, Raleigh, May 21-26,

2006.

Co-organizer, mini-symposium “Strengthening the basis for a Survey of the Straminipiles:

Phytophthora and Pythium in the Americas and Beyond”. North Carolina State University, Raleigh,

May 27, 2006.

First International Workshop for the Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Straminipiles:

Phytophthora and Pythium, July 22-27, 2004, Raleigh, North Carolina.

Linear Mixed Models for Analyzing Data Obtained in Designed Experiments, August 9, 2003, Charlotte,

North Carolina.


79

CARLOS F. GONZALEZ

PROFESSIONAL TITLE: Professor of Plant Pathology & Microbiology, Faculty of Genetics

MAILING ADDRESS: Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology

120 Peterson Bldg.



Phone: 979-845-8462; Fax: 979-845-6483

Email: [email protected]

EDUCATION: B.S. (Microbiology) Texas A&M University, 1970

M.S. (Microbiology) Texas A&M University, 1972

Ph.D. (Plant Pathology) University of Nebraska, 1978

Postdoctoral Fellow (Plant Pathology)

University of California -Davis, 1978

Postdoctoral NIH Fellow (Microbiology/Genetics)

University of Michigan-Medical School, 1979

PROFESSIONAL AND ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS:

Professor, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology and Faculty of Genetics, Texas A&M

University, 2003-Present

Associate Professor, Tenured, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology and Faculty of

Genetics, Texas A&M University, 1992-2003

Associate Professor, Non-Tenured, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology and Faculty of

Genetics, Texas A&M University, 1986-1992

Microlife Genetics, Microbiologist, 1980-1986

U.S. Army Reserve, Captain, 1972-1982 (Honorable Discharge)

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:


American Society for Microbiology

Society for Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences

PROFESSIONAL AWARDS AND RECOGNITION:

Ford Foundation Fellowship, University of Nebraska 1974-78

Phi Sigma

Sigma Xi, Charter member of Texas A&M University Chapter, 1971

Vice Chancellor’s Award in Excellence, Texas A&M University, 1994.

Award for Exemplary Service and Leadership 1994. Society for Minorities in Agriculture Natural

Resources and Related Sciences

Award for Exemplary Service and Leadership 2000. Society for Minorities in Agriculture

Natural Resources and Related Sciences

Award for Exemplary Service as Finance Chair for 2000-2006. Society for Minorities in

Agriculture Natural Resources and Related Sciences


80

US PATENTS:

9 issued; 1 pending

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:

Summer, E. J., C. J. Enderle, S. J. Ahern, J. J. Gill, C. P. Torres, D. N. Appel, M. C. Black, R. Young,

and C. F. Gonzalez. 2010. Genomic and Biological Analysis of Phage Xfas53 and Related

Prophages of Xylella fastidiosa. J Bacteriol 192:179-190.

Carmody, L. A, J.J. Gill, E.J. Summer,U. S. Sajjan,C. F. Gonzalez, R. F. Young, and J. J. LiPuma.

2010. Efficacy of Bacteriophage Therapy in a Model of Burkholderia cenocepacia Pulmonary

Infection. J Infect Dis 201:264-271.

Zhang, R., J. J. LiPuma, and C. F. Gonzalez. 2009. Two type IV secretion systems with different

functions in Burkholderia cenocepacia K56-2. Microbiology 155:4005-13.

Sajjan, S. U., Carmody, L. A. Gonzalez, C.F. and LiPuma, J. J. 2008. A Type IV Secretion System

Contributes to Intracellular Survival and Replication of Burkholderia cenocepacia. Infect. Immun.

76:5447-5455.

Summer, E.J., Gill, J. J., Upton, C., Gonzalez, C.F. and Young, R. F. 2007. Role of phages in the

pathogenicity of Burkholderia, or, ‘where are the toxin genes in Burkholderia phages?’ Current

Opinion in Microbiology 10: 410-17.

Summer, E.J., C. F. Gonzalez, M. Bomer, T. Carlile, A.Embry, A. M. Kucherka, J. Lee, L. Mebane,

W. C. Morrison, L. Mark, M. D. King, J.J. LiPuma, A. K. Vidaver, and R. Young. 2006.

Divergence and mosaicism among virulent soil phages of the Burkholderia cepacia complex. J.

Bacteriol. 188:255-268.

Engledow, A. S., E.G. Medrano, E. Mahenthiralingam, J. J. LiPuma and C.F. Gonzalez. 2004.

Involvement of a Plasmid Encoded Type IV Secretion System in the Plant Tissue Watersoaking

Phenotype of Burkholderia cenocepacia. J. Bacterol.186:6015-6024.

Summer, E., C. F. Gonzalez, T. Carlisle, L. M. Mebane, A. M. Cass, C.G. Savva, J. J. LiPuma and R.

Young. 2004. Burkholderia cenocepacia phage BcepMu and a family of Mu-like phages encoding

potential pathogenesis factors. J. Mol. Biol. 340: 49-65.


81

DENNIS CHARLES GROSS

Title: Professor, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology

Address: Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology


2132 TAMU


E-mail: [email protected]

(979) 458-0637

Education: Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, B.S., 1970

University of California, Davis, Calif., Ph.D., 1976

Academic and Professional Experience:

Professor, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Texas A&M University, 2001-present

Head, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Texas A&M University, 2001-2009

Chair, Department of Plant Pathology, Washington State University, July 1999-Oct. 2000

Professor and Plant Pathologist, Department of Plant Pathology, Washington State University, 1990-2000

Associate Professor and Associate Plant Pathologist, Department of Plant Pathology, Washington State

University, 1984-1990

Assistant Professor and Assistant Plant Pathologist, Department of Plant Pathology, Washington State

University, 1979-1984

Research Associate, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska, 1976-1979

Research Assistant, Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, 1970-1975

Research and Teaching Specialty:

Phytobacteriology, Molecular Genetics of Pseudomonads, Phytotoxins, Bacterial Ice Nucleation,

Biological Control; Plant Bacterial Diseases (PLPA 618).

Professional Societies:



International Society for Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions

Awards and Honors:

APS Fellow Award, 1997

The 1984 Stark Award for Fruit Tree Research, American Society for Horticultural Science

The 1985 Stark Award for Fruit Tree Research, American Society for Horticultural Science

Editorships:

Associate Editor for PLANT DISEASE, 1987-89, American Phytopathological Society.

Member of the Editorial Board for APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, 1989-91,

American Society for Microbiology.

Senior Editor for PHYTOPATHOLOGY, 1990-93, American Phytopathological Society.

Editor-in-Chief of PHYTOPATHOLOGY, 1994-96, American Phytopathological Society.

Senior Editor of Advanced Section of THE PLANT HEALTH INSTRUCTOR, 2000-2002, American

Phytopathological Society.

Editorial Board of MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY, 2000-2003, British Soc. Plant Pathol.

National and International Committees (Since 2001):



82

Member of the APS Awards and Honors Committee, 2001-2003.

Member of Program Review Team to evaluate the Plant Pathology Department at the University of

Georgia, November 2003.

Member and Chair of the Plant Pathology Program Review team at the University of Arkansas, April

2004.

External Examiner for the Agrobiology Program of the School of Biological Sciences at the Universiti

Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia, May 2004.

Member of review team for the ARS Plant Diseases National Program (303) at Beltsville, MD, April

2005.

Member and Chair of the Plant Pathology Comprehensive Departmental Review team at North

Carolina State University, May 2005.

Member and Chair of the PMN Strategic Planning Board for APS, 2005-2008.

Co-Chair and organizer of APS Department Heads/Chairs Conference, Orlando, FL, February 2006.

OSQR review team member and Chair of molecular biology section for ARS Plant Diseases

National Program (303) at Beltsville, MD, December 2006.

Member of the Plant Pathology Comprehensive Departmental Review team at the University of

Minnesota, December 2007.

Member of the PMN Joint Executive Committee and representative for APS, 2008-2009.

Member of the external review team for “Washington State University Off-Campus Centers”,

October 2008. Reviewed programs at Mount Vernon, Wenatchee, Prosser, and Puyallup, WA.

Member of the Scientific Advisory Board for the Citrus Research and Development Foundation,

Inc. 2009-11.

Member of the Plant Pathology Comprehensive Departmental Review Team at the University of

Kentucky, March 2010.

Current Grants:

“Functional genomics of the pathogenic and epiphytic lifestyle of the bacterial plant pathogen

Pseudomonas syringae”, funded by the USDA-NRI program on Functional Genomics of

Microorganisms. PD’s: G. A. Beattie (lead PD), D. C. Gross, S. E. Lindow, and D. Nettleton.

($900,000 total; 2008-2011).

“Development of prototype Pathogen Detection Lab-On-a-Chip (PADLOC) system for real-time

on-field plant disease diagnosis”. Funded by the USDA-NRI Plant Biosecurity program. PD’S: W.-B.

Shim, D. C. Gross, A. Han, K. Ong, and K. Steddom. ($990K total; 2009-11).

“Development of new technologies for detection and visualization of the ZC pathogen and

application for improved field detection and identification of selectable markers for improved disease

resistance”. Funded by Texas AgriLife Research through the TDA ZC research program. PD’s: E.

Pierson and D. C. Gross. $200,000 from December 2009 to November 2011.

PUBLICATIONS SINCE 2005

Lu, S.-E., N. Wang, J. Wang, Z. J. Chen, and D. C. Gross. 2005. Oligonucleotide microarray analysis of the

SalA regulon controlling phytotoxin production by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae. Mol. Plant-

Microbe Interact. 18:324-333.

Kang, H., and D. C. Gross. 2005. Characterization of a resistance-nodulation-cell division transporter

system associated with the syr-syp genomic island of Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae. Appl.

Environ. Microbiol 71:5056-5065.

Wang, N., S.-E. Lu, Q. Yang, S.-H. Sze, and D. C. Gross. 2006. Identification of the syr-syp box in the

promoter regions of genes dedicated to syringomycin and syringopeptin production by Pseudomonas

syringae pv. syringae. J. Bacteriol. 188:160-168.

Wang, N., S.-E. Lu, J. Wang, Z. J. Chen, and D. C. Gross. 2006. The expression of genes encoding

lipodepsipeptide phytotoxins by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae is coordinated in response to plant

signal molecules. Mol. Plant-Microbe Interact. 19:257-269.


83

Wang, N., S.-E. Lu, A. R. Records, and D. C. Gross. 2006. Characterization of the transcriptional activators

SalA and SyrF, which are required for syringomycin and syringopeptin production by Pseudomonas


Fullone, M. R., A. Paiardini, D. C. Gross, S.-E. Lu, A. Fiore, and I. Grgurnia. 2007. Mutational

analysis and homology modeling of SyrC, the aminoacyltransferase in the biosynthesis of

syringomycin. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 364:201-207.

Records, A. R., and D. C. Gross. 2010. Sensor kinases RetS and LadS regulate Pseudomonas syringae type VI

secretion and virulence factors. J. Bacteriol. 192:3584-3596.

Lu., S.-E., and D. C. Gross. 2010. Drippy pod of whit lupine: A new bacterial disease caused by a pathovar of

Brenneria quercina. Plant Dis. 94:1431-1440.

RECENT ABSTRACTS

Calcote, J. L., and D. C. Gross. 2007. Characterization of a novel nonribosomal peptide synthetases

system in Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae B728a. Phytopathology 97:S16 (Abstr.).

Records, A., and D. C. Gross. 2007. Discovery and characterization of a Type VI secretion system in

Pseudomonas syringae. Phytopathology 97:S97 (Abstr.).

Gross, D. C. 2007. The Plant Management Network: An electronic resource serving practitioners and

educators in applied plant science. Phytopathology 97:S156 (Abstr.).

Records, A. R., and D. C. Gross. 2008. RetS is a Pseudomonas syringae hybrid sensor kinase that

controls swarming, regulates expression of the type VI secretion system, and contributes to

colonization of bean leaves. Phytopathology 98:S131 (Abstr.).

Williams, J. L., and D. C. Gross. 2008. Use of a GUS reporter system to characterize the regulon

controlling syringomycin production in Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae. Phytopathology

98:S171 (Abstr.).

Williams, J. L., and D. C. Gross. 2009. Investigating the roles of siderophores in the Pseudomonas

syringae pv. syringae B728a lifestyle. Phytopathology 99:S141 (Abstr.).

Williams, J. L., X. Yu, R. Scott, S. P. Lund, A. R. Records, G. A. Beattie, S. E. Lindow, D. C. Gross,

and D. Nettleton. 2010. Global gene expression analysis of Pseudomonas syringae during

epiphytic and endophytic growth. Phytopathology 100:S136 (Abstr.).

Malapi-Nelson, M. M., V. L. Vaughn, B. Ma., A. Han. D. Gross, and W. Shim. 2010. Development

of a prototype Pathogen Detection Lab-On-a-Chip (PADLOC) system for real-time on-field plant

disease diagnostics. Phytopathology 100:S76 (Abstr.).


84

THOMAS ISAKEIT

ACADEMIC RANK: Professor and extension plant pathologist

ADDRESS: Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Texas A & M University

2132 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-2132

Phone: (979) 862-1340 (office); 862-2319 (lab) Fax: (979) 845-6483


EDUCATION: Ph.D. Plant Pathology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Sept.,1988.

M.Sc. Plant Pathology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, August, 1984

B.Sc. Agriculture, University of Alberta, Edmonton, May, 1980


September, 2005 - present: Professor and extension plant pathologist, Dept. Plant Pathology and

Microbiology, Texas A&M University, College Station. (75% extension, 25% research)

September, 1999 - August, 2005. Associate professor and extension plant pathologist, Dept. Plant

Pathology and Microbiology, Texas A&M University, College Station. (75% ext., 25% research)

February, 1993 - August, 1999. Assistant professor and extension plant pathologist, Dept. Plant Pathology

and Microbiology, Texas A&M University, Weslaco and College Station. (100% extension).

January, 1992 - February, 1993. Post-doctoral research associate. Department of Plant Pathology,

University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.

August, 1991 - December, 1991. Visiting scientist. Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations, Tully Sugar

Experiment Station, Tully, Queensland, Australia.

October, 1988 - July, 1991. Post-doctoral research associate. Department of Plant Pathology, University

of California - Berkeley.

TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS SINCE 2006 (FULL-LENGTH, REFEREED):

Gao, X., M. Brodhagen, T. Isakeit, S.H. Brown, C. Göbe, J. Betrán, I. Feussner, N.P. Keller, and M.

V. Kolomiets. 2009. Inactivation of the lipoxygenase ZmLOX3 increases susceptibility of maize to

Aspergillus spp. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions 22: 222-231.

Isakeit, T., L.K. Prom, M. Wheeler, L.S. Puckhaber, and J. Liu. 2008. Mycotoxigenic potential of ten

Fusarium species grown on sorghum and in vitro. Plant Pathology Journal 7: 183-186.

Isakeit, T., X. Gao, and M. Kolomiets. 2007. Increased resistance of a maize mutant lacking the 9-

lipoxygenase gene, ZmLOX3, to root rot caused by Exserohilum pedicellatum. J. Phytopathology

155:758-760. Published online doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0434.2007.01301.x

Montes-Garcia, N., T. Isakeit, G.N. Odvody, L.K. Prom, and W.L. Rooney. 2007. Effect of storage

temperature and sphacelium age on Claviceps africana conidia survival. Plant Pathology Journal 6:312-

317.

Robertson-Hoyt, L.A., J. Betrán, G. A. Payne, D.G. White, T. Isakeit, C.M. Maragos, T.L. Molnár,

and J.B. Holland. 2007. Relationships among resistances to Fusarium and Aspergillus ear rots and

contamination by fumonisin and aflatoxin in maize. Phytopathology 97:311-317.

Betrán, F.J., S. Bhatnagar, T. Isakeit, G. Odvody, and K. Mayfield. 2006. Aflatoxin accumulation and

associated traits in QPM maize inbreds and their testcrosses. Euphytica 152:247-257.

SHORT TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS AND ABSTRACTS SINCE 2007 (REFEREED):

Isakeit, T., and A. Scott, Jr. 2010. Evaluation of fungicides for control of Asian soybean rust in

Hidalgo County, Texas, 2008. Plant Disease Management Reports 4:FC082.

www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/pub/trial/PDMR/reports/2010/FC082.pdf


85

Isakeit, T., S. Murray, and K. Mayfield. 2010. Efficacy of Afla-Guard (Aspergillus flavus NRRL

21882) to control aflatoxin on corn in Burleson County, Texas, 2009. Plant Disease Management Reports

4:FC081. www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/pub/trial/PDMR/reports/2010/FC081.pdf

Hernandez-Zepeda, C., T. Isakeit, A. Scott, Jr., and J.K. Brown. 2010. First report of Okra yellow

mosaic Mexico virus in okra in the United States. Plant Dis. 94:924.

Isakeit, T., J.E. Woodward, C. Niu, and R.J.Wright. 2010. First report of Sclerotinia stem rot of canola

caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in Texas. Plant Dis. 94:792.

Isakeit, T., J. Starr, R. Lemon, D. Mott and V. Saladino. 2009. Evaluation of chemicals for control of

reniform nematode on cotton in Burleson County, Texas, 2008. PDMR

3:N001.www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/pub/trial/PDMR/reports/2009/N001.pdf

Isakeit, T. and Y. Jo. 2008. Occurrence of telia of Phakopsora pachyrhizi on kudzu in Texas. Plant

Dis. 92: 1369.

Isakeit, T. and G.N. Odvody. 2008. Reaction of grain sorghum hybrids to sorghum downy mildew

pathotype 6, 2008. Plant Disease Management Reports

2:FC095.www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/pub/trial/PDMR/reports/2008/FC095.pdf

Isakeit, T., J. Stapper, and D. Pietsch. 2008. Reaction of corn hybrids to northern corn leaf blight and

southern rust in San Patricio County, Texas, 2007. Plant Disease Management Reports 2:FC040.


Isakeit, T., K. Mayfield, R. Sutton, K. Ong, and J.W. Dorner. 2008. Efficacy of Aflaguard (Aspergillus

flavus NRRL 21882) to control aflatoxin on corn in Texas, 2007. PDMR 2:FC042.


Isakeit, T., J. Starr, T. Faske, R. Lemon, and D. Mott. 2008. Evaluation of chemicals for control of

reniform nematodes on cotton in Burleson County, Texas, 2007. PDMR 2:N026.

www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/pub/trial/PDMR/reports/2008/N026.pdf

Isakeit, T., P. McGuill, and D. Pietsch. 2008. Reaction of sorghum hybrids to grain mold and grain

weathering in Wharton County, Texas, 2007. Plant Disease Management Reports 2:FC041.


Isakeit, T., S.D. Collins, W.L. Rooney, and L.K. Prom. 2008. Reaction of sorghum hybrids to

anthracnose, grain mold and grain weathering in Burleson County, Texas, 2007. PDMR 2:FC003.


Isakeit, T., R. Holcomb, and W.J. Grichar. 2007. Evaluation of fungicides for control of Asian soybean

rust in Liberty County, Texas, 2006. Plant Disease Management Reports 1:FC022.

www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/pub/trial/PDMR/volume1/sections/FC.asp

Isakeit, T., F.J. Betrán, G. Odvody, and S.-S. T. Hua. 2007. Efficacy of Pichia anomala WLR-076 to

control aflatoxin on corn in Texas, 2005. Plant Disease Management Reports 1:FC021.


Isakeit, T. and G. N. Odvody. 2007. Sorghum downy mildew reactions of grain sorghum hybrids,

2006. Plant Disease Management Reports 1:FC021.


Isakeit, T., X. Gao, and M. Kolomiets. 2007. Exserohilum pedicellatum root rot of corn in Texas. Plant

Dis. 91:634.


86

YOUNG-KI JO

Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology 2132 TAMU, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843

Tel: 979-862-1758, Fax: 979-845-6483, Email: [email protected]

EDUCATION

Ph.D., The Ohio State University, Columbus, 2005 (Plant Pathology)

M.S., Michigan State University, East Lansing, 2000 (Entomology)

B.S., Seoul National University, South Korea, 1996 (Biology Education)

APPOINTMENTS

Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist, 2008-present

Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology, Texas A&M University, College Station

Postdoctoral Associate, 2006-2007

Department of Plant, Soil, & Insect Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Postdoctoral Associate, 2005-2006

Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin, Madison

AWARDS AND MERITS

1998 Ambassadorial Scholarship from the Rotary International

1994 Army Achievement Medals from the Secretary of the U.S. Army

GRANTS RECEIVED ($1,197,438 since 2008, 6 highlights)

2010 South Korea-International Collaboration. Development of control methods for seed borne disease

using plasma technology and silver nano material in rice. FY 10-12 (PI) $120,000

2010 Texas Rice Research Foundation. Development of fungicide programs for ratoon crop disease

management. FY 10-11 (PI) $1,725

2009 USDA-IR4 Biopesticide Research Program. Efficacy of the post-harvest biofungicide treatment for

control of Rhizoctonia root disease on St. Augustinegrass sod. FY09 (PD) $15,000

2009 USDA-NRI Plant Biosecurity. Development of prototype Pathology Detection Lab-On-a-Chip

(PADLOC) systems for real-time on-field plant disease diagnostics. FY09-11 (Co-PI) $999,988

2009 Fungicide field evaluation. FY09 (PI) $30,300

2008 Fungicide field evaluation. FY08 (PI) $26,675

TEACHING

Turfgrass Pathology (PLPA489 & 689, Texas A&M University) Fall 2010

Teach 11 undergraduates and 1 graduate student to recognize important turfgrass problems and

understand biological mechanisms of causal pathogens

Theory of Research (PLPA690, Texas A&M University) Spring 2009

Co-teaching of 12 graduate students. Design and develop research theory, inquiry and methodology

in various subfields of plant pathology and microbiology. Include examination and interpretation of

data using examples from current research literature

Diseases of Field Crops (PLPA623, Texas A&M University) Summer 2009

Teach 6 graduate students to understand fundamental and practical aspects of important and

representative diseases of field crops in Texas

PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS (10 during the past four year)


87

Jo, Y., Kim, B., and Jung, G. 2009. Antifungal activity of silver ions and nanoparticles on

phytopathogenic fungi. Plant Disease 93:1037-1043

Koch, P., Grau, C., Jo, Y., and Jung, G. 2009. Thiophanate-methyl and propiconazole in vitro sensitivity

of Sclerotinia homoeocarpa isolates collected from golf courses in Wisconsin and Massachusetts.

Plant Disease 93:100-105

Sim, S., Yu, J., Jo, Y., Sorrells, M., and Jung, G. 2009. Transferability of cereal EST-SSR markers to

ryegrass. Genome 52:431-437

Jo, Y., Chang, S., Beohm, M., and Jung, G. 2008. Rapid development of fungicide resistance by

Sclerotinia homoeocarpa on turfgrass. Phytopathology 98:1297-1304

Jo, Y., Chang, S., Rees, J., and Jung, G. 2008. Reassessment of vegetative compatibility in Sclerotinia

homoeocarpa using nitrate nonutilizing mutants. Phytopathology 98:108-114

Jo, Y., Barker, R., Pfender, W., Sim, S., Warnke S., and Jung, G. 2008. Comparative analysis of multiple

disease resistance between ryegrass and cereal crops. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 117:531-

543

Isakeit, T., and Jo, Y. 2008. Occurrence of telia of Phakopsora pachyrhizi on kudzu in Texas. Plant

Disease 92:1369

Jo, Y., Wang G., and Boehm, M. 2007. Expression analysis of rice defense-related genes in turfgrass in

response to Magnaporthe grisea. Phytopathology 97:170-178

Jo, Y., Niver, A. L., Rimelspach, J., and Boehm, M. 2006. Fungicide sensitivity of Sclerotinia

homoeocarpa isolates from golf courses in Ohio. Plant Disease 90:807-813

Jo, Y., and Smitley, D. 2006. Impact of soil moisture and mowing height on the colonization of Ataenius

spretulus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in golf course turfgrass. HortScience 41(2) 459-462

EXTENSION PUBLICATIONS (33 since 2008, most relevant 6)

Jo, Y., Mao, X.,Way, M.O., and Roberts, P. 2010. Efficacy of fungicides for control of sheath blight on

rice, 2009. Plant Disease Management Reports 4:FC057

Jo, Y., Mao, X., and Camerino, A. 2010. Efficacy of fungicides for control of large patch on zoysiagrass,

2009. Plant Disease Management Reports 4:T018

Jo, Y., Way, M.O., Groth, D, and Roberts, P. 2009. Efficacy of fungicides for control of sheath blight on

rice, 2008. Plant Disease Management Reports 3:FC087

Jo, Y., Way, M.O., Groth, D, and Roberts, P. 2009. Efficacy of biofungicides for control of sheath blight

on rice, 2008. Plant Disease Management Reports 3:FC088

Jung, G., and Jo, Y. 2008. New challenge to an old foe, dollar spot fungicide resistance. Golf Course

Management Feburary:117-121

Jung, G., Chang, S., Jo, Y. 2007. A fresh look at fungicides for snow mold control. Golf Course

Management July:91-94

INVITED PRESENTATIONS (24 since 2008)

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY

Texas Turfgrass Association. 2008-present

American Phytopathological Society. 2001-present


88

CHARLES M. KENERLEY




a. Professional Preparation:

North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC B.S. 1972 Forestry

Washington State University, Pullman, WA M.S. 1975 Plant Pathology

North Carolina State University, Raleigh NC Ph.D. 1983 Plant Pathology

b. Appointments:

Associate Dept. Head, Plant Pathology & Microbiology, 2007-Present

Professor, Texas A&M University, 1995 - Present

Associate Professor, Texas A&M University, 1988 - 1995

Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University, 1983 - 1988

Member, Program for the Biology of Filamentous Fungi, Texas A&M University, 1989 - Present

Member, Interdisciplinary Program in Natural Products and Secondary Metabolites, Texas A&M

University, 2000 - Present

Research Technician, Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 1976-1979

c. Recent Publications from Kenerley Lab:

1. Mukherjee, P.K., and Kenerley, C.M. 2010. Regulation of morphogenesis and biocontrol properties in

Trichoderma virens by a VELVET protein, Vel1. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 76:2345-2352.

2. Vargas, W.A., Mandawe, J.C., and Kenerley, C.M. 2009. Plant-derived sucrose is a key element in

the association between Trichoderma virens and maize roots. Plant Physiol. 151:792-808.

3. Buensanteai, N., Mukherjee, P.K., Horwitz, B.A., Cheng, C., Dangott, L.J., and Kenerley, C.M. 2010.

Expression and purification of biologically active Trichoderma virens proteinaceous elicitor Sm1 in

Pichia pastoris. Protein Exp. Purification 72:131-138.

4. Wu, H-I., Chakraborty, A., Li, B-L., and Kenerley, C.M. 2009. Formulating variable carrying capacity

by exploring a resource dynamics-based feedback mechanism underlying the population growth

models. Ecol. Complexity 6:403-412.

5. Vargas, W.A., Djonovic, S., Sukno, S.A., and Kenerley, C.M. 2008. Dimerization controls the activity

fungal elicitors that trigger systemic resistance in plants. J. Biol. Chem. 283:19804-19815.

6. Kubicek, C.P., Baker, S., Gamauf, C., Kenerley, C.M., and Druzhinina, I.S. 2008. Purifying

selection and birth-and-death evolution in the class II hydrophobin gene families of the ascomycete

Trichoderma/Hypocrea. BMC Evol. Biol. 8: 4.

7. Djonovic, S., Vargas, W., Kolomiets, M.V., Horndeski, M., Wiest, A., and Kenerley, C.M. 2007. A

proteinaceous elicitor Sm1 from the beneficial fungus Trichoderma virens is required for induced

systemic resistance in maize. Plant Physiol. 145: 875-889.

8. Viterbo, A., Wiest, A., Brotman, Y., Chet, I., and Kenerely, C. 2007. The 18mer peptaibols from

Trichoderma virens elicit plant defence responses. Mol. Plant Pathol. 8: 737-746.

9. Djonovic, S., Pozo, M.J., Dangott, L.J., Howell, C.R., and Kenerley, C.M. 2006. Sm1, a

proteinaceous elicitor secreted by the biocontrol fungus Trichoderma virens induces plant defense

responses and systemic resistance. MPMI 19:838-853.

10. Djonovic, S., Vittone, G., Mendoza-Herrera, A., and Kenerley, C.M. 2007. Enhanced biocontrol

activity of Trichoderma virens transformants constitutively coexpressing β-1,3- and β-1,6-

glucanases genes. Mol. Plant Pathol. 8: 469-480.

11. Djonovic, S., Pozo, M.J., and Kenerley, C.M. 2006. Tvbgn3, a β-1,6-glucanase from the biocontrol

fungus Trichoderma virens, is involved in mycoparasitism and control of Pythium ultimum. Appl.


89

Environ. Microbiol. 72:7661-7670.

12. Pozo, M.J., Back, J.-M., Garcia, J.M., and Kenerley, C.M. 2004. Functional analysis of tvsp1, a

serine protease-encoding gene in the biological agent Trichoderma virens. Fungal Genet. Biol.

41:336-348.

Synergistic Activities:

1. As Associate Department Head for Academics of the Department of Plant Pathology &

Microbiology, I am responsible for the academic affairs of our undergraduate and graduate programs,

including curriculum design and assessment, recruiting, budgets and faculty teaching assignments.

2. I have served as a mentor for REU summer programs for Hispanic students from Southern Texas and

participated in recruiting trips and sessions to encourage minority students for graduate enrollment in

PLPA at TAMU.

3. I have been the recipient of a fellowship from the V.F. and Gertrude Neuhaus Teaching Scholars

Program at Texas A&M University to develop innovative visuals for the undergraduate course

“Microbial Processes in Bioremediation”.

4. As a member of the Undergraduate and Graduate Program Committees, I am involved in strategic

planning for the teaching goals of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

5. I have been appointed to the Graduate Appeals Committee for Texas A&M University. This

committee addresses all academic appeals by graduate students at TAMU.

Collaborators:

Carlos Gonzalez, Texas A&M University

Alfredo Herrera-Estrella, Cinvestav Campus, Irapuato, Mexico

Ben Horwitz, Technion-Israel Institute Technology, Haifa, Israel

C.P. Kubicek, University of Vienna, Austria

S.H. Lancaster, Okalahoma State University

Keerti Rathore, Texas A&M University

Scott Senseman, Texas A&M University

Robert Stipanovic, USDA, College Station, TX

Ada Viterbo, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Mark Weaver, USDA, Stoneville, MS

Aric Wiest, Fungal Stock Center, Kansas City, MO

Heather Wilkinson, Texas A&M University

Graduate Advisors:

Jack Rogers, Washington State University

Larry Grand, North Carolina State University

Thesis Advisor and Postgraduate-Scholar Support

Mark Weaver, Graduate Student, TAMU; Staff Scientist, USDA, Stoneville, MS

Maria Pozo, Postdoctoral Scientist, TAMU; Professor, Spanish Agriculture, Granada, Spain

Slavica Djonovic, Graduate Student, TAMU; Postdoctoral Scientist, Harvard Medical School

Pedro Uribe, Graduate Student, TAMU; Postdoctoral Scientist, USDA, Salinas, CA

Walter Vargas, Postdoctoral Scientist, TAMU; Research Scientist, University Salamanca, Spain

Merri-Beth Henry, Graduate Student, TAMU; High School Chemistry Teacher, Lubbock, TX

Frankie Crutcher, Graduate Student, TAMU (current)

Eugenia Moran-Diez, Postdoctoral Scientist, TAMU (current)

James Hurley, Graduate Student, TAMU; Chemist, Fort Lewis College, Colorado

Natthiya Buenssanteai, Postdoctoral Research Assistant, TAMU; Faculty, Thailand University

Prasun Mukherjee, Postdoctoral Research Associate, TAMU; Bhabha Atomic Research Center, India


90

MICHAEL V. KOLOMIETS Associate Professor,

Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Texas A&M University

Professional Preparation

Kiev State University, Kiev, Ukraine Genetics B.S. and M.S. 1986

Institute of Plant Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia Biochemistry Ph. D.

equivalent 1991

Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa Horticulture Ph.D. 1998

Appointments:

Associate Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, Texas A&M University, 2008-present

Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, Texas A&M University, 2002 –August 2008

Post Doctoral Research Fellow, Disease Resistance Group, Pioneer Hi-Bred Intl., Inc., 1999-01

Post Doctoral Research Associate, Department of Agronomy, University of Missouri-Columbia, 1998-99

Graduate Research Assistant, Horticulture Department, Iowa State University, 1993-98

Selected Publications: Christensen S, Kolomiets M (2010) The lipid language of plant-fungal interactions. Fungal Genetics and

Biology. In print: doi:10.1016/j.fgb.2010.05.005

Gao X, Brodhagen M, Isakeit T, Horowitz-Brown S, Gӧbel C, Betran J, Feussner I, Keller N, Kolomiets

M (2009) Inactivation of the lipoxygenase ZmLOX3 increases susceptibility of maize to Aspergillus

spp. Mol Plant Microbe Inter. 22: 222-231.

Gao X, Kolomiets M (2009). Host-derived lipids and oxylipins are crucial signals in modulating

mycotoxin production by fungi. Toxin Reviews: DOI: 10.1080/15569540802420584

Gao X, Stumpe M, Feussner I, Kolomiets M (2008). A novel plastidial lipoxygenase of maize (Zea mays)

ZmLOX6 encodes for a fatty acid hydroperoxide lyase and is uniquely regulated by phytohormones and

pathogen infection. Planta 227: 491-503.

Gao X, Starr J, Göbel C, Engelberth J, Feussner I, Tumlinson J, Kolomiets M. (2008) Maize 9-

lipoxygenase ZmLOX3 controls development, root-specific expression of defense genes and resistance

to root-knot nematodes. Mol Plant Microbe Inter 21: 98-109.

Djonović S, Vargas WA, Kolomiets M, Horndeski M, Wiest A, Kenerley C (2007). A proteinaceous

elicitor Sm1 from the beneficial fungus Trichoderma virens is required for induced systemic resistance

in maize. Plant Physiol 145: 875-889.

Gao X, Shim WB, Göbel C, Kunze S, Feussner I, Meeley R, Balint-Kurti P, Kolomiets M. (2007)

Disruption of a maize 9-lipoxygenase results in increased resistance to fungal pathogens and reduced

levels of contamination with the mycotoxin fumonisin. Mol Plant Microbe Inter 20: 922-933

Isakeit T, Gao X, Kolomiets M (2007) Exserohilum pedicellatum root rot of corn in Texas. Plant Disease

91: 634

Isakeit, T., Gao, X., and Kolomiets, M. (2007). Increased resistance of a maize mutant lacking the 9-

lipoxygenase gene, ZmLOX3, to root rot caused by E. pedicellatum. J Phytopath 155: 758-760

Nemchenko A, Kunze S, Feussner I, Kolomiets M. (2006) Duplicate maize 13-lipoxygenase genes are

differentially regulated by circadian rhythm, cold stress, wounding, pathogen infection and hormonal

treatments. J Exp Bot 57: 3767-3779.

Zhang J, Simmons C, Yalpani N, Crane V, Wilkinson H, Kolomiets M. (2005) Genomic analysis of the

12-oxo-phytodienoic acid reductase gene family of Zea mays. Plant Mol Biol 59: 323-343.

Sagaram US, Kolomiets M, Shim WB (2006) Regulation of fumonisin biosynthesis in Fusarium

verticillioides-maize system. Plant Path J 22: 203-210.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Search&itool=pubmed_Abstract&term=%22Engelberth+J%22%5BAuthor%5D


91


Developed and teaches a new graduate level course on molecular biology of plant-pathogen

interactions PLPA 617 “Molecular Plant-Pathogen Interactions”.

Teaches an undergraduate class PLPA 301 “Plant Pathology”.

Member of Editorial Board for the MaizeGDB database (2008).

Member of Council of Principal Investigators (2009-2011), Texas A&M University

Member of Executive and Symposium Committees, Molecular and Environmental Plant Sciences.

Interdepartmental Program (2004-10), Member of Graduate Program Committees (2008-09).

Ad hoc reviewer for Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions, Physiological and Molecular Plant

Pathology, Phytopathology, Plant Physiology, Plant Molecular Biology, Planta and others.

Collaborators and Other Affiliations:

Collaborators and Co-Editors

Balint-Kurti, Peter; North Carolina State University

Ivo Feussner, Goettingen University, Goettingen, Germany

Isakeit ,Tom; Starr, Jim; Shim, Won-Bo, Texas A&M University

Keller, Nancy; University of Wisconsin-Madison

Meeley, Robert; Yalpani, Nasser, Pioneer Hi-Bred Intl., Inc.

Nansen, Christian; Texas A&M University, Lubbock

Tumlinson, Jim; Penn State University

Engelberth, Jurgen; University of Texas-San Antonio

Graduate Advisors and Postdoctoral Sponsors

Graduate Co-Major Professors: D. Hannapel and R. Gladon, Iowa State University

Post Doctoral Advisors: G. Johal, Purdue University; Yalpani, Nasser, Pioneer Hi-Bred

Thesis Advisor and Postgraduate-Scholar Sponsor

Current Ph.D. and M.S. graduate students:

Christensen, Shawn (Ph.D., Genetics)

Miller, Chestley (M.S. Plant Pathology),

Park, Yong-Soon (Ph.D., Plant Pathology)

Borrego, Elli (Ph.D., Plant Pathology)

Past graduate students:

Nemchenko, Andriy (Ph.D.), Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Texas Southwestern

Medical Center at Dallas, Dept. of Internal Medicine Cardiology

Zhang, Jinglan, (M.S.), Ph. D. candidate at the Baylor College of Medicine, Dept. of Biochemistry and

Molecular Biology

Current postdoctoral fellows:

Gao, Xiquan ; Yan, Yuanxin

Past postdoctoral fellows:

Davletova, Sholpan; Research Associate at the Ohio State University

Total number of graduate students supervised: 6

Total number of postdoctoral fellows supervised: 3

Total number of undergraduate students supervised since 2002: 31

REU student supervised: Borrego, Eli; Summer 2008.


92

CLINT W. MAGILL

TITLE/ADDRESS: Professor of Genetics


Texas A & M University

College Station, Texas 77843

(409) 845-8250 FAX: 845-6483

E-Mail: [email protected]

EDUCATION & HONORS:

UNIVERSITY: University of Illinois,1959-1963. B.S in Agricultural Science awarded June,

1963. Advisor, Dr. D. E. Alexander, Agronomy Department. Honors and

Awards: Bronze Tablet, Borden Award, Outstanding Senior in Agriculture, Phi

Kappa Phi, Phi Eta Sigma, Chicago Tribune Silver Medal (twice), and an NSF

Undergraduate Fellowship for summer research to attempt to cross tetraploid

corn and sorghum.

GRADUATE SCHOOL: Cornell University, 1963-1968. Ph. D. in Genetics, 1968. Chairman of Advisory

Committee; Dr. Adrian Srb, Members; Dr. Joe Calvo, Biochemistry, and Dr.

Walter Federer, Biometry. Financial support included a NSF Cooperative

Graduate Fellowship, The Andrew Dixson White Fellowship, and an NIH

Traineeship. Research involved complementation and reversion of

morphological mutants of Neurospora crassa.

TAMU 1986: College Level Award for Excellence for Undergraduate Teaching

2008-2009 Speaker, TAMU Faculty Senate

2009: Named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of

Science


POSTDOCTORAL: University of Minnesota, 1967-1969. Advisor: Dr. Val Woodward, Department

of Genetics and Cell Biology. Research supported by an NSF Postdoctoral

Fellowship utilized kinetic analysis of transport defective mutants to define

alternative modes of amino acid uptake in Neurospora crassa.

EMPLOYMENT: 1969-1975 Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University, Texas Agricultural

Experiment Station (50% Teaching, 50% research).

1975-1989 Associate Professor (75% Teaching, 25% research).

1989- Professor (50% Teaching, 50% Research)

DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

This position provides expertise in genetic manipulations of eukaryotic microorganisms,

biochemical genetics and genes involved in plant host-pathogen interactions . Ideally, the holder will

serve as a reference to others working on applied problems with organisms such as plant pathogens. To

this end, research is conducted which will illuminate not only basic principles of cellular genetics,

development and physiology, but which also has the prospect of significance in solving practical

problems.


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RESEARCH

MOST SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS

• Identification of multiple amino acid transport systems in Neurospora crassa

• Demonstration of parasexual recombination in the rice blast fungus

• Development of Texmont Rice, a high yielding, early maturing variety via anther culture

• Demonstration of high levels of DNA methylation in DNA of resting spores Phymatotrichum omnivorum

• Contributions to development of an RFLP map for sorghum

• Identification of host defense pathways in cotton and sorghum inoculated with spores of fungal pathogens

• Development of antisense constructs of cadinene synthase to lower gossypol production in cottonseed

• Tagging of multiple genes for resistance to four different sorghum pathogens

• Use of AFLP and SSR technology to measure genetic variability in sorghum and populations of pathogens

• Development of PCR tools for identification of the oomycetes that cause downy mildew in cereal crops.

RECENT REFEREED JOURNAL ARTICLES

Katilé, SO, Perumal, R, Rooney, WL Prom, LK, Magill, C 2009 Expression of pathogenesis-related

protein PR-10 in sorghum floral tissues in response to inocluation with Fusarium thapsinum and

Curvularia lunata Mol. Plant Pathol. 11:93-103.

Little, C.R., and Magill, C.W. 2009. The grain mold pathogen, Fusarium thapsinum, reduces caryopsis

formation in Sorghum bicolor. Journal of Phytopathology 157: 518-519.

Ramasamy, P, Menz, MA, Mehta, PJ, Katile, S, Gutierrez Rojas, LA, Klein, RR, Klein, PE, Prom, LK,

Schlueter, JA, Rooney WL, & Magill, CW 2009. Molecular mapping of Cg1, a gene for resistance to

anthracnose (Colletotrichum sublineolum) in sorghum. Euphytica 165:597-606.

Perumal, R, Nimmakayala, P, Erattaimuthu, SR, No, E-G, Reddy,UK, Prom, LK, Odvody, GN, Luster, D.

and Magill, CW. (2008) Simple sequence repeat markers useful for sorghum downy mildew

(Peronosclerospora sorghi) and related species. BMC Genetics 9:77

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2156/9/77

Liu, J., Stipanovic, R.D., Bell, A.A., Puckhaber, L.S., and Magill, C.W. (2008) Stereospecfific coupling

of hemigossypol to form (+)-gossypol in moco cotton. Phytochemistry 69:3038-3042. -

Perumal,, R., Krishnaramanujan, R., Menz, M.A., Katilé, S., Dahlberg, J., Magill, C.W., and Rooney,

W.R. (2007) Genetic Diversity among Sorghum Races and Working Groups Based on AFLPs and

SSRs. Crop Sci 47:1375-1383.

Sabry, A.B., Jeffers, D.,Vasal, S.K., Frederiksen, R., and Magill, C.W. (2006) A region of maize

chromosome 2 affects response to downy mildew pathogens. Theor. Appl. Genet. 113:321-330.

Singh, M., Chaudhary, K, Singal, H.R., Magill, C. W., and Boora, K. S. (2006) Identification and

characterization of RAPD and SCAR markers linked to an anthracnose resistance gene in sorghum

[Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. Euphytica 149:179-187.

Perumal, R. Isakeit, T., Menz, M., Katilé, S., No, E-G, Magill, C.W. (2006) Characterization and genetic

distance analysis of isolates of Peronosclerospora sorghi using AFLP fingerprinting. Mycological

Res. 110:471-478.

He, B., Magill, C. & Starr, J. (2005) Laser capture microdissection and real-time PCR for measuring

mRNA in giant cells induced by Melodogyne javanica. Journal of Nematology 37: 308-312.

Bolek, Y., El Zik, K., Pepper, A.E., Bell, A.A., Magill, C.W., Thaxton, P.M., and Reddy, O.U.K. 2005.

Mapping of verticillium wilt resistance genes in cotton. Plant Science 168: 1581-1590.

Benedict, C.R., Martin, G., Liu, J., Puckhaber, L. and Magill C. W. 2004. Terpenoid aldehyde formation

and lysigenous gland storage sites in cotton: Variant with mature glands but suppressed levels of

terpenoid aldehydes Phytochemistry 65:1351-1359.

Little, C. R. and Magill, C. W. 2004. Elicitation of defense response genes in Sorghum bicolor (L.)

Moench in response to infection by Fusarium thapsinum and Curvularia lunata at anthesis. Mol.&

Phsiol. Plant Patholgy 63: 271 - 279.

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2156/9/77


94

Martin, G., Liu, J., Benedict, C., Stipanovic, R., Magill, C. 2003. Reduced levels of cadinane

sesquiterpenoids in cotton plants extressing antisense (+)- -cadinene synthase. Phytochemistry 62:31-

38.

Liu, J., Benedict, C, Bell, AA, Stipanovic, RD, Magill, CW, 2002. Cloning and Expression of

Desoxyhemigossypol-6-O-Methyltransferase from Cotton (Gossypium barbadense) Journal of

Agricultural & Food Chemistry 50: 3165-3172

Book Chapters

Ramasamy, P., Frederiksen, R. A., Prom, L. K., and C. W. Magill (2007) “Head Smut” in Thakur, R.

P., Reddy, B. V. S. and K Mathur (eds.) Screening Techniques for Sorghum Diseases. Information

Bulletin No. 76. ICRISAT, Patancheru 502 324, Andhra Pradesh, India

Thakur, R.P., S. Sivaramakrishnan, S. Kannan, V.P. Rao, D.E. Hess and C.W. Magill.- (2004) Genetic

and pathogenic variability among isolates of Sclerospora graminicola, the downy mildew pathogen of

pearl millet. in "Advances in Downy Mildew Research, Volume 2" ed. Peter Spencer-Phillips Kluwer

Press


95

T. ERIK MIRKOV Education:

Institution Date Degree/Field University of California, 1981 B.S. Botany/Plant Science

Riverside

University of California, 1984 M.Sc. Plant Pathology

Riverside Lettuce viruses

University of California, 1988 Ph.D. Plant Pathology

Riverside Satellite Tobacco Mosaic Virus

Research and Professional Experience: Postdoctoral Fellow The Salk Institute Biotechnology/Industrial

Associates, Inc. (SIBIA)

January 1988 - August 198

Plant Viral Vectors

Research Scientist SIBIA

and Project Leader August 1989 - March 1992

Plant Viral Vectors

Transgenic Plant Technologies

Research Biologist Department of Biology and Center for Molecular

Genetics, University of California, San Diego.

March 1992 - July 1994

Lectins and Aquaporins

Assistant Professor Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology

Texas A&M University, TAES

August 1, 1994 - August 31,1999

Associate Professor Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology


Sept. 1, 1999 - August 31, 2004

Professor Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology


As of September 1, 2004

Member Intercollegiate Faculty of Virology



Member Institute of Plant Genomics and Biotechnology



Professional Society Activities:

American Society for Virology, American Society of Plant Biologists, American Phytopathological

Society (Have served as Associate Editor for Plant Disease, and Senior Editor for Phytopathology),

American Association for the Advancement of Science, International Organization of Citrus Virologists,

International Society of Sugar Cane Technologists, International Consortium for Sugarcane

Biotechnology.

Recent Awards

American Phytopathological Society Syngenta Award, 2002

Texas A&M Vice-Chancellor’s Award in Technology Innovation, 2006

Texas A&M Vice-Chancellor’s Award in Excellence: Individual Research-Off Campus, 2007

Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology Outstanding Professor Award, 2007


96




Peer Reviewed Journal Publications (last 5 years):

Mona B. Damaj, Phillip D. Beremand, Marco T. Buenrostro-Nava, John Ivy, Siva P. Kumpatla, John

Jifon, Getu Beyene, Qingyi Yu, Terry L. Thomas, and T. Erik Mirkov. (2010). Isolating promoters

of multigene family members from the polyploid sugarcane genome by PCR-based walking in BAC

DNA. Genome 53: 840-847.

Mona B. Damaj Siva P. Kumpatla Chandrakanth Emani Phillip D. Beremand Avutu S. Reddy

Keerti S. Rathore Marco T. Buenrostro-Nava Ian S. Curtis Terry L. Thomas T. Erik Mirkov.

(2010). Sugarcane DIRIGENT and O-METHYLTRANSFERASE promoters confer stem-regulated

gene expression in diverse monocots. Planta 231: 1439-1458

Mona B. Damaj, Phillip D. Beremand, Marco T. Buenrostro-Nava, Beth Riedel, Joe J. Molina, Siva P.

Kumpatla, Terry L. Thomas and T. Erik Mirkov. (2009). Reproducible RNA preparation from

Sugarcane and Citrus for functional genomics applications. International Journal of Plant Genomics

DOI: 10.1155/2009/765367

Wen, I. Mallik, V. Y. Alvarado, J. S. Pasche, X. Wang, W. Li, L. Levy, H. Lin, H. B. Scholthof, T. E.

Mirkov, C. M. Rush and N. C. Gudmestad. (2009). Detection, distribution and genetic variation of

'Candidatus Liberibacter sp.' associated with zebra complex of potato in North America. Plant

Disease 93: 1102-1115.

Susan L Woodard, Steven G White, Mona B Damaj, Javier Gonzalez, T Erik Mirkov and Zivko L

Nikolov. (2009). Evaluation of processing options for transgenic sugarcane tissue expressing bovine

lysozyme. ASABE 096678: 1-6.

Mangwende, T., Wang, M., Borth, W., Hu, J., Moore, P.H., Albert, H.H, and Mirkov, T.E. (2009). The

P0 gene of Sugarcane yellow leaf virus encodes an RNA silencing suppressor with unique activities.

Virology 384: 38-50. Cover Article

Morraes, A. P., Mirkov, T. E. and Guerra, M. (2008). Mapping the chromosomes of Poncirus trifoliata

Raf. by BAC-FISH. Cytogenetic and Genome Research 121: 277-281.

Xu, D.-L., J.-W. Park, T. E. Mirkov and Zhou, G.-H. (2008). Viruses causing mosaic disease in

sugarcane and their genetic diversity in southern China. Archives of Virology 153: 1031-1039.

Rott, P., Mirkov, T. E., Schenck, S., Girard, J.-C. (2008). Recent advances in research on

Sugarcane yellow leaf virus, the causal agent of sugarcane yellow leaf. Sugar Cane Inter. 26: 18-27.

Park, S. O., K. M. Crosby, and Mirkov, T. E. (2007). Detection of loci for cucurbit yellow stunting

disorder virus resistance in Cucumis melo L. Acta Hort. 763: 207-214.

Rassaby, L., Royer, M., Borg, Z., Braithwaite, K., Mirkov, T.E., Perrier, X., Smith, G.R., and Rott, P.

(2006). Yellow leaf of sugarcane is caused by at least three different genotypes of Sugarcane yellow

leaf virus, one of which predominates on the Island of Réunion. Arch. of Virology 151: 1355-1371.

Herron, C. M., Mirkov, T. E., da Graça, J. V, and Lee, R. FC. (2006). Citrus tristeza virus transmission

by the Toxoptera citricida vector: in-vitro acquisition and transmission and infectivity

immunoneutralization experiments. Journal of Virological Methods 135: 205-211.

Vives, M. C., Rubio, L., Sambade, A., Mirkov, T. E., Moreno, P. and Guerri, J. (2005). Evidence of

multiple recombination events between two RNA sequence variants within a Citrus tristeza virus

isolate. Virology 331: 232-237.

Herron, C. M., Mirkov, T. E., Solís-Gracia, N., Kahlke, C., Skaria, M., and da Graça, J. V., (2005). The

Severity of Citrus tristeza virus Isolates from Texas. Plant Disease 89: 575-580.

Park, S. O., Crosby, K. M., Huang, R. and Mirkov, T. E. (2004). Identification and conformation of

RAPD and SCAR markers linked to the ms-3 gene controlling male sterility in melon (Cucumis melo

L.). J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 129: 819-825.

Westphal, A. and Mirkov, T. E. (2004). Need for improved detection of ratoon stunting disease in

sugarcane in south Texas. Subtropical Plant Science 55: 68-71.

http://www.springerlink.com/content/g167h8754071h777/?p=3c7cdc155020410c96c5d55f7dba4426&pi=0

http://asae.frymulti.com/login.asp?JID=5&AID=27266&CID=reno2009&v=&i=&T=2&refer=7&access=




http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WXR-4V1V4RB-1&_user=10&_coverDate=11%2F30%2F2008&_rdoc=84&_fmt=high&_orig=browse&_srch=doc-info(%23toc%237165%239999%23999999999%2399999%23FLA%23display%23Articles)&_cdi=7165&_sort=d&_docanchor=&_ct=93&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=e1d846cf4c5130a4eea82b47cd253050

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WXR-4V1V4RB-1&_user=10&_coverDate=11%2F30%2F2008&_rdoc=84&_fmt=high&_orig=browse&_srch=doc-info(%23toc%237165%239999%23999999999%2399999%23FLA%23display%23Articles)&_cdi=7165&_sort=d&_docanchor=&_ct=93&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=e1d846cf4c5130a4eea82b47cd253050

http://www.springerlink.com/content/?Author=D.-L.+Xu

http://www.springerlink.com/content/?Author=J.-W.+Park

http://www.springerlink.com/content/?Author=T.+E.+Mirkov

http://www.springerlink.com/content/?Author=G.-H.+Zhou

http://www.springerlink.com/content/vg72168nj7580p33/?p=7b020de3948742a388883cea14f81d49&pi=3

http://www.springerlink.com/content/vg72168nj7580p33/?p=7b020de3948742a388883cea14f81d49&pi=3


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Ma, H., Schulze, S., Lee, S., Yang, M., Mirkov, T. E., Irvine, J., Moore, P., and Paterson, A. H. (2004).

An EST survey of the sugarcane transcriptome. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 108: 851-863.

Book Chapters (last 4 years):

T. Erik Mirkov, Zhong-Nan Yang, Mamta Rai, Joe J. Molina, Mikeal L. Roose and Xin-Rong Ye.

(2010). Towards positional cloning of the Citrus tristeza virus resistance gene. In: Citrus Tristeza

Virus Complex and Tristeza Diseases. A.V. Karasev and M.E. Hilf, editors. APS Press pp. 187-202.

Grosser, J.W., Gmitter, F.G. Jr., Orbovic, V., Moore, G.A., Graham, J.H., Soneji, J., Gonzalez-Ramos, J.,

Mirkov, T.E. and Kayim, M. (2008) Grapefruit. In: Kole, C. and Hall, T.C. (eds.). A Compendium

of Transgenic Crop Plants. Volume 5. Wiley-Blackwell.

Ingelbrecht I., Mirkov, T.E., Dixon A.G., Menkir A. (2006). Epigenetic lessons from transgenic plants.

In: Floricultural, Ornamental and Plant Biotechnology: Advances and topical issues (1st Edition),

Teixeira da Silva JA (ed), Global Science Books, London, UK, pp. 88-97.

R. Ming, P. H. Moore, K. K. Wu, A. DíHont, J. C. Glaszmann, T. L. Tew, T. E. Mirkov, J. da Silva, J.

Jifon, M. Rai, R. J. Schnell, S. M. Brumbley, P. Lakshmanan, J. C. Comstock, and A. H. Paterson.

(2005). Sugarcane improvement through breeding and biotechnology. Plant Breeding Reviews 27:

15-118.

Issued Patents (last 4 years): 2010, 3 patents. Details available upon request.

2009, 4 patents.

2008, 1 patent

2007, 2 patents.

2006, 2 patents.

Grants to my program last 5 years

$1,860,000.00 or ~ $375,000.00 per year


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GARY ODVODY Associate Professor, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, 10345 State Highway 44,

Corpus Christi, TX 78406-1412; 361/265-9201; FAX 361/265-9434; E-mail: [email protected] EDUCATION: B.S. Botany, University of Nebraska, 1969 M.S. Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska, 1973 Ph.D. Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska, 1977 PROFESSIONAL AND ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS: Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Nebraska, 1977-78 Assistant Professor, Texas A&M Expt. Stn., Corpus Christi, 1979-1989 Associate Professor, Texas A&M Expt. Stn., Corpus Christi, 1989-Present TEACHING AND ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES: (Graduate Student Training) Committee Member: 10 M.S., 7 Ph.D. (13 were foreign students) Co-Major Professor: 4 Ph.D. (students from Tanzania, Swaziland, England, Mexico) Associate Editor: Fitopatologia Brasileira INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE: International Sorghum and Millet Consortium (INTSORMIL) CRSP: U.S. AID

Co-investigator / Principal investigator on plant pathology project:1979-84 / 1985-2001. Activity primarily in Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa

Mexico INIFAP: Collaborative research projects(primarily ergot),visiting scientists, students-1997-2000

AREAS OF RESEARCH INTEREST AND EXPERTISE:

Research expertise on diseases of cereal crops with primary emphasis on fungal pathogens of maize (corn) and sorghum. Major diseases (pathogens) studied are charcoal rot (Macrophomina phaseolina), sorghum downy mildew (Peronosclerospora sorghi), head smut (Sporisorium reilianum), sorghum ergot (Claviceps africana), pre-harvest aflatoxin (Aspergillus flavus), grain mold and ear rots (Fusarium spp.),and foliar diseases occurring on both sorghum and corn. Research areas for pathogens include ecology, survival, initial inoculum, pathogen variability, and host:parasite interaction (especially under stress environments). Research was initiated in 2009 for control of cotton root rot of cotton caused by the fungus Phymatotrichopsis omnivora. Primary focus is on use of remote and ground-based sensing to map initiation and seasonal progression of cotton root rot. Maps will be used as geo-reference imagery for development and application of spatially-indicated management control strategies including precision agriculture applications of fungicides. Research goals are to provide sustainable control of all major pathogens principally through host plant resistance but integrated with other controls (including chemical) to provide either interim or adjunct control and to conserve host plant resistance. I am also part of the statewide sorghum and corn improvement programs and a diverse team of scientists investigating biology, epidemiology, and control of cotton root rot on cotton.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS: American Phytopathological Society: 1972 – Current


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Sorghum Improvement Conference of North America - Board Member 1985-89; 2005-2009, member 1979-current

PUBLICATIONS: 2006-Current Betran, F. J., F. J., S. Bhatnagar, T. Isakeit G. Odvody and K. Mayfield. 2006. Aflatoxin accumulation

and associated traits in QPM maize inbreds and their test crosses. Euphytica 152:247–257

Chilcutt, C. F. , G. N. Odvody, J. C. Correa, and J. Remmers and R.D. Parker. 2006. Decreased Whorl

and Ear Damage in Nine Mon810 Bacillus thuringiensis-Transgenic Corn Hybrids Compared with Their

Non-Bt Counterparts. Journal of Economic Entomology 99:2164-2170

Odvody, G. N., D. T. Rosenow, and M. Black. 2006. First Report of Ramulispora sorghicola in the United

States causing oval leaf spot on johnsongrass and sorghum. Plant Disease 90: 108 Chilcutt, C. F. , G. N. Odvody, J. C. Correa, and J. Remmers. 2007. Effects of Bacillus thuringiensis-Transgenic Corn on Corn Earworm, Helicoverpa zea and Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Densities. Journal of Economic Entomology 100: 327-334

Montes-Garcia, N., H. Williams-Alanis, L. K. Prom, T. Isakeit, G. Odvody, J. Narro-Sanchez, and W. L.

Rooney. 2008. Disease severity and susceptibility of Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.] to

infection by Claviceps africana Frederickson, Mantle and de Milliano in Mexico and the United States of

America. Revista Mexicana de FITOPATOLOGIA 26 (2): 121-126

Pazoutová, S., S., M. Kolarík, J. Olšovská1, G. N. Odvody and D. E. Frederickson. 2008. A new species

complex including Claviceps fusiformis and Claviceps hirtella. Fungal Diversity 31: 95-110

Ramasamy, P., P. Nimmakayala, S. R Erattaimuthu, Eun-Gyu No, U. K. Reddy, L. K. Prom, G. N.

Odvody, D.G. Luster and C. W. Magill. 2008. Simple sequence repeat markers useful for sorghum downy

mildew (Peronosclerospora sorghi) and related species. BMC Genetics 2008, 9:77 (14 p.)


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KEVIN L. ONG


Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Texas A&M University System

Tel : 979-845-80332, Fax : 979-845-6499, Email : [email protected]

EDUCATION

The Pennsylvania State University, PA Biology B .S. 1993

Temple University, Philadelphia, PA Biology M.A. 1996

Clemson University, Clemson, SC Plant Pathology Ph.D. 2001

APPOINTMENTS

Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, Director – Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab,

Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology, Texas AgriLife Extension Service (2008-present)

Assistant Professor and Extension Plant Pathologist, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology,

Texas AgriLife Extension Service (2002 –2008)

Graduate Research and Extension Assistant, Department of Plant Pathology and Physiology, Clemson

University, SC (1996-2001)

Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Biology, Temple University, PA (1993-1996)

SELECT INVITED PRESENTATIONS

Ong, K. 2009. The Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic, TX Plant Protection Conference, Bryan, TX

Ong, K. 2009 Tree disease problems in Texas, Northeast Texas Urban Forestry Conference, Grand

Prairie, TX.

Ong, K. 2006. Doing research through Extension programming, Oklahoma State University, Department

of Entomology and Plant Pathology seminar.

AWARDS AND MERITS

2005 Superior Service Team Award 2005. Texas Cooperative Extension

2001 Graduate Student Award, 1st place, Student Research Paper, Southern Division American

Phytopathological Society.

2001 Student Travel Award, Southern Division American Phytopathological Society.

1996 Teaching Merit Award, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA.

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY ACTIVITIES


Office of Public Relation and Outreach board member (2009-2011)

Ad Hoc Committee on Future Education of Plant Pathologist (2006- 2008)

Extension Committee (2003-2012), Chair – 08/09

Early Career Professionals Committee (2005-2007)

Organizer- “Town Hall meeting” APS 2005 Annual meeting, Austin, TX.

GRANTS RECEIVED (during the past three years)


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2010-2011 Plum Pox Survey. USDA/TDA CAPS program. (PI)

2010 Citrus disease awareness program. USDA Citrus Health Response Program. (cooperator)

2010 Citrus Greening Survey. USDA Citrus Health Response Program (co-investigator)

2010-2012 Improvement and deployment of rapid standardized PCR diagnostic tools to increase

detection capacity for high‐impact plant pathogens (multistate). USDA-AFRI Competitive Grants

program. (co-investigator)

2010 Developing an Education and Outreach Program for Increased Awareness of Citrus Diseases in

Texas: A Focus on Citrus Greening. Texas Citrus Producers Board. (co-investigator)

2009-2010 Southern Plant Diagnostic Network (TX subaward, multistate), National Plant Diagnostic

Network USDA Agriculture Biosecurity. (co-investigator)

2009 USDA-NRI Integrated Program for Plant Biosecurity. Pathogen Detection Lab-on-a-Chip

(PADLOC) system for real-time on-field plant disease diagnostics. FY09-11(co-investigator)

2009 Texas Pierce’s Disease Research and Edducation Program. Pierce’s Disease investigations on the

High Plains of Texas. FY09-10 (cooperator)

SERVICE ACTIVITIES

Committee member, North Central Texas College Horticulture Advisory Committee (2007-2008)

Board member, Crape Myrtle Trail of McKinney Board (2006 – 2008

Education advisor, Organic Horticulture Professional Education Alliance (2006)

Board member, Trinity Blackland Urban Forestry Council (2005-2007)

Refereed manuscripts for Plant Disease Notes and Journal of Nematology.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS (refereed journals during the past three years)

Reed, J.D., Woodward, J.E., Ong, K., Black, M.C. and Stein, L.A 2010 First reportof Stemphylium

botryosum on spinach in Texas. Plant Disease 94(11): 1377. doi:10.1094/PDIS-06-10-0471

MacDonald, J., Allen, C., Gadoury, D., Jacobi, W., Kelemu, S., Moyer, J., Murray, T., Ong, K., Pearson,

C., Sherwood, J., and Vidaver, A. 2009 Education in Plant Pathology: Present Status and Future

Challenges. Plant Disease 93(12):1238-1251, Online doi:10.1094/PDIS-93-12-1238.

Harp, D. , Ong, K., Sloan, J, Kee, D. and McDowell, K. 2009 Compost Type Affects Bermudagrass

Invasion. Texas Journal of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 21:82-88

Jacobsen, B.J., Burrows, M.E., and Ong, K.L. 2008 Extension Plant Pathology: Bringing our science to

the public, a century of service. APSnet Feature Story, December 2008, Online.

http://www.apsnet.org/online/feature/extension.


102

LELAND S. (SANDY) PIERSON III

Head, Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology


Professional Preparation The University of California, Davis Microbiology B.A., 1979

Faculty mentor: Dr. John L. Ingraham

Washington State University Microbiology Ph.D., 1986

Major Advisor: Dr. Michael L. Kahn

USDA-ARS (post-doctoral research fellow) Plant Pathology 1986-1990

Post-doctoral advisor: Dr. Linda S. Thomashow

Appointments

2009-present Professor and Head, Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology, Texas A&M

University, College Station, TX.

2003-2009 Division Chair, Division of Plant Pathology & Microbiology, Department of Plant

Sciences, University of Arizona.

2002-2009 Professor, Division of Plant Pathology & Microbiology, Department of Plant Sciences,

University of Arizona.

2000-2009 Chair, University of Arizona Institutional Biosafety Committee.

1996-2002 Associate Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Arizona.

1990-1996 Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Arizona.

1986-1990 Post-doctoral Research Microbiologist, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Root

Disease and Biological Control Research Unit, Pullman, WA.

Thesis Advisor & Postdoctoral Sponsor

Served as advisor or co-advisor for four post-doctoral, five PhD and five M.S. students. Served on 58

Graduate Student Committees and supervised 40 Undergraduate Research Projects. College of

Agriculture & Life Sciences Outstanding Faculty Teaching Award, 2007; Student’s Choice, The

Microbiology Club Teaching Award, 1999; Creative Teaching Award. College of Agriculture, Arizona,

1995.

Current Research 1. Regulation and roles of phenazine (PZ) production. We study the function of PZs in the root-

associated bacterium P. chlororaphis 30-84 and the pathogen P. aeruginosa. We hypothesize PZs play

multiple roles in the lifestyle of the bacterium and are identifying and understanding these additional

functions for strain 30-84 in microbial physiology, microbe-microbe and plant-microbe interactions. We

showed PZs are essential for biofilm development by strain 30-84 and that altering the ratio of PZs

produced by strain 30-84 has profound effects on cell adhesion, biofilm architecture, and bacterial release.

We are studying the roles of phenazine structural derivatives on cell adhesion, biofilm architecture, root

colonization and plant nutrient uptake. This work includes microarray and RNA-seq analyses of PZs as

signals controlling the expression of additional genes involved in cell adhesion and biofilm formation.

2. Signaling among microbial populations in vitro and in situ. PZ production is regulated via quorum sensing which is dependent on diffusible microbial pheromones.

Mutants defective in the production of these signals were rescued for phenazine production in vitro and in

situ by signals produced by another subpopulation of the wheat rhizosphere community. Additionally, a

second subpopulation was identified that inhibited phenazine production by the production of signals that

interfere with normal quorum sensing activation of the phenazine biosynthetic operon. Thus, phenazine

production is influenced directly by other members of the rhizosphere community. We study some of the

negative signals produced by select rhizosphere strains both at the genetic and rhizosphere levels.


103

3. Microbial communities: involvement in speleothem formation. We are part of a joint Microbial

Observatories project to analyze microbial communities and their contributions to speleothem formation

in Kartchner Caverns, an oligotrophic cave in Arizona. We are characterizing both bacterial and fungal

communities and are attempting to link metabolic capabilities to mineralization patterns via metagenomic

analysis.

Selected Publications

Driscoll WW, Pepper JW, Pierson LS III, Pierson EA. Pseudomonas chlororaphis Strain 30-84 Gac

mutants in biofilms: cheater or mutualist? (submitted).

Young Cheol Kim, Johan Leveau, Brian B. McSpadden Gardener, Elizabeth A. Pierson Leland S.

Pierson III, Choong-Min Ryu. 2011. The multifactorial basis for plant health promotion by plant-

associated bacteria. J. Bacteriol. (in press).

Legatski A, Ortiz M, Neilsen JW, Dominguez S, Anderson GL, Toomey RS, Pryor BM, Pierson LS III,

Maier RM. 2011. Bacterial and archaeal community structure of two adjacent calcite speleothems

in Kartchner Caverns, Arizona, USA. Geomicrobiology J. (in press).

Pierson LS 3rd, Pierson EA. 2010. Metabolism and function of phenazines in bacteria: impacts on the

behavior of bacteria in the environment and biotechnological processes. Appl Microbiol

Biotechnol.86:1659-1670.

Maddula VS, Pierson EA, Pierson LS III. 2008. Altering the ratio of phenazines in Pseudomonas

chlororaphis (aureofaciens) strain 30-84: effects on biofilm formation and pathogen inhibition. J.

Bacteriol. 190:2759-66.

Pierson, LS, III, and EA Pierson. 2007. Roles of Diffusible Signals in Communication among Plant-

Associated Bacteria. Phytopathology 97:227-232.

Maddula VSK, Zhang Z, Pierson EA, and Pierson LS III. 2006. Quorum Sensing and Phenazines are

Required for Biofilm Formation by Pseudomonas aureofaciens Strain 30-84. Microbial Ecol.

52:289-301.

Paulsen, IT, Press, C., Ravel, J, Kobayashi, DY, Myers, GSA, Mavrodi, DV, DeBoy, RT, Seshadri, R,

Ren, Q, Madupu, R, Dodson, RJ, Durkin, AS, Brinkac, LM, Daugherty, SC, Sullivan, SA,

Rosovitz, MJ, Gwinn, ML, Zhou, L, Nelson, WC, Weidman, J, Watkins, K, Tran, K, Khouri, H,

Pierson, EA, Pierson, LS III, Thomashow, LS, and Loper, JE. 2005. Complete genome sequence

of the plant commensal Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf-5: insights into the biological control of

plant disease. Nature Biotechnology 23:873-878.

Morello, JE, Pierson, EA, and LS Pierson III. 2004. Negative cross-communication among wheat

rhizosphere bacteria: Effect on antibiotic production by the biological control bacterium

Pseudomonas aureofaciens 30-84. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 70:3103-3109.

McLean RJ, Pierson LS III, Fuqua C. 2004. A simple screening protocol for the identification of quorum

signal antagonists. J Microbiol Methods. 58:351-360.

He J, Wijeratne EM, Bashyal BP, Zhan J, Seliga CJ, Liu MX, Pierson EA, Pierson LS III, Van Etten

HD, Gunatilaka AA. 2004. Cytotoxic and other metabolites of Aspergillus inhabiting the

rhizosphere of Sonoran desert plants. J Nat Prod. 67:1985-91.

Whistler, CA and LS Pierson III. 2003. Repression of phenazine antibiotic production in Pseudomonas

aureofaciens strain 30-84 by RpeA. J. Bacteriol.185:3718-3725.

Chancey, ST, Wood, DW, Pierson, EA, and LS Pierson III. 2002. Survival of GacS/GacA mutants of the

biological control bacterium Pseudomonas aureofaciens 30-84 in the wheat rhizosphere. Appl.

Environ. Microbiol. 68: 3308-3314.


104

CHARLES M. RUSH

Regents Fellow and Professor of Plant Pathology, Texas AgriLife Research, 6500 Amarillo Blvd. W.,

Amarillo, TX 79106; 806-354-5804; FAX 806-354-5829; e-mail; [email protected]

EDUCATION:

B.S., 1974, University of Texas Permian Basin, Literature

M.Agric., 1976, Texas A&M University, Plant Protection

Ph.D., 1981, Texas A&M University, Plant Pathology

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:

12/07 - Present Regents Fellow, Texas AgriLife Research and Texas A&M University System

09/91 - Present Professor, Plant Pathology, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Amarillo, Texas;

adjunct Professor, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX and Texas Tech,

Lubbock, TX.

06/86 - 8/91 Associate Professor, Plant Pathology, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station,

Amarillo, Texas.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The TAES plant pathology program in Amarillo/Bushland, lead by Dr. Charlie Rush, was

initiated in 1986 to conduct research on economically damaging diseases of crops produced in the Texas

Panhandle. The lab has achieved national recognition for its work on diseases of wheat, and international

recognition for research on diseases caused by plant viruses with mite and fungal vectors. Major research

projects, all funded by external competitive grants, include Ecology and Epidemiology of Mite-Vectored

Virus Diseases of Wheat, Remote Sensing for Detection and Quantification of Plant Diseases, Zebra Chip

of Potato, and Epidemiology and Genomic Variability of Benyviruses.

GRADUATE and POST GRADUATE TEACHING/EDUCATION – 2001- Present

Six Post Doctoral students, currently directing four

Nine graduate students

SELECTED PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES:


Southern and Pacific Divisions American Phytopathological Society

American Society Sugar Beet Technologist

Associate Editor – Plant Disease 1988 – 1990

Associate Editor – Phytopathology 1991-1993

Senior Editor – Plant Disease, 1998 - 2000

NC227 – Regional committee on Sorghum ergot, Committee Chairman – 2002-2003

NC1015 – Karnal Bunt Rapid Response Committee, Committee Chairman - 2001-2005

Texas Precision Agriculture – Statewide Program Coordinator, 2000-2003

Intern. Working Group on Plant Viruses with Fungal Vectors - Treasurer & Editor 1993 – Present

SELECTED AWARDS and HONORS

Outstanding Achievement Award in Education. The Alumni Association of the University of Texas of

the Permian Basin. May 30, 1998.

Outstanding Faculty Award. Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology. October, 1998.

Meritorious Service Award, Beet Sugar Development Foundation, March, 2001.

Distinguished Service Award. Sugar beet Research and Education Board of Minnesota. January,

2005.

TAES Faculty Fellow. January, 2007.


105

TAES Regent’s Fellow. December, 2007.

Fellow, American Phytopathological Society. July, 2008.

GRANTS - Procured Over $8.3 M in Competitive Grants Since 2001.

Grants obtained from USDA-ARS, USDA-CSREES, USDA-NRI, USDA-SCRI, Texas Higher

Education Coordinating Board, State and Federal Special Initiatives, Commodity Groups, Agri-Industry.

REFEREED PUBLICATIONS

Acosta-Leal, R. and Rush, C.M. 2007. Mutations associated with resistance breaking isolates of Beet

necrotic yellow vein virus and their allelic discrimination using TaqMan technology.

Phytopathology. 97: 325-330.

Acosta-Leal, R., Fawley, M. W., and Rush, C. M. 2008. Changes in the intraisolate genetic structure of

Beet necrotic yellow vein virus populations associated with plant resistance breakdown. Virology

376:60-68.

Acosta-Leal, R., B.K. Bryan, and C.M. Rush.. 2010. Host Effect on the Genetic Diversification of Beet

necrotic yellow vein virus Single-plant Populations. Phytopathology. 100: 1204-1212.

Allen, T.W., Maples, H.W., Workneh, F., Stein, J.M., and Rush, C.M. 2008. Distribution and recovery

of Tilletia indica teliospores from regulated wheat fields in Texas. Plant Dis. 92:344-350.

Allen, T.W., Workneh, F., Steddom, K.C., Peterson, G.L., and Rush, C.M. 2008. The influence of

tillage on dispersal of Tilletia indica teliospores from a concentrated point source. Plant Dis. 92:351-

356.

Henne, D.C., F. Workneh, A. Wen, J.A. Price, J.S. Pasche, N.C. Gudmestad, and C. M. Rush. 2010.

Characterization and Epidemiological Significance of Plants Grown from Seed Tubers Affected by

Zebra Chip Disease. Plant Dis. 94:659-665.

Lu, Huangjun, J. Price, J. Rudd, R. Devkota, and C.M. Rush. 2010. A dominance gene for resistance to

Wheat streak mosaic virus in winter wheat line CO960293-2. Crop Science. (In Press).

Price, J.A., F. Workneh, S.R. Evett, D.C. Jones, J. Arthur, and C.M. Rush. 2010. Effects of Wheat streak

mosaic virus on root development and water-use efficiency of hard red winter wheat. Plant Dis. 94:

766-770.

Rush, C. M., Bryan, B. K., and Acosta-Leal, R. 2009. Genetic analysis of Beet necrotic yellow vein virus

populations from resistant and susceptible sugar beet genotypes. Proceedings IWGPVFV 7th

Symposium. Quedlinburg, Germany, September 1-3, 2008.

Rush, C.M., Lui, H.-Y., Lewellen, R.T., and Acosta-Leal, R. 2006. The Continuing Saga of Rhizomania

of Sugar Beets in the United States. Plant Dis. 91: 4-15.

Rush, C.M., Stein, J.M., Bowden, R., Riemenschneider, R., Boratynski, T., and Royer, M.H. 2005.

Status of Karnal Bunt of Wheat in the United States 1997 – 2004. Plant Disease 89: 212-223.

Valendia-Parra, M., Rejesus, R., Jones, D. C., Price, J. A., and Workneh, F., Rush, C. M. 2010.

Economic impact of the Wheat streak mosaic virus in the Texas High Plains. Crop Protection

29:699-703.

Workneh, F. and Rush, C.M. 2006. Weather factors associated with development of sorghum ergot in

the Texas Panhandle. Plant Dis. 90:717-722.

Workneh, F., J.A. Price, D.C. Jones, and C.M. Rush. 2010. Wheat Streak Mosaic: A Classic Case of

Plant Disease Impact on Soil Water Content and Crop Water-Use Efficiency. Plant Dis. 94: 771-774.

Workneh, F., Jones, D. C., and Rush, C. M. 2009. Quantifying wheat yield across the field as a function

of wheat streak mosaic intensity: A state space approach. Phytopathology 99:432-440.

Workneh, F., Narasimhan, B., Srinivasan, R., and Rush, C.M., 2006. Assessment of regional site-

specific sorghum ergot severity using radar-rainfall measurement. Plant Dis. 91:704-707.


106

KAREN-BETH GOLDBERG SCHOLTHOF

Dept. of Plant Pathology and Microbiology Office: (979) 845-8265

Texas A&M University Fax: (979) 845-6483

College Station, TX 77843-2132 Email: [email protected]

EDUCATION

1977-1979: Colorado College, Colorado Springs

1979-1982: B.S. (Botany; Minor - Philosophy), Montana State University, Bozeman

1983-1985: M.S. (Plant Pathology), University of Nebraska. Dr. Myron K. Brakke, advisor.

1985-1989: Ph.D. (Plant Pathology), University of Kentucky. Dr. Robert J. Shepherd, advisor.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

1982-1983: Research Technician II, Montana Potato Improvement Assoc., Bozeman.

1990-1992: Postdoctoral Fellow, Plant Pathology, University of California, Berkeley.

1992-1994: NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship, Plant Biology, University of California, Berkeley.

1995-2000: Assistant Professor, Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Texas A&M University.

2000-2005: Associate Professor, Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Texas A&M University.

2005-present: Professor, Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Texas A&M University.

FACULTY DEVELOPMENT LEAVE

June-December 2002, Summer 2003: Visiting Scholar, History of Science Dept., Harvard University.

January-August 2009: Visiting Scholar, Science & Technology Studies, Cornell University.

AWARDS and HONORS

2004: American Phytopathological Society “Excellence in Teaching” Award.

2008: Center for Teaching Excellence and University Writing Center W-Course Award. Texas A&M.

2009: Association of Former Students Distinguished Teaching Award. Texas A&M.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

Agricultural History Society (AHS)

Editorial Board, Agricultural History Journal, September 2010-August 2013

Rasumussen Book Award Committee, November 2010-October 2013


Center for the History of Microbiology/Archives Committee, July 2010-June 2013

American Phytopathological Society (APS)

APS Press, Senior Editor, November 1999-August 2003.

Associate Editor, Phytopathology. January 2003-December 2005.

Associate Editor, Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions. January 2004-December 2006.

International Committee for the Taxonomy of Viruses

Satellite Study Group, 7th and 8th Reports of the ICTV, Member. August 1997-2007.

Satellite Study Group, 9th Report of the ICTV, Member. January 2010-2012.

TEACHING

BESC 314-900. Pathogens, the Environment and Society. (3 hr.) Every Fall semester. This is a University

Certified “W” (writing) course. (1996-present) [Also available as PLPA 614 and BESC314-Honors].

BESC 481-970. Seminar. (1 hr.) University Certified "C" (communications) course. (2011-present) [Also

available as BESC 481-Honors]

BESC 484-900. Research Experience. (3 hr.) University Certified “W” (writing) course. Spring, Fall, and

Summer, 10-week session. [Also available as BESC314-Honors.]


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PLPA620. Plant Virology. (3 hr with lab). Even Calendar years, Spring Semester. (1995-present).

RESEARCH The focus of my research is two-fold, laboratory research and the history of science. My laboratory

research program is on the biochemical and biological functions of the capsid protein of SPMV. My

history of science research focus is on plant virus workers in the US (early to mid-20th century) and,

more generally, the history of plant pathology and its intersection with public health.

SELECTED PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS (2001-present) (Graduate Student co-authors are

underlined)

Qiu, W. P. and Scholthof, K.-B. G. 2001. Capsid protein of satellite panicum mosaic virus (SPMV) and

its role as a symptom determinant. Molec. Plant-Microbe Interact. 14:21-30.

Qiu, W. P. and Scholthof, K.-B. G. 2001. Defective interfering RNAs of a satellite virus. J. Virol.

75:5429-5432.

Scholthof, K.-B. G. 2001. The chimerical world of agricultural biotechnology: Food allergens, labeling,

and communication. Phytopathology 91:524-526.

Scholthof, K.-B. G. 2003. One foot in the furrow: agriculture, plant pathology and public health. Ann.

Rev. Public Health 24:153-174.

Qiu, W. and Scholthof, K.-B. G.. 2004. Satellite panicum mosaic virus capsid protein elicits symptoms

on a nonhost plant and interferes with a suppressor of virus-induced gene silencing. Mol. Plant-

Microbe Interact. 17:263-271

Scholthof, K.-B. G. 2004. Tobacco mosaic virus: A model system for plant biology. Annu. Rev.

Phytopathol. 42:13-34.

Omarov, R. T., Qi, D., and Scholthof, K.-B. G. 2005. The capsid protein of satellite panicum mosaic

virus contributes to systemic invasion and interacts with its helper virus. J. Virol. 79:9756-9764.

Batten, J. S., Desvoyes, Yamamura, Y., and Scholthof, K.-B. G. 2006. A translational enhancer element

on the 3’-proximal end of Panicum mosaic virus. FEBS Lett. 580:2591-2597. Scholthof, K.-B. G. and Peterson, P.D. 2006. The role of Helen Purdy Beale in the early development of

plant serology and virology. Adv. Appl. Microbiol. 59:221-241.

Segner, S. and Scholthof, K.-B. G. 2007. Environmental microbiology: Bacteria and fungi on the foods

we eat. Amer. Biol. Teacher 69: 149-157.

Scholthof, K.-B. G. 2007. The disease triangle: pathogens, the environment, and society. Nature Rev.

Microbiol. 5: 152-156.

Qi, D., and Scholthof, K.-B. G. 2008. A one-step PCR-based method for rapid and efficient site-directed

fragment deletion, insertion, and substitution mutagenesis. J. Virol. Meth. 149:85-90.

Qi, D., and Scholthof, K.-B. G. 2008. Multiple activities associated with the capsid protein of satellite

panicum mosaic virus are controlled separately by the N- and C-terminal regions. Mol. Plant-Microbe

Interact. 21:613-621.

Qi, D., Omarov, R. T., and Scholthof, K.-B. G. 2008. The complex subcellular distribution of satellite

panicum mosaic virus capsid protein reflects its multifunctional role during infection. Virology

376:154-164.

Scholthof, K.-B. G., Jackson, A. O., and Van Etten, J. L. 2008. Obituary: Myron K. Brakke, 1921-2008.

Phytopathology 98:1056-1059.

Everett, A. L., Scholthof, H. B., and Scholthof, K.-B. G. 2010. Satellite panicum mosaic virus coat

protein enhances the performance of plant virus gene vectors. Virology 396:37-46.

Scholthof, K.-B. G. and Peterson, P.D. 2010. The society that almost wasn't: Issues of professional

identity and the creation of the American Phytopathological Society in 1908. Phytopathology 100:14-

20.

Scholthof, K.-B. G. 2011. Looking at a virus in 1930: Francis O. Holmes and the local lesion assay.

Microbe: in press.


108

HERMAN BERTUS SCHOLTHOF Professor Phone: (979) 862-1495

Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology Fax: (979) 845-6483

Texas A&M University Email: [email protected]

2132 TAMU

College Station, TX 77843

Education

1990 University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky. Ph.D., Plant Pathology

1986 Wageningen University, The Netherlands. M.S., Plant Pathology

1984 Wageningen University, The Netherlands. B.S., Plant Pathology

1980 Van Hall College, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands. B.S., Plant Research

Professional Experience

2009 Visiting Scientist, Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research,

Cornell University (February-August)

2005-current Professor, Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Texas A&M University

2003 Visiting Associate Professor, Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology,

Harvard Medical School (May-August)

2002 Visiting Associate Professor, Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology,

Harvard Medical School (June-December)

2000-2005 Associate Professor, Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Texas A&M University

1995-2000 Assistant Professor, Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Texas A&M University

1990-1994 Postdoctoral Associate/Fellow, Plant Biology, University of California at Berkeley

Awards and Honors


2009 TAMU Association of Former Students Distinguished Achievement Award for Research

2007 Ruth Allen Award, American Phytopathological Society

2006 Outstanding Professor, Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Texas A&M University

1992-1994 Postdoctoral Fellowship, NSF-CEPRAP and Sandoz/NK Rogers Seeds

1988-1989 Graduate School Jeffrey Fellowship, University of Kentucky

Teaching

PLPA 616 METHODS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS

Graduate level course, required for all PLPA students, taught since 1997, 2 credit hours.

PLPA 620 PLANT VIROLOGY

Graduate level course, taught since 1995, 3 credit hours.

PLPA 690 THEORY OF RESEARCH

Graduate level course, taught 1999-2008, 1 credit hour.

PLPA 665 VIRUS GENE VECTORS AND GENE THERAPY

Newly developed course, 3 credit hours. Team taught since 2002

Selected Professional Service Activities

Editorial Responsibilities

Senior Editor Molec. Plant-Microbe Interact. (Jan. 2004 - Dec. 2006)

Phytopathology (2003-2004)

Editorial Board Virology (2004-current)

Journal of Virology (2008-current)

Associate Editor Molec. Plant-Microbe Interact. (2001-2004)

Phytopathology (1998-2001)


109

Selected Federal Grant Proposal Panels

USDA-NRI-Competitive Grants Program Plant Pathology (2x)

NSF Molecular and Cellular Biosciences

NIH Topics in Virology (Council ZRG1 IDM-G) grants panel member (2x)

NIH Special Emphasis panel member [ZRG1 MBC-2(01)]

Recent Publications

*PI’s graduate students; **PI’s postdocs; ***PI’s research assistants (technicians); ugPI’s undergraduate

students

1. **Omarov, R., and Scholthof, H.B. (2011). Biological chemistry of virus-encoded gene-silencing

suppressors: an overview. Meth. Mol. Biol. (in press)

2. *Ciomperlik, J., **Omarov, R.T., and Scholthof, H.B. (2011). An antiviral RISC isolated from

Tobacco rattle virus-infected plants. Virology (in press, Epub January 2011).

3. Scholthof, K.-B.G., and Scholthof, H.B. (2010). Induction and Suppression of RNA Silencing:

Insights from Plant Viral Infections - A BARD Workshop Report. Plant Molec. Biol. (Epub Dec.

22, 2010).

4. Saxena, P., *Hsieh, Y-C., **Alvarado, V.Y., Sainsbury,, F., Saunders. K., Lomonossoff, G., and

Scholthof, H.B. (2010).. Improved foreign gene expression in plants using a virus-encoded

suppressor of RNA silencing modified to be developmentally harmless. Plant Biotech. J. (Epub

ahead of printing Nov.16, 2010)

5. Everett, A, Scholthof, H.B., and Scholthof, K.-B. G. (2010) Satellite panicum mosaic virus coat

protein enhances the performance of plant virus gene vectors. Virology 396:37-46

6. Wen, A, Mallik, I, **Alvarado, V.Y. Pasche, J. S. Wang, X. Li, W., Levy, L., Lin, H., Scholthof,

H.B., Mirkov, T.E., Rush, C.M., and Gudmestad, N. C. (2009). Incidence, distribution and genetic

variations of 'Candidatus Liberibacter sp.' associated with zebra complex of potato in North

America. Plant Disease 93:1102-1115

7. **Alvarado, V., and Scholthof, H.B. (2009). Plant responses against invasive nucleic acids: RNA

silencing and its suppression by plant viral pathogens. Sem. Cell Develop. Biol. 20:1032–1040.

Epub 2009 Aug

8. *Hsieh, Y.-C., **Omarov, R.T., and Scholthof, H.B. (2008). Diverse and newly recognized effects

associated with siRNA binding site modifications on the Tomato bushy stunt virus P19 silencing

suppressor. J. Virol. 83:2188-200. Epub 2008 Dec 3

9. ** Qiu, W, and Scholthof, H.B. (2008). Tomato bushy stunt virus gene vectors. Curr. Protoc.

Microbiol. 7:16I.4.1-16I.4.16

10. Scholthof, H.B. Heterologous expression of viral RNAi suppressors: RISC management. (2007).

Plant Physiology 145:1110-1117

11. **Omarov, R., ugCiomperlik, J., and Scholthof, H.B. (2007). RNAi-associated ssRNA-specific

ribonucleases in Tombusvirus P19 mutant-infected plants and evidence for a discrete siRNA-

containing effector complex. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 104:1714-1719

12. Scholthof, H.B. (2006). The Tombusvirus-encoded P19: from irrelevance to elegance. Nat. Rev.

Microbiol. 4:405-411

13. **Omarov, R., ***Sparks, K., ***Smith, L., *Zindovic, J., and Scholthof, H.B. (2006). Biological

relevance of a stable biochemical interaction between the tombusvirus-encoded P19 and siRNAs.

J. Virol. 80:3000-3008

14. *Skare, J.M., **Wijkamp, I., ugDenham, I., Rezende, J.A.M., Kitajima, E.W., **Park, J.W.,

**Desvoyes, B., Rush, C.M., Michels, G., Scholthof, K.-B. G., and Scholthof, H.B. (2006). A

new eriophyid mite-borne membrane-enveloped virus complex isolated from plants. Virology

347:343-353.


110

LIBO SHAN Assistant Professor

Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Institute for Plant Genomics and Biotechnology

Education:

1991-1995 Beijing Normal University, China Biochemistry B.S.

1995-1998 Chinese Academy of Sciences, China Genetics M.S.

1998-2003 Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS Plant Pathology Ph.D.

2003-2008 Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA Molecular Biology Postdoc

Professional Positions and Appointment:

2009-present: Assistant Professor

Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology,

Institute for Plant Genomics and Biotechnology

Faculty of Molecular & Environmental Plant Sciences (MEPS)

Texas A&M University, College Station, TX

2003-2008: Research Fellow, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School

Awards:

American Society of Plant Science Women’s Young Investigator Travel Award, 2010

Don C. Warren Genetic Scholarship, Kansas State University, 2002-2003

Di-Ao Scholarship, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1998

Teaching

BESC 201 Introduction to Bioenvironmental Science (3 credits) with 98 undergraduate students enrolled

PLPA616 Methods in Molecular Biology of Plant-Microbe Interactions (2 credits) with ~10 graduate

students enrolled

PLPM 690 Theory of Research for Molecular Plant-Microbe Interaction (2 credits) with ~12 graduate

students enrolled.

Publications

1. Gao, X., Wheeler, T., Li, Z., Kenerley, C., He, P., and Shan, L. (2011) Silencing GhNDR1 and

GhMKK2 compromised cotton resistance to Verticillium wilt. The Plant Journal. In press.

2. Wu, S., Lu, D., Kabbage, M., Wei, H., Swingle, B., Dickman, M., He, P., and Shan, L. (2011)

Bacterial effector HopF2 suppresses Arabidopsis innate immunity at the plasma membrane. Mol.

Plant Microbe Interact. In press.

3. Lu, D., Wu, S., He, P., and Shan, L. (2010) Phosphorylation of receptor-like cytoplasmic kinases

by bacterial flagellin. Plant Signal Behav. 5 (5).

4. Lu, D., Wu, S., Gao, X., Zhang, Y., Shan, L#. and He, P#. (2010) A receptor-like cytoplasmic

kinase BIK1 associates with flagellin receptor complex to initiate plant innate immunity. Proc Natl

Acad Sci U S A. 107:496-501. (#Corresponding author)

5. Lu, D., He, P., and Shan, L. (2010) Bacterial effectors target BAK1-associated receptor complexes:

one stone two birds. Communicative & Integrative Biology. 3 (2):80-83.

6. Boudsocq, M., Willmann M. R., McCormack, M., Lee, H., Shan L., He P., Bush, J., Cheng, S.,

and Sheen J., (2010) Differential innate immune signalling via Ca2+ sensor protein kinases.

Nature. 464: 418-422.

7. Chinchilla, D., Shan, L., He, P., de Vries, S. and Kemmerling, B. (2009) One for all-the receptor-

associated kinase BAK1. Trend in Plant Science.14 (10) 535-541.

8. Shan, L. #, He, P. #, Li, J., Heese, A., Peck, S. C., Nurnberger, T., Martin, G. B., and Sheen, J. #

(2008). Bacterial effectors target the common signaling partner BAK1 to disrupt multiple MAMP


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receptor-signaling complexes and impede plant immunity. Cell Host & Microbe 4: 17-27. (#Corresponding author)

9. Chen, Z., Agnew, J., Cohen, J., He, P., Shan, L., Sheen, J., and Kunkel, K. (2007). The

Pseudomonas syringae type III effector AvrRpt2 alters Arabidopsis thaliana auxin physiology.

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A 104: 20131-20136.

10. Shan, L., He, P., and Sheen, J. (2007). Intercepting host MAPK signaling cascades by bacterial

type III effectors. Cell Host & Microbe 1: 167-174.

11. He, P., Shan, L., and Sheen, J. (2007) Elicitation and suppression of MAMP-triggered immunity in

plant-microbe interactions. Cell Microbiol 9: 1385-1396.

12. Shan, L. #, He, P., and Sheen, J. (2007) Endless hide-and-seek: dynamic coevolution in plant

bacterium warfare. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology 49:105-111. (#Corresponding author)

13. He, P., Shan, L. and Sheen, J. (2006) The use of protoplasts to study innate immune responses.

Methods Mol Biol. 354: 1-10.

14. He, P.*, Shan, L.*, Lin, N.-C., Martin, G., Kemmerling, B., Nurnberger, T., and Sheen, J. (2006).

Specific bacterial suppressors of MAMP signaling upstream of MAPKKK in Arabidopsis innate

immunity. Cell 125: 563-575. (*Co-first author)

15. Robert-Seilaniantz, A.*, Shan, L.*, Zhou, J.-M., and Tang, X. (2006). The Pseudomonas syringae

pv. tomato DC3000 type III effector HopF2 has a putative myristoylation site required for its

avirulence and virulence functions. Mol. Plant Microbe Interact. 19: 130-138. (*Co-first author)

16. Shan, L., Oh, H., Chen, J., Guo, M., Zhou, J.-M., Alfano, J.R., Collmer, A., Jia, X., and Tang X.

(2004). The HopPtoF locus of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 encodes a type III

chaperone and a cognate effector. Mol. Plant Microbe Interact. 17: 447-455.

17. Li, J., Shan, L., Zhao, T., Zhou, J.-M., and Tang, X. (2002). Salicylic acid and ethylene are not

essential for spontaneous cell death and PR gene induction in tomato plants overexpressing Pto.

Mol. Plant Microbe Interact. 15: 654-661.

18. Petnicki-Ocwieja, T., Schneider, D. J., Tam, V. C., Chancey, S. T., Shan, L., Jamir, Y., Schechter,

L. M., Janes, M. D., Buell, C. R., Tang, X., et al. (2002).Genomewide identification of proteins

secreted by the Hrp type III protein secretion system of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000.

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U S A 99: 7652-7657.

19. He, P., Warren, R. F., Zhao, T., Shan, L., Zhu, L., Tang, X., and Zhou, J.-M. (2001).

Overexpression of Pti5 in tomato potentiates pathogen-induced defense gene expression and

enhances disease resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato. Mol. Plant Microbe Interact. 14:

1453-1457.

20. Shan, L., Thara, V.K., Martin, G.B., Zhou, J.-M., and Tang, X. (2000). The Pseudomonas AvrPto

protein is differentially recognized by tomato and tobacco and is localized to the plant plasma

membrane. Plant Cell 12: 2323-2338.

21. Shan, L., He, P., Zhou, J.-M., and Tang, X. (2000). A cluster of mutations disrupt the avirulence

but not the virulence function of AvrPto. Mol. Plant Microbe Interact. 13: 592-598.

22. Shan, L., Li, Y.W., Zhao, T.H., Liang, H., Ouyang, J.W., Jia, S.E., and Jia, X. (2000). Estimation

of biolistic transformation effect by transient expression of C1-R regulatory genes of anthocyanin

biosynthesis. Acta Genetica Sinica 27: 65-69.


112

BRIAN D. SHAW Associate Professor


Professional Preparation:

Michigan State University Multi-Disciplinary (Honors College B.A. 1992

Cornell University Plant Pathology (Mycology emphasis) Ph. D. 2000

University of Georgia Fungal Genetics and Development Post Doc 2000-2003

Appointments:

2009-present Associate Professor Texas A&M University. Dept. of Plant Pathology and

Microbiology

2003-2009 Assistant Professor Texas A&M University. Dept. of Plant Pathology and

Microbiology

2000-2003 Post Doctoral Researcher University of Georgia. Advisor: Dr. Michelle Momany

2000 Visiting Scientist University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Advisor: Dr. Nick Read

1995-2000 Graduate Research Asst. Cornell University. Advisor: Dr. Harvey Hoch

Publications:

Ten Recent Publications:

1. Chung, D.-W., Greenwald, C., Upadhyay, S., Ding, S., Wilkinson, H. H., Ebbole, D. J. and Shaw, B.

D. 2011. acon-3, the Neurospora crassa ortholog of the developmental modifier, medA, complements

the conidiation defect of the Aspergillus nidulans mutant. Fungal Genetics and Biology. In press.

2. Greenwald, C. J., Kasuga, T., Glass, N. L., Shaw, B. D., Ebbole, D. J., and Wilkinson, H. H. 2010.

Temporal and spatial regulation of gene expression during asexual development of Neurospora

crassa. Genetics. 2010 186: 1217–1230.

3. C. Wang W.-B. Shim, and B. D. Shaw. 2010. The Aspergillus nidulans striatin ortholog is required

for sexual development. Fungal Genetics and Biology. 47: 789-799.

4. S. C. Lee S. N. Schmidtke, L. J. Dangott and B. D. Shaw. 2008. Aspergillus nidulans ArfB is linked

to endocytosis and polarized growth. Eukaryotic Cell. 7: 1278-1288

5. S. C. Lee and B. D. Shaw. 2008. Localization and function of ADP ribosylation factor A in

Aspergillus nidulans. FEMS Microbiology Letters 283: 216-222.

6. S. Upadhyay, and B. D. Shaw. 2008. The role of actin, fimbrin, and endocytosis in growth of hyphae

in Aspergillus nidulans. Molecular Microbiology 68: 690-705.

7. S. C. Lee and B. D. Shaw. 2007. A novel interaction between N-myristoylation and the 26S

proteasome during cell morphogenesis. Molecular Microbiology. 63: 1039-1053.

8. S. Upadhyay, and B. D. Shaw. 2006. A Phosphoglucose Isomerase Mutant in Aspergillus nidulans

is Defective in Hyphal Polarity and Conidiation. Fungal Genetics and Biology 43: 739-751.

9. S. Sukno, V. M. García, B. D. Shaw, and M. R. Thon. 2008. Root Infection and Systemic

Colonization of Maize by Colletotrichum graminicola. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 74:

(Includes Journal Cover Illustration)

10. U. Sagaram, B. D. Shaw, and W.-B. Shim. 2007. Fusarium verticillioides GAP1, a gene encoding a

putative glycolipid-anchored surface protein, participates in conidiation and cell wall structure but not

virulence. Microbiology 153: 2850-2861.


1) Awarded the 2009 Alexopolous Prize from the Mycological Society of America. This prestigious

award is based on research excellence in the field of fungal biology and is given to no more than

one researcher per year. Also awarded 2009 and 2010 SLATE Awards (Student Led Award for


113

Teaching Excellence) for my undergraduate fungal biology course at Texas A&M. This award is

student initiated and is based on end of course student evaluations.

2) Instructor for undergraduate course BESC 204 ‘Molds and Mushrooms’ that exposes beginning

students to the impact that fungi have on society and the environment. This course is designed to

allow the inclusion of current research from the PI’s laboratory.

Instructor for graduate course PLPA689 ‘Mycology:Cell Biology and Taxonomy’’ that focuses

on cutting edge concepts in cell and molecular biology and genomics examining pathogenesis and

fungal development. This course is designed to allow the inclusion of current research from the

PI’s laboratory. In the past five years I have mentored four PhD students as the major advisor and

eight PhD students as a committee member.

3) Member Texas A&M Faculty Senate. 2010-2013.

4) Member of The Program for the Biology of Filamentous Fungi (PBoFF) a cross departmental group

of 18 PI’s whose research focuses on basic biology of filamentous fungi. Participation in PBoFF

allows for unique collaborative opportunities within the area of fungal development. The focus of

PBoFF is to foster collaboration between programs and to enrich the educational opportunity of

students and post doctoral trainees.

5) Actively participate in the Mycological Society of America (MSA), American Phytopathological Society

(APS), American Society for Microbiology (ASM); Genetics Society of America (GSA). Elected

Councilor of Cell Biology and Physiology for MSA 2004-2006.

Collaborators and Other Affiliations:

Collaborators and Co-Editors:

1. Tom Bianchi, Texas A&M University

2. Paul de Figueiredo, Texas A&M University

3. Marty Dickman, Texas A&M University

4. Dan Ebbole, Texas A&M University

5. Tom Ficht, Texas A&M University

6. Louise Glass, UC Berekley

7. Steven Harris, University of Nebraska

8. Takao Kasuga,, UC Davis

9. Lei Li, Texas A&M University Eliezer Louzada, Texas A&M – Kingsville

10. Rosa Mourino-Perez, CICSE-Mexico

11. Zivko Nikolov, Texas A&M University

12. Meritxell Riquelme, CICSE-Mexico

13. Won-Bo Shim, Texas A&M University

14. Michael Thon, Univ. of Salamanca, Spain

15. Serenella Sukno, Univ. of Salamanca, Spain

16. Heather Wilkinson, Texas A&M University

Thesis Advisor and Postgraduate-Scholar Sponsor: 17. Julie Campbell, TAMU 28. Arlene Pacheco, TAMU

18. Soo Chan Lee, Duke University 29. Chili Wang, TAMU

19. Yoon E. Choi, Purdue University

20. Shawn Christensen, TAMU

21. Dawoon Chung, TAMU

22. Diego L. Delgado, CICESE Mexico

23. Charles Greenwald, TAMU Laura Higgins, TAMU

24. Patrick Kennedy, US Navy

25. Hyo Jin Kim, TAMU

26. Melissa Long, TAMU


114

WON-BO SHIM Associate Professor


Undergraduate Program in Bioenvironmental Sciences

Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2132

Tel: 979-458-2190, Fax: 979-845-6483, Email: wbshim at tamu.edu

A. Professional Preparation

Seoul National University, Korea Agricultural Biology B.S., 1992

Seoul National University, Korea Plant Pathology M.S., 1995

Purdue University, Indiana Plant Pathology Ph.D., 2000

USDA-ARS, Indiana Plant Pathology Postdoc, 2001 – 2003

B. Appointments

Associate Professor with Tenure, Dept. Plant Pathology & Microbiology, Texas A&M Univ. (2009 ~ )

Assistant Professor, Dept. Plant Pathology & Microbiology, Texas A&M Univ. (2003 ~ 2009)

Research Plant Pathologist, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, West Lafayette, IN (2001 ~ 2003)

C. TEACHING ACTIVITIES AT TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

BESC 403 Sampling and Environmental Monitoring (Undergraduate Course in Bioenvironmental

Sciences Program, 2004 ~ Present)

PLPA 623 Diseases of Field Crops (Graduate Course in Plant Pathology Program, 2003 ~ 2006)

PLPA 616 Methods in Molecular Biology of Plant-Microbe Interactions (Graduate Course in Plant

Pathology Program, 2007 ~ 2009)

D. Recent Peer-Reviewed Publications

(IN THE LAST 5 YEARS, *served as the Corresponding Author, the PI’s Advisees)

Mala Mukherjee, Jung-Eun Kim, Yong-Soon Park, Michael V. Kolomiets, and Won-Bo Shim*.

2011. Regulators of G protein signaling in Fusarium verticillioides mediate differential host-pathogen

responses on non-viable versus viable maize kernels. Molecular Plant Pathology (In Press - DOI:

10.1111/J.1364-3703.2010.00686.X)

Jinhua Jiang, Yingzi Yun, Jing Fu, Won-Bo Shim and Zhonghua Ma. 2011. Involvement of a putative

response regulator FgRrg-1 in osmotic stress response, fungicide resistance and virulence in Fusarium

graminearum. Molecular Plant Pathology (In Press - DOI: 10.1111/J.1364-3703.2010.00684.X )

Chih-Li Wang, Won-Bo Shim, and Brian Shaw. 2010. Aspergillus nidulans striatin (StrA) mediates

sexual development and localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum. Fungal Genetics and Biology 47: 789

– 799.

Li-Jun Ma et al. 2010. Fusarium comparative genomics reveals lineage-specific chromosomes related

to pathogenicity. Nature 464: 367 – 373.

Jung-Eun Kim, Hyo-Jin Lee, Jungkwan Lee, Ki-Woo Kim, Sung-Hwan Yun, Won-Bo Shim, and Yin-

Won Lee. 2009. Gibberella zeae chitin synthase genes, GzCHS5 and GzCHS7, are required for hyphal

growth, perithecia formation, and pathogenicity. Current Genetics 55: 449-459.

Yoon-E Choi, Jillian Brown, Courtney Williams, Lorena Canales, and Won-Bo Shim*. 2008.

GAC1, a gene encoding a putative GTPase-activating protein, regulates bikaverin biosynthesis in

Fusarium verticillioides. Mycologia 100: 695-703.

Yoshimi Yamamura and Won-Bo Shim*. 2008. The coiled-coil protein-binding motif in Fusarium

verticillioides Fsr1 is essential for maize stalk rot virulence. Microbiology 154: 1637-1645.


115

Yoon-E Choi and Won-Bo Shim*. 2008. Identification of genes associated with fumonisin

biosynthesis in Fusarium verticillioides via proteomics and quantitative real-time PCR. Journal of

Microbiology and Biotechnology 18: 648-657.

Yoon-E Choi and Won-Bo Shim*. 2008. Enhanced homologous recombination efficiency in

Fusarium verticillioides by disruption of FvKU70, a gene required for a non-homologous end joining

mechanism. The Plant Pathology Journal 24: 1-7.

Hye-Young Yu, Jeong-Ah Seo, Kap-Hoon Han, Won-Bo Shim, Sung-Hwan Yun, and Yin-Won Lee.

2008. Functional analyses of heterotrimeric G protein G and G subunits in Gibberella zeae.

Microbiology 154: 392-401.

Yoon-E Choi and Won-Bo Shim*. 2008. Functional characterization of F. verticillioides CPP1, a

gene encoding a putative protein phosphatase 2A catalytic subunit. Microbiology 154: 326-336.

Uma Shankar Sagaram, Brian D. Shaw, and Won-Bo Shim*. 2007. Fusarium verticillioides GAP1, a

gene encoding a putative glycolipid-anchored surface protein, participates in conidiation and cell wall

structure but not virulence. Microbiology 153:2850-2861.

Xiquan Gao, Won-Bo Shim, Cornelia Göbel, Susan Kunze, Ivo Feussner, Robert Meeley, and Michael

Kolomiets. 2007. Disruption of a maize 9-lipoxygenase results in increased resistance to fungal

pathogens and reduced levels of contamination with mycotoxin fumonisin. Molecular Plant-Microbe

Interactions 20: 922-933.

Uma Shankar Sagaram and Won-Bo Shim*. 2007. Fusarium verticillioides GBB1, a gene encoding

heterotrimeric G protein b subunit, is associated with fumonisin B1 biosynthesis and hyphal

development but not with fungal virulence. Molecular Plant Pathology 8: 375-384.

Jung-Eun Kim, Kilseon Myong, Won-Bo Shim, Sung-Hwan Yun, and Yin-Won Lee. 2007. Functional

characterization of acetylglutamate synthase and phosphoribosylamine-glycine ligase genes in

Gibberella zeae. Current Genetics 51: 99-108.

E. PROFESSIONAL SYNERGISTIC ACTIVITIES

Panelist, 2010 USDA-NIFA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Grants Program

Mentor, 2009 Norman E. Borlaug International Science and Technology Fellows: The Borlaug

Leadership Enhancement in Agriculture Program (LEAP).

Chair, Graduate Recruiting Committee, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Texas A&M

University, College Station, Texas (2009-2011)

Participant, 2009 U.S.-Africa Connections: A Workshop to Explore Basic Science Research

Collaborations for Agricultural Development. The Science & Technology program for Agricultural

Development at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF). Nairobi, Kenya

Panelist, 2008 USDA-CSREES National Research Initiative Grants Program

Reviewer, NSF, USDA-NRI, USDA-ARS, BARD, Austrian Science Foundation, South Africa NRF

Senior editor, Plant Health Instructor, American Phytopathological Society

Member, the American Phytopathological Society (1998 ~ Present)

Reviewer for Mycologia (Mycological Society of America), Crop Sciences (Crop Science Society of

America), Fungal Genetics and Biology (Elsevier Press), European Journal of Plant Pathology

(European Foundation for Plant Pathology), Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (American

Chemical Society), Mycological Research (British Mycological Society), Phytopathology (American

Phytopathological Society), Microbiology (Society of General Microbiology, United Kingdom),

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions (American Phytopathological Society), Physiological and

Molecular Plant Pathology (Elsevier Press), Journal of Basic Microbiology (Wiley InterScience),

FEMS Microbiology Letters (Federation of European Microbiological Societies), The Plant Pathology

Journal (Korean Society of Plant Pathology), Journal of Applied Microbiology (The Society for

Applied Microbiology)

Research Funding Support from USDA-NIFA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Grants

Programs, USAID-Linkage Program, and Texas AgriLife Research


116

JAMES L. STARR Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology



979/845-8278

[email protected]

EDUCATION:

B. S. Plant Pathology, 1971, Ohio State University

M. S. Plant Pathology, 1972, Ohio State University

Ph. D. Plant Pathology, 1976, Cornell University

PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS:

1981-Present: Associate Professor and Professor, Dept Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Texas

A&M University, College Station, TX

2007-Present: Executive Officer, American Peanut Research & Education Society

2006: Visiting Scientist, AgResearch Ltd., Grasslands Research Centre, New Zealand (6 mo)

1995: Visiting Professor, Dept Plant Pathology, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI (6 mo)

1979 -1981: Nematologist, Nematode Advisory Section, NC Dept. Agriculture, Raleigh, NC

1976-1979: Research Associate, Dept Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University,

1978-1979: Visiting Nematologist, Pulse Improvement Program, International Crops Research

Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Hyderabad, India (8 months)

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES: American Phytopathological Society

Senior Editor, APS Press (1992-1995)

Senior Editor, Plant Health Progress (2000 - 2002)

American Peanut Research and Education Society - Executive Officer (2007-present)

European Society of Nematologists - Governing Board (2004-2008)

Organization of Tropical American Nematologists

Society of Nematologists

President (1996-1997)

Associate Editor, Journal of Nematology (1984-1985)

Editor, Journal of Nematology (1989-1991)

Senior Editor, Journal of Nematology (2002)

Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Nematology (2003-2005)

N. A. Cobb Foundation, Vice-Chair (2000-2002)

Southern Region Pesticide Impact Assessment Committee (1986 and 1987 review panels)

USDA-CREES IPM Alternatives Program - proposal review panel (1997)

USDA-CREES Western Region IPM - proposal review panel (2000-2005)

Associate Editor, Fundamental and Applied Nematology (1995-1999)

Editorial Board, Nematology (1999-2002, 2010 - present)

US-Israel BARD program, Plant Protection Panel (2006)

HONORS AND AWARDS: Distinguished Alumni, College of Food, Agriculture and Environment, The Ohio State University,

2008

Fellow, American Phytopathological Society, 2006

Fellow, Society of Nematologists, 2003

American Peanut Council Research and Teaching Award, 2001

Bailey Research Award, American Peanut Research & Education Society, 1998 and 2000


117

Outstanding Professor, TAMU Plant Sciences Club, 1983-84

RESEARCH SUMMARY: The identification, characterization and development of resistance to nematodes, resulting in the release

of several resistant breeding lines and the first ever peanut cultivar with nematode resistance. I have

investigated some of the basic aspects of nematode- plant interactions especially the characterization of

the multinucleate condition of nematode induced feeding sites in the host and the relationship between

this multinucleate condition, development of the nematode parasite, and quantifying gene expression in

these feeding sites.

Teaching:

PLPA 301 Introduction to Plant Pathology, 3 credit hour, undergraduate

PLPA 484 Professional Internship, 1 to 3 credit hours, undergraduate

PLPA 603 Plant Disease Management, 3 credit hour, graduate, offered online

PLPA 610Host Plant Resistance, 3 credit hour, graduate, team taught course

PUBLICATION SUMMARY: Refereed Journals (Published, In Press, or Submitted) - 84

Books - 3

Book Chapters and Other Miscellaneous Publications - 31

Published Abstracts - 101

Germplasm Releases - 3 cotton breeding lines resistant to root-knot nematodes, 2 peanut breeding

lines resistant to root-knot nematodes

Cultivar Releases - nematode-resistant peanut cultivars COAN (1999) and NemaTAM

(2002)

Key Publications:

Starr, J. L., Moresco, E., Smith, C. W.,Nichols, R. L., Roberts, P. A., and Chee, P. 2010. Inheritance of

resistance to Meloidoygne incognita in primitive cotton accessions from Mexico. Journal of

Nematology 42:Submitted

He, B.,C. Magill, and J. L. Starr. 2005. Laser capture microdissection and real-time PCR for measuring

mRNA in giant cells induced by Meloidogyne javanica. Journal of Nematology 37:308-312.

Zhou, E., and J. L. Starr. 2003. A comparison of the damage functions, root galling and reproduction of

Meloidogyne incognita on resistant and susceptible cotton cultivars. Journal of Cotton Science

7:224-230.

Church, G. T., C. E. Simpson, M. D. Burow, A. H. Paterson, and J. L. Starr. 2000. Use of RFLP markers

for identification of individuals homozygous for resistance to Meloidogyne arenaria in peanut.

Nematology 2:575-580

Starr, J. L., M. J. Jeger, R. D. Martyn, and K. Schilling. 1989. Effects of Meloidogyne incognita and

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum on plant mortality and yield of cotton. Phytopathology

79:640-646.


118

KARL STEDDOM Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist

Texas AgriLife Extension Service

P.O. Box 38

Overton, TX 75684

903-834-6191

[email protected]

ACADEMIC PREPARATION:

Ph.D. Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside, 2000

B.S. Botany, minor in Plant Pathology, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, 1995


Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist - Plant Pathology, Texas AgriLife Extension Service,

Overton, Texas, 2005 to present.

Associate Research Scientist, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Amarillo, 2004 to 2005.

Assistant Research Scientist, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Amarillo, 2000 to 2004.

Adjunct Faculty, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, 2001 to 2005

PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES:

Allen, T., F. Workneh, K.C. Steddom, G.L. Peterson, and C.M. Rush, 2008. The influence of tilliage on

dispersal of Tilletia indica teliospores from a concentrated point source. Plant Disease 92(3):351-

356.

Mustafa Mirik, Karl Steddom, and Gerald J. Michels Jr., 2006. Estimating biophysical characteristics of

Musk Thistle (Carduus nutans) with three remote sensing instruments. Rangeland Ecology and

Management 59:44-54.

K. Steddom, D. Jones, C.M. Rush, 2005. A picture is worth a thousand words. APSnet feature article.

http://apsnet.org/online/feature/remote/

Steddom, K., McMullen, M., Schatz, B., and Rush, C. M. 2005. Comparing image format and resolution

for assessment of foliar diseases of wheat. Online. Plant Health Progress doi:10.1094/PHP-2005-

0516-01-RS

Steddom, K., M. Bredehoeft, M. Khan, and C.M. Rush, 2005. Precision of visual and radiometric disease

evaluations for Cercospora Leaf Spot of Sugar Beet. Plant Disease 89:153-158

Steddom, K., G. Heidel, D. Jones, and C.M. Rush, 2003. Remote detection of Rhizomania in sugar beets.


Workneh, F., E. Villanueva, K. Steddom, and C.M. Rush, 2003. Spatial association and distribution of

beet necrotic yellow vein virus and beet soilborne mosaic virus in sugar beet fields. Plant Disease

87:707-711

K. Steddom, J.A. Menge, D. Crowley, and J. Borneman, 2002. The effect of repetitive applications of the

biocontrol bacterium Pseudomonas putida 06909-rif/nal on citrus soil microbial communities.


K. Steddom, O. Becker, and J.A. Menge, 2002. Repetitive applications of the biocontrol agent,

Pseudomonas putida 06909-rif/nal, and effects on populations of Phytophthora parasitica in citrus

orchards. Phytopathology 92:850-856.



119

Steddom, K.C., and J.A. Menge 2001. Evaluation of continuous application technology for delivery of

the biocontrol agent Pseudomonas putida 06909-rif/nal. Plant Disease 85:387-392.

ABSTRACTS AND TECHNICAL ARTICLES (SINCE 2006)

Karl Steddom and Jake Pruett, 2011. Evaluation of fungicides for management of black root rot of

pansy, 2010. Plant Disease Management Reports. In Press.

Karl Steddom and David Kimberly, 2009. Evaluation of fungicides for management of Phytophthora

blight on annual vinca. Plant Disease Management Reports. Report 3:OT030

Steddom, K., K. Ong, and J. Starr, 2010. Incorporation of edible brassicaceous greens did not control

nematode populations. Phytopathology 100:S123

Steddom, K., 2009. Detection of Phytophthora in recycled nursery irrigation water in East Texas.

Phytopathology 99:S124

Steddom, K., K. Ong, and J. Starr, 2008. Efficacy of various brassica varieties for the suppression of root

knot, ring, and stunt nematodes. Phytopathology 98:S150.

Ong, K., K. Steddom, and J. Starr, 2008. Effects of glucosinolates from brassicaceous plants on

nematode populations. Phytopathology 98:S116.

Steddom, K., and K. Ong, 2007. Evaluation of Brassica spp. for production of isothiocyanate precursors

and biomass for suppression of root knot nematode. Phytopathology 97:S110.

Allen, T., K. Steddom, F. Workneh, and C. M. Rush, 2006. Telletia indica teliospore dispersal from a

concentrated point source. Phytopathology 96:S4.

Nelson, L., and K. Steddom, 2006. Southern Blight on annual ryegrass in Texas. Abst. ASA-CSS-SSSA

International Meetings, Indianapolis, IN., Session 249-2

POPULAR PRESS (SINCE 2006)

Karl Steddom. Phytophthora: Plant Destroyer. TNLA Green, April 2010 p. 27.

Karl Steddom and Scott Ludwig, 2007. Hosta Virus X: Still a Problem. TNLA Green, April 2007 p. 28.

Karl Steddom and Scott Ludwig, 2006. Where did this pest come from? TNLA Green, September 2006

p. 20.


120

XIAOFENG WANG Assistant Professor

Texas AgriLife Research



2415 East Highway 83, Weslaco, TX

(956) 969-5633(office), (956) 969-5620(fax)

[email protected]

Education:

China Agriculture University Plant Genetics and Breeding BS 1992

Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Plant Genetics and Breeding MS 1995

Michigan State University Genetics PhD 2002

University of Wisconsin Molecular Virology Post-doc 2002-07

Professional appointments:

Aug. 2009 – present: Assistant Professor, Texas AgriLife Research and Department of Plant

Pathology & Microbiology, Texas A&M University System.

July. 2007 – Jul. 2009: Assistant Scientist, Institute for Molecular Virology, Univ. of Wisconsin,

Madison.

Aug. 1995 – Jun. 1997: Group Leader, Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of

Agricultural Sciences

Research interest:

Viral RNA replication mechanisms & virus-host interactions of positive-strand RNA viruses

Interactions between host membrane composition and Brome mosaic virus (BMV)

replication complex assembly and functions in yeast and plants

Host genes involved in BMV replication complex assembly: acyl-coA binding protein

(ACBP) & multivesicular body (MVB) sorting pathway

Mechanism-based antiviral strategies in plants: Manipulating synthesis of unsaturated

fatty acids to control viral replication

Publications:

Diaz A. Wang X. and Ahlquist P. (2010) Membrane-shaping reticulon proteins play crucial roles in

forming viral RNA replication compartments. PNAS 107: 16291-16296

Liu L., Westler W., den Boon J., Wang X., Diaz A., and Ahlquist P. (2009) Crucial roles of an

amphipathic alpha helix in membrane association and function of brome mosaic virus replication factor

1a. PLoS Pathog 5: e1000351. doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1000351

Wang, X., and Ahlquist P. (2008) Filling a GAP(DH) in asymmetric viral RNA synthesis. Cell Host &

Micobe. 3: 124-125



121

Wang, X., and Ahlquist P. (2008) Brome mosaic virus. In: Encyclopedia of Virology (B.W.J. Mahy and

M.H.V.Regenmortel, eds), Third Edition, pp. 381-386, Academic Press, New York.

Wang, X., Lee, W.M., Watanabe, T., Schwartz, M., Janda, M., and Ahlquist, P. (2005) Brome mosaic

virus 1a nucleoside triphosphatase/helicase domain plays crucial roles in recruiting RNA replication

templates. Journal of Virology 79: 13747-13758 (Featured in SPOTLIGHT)

Wang X., and Grumet R. (2004) Identification and characterization of proteins that interact with the

carboxy terminus of poly(A)-binding protein and inhibit translation in vitro. Plant Molecular Biology 54:

85-98

Wang X., Ullah Z., and Grumet R. (2000) Interaction between zucchini yellow mosaic potyvirus RNA-

dependent RNA polymerase and host poly- (A) binding protein. Virology 275:433-443

Dong Y., Wang X., and Jia S. (1999) Cloning and site-directed mutagenesis of E. coli glg C gene. Journal

of Agricultural Biotechnology 7: 173-177

Wang Y., Jia S., Chen A., Tang Y., Xia Z. and Wang X. (1998) Transformation of mulberry cotyledons

with cecropin gene and regeneration of transgenic plants resistant to Pseudomonas solanacearum

Dowson. Acta Sericologica Sinica 24: 136-140

Zheng P., Wang Z., Wang X., and Jia S. (1995) Northern analysis of transgenic plants expressing

antibacterial polypeptide genes. In: Genetic engineering of Chinese potato cultivars

with bacterial wilt resistance by transgenic expression of antibacterial peptide genes. Editors:

Jia Shirong, Qu Xianming and Tang Yixiong. Agr. and Science Press, Beijing

Dong Y., Wang X. (1993) Enhancing starch content in potato with genetic engineering. Progress in Bio-

engineering 12: 58-61


122

TERRY WHEELER Professor

Texas Agrilife Research

1102 E. FM 1294, Lubbock, TX 79403

Phone (806) 746-4014, Fax (806) 746-6528, email: [email protected]

Educational background

Ph.D, North Carolina State University, 1990

M.S., Texas A&M University, 1987

B. S., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 1982

Employment history:

2007 to current: Professor in Plant Pathology with Texas AgriLife Research, Lubbock

2000 to 2007: Associate Professor in Plant Pathology with the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station,

located in Lubbock

1994 –2000: Assistant Professor in Plant Pathology with the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station,

located in Lubbock

1994 – 1996: 75% Assistant Professor with Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Lubbock, and

25% time as an Assistant Professor with Texas Tech University.

1990 – 1994: Research Associate with Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center.

1987 – 1989: Research assistant at North Carolina State University.

1985 – 1986: Research assistant at Texas A&M University.

1982 – 1984: Plant pathologist in the Peace Corps, located in La Ceiba, Honduras.

Scientific Memberships:

American Phytopathological Society (subscriber to Phytopathology, Plant Disease, and Plant

Management Network); Society of Nematologists (subscriber to Journal of Nematology); American

Peanut Education Society (subscriber to Peanut Science). Yearly attendee at the Beltwide Cotton

Conference.

Area of Expertise:

Cotton diseases: bacterial blight, Fusarium wilt, Verticillium wilt, root-knot and reniform nematodes,

seedling diseases.

Peanut diseases: Pod rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani and Pythium spp., Sclerotinia blight.

Publications:

Wheeler, T. A., J. E. Woodward, and B. G. Mullinix, Jr. 2010. Effect of seedling rate on

Verticillium wilt incidence, yield, and value for three cotton cultivars. Journal of Cotton Science 14:173-

180.

Vandiver, M., T. A. Wheeler, and B. G. Mullinix, Jr. 2010. Evalution of commercial aerial

imagery to assess variability of height and yield in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) fields. Texas Journal

of Agriculture and Natural Resources 23:26-41.

Wilson, J. N., T. A. Wheeler, and B. G. Mullinix Jr. 2010. Effect of sodium hypocholorite on

mortality of Sclerotinia minor sclerotia. Peanut Science 37:92-94.

French-Monar, R. D., A. F. Patton III, J. M. Douglas, J. A. Abad, G. Schuster, R. W. Wallace,

and T. A. Wheeler. 2010. First report of “Candidatus liberibacter solanacearum” on field tomatoes in the

United States. Plant Disease 94:481.

Gao, X., T. Wheeler, Z. Li, C. M. Kenerley, P. He, and L. Shan. 2011. Silencing GhNDR1 and

GhMKK2 compromised cotton resistance to Verticillium wilt. The Plant Journal (accepted doi:

10.1111/j/1365-313X.2011.04491.x).



123

Wheeler, T. A., J. W. Keeling, J. P. Bordvosdy, J. Everitt, K. F. Bronson, R. K. Boman, and B. G.

Mullinix Jr. 2009. Effect of irrigation rates on three cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivars in a root-

knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) infested field. Journal of Cotton Science 13:56-66.

Wheeler, T. A., J. F. Leser, M. D. Arnold, M. N. Parajulee, and B. G. Mullinix, Jr. 2008.

Frequency of enhanced degradation of aldicarb on field soils from the High Plains of Texas. Journal of

Cotton Science 12:325-330.

Wheeler, T. A., D. O. Porter, D. Archer, and B. G. Mullinix, Jr. 2008. Effect of fumigation on

Rotylenchulus reniformis population density through subsurface drip irrigation located every other

furrow. Journal of Nematology 40:210-216.

Choppakatla, V., T. A. Wheeler, G. L. Schuster, C. Robinson, and D. O. Porter. 2008.

Relationship of soil moisture with the incidence of pod rot in peanut in west Texas. Peanut Sci. 35:116-

122.

Niu, C., H. E. Lister, B. Nguyen, T. A. Wheeler, and R. J. Wright. 2008 Resistance to

Thielaviopsis basicola in the cultivated A genome cotton. Theoretical Applied Genetics 117:1313-1323.

Wheeler, T. A., J. F. Leser, J. W. Keeling, and B. Mullinix. 2008. Effect of terminated cover crop

and aldicarb on cotton yield and Meloidogyne incognita population density. Journal of Nematology

40:147-151.

Robinson, A. F., A. Westphal, C. Overstreet, G. B. Padgett, S. M. Greenberg, T. A. Wheeler, and

S. R. Stetina. 2008. Detection of suppressiveness against Rotylenchulus reniformis in soil from cotton

(Gossypium hirsutum) fields in Texas and Louisiana. Journal of Nematology 40:35-38.

Woodward, J. E., M. A. Batla, P. A. Dotray, T. A. Wheeler, and T. A. Baughman. 2008. First

report of Sclerotinia minor infecting Ipomoea hederacea and I. coccinea in Texas. Plant Disease 92:482.

Allen, V. G., C. P. Brown, E. Segarra, C. J. Green, T. A. Wheeler, V. Acosta-Martinez, and T. M.

Zobeck. 2008. In search of sustainable agricultural systems for the Llano Estacado of the U. S. Southern

High Plains. Agriculture, Ecosystems, and Environment 124:3-12.

Wheeler, T. A., U. S. Sagaram, G. L. Schuster, and J. R. Gannaway. 2007. Identification of

factors that influence screening for bacterial blight resistance. J. Cotton Science 11:91-97.

Wheeler, T. A., J. Cotton, and D. O. Porter. 2007. Effect of irrigation parameters on concentration

of mefenoxam in soil over time and depth in greenhouse studies. Peanut Sci. 34:17-21.

Starr, J. L., T. Raghvan, M. A. Henry, C. M. Kenerley, and T. A. Wheeler. 2006. Botrytis blight

of peanut: cultivar susceptibility and pathogen fungicide sensitivity. Peanut Sci 33:147-151.

Wheeler, T. A., C. R. Howell, J. Cotton, and D. Porter. 2006. Pythium species associated with

pod rot on west Texas peanuts and in vitro sensitivity of isolates to mefenoxam and azoxystrobin. Peanut

Science 32:9-13.


124

HEATHER H. WILKINSON Associate Professor



Office Phone: 979-845-1491, Fax: 979-845-6483

e-mail: [email protected]

Education 1992-1996 Ph.D., Biology, State University of New York - Binghamton

1989-1990 M.A.T., Science Education-Biology, Boston University

1985-1989 B.A., Biology, Boston University


2005 – present Associate Professor, Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Texas A&M University

1999 – 2005 Assistant Professor, Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Texas A&M University

1997 – 1999 Assistant Research Professor, Plant Pathology, University of Kentucky

1995 – 1997 Postdoctoral Scholar, Plant Pathology, University of Kentucky

Publications

Peer Reviewed Articles (my students underline, my postdoc double underline)

Hollister, E. B., A. M. Hammett, M. T. Holtzapple, T. J. Gentry, and H. H. Wilkinson. 2011. Microbial

community composition and dynamics in a semi-industrial-scale facility operating under the

MixAlco™ bioconversion platform. Journal of Applied Microbiology 110:587-596.

Chung, D.-W., C. Greenwald, S. Upadhyay, S. Ding, H. H. Wilkinson, D. J. Ebbole, and B. D. Shaw.

2011. acon-3, the Neurospora crassa ortholog of the developmental modifier, medA,

complements the conidiation defect of the Aspergillus nidulans mutant. Fungal Genetics and

Biology.

Hollister, E. B., A. S. Engledow, A. J. M. Hammett, T. L. Provin, H. H. Wilkinson, and T. J. Gentry.

2010a. Shifts in microbial community structure along an ecological gradient of hypersaline soils

and sediments. The ISME Journal 4:829-838.

Hollister, E. B., A. K. Forrest, H. H. Wilkinson, D. J. Ebbole, S. A. Malfatti, S. G. Tringe, M. T.

Holtzapple, and T. J. Gentry. 2010b. Structure and dynamics of the microbial communities

underlying the carboxylate platform for biofuel production. Applied Microbiology and

Biotechnology 88:389-399.

Greenwald, C. J., T. Kasuga, N. L. Glass, B. D. Shaw, D. J. Ebbole, and H. H. Wilkinson. 2010.

Temporal and Spatial Regulation of Gene Expression During Asexual Development of

Neurospora crassa. Genetics 186:1217-1230.

Kutil, B., C. Greenwald, G. Liu, M. Spiering, C. Schardl, and H. Wilkinson. 2007. Comparison of loline

alkaloid gene clusters across fungal endophytes: Predicting the co-regulatory sequence motifs and

the evolutionary history. Fungal Genetics and Biology 44:1002-1010.

Shim, W. B., U. S. Sagaram, Y. E. Choi, J. So, H. H. Wilkinson, and Y. W. Lee. 2006. FSR1 is essential

for virulence and female fertility in Fusarium verticillioides and F-graminearum. Molecular Plant-

Microbe Interactions 19:725-733.

Saengkerdsub, S., R. C. Anderson, H. H. Wilkinson, W. K. Kim, D. J. Nisbet, and S. C. Ricke. 2006.

Identification and Quantification of Methanogenic Archaea in Adult Chicken Ceca. Applied and


Zhang, J., C. Simmons, N. Yalpani, V. Crane, H. Wilkinson, and M. Kolomiets. 2005. Genomic Analysis

of the 12-oxo-phytodienoic Acid Reductase Gene Family of Zea mays. Plant Molecular Biology

59:323-343.



125

Spiering, M. J., C. D. Moon, H. H. Wilkinson, and C. L. Schardl. 2005. Gene clusters for insecticidal

loline alkaloids in the grass-endophytic fungus Neotyphodium uncinatum. Genetics 169:1403-

1414.

Li, D., P. Bobrowicz, H. Wilkinson, and D. J. Ebbole. 2005. A Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase

Pathway Essential for Mating and Contributing to Vegetative Growth in Neurospora crassa.

Genetics 170:1091-1104.

Xie, X., H. H. Wilkinson, A. Correa, Z. A. Lewis, D. Bell-Pedersen, and D. J. Ebbole. 2004.

Transcriptional response to glucose starvation and functional analysis of a glucose transporter of

Neurospora crassa. Fungal Genetics and Biology 41:1104-1119.

Wilkinson, H. H., A. Ramaswamy, S. C. Sim, and N. P. Keller. 2004. Increased conidiation associated

with progression along the sterigmatocystin biosynthetic pathway. Mycologia 96:1190-1198.

Kutil, B. L., G. Liu, J. Vrebalov, and H. H. Wilkinson. 2004. Contig assembly and microsynteny analysis

using a bacterial artificial chromosome library for Epichloë festucae, a mutualistic fungal

endophyte of grasses. Fungal Genetics and Biology 41:23-32.

Spiering, M. J., H. H. Wilkinson, J. D. Blankenship, and C. L. Schardl. 2002. Expressed sequence tags

and genes associated with loline alkaloid expression by the fungal endophyte Neotyphodium

uncinatum. Fungal Genet Biol 36:242-254.

Blankenship, J. D., M. J. Spiering, H. H. Wilkinson, F. F. Fannin, L. P. Bush, and C. L. Schardl. 2001.

Production of loline alkaloids by the grass endophyte, Neotyphodium uncinatum, in defined

media. Phytochemistry 58:395-401.

Wilkinson, H. H., M. R. Siegel, J. D. Blankenship, A. C. Mallory, L. P. Bush, and C. L. Schardl. 2000.

Contribution of fungal loline alkaloids to protection from aphids in a grass-endophyte mutualism.

Mol Plant Microbe Interact 13:1027-1033.

Miles, C. O., M. E. di Menna, S. W. Jacobs, I. Garthwaite, G. A. Lane, R. A. Prestidge, S. L. Marshall, H.

H. Wilkinson, C. L. Schardl, O. J. Ball, and G. C. Latch. 1998. Endophytic fungi in indigenous

Australasian grasses associated with toxicity to livestock. Appl Environ Microbiol 64:601-606.

Parker, M. A. and H. H. Wilkinson. 1997. A locus controlling nodulation specificity in Amphicarpaea

bracteata (Leguminosae). Journal of Heredity 88:449-453.

Bush, L. P., H. H. Wilkinson, and C. L. Schardl. 1997. Bioprotective alkaloids of grass-fungal endophyte

symbioses. Plant Physiology 114:1-7.

Wilkinson, H. H. and M. A. Parker. 1996. Symbiotic specialization and the potential for genotypic

coexistence in a plant-bacterial mutualism. Oecologia 108:361-367.

Wilkinson, H. H., J. M. Spoerke, and M. A. Parker. 1996. Divergence in symbiotic compatibility in a

legume-Bradyrhizobium mutualism. Evolution 50:1470-1477.

Spoerke, J. M., H. H. Wilkinson, and M. A. Parker. 1996. Nonrandom genotypic associations in a legume

- Bradyrhizobium mutualism. Evolution 50:146-154.

Invited Articles, Proceedings, and Book Chapters

Young, C. and H. H. Wilkinson. 2010. Epichloë endophytes: models of an ecological strategy.in K. A.

Borkovich and D. J. Ebbole, editors. Cellular and Molecular Biology of Filamentous Fungi. ASM

Press, Washington, DC

Zhang, Y., H. H. Wilkinson, N. P. Keller, and D. Tsitsigiannis. 2004. Secondary metabolite gene clusters.

Pages 355-387 in Z. An, editor. Handbook of Industrial Mycology. Marcel Dekker, Inc., New

York.

Schardl, C., J. Wang, H. Wilkinson, and K.-R. Chung. 2000. Genetic analysis of biosynthesis and roles of

anti-herbivore alkaloids produced by grass endophytes.in S. Kumagai, T. Goto, K. Kawai, H.

Takahashi, K. Yabe, T. Yoshizawa, H. Koga, H. Kamimura, and M. Akao, editors. Mycotoxin

contamination:health risk and prevention project. Japanese Association of Mycotoxicology,

Chiba, Japan.


126

JASON E. WOODWARD Assistant Professor and Extension Plant Pathologist

Plant Pathology & Microbiology (Texas A&M System) 75% Extension

Plant & Soil Science (Texas Tech University) 25% Teaching

Education: B.S. (Biology) Southwestern Oklahoma State University (1999)

M.S. (Plant Pathology) Oklahoma State University (2002)

Ph.D. (Plant Pathology) University of Georgia (2006)

Extension Program: Service clientele in the area of disease diagnosis. Assist county faculty (CEAs and

EA-IPMs) in planning and implementation of educational meetings, crop tours and demonstration plots as

it relates to disease management for row crops (primarily cotton and peanuts). Develop educational

materials for increasing clientele awareness/understanding of disease issues on the Southern High Plains.

Collaborate with other Extension Specialists, AgriLIFE Research personnel, colleagues at Texas Tech

University, USDA-ARS, Texas Department of Agriculture, and producer organizations Plains Cotton

Growers, Lamesa Cotton Growers, National Cotton Council, Cotton Incorporated, Texas peanut

Producers Board, National Peanut Board and West Texas Peanut Producers in identifying important

issues.

Research Activities: Conduct applied research trials addressing major and emerging disease issues that

negatively impact production on the High Plains. Research efforts are concentrated in the area of

integrated disease management through the use of innovative, cost effective strategies comprised of new

fungicides or fungicide combinations, and cultural practices. Additional aspects include plant disease

epidemiology, management of fungicide resistance, and plant disease diagnosis.

Teaching Activities: Responsibilities at Texas Tech University, Department of Plant and Soil Science

(PSS) include teaching Agricultural Plant Pathology, and Advanced Agricultural Plant Pathology, a

Graduate level course in Plant Disease Management, provide guest lecturers in several courses within

PSS, as well as training graduate students and serving on student committees.

Service: Serve as an ad-hoc reviewer for six journals (Plant Disease Phytopathology, Plant Health

Progress, Cotton Science, Peanut Science, and Crop Protection), and Associate Editor for Plant Health

Progress. Actively participate in several professional societies such as the American Phytopathological

Society (APS), Southern Division APS, American Peanut Research and Education Society, National

Cotton Council Seedling Disease and Nematode Committees and the International Sclerotinia Working

Group. Actively participate in numerous Departmental (Plant Pathology & Microbiology, as well as Plant

and Soil Science) and Station committees.

Grants and Contracts Awarded: As principal investigator or co-investigator, from 2006-2010,

approximately $661,000 in funding or gifts were obtained to support Extension programs and applied

research, of which approximately $649,000 were I was the principal investigator. Nine proposals were

submitted, but not funded for a total of $1,150,854.

Publications and Professional Output: A total of 16 refereed journal articles have been published over

my career (with 1 in press). Four non-peer (Editor) reviewed articles have been published as well as

numerous proceedings (56), abstracts (16), Extension publications (14), and Extension materials (49).

Refereed Journal Articles:


127

Woodward, J.E., T.A. Wheeler, M.G. Cattaneo, S.A. Russell and T.A. Baughman. 20__.

Evaluation of soil fumigants for management of Verticillium wilt of peanut in Texas. Plant

Health Progress (In-press Jan. 2011)

Woodward, J.E., T.B. Brenneman, R.C. Kemerait, A.K. Culbreath, and N.B. Smith. 2010. Management of

peanut diseases with reduced input fungicide programs in fields with varying levels of disease risk.

Crop Protection 29:222-229.

Reed, J. J. Woodward, L. Kahler, K. Ong, and M. Black. 2010. First report of Stemphylium leaf spot of

spinach in Texas. Plant Dis. 94:1377.

Wheeler, T.A., J.E. Woodward, and B.G. Mullinex. 2010. Effect of seed density on yield, value, and

Verticillium wilt incidence for three cotton cultivars. Cotton Sci. 14:173-180.

Grichar, W. J., Jaks, A. J., and Woodward, J. 2010. Using prothioconazole plus tebuconazole for foliar

and soilborne disease control in Texas peanut. Online. Crop Management doi:10.1094/CM-2010-

0405-02-RS.

Isakeit, T., J.E. Woodward, C. Niu, and R.J. Wright. 2010. First report of Sclerotinia stem rot of

canola caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in Texas. Plant Dis. 94:792.

Woodward, J.E. and T.B. Brenneman. 2008. Development of an inoculation method for quantifying

fungicide residues on peanut foliage. Peanut Sci. 35:25-31.

Woodward, J.E., M.A. Batla, P.A. Dotray, T.A. Wheeler, and T.A. Baughman. 2008. First report of

Sclerotinia minor infecting Ipomoea hederacea and I. coccinea in Texas. Plant Dis. 92:482.

Woodward, J.E., C. Niu, R.J. Wright, M.A. Batla, and T.A. Baughman. 2008. First report of Sclerotinia

sclerotiorum infecting peanut in Texas. Plant Dis. 92:1468.

Woodward, J.E., T.B. Brenneman, R.C. Kemerait, N.B. Smith. A.K. Culbreath, and K.L. Stevenson.

2008. Use of resistant cultivars and reduced fungicide programs to manage peanut diseases in

irrigated and non-irrigated fields. Plant Dis. 92:896-902.

Niu, C., H. Kebede, D.L. Auld, J.E. Woodward, G. Burow, and R.J. Wright. 2008. A safe inexpensive

method to isolate high quality plant and fungal DNA in an open laboratory environment. African.

J. Biotech. 7:2818-2822.

Woodward, J.E., T.B. Brenneman, R.C. Kemerait, A.K. Culbreath, and J.R. Clark. 2006. First report of

Sclerotinia blight caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorium on peanut in Georgia. Plant Dis. 90:111.

Woodward, J.E., T.B. Brenneman, R.C. Kemerait, A.K. Culbreath, and J.R. Clark. 2006. Sclerotinia blight

in Georgia and evidence for resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorium in runner peanuts. Online. Plant

Health Progress. doi:10.1094/PHP-2006-0531-01-RS.

Woodward, J.E., S.K. Gremillion, J.H. Brock, R.C. Kemerait, D.B. Langston, and J.L. Williams-

Woodward. 2006. Lilium lancifolium is discovered as a new host of Botryosphaeria parva in

Georgia. Online. Plant Health Progress doi:10.1094/PHP-2006-1127-02-BR.

Woodward, J.E., N.R. Walker, J.W. Dillwith, D.L. Martin, and H. Zhang. 2005. The influence of

fungicides on Arthrobotrys oligospora in simulated putting green soil. Ann. Applied Biol. 146:115-

121.

Woodward, J. E., D. B. Langston, Jr., J. H. Brock, R. C. Kemerait, Jr., T. B. Brenneman, and G. H. Beard.

2005. First demonstration of Koch’s postulates for Lasiodiplodia theobromae fruit spot on eggplant

(Solanum melongena). Plant Dis. 89:687.

Woodward, J. E., T. B. Brenneman, R. C. Kemerait, Jr., and A. K. Culbreath, and J. R. Clark. 2005. First

report of Botrytis blight of peanut caused by Botrytis cinerea in Georgia. Plant Dis. 89:910.


128

QINGYI YU Assistant Professor

Plant Molecular Biologist



Texas AgriLife Research Center

2415 E Hwy 83

Weslaco, TX 78596

Phone: (956) 969-5636


Educational Background:

Ph.D. 2003, Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa

M.Sc. 2000, Horticulture, China Agriculture University, P. R. China

B.Sc. 1993, Cell Biology, Wuhan University, P. R. China

Professional Appointments:

2009 – present: Assistant Professor, Texas AgriLife Research Center, Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology,


2005 – present: Affiliate graduate faculty. Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of

Hawaii at Manoa

2004 – 2009: Plant Molecular Biologist. Hawaii Agriculture Research Center

2003 – 2004: Post-doctoral Research Associate. Hawaii Agriculture Research Center

Selected Publications:

Zhang,W., Wai, C.M., Ming, R., Yu, Q., Jiang, J. 2010. Integration of genetic and cytological maps and development of a pachytene

chromosome-based karyotype in papaya. Tropical plant biology 3: 166-170

Damaj, M.D., P.D. Beremand, M.T. Buenrostro-Nava, J. Ivy, S.P. Kumpatla, J. Jifon, G. Beyene, Q. Yu, T.L. Thomas, T.E. Mirkov.

2010. Isolating promoters of multigene family members from polyploidy sugarcane genome by PCR-based walking in BAC

DNA. Genome 53: 840-847

Wai, C.M., R. Ming, P.H. Moore, R.E. Paull, Q. Yu. 2010. Development of chromosome-specific cytogenetic markers and merging of

linkage fragments in papaya. Tropical plant biology 3: 171-181

Wu, X., J. Wang, J.K. Na, Q. Yu, R.C. Moore, F. Zee, S.C. Huber, R. Ming. 2010. The origin of the non-recombining

region of sex chromosomes in Carica and Vasconcellea. Plant Journal 63: 801-810.

Wang, J., B. Roe, S. Macmil, Q. Yu, J.E. Murray, H. Tang, C. Chen, F. Najar, G. Wiley, J. Bowers, M.-A. Van Sluys,

D.S. Rokhsar, M.E. Hudson, S.P. Moose, A.H. Paterson, R. Ming. 2010. Microcollinearity between autopolyploid

sugarcane and diploid sorghum genomes. BMC genomics 11: 261. Blas A.L., R. Ming, Z. Liu, O.J. Veatch, R.E. Paull, P.H. Moore, Q. Yu. 2010. Cloning of papaya chromoplast specific lycopene β-

cyclase, CpCYC-b, controlling fruit flesh color reveals conserved microsynteny and a recombination hotspot. Plant

Physiology 152:2013-2022.

Yu, Q., E. Tong, R.L. Skelton, J.E. Bowers, M.R. Jones, J.E. Murray, S. Hou, P. Guan, R.A. Acob, M.C. Luo, P.H. Moore,

M. Alam, A.H. Paterson, R. Ming. 2009. A physical map of the papaya genome with integrated genetic map and

genome sequence. BMC Genomics 10: 371.

Blas A.L., Q. Yu, C. Chen, O. Veatch, P.H. Moore, R.E. Paull, R. Ming. 2009. Enrichment of a papaya high-density genetic map with

AFLP markers. Genome 52: 716-725.


129

Wang J., C. Chen, J.-K. Na, Q. Yu, S. Hou, R.E. Paull, P.H. Moore, M. Alam, R. Ming. 2008. Genome-Wide Comparative

Analyses of Microsatellites in Papaya. Tropical Plant Biology 1: 278-292.

Zhang W., X. Wang, Q. Yu, R. Ming, and J. Jiang. 2008. DNA methylation and heterochromatinization in the male-

specific region of the primitive Y chromosome of papaya. Genome Research 18: 1938-1943 (Cover story). Ming R.*, S. Hou*, Y. Feng*, Q. Yu*, A. Dionne-Laporte, J.H. Saw, et al. 2008. The draft genome of the transgenic tropical fruit tree

papaya (Carica papaya Linnaeus). Nature 452:991-996 (*equal contribution) (cover story).

Yu, Q., R. Navajas-Pérez, E. Tong, J. Robertson, P.H. Moore, A.H. Paterson, R. Ming. 2008. Recent origin of dioecious and

gynodioecious Y chromosomes in papaya. Tropical Plant Biology 1:49-57.

Yu, Q., D. Steiger, E.M. Kramer, P.H. Moore, R. Ming. 2008. Floral MADS-box genes in trioecious papaya: Characterization of AG

and AP1 subfamily genes revealed a sex-type-specific gene. Tropical Plant Biology 1: 97-107.

Yu, Q., S. Hou, F.A. Feltus, M.R. Jones, J.E. Murray, O. Veatch, C. Lemke, J. H. Saw, R.C. Moore, J. Thimmapuram, L. Liu, P.H.

Moore, M. Alam, J. Jiang, A.H. Paterson, R. Ming. 2008. Low X/Y divergence in four pairs of papaya sex linked genes. Plant

J. 53:124-132. (cover story)

Ackerman, C.M. *, Q. Yu*, S. Kim, R.E. Paull, P.H. Moore, R. Ming. 2008. Differential expression of B-class MADS-box

genes in trioecious papaya flowers. Planta 227:741-753. (*equal contribution).

Eustice, M., Q. Yu, W. C. Lai, S. Hou, J. Thimmapuram, L. Liu, M. Alam, P.H. Moore, G.G. Presting, R. Ming. 2008.

Development and application of microsatellite markers for genomic analysis of papaya. Tree Genetics and

Genomes 4:333-341. Chen, C., Q. Yu, S. Hou, Y. Li, M. Eustice, R.L. Skelton, O. Veatch, R. Herds, L. Diebold, J. Saw, Y. Feng, L. Bynum, L. Wang, P.H.

Moore, R.E. Paull, M. Alam, R. Ming. 2007. Construction of a high density genetic map of papaya using microsatellites

derived from BAC end and whole genome shotgun sequences for comparative structural and evolutionary genomics in

Brassicales. Genetics 177:2481-2491.

Yu, Q., P. H. Moore, H. H. Albert, A. H. K. Roader, R. Ming. 2005 Cloning and characterization of a

FLORICAULA/LEAFY ortholog, PFL, in polygamous papaya. Cell Research 15:576-584.

Liu, Z., P. H. Moore, H. Ma, C. M. Ackerman, R. Makandar, Q. Yu, H. M. Pearl, M. S. Kim, J. W. Charlton, J. I. Stiles,

F. T. Zee, A. H. Paterson, R. Ming. 2004. A primitive Y chromosome in papaya marks incipient sex chromosome

evolution. Nature 427:348-352.


130

JOSHUA SHUHUA YUAN Assistant Professor

Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology, Institute for Plant Genomics and Biotechnology


2008 – Assistant Professor, Institute for Plant Genomics and Biotechnology

Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Professional Program in Biotechnology

Program in Molecular Environmental Plant Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX

2004 – 2008 Genomics Scientist, Department of Plant Sciences,

Director, UTIA Genomics Hub, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN

2001 – 2004: Microarray Core Manager, Ernest Gallo Clinic & Research Center, University of California, San

Francisco, CA

2000 – 2001: Senior Research Associate, BASF Plant Sciences LLC, RTP, NC

Education

Ph.D. Major: Plants, Soils, Insects University of Tennessee Dec. 2007

Focus: Functional Genomics

Minor: Statistics

M.S. Plant Sciences University of Arizona Aug. 2001

B.S. Major: Biology Fudan University Jul. 1997

Minor: International Economics

Teaching

BESC489/PLPA689: Cyberinfrastructure for Biological and Biomedical Research, Fall, 2009, TAMU, Course Evaluation:

4.67/5.00

BESC489/PLPA689: Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts, Spring, 2008 and 2009, TAMU, Course Evaluation:

4.91/5.00

Honor

Sigma Delta Gamma Outstanding Graduate Student, 2007

Credential Summary

H-index: 12 Total Publication: 32 Total Citation: >500

BMC Bioinformatics Second on All Time Most Viewed Articles:

http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcbioinformatics/mostviewedalltime/

Research Areas: Plant Biology, Bioenergy, and Bioinformatics

Editorial Positions and Other Synergistic Activity

2008 – now BMC Research Notes Associate Editor

2009 US-China Bioenergy Forum Co-Chair

2010 Biofuels Guest Editor for Special Issue

Publications (Selected out of 32)

1. Ugur Uzunner, Weibing Shi, Lantao Liu, Sanmin Liu, Susie Y. Dai, Joshua S. Yuan, Enzyme structure dynamics of

xylanase I from Trichoderma longibrachiatum, 2010, BMC Bioinformatics, 11, S6: S12.

2. Weibing Shi, Shi-you Ding, Joshua S. Yuan, Comparison of insect gut cellulase and xylanase activity across different

insect species with distinct food sources, 2010, BioEnergy Research, In Press and Online Available, DOI:

10.1007/s12155-010-9096-0.

3. Chao Di, Wenying Xu, Zhen Su, Joshua S. Yuan, Comparative genome analysis of PHB gene family reveals deep

evolutionary origins and diverse gene function, 2010, BMC Bioinformatics, 11, S6: S22.

4. Yixiang Zhang, Peng Gao, Joshua S. Yuan, Plant internactome and protein-protein interaction network, 2010,

Current Genomics, 11: 40-46.

5. Joshua S. Yuan, Sari J. Himanen, Jarmo K. Holopainen, Feng Chen, and C. Neal Stewart, Jr. Smelling global

warming: changes of ecological function of plant volatile organic compounds. 2009, Trends in Ecology and

Evolution, 24: 323-331.

6. Zhanyou Xu, Dandan Zhang, Jun Hu, Xin Zhou, Xia Ye, Kristen Reichel, Nathan R. Stewart, Ryan D. Syrenne,

Xiaohan Yang, Peng Gao, Weibing Shi, Crissa Doeppke, Rob Sykes, Jason Burris, Joe Bozell, Max Z. Cheng,


131

Douglas Hayes, Nikki Labbie, Mark Davis, C. Neal Stewart Jr., Joshua S. Yuan, Comparative Genome Analysis of

Lignin Biosynthesis Gene Families across the Plant Kingdom, 2009, BMC Bioinformatics, 10, S11: S3.

7. Xin Zhou, Zhen Su, Doug Rammons, Yanhui Peng, Patrick R. Tranel, C. Neal Stewart Jr., and Joshua S. Yuan,

Novel Software Package for Cross-Platform Transcriptome Analysis (CPTRA), 2009, BMC Bioinformatics, 10, S11:

S16.

8. Wayra Navia-Gine, Joshua S. Yuan, Feng Chen, and Kenneth L. Korth, Regulation of an insect-induced E-(beta)-

ocimene synthase and other terpene synthases of Medicago truncatula. 2009, Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 47:

416-425.

9. Panthee, D.R., J.J. Marois, D.L. Wright, J.S. Yuan, and C.N. Stewart Jr. Differential expression of genes in soybean

in response to the causal agent of Asian soybean rust, (Phakopsora pachyrhizi Sydow), is soybean growth stage-

specific. 2009, Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 118: 359-370.

10. Joshua S. Yuan, Kelly H. Tiller, Hani Al-Ahmad, Nathan R. Stewart, C. Neal Stewart Jr., Plants to power: Bioenergy

to fuel the future, 2008, Trends in Plant Sciences, 13:421-429.

11. Joshua S. Yuan, Tobias G. Köllner, Greg Wiggins, Jerome Grant, Nan Zhao, Xiaofeng Zhuang, Jörg Degenhardt and

Feng Chen Elucidation of the genomic basis of indirect plant defense against insects, 2008, Plant Signaling &

Behavior, 3: 720 - 721

12. Jason Abercrombie, Matthew Halfhill, Priya Ranjan, Murali Rao, Arnold Saxton, Joshua S. Yuan, C. Neal Stewart

Jr., Transcriptional profiling of Arabidopsis thaliana grown under arsenate stress reveals antioxidant activity and

repression of the phosphate starvation response, 2008, BMC Plant Biology, 8:37.

13. Joshua S. Yuan, Tobias G. Köllner, Greg Wiggins, Jerome Grant, Jörg Degenhardt, and Feng Chen, Molecular and

genomic basis of volatile-mediated indirect defense against insects in rice, 2008, Plant Journal, 55: 491-503

14. Joshua S. Yuan, David W. Galbraith, Susie Y. Dai, Patrick Griffin, and C. Neal Stewart Jr., Plant systems biology

comes of age, 2008, Trends in Plant Sciences. 13: 165-171.

15. Joshua S. Yuan, Donglin Wang, C. Neal Stewart Jr., Statistical methods for efficiency adjusted real-time PCR

quantification, 2008, Biotechnology Journal, 3: 112-123.

16. Joshua S. Yuan, Nathan R. Stewart, Jason Burris, C Neal Stewart Jr. Statistical methods for transgene detection with

real-time PCR, 2007, BMC Bioinformatics, 8, S7: S6.

17. D.R. Panthee, Joshua S. Yuan, D.L. Wright, J.J. Marois, D. Mailhot and C.N. Stewart Jr., Global gene expression

analysis in soybean in response to the causal agent of Asian soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi Sydow), 2007,

Functional and Integrative Genomics, 7: 291.

18. Joshua S. Yuan, Pat Tranel, and C. Neal Stewart Jr., Non-target herbicide resistance: a family business, 2007, Trends

in Plant Sciences, 12: 6.

19. Joshua S. Yuan, Xiaohan Yang, Jinru Lai, Hong Lin, Zong-ming Chen, Hiroyuki Nonogaki, and Feng Chen,

Comparative genomic analysis of endo-β-mannanase gene families in Arabidopsis, rice and poplar, 2007, Functional

and Integrative Genomics: 7: 1.

20. Joshua S. Yuan, Ann Reed, Feng Chen, and C. Neal Stewart Jr., Statistical analysis of real-time PCR data, 2006,

BMC Bioinformatics, 7:85.

21. Yue Yang, Joshua S. Yuan, Jeannine Ross, Joseph P. Noel, Eran Pichersky and Feng Chen, An Arabidopsis thaliana

methyltransferase capable of methylating farnesoic acid, 2006, Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 448:123.

Talks in National and International Symposia and Workshops (out of 19)

1. From Systems Biology to Bioenergy Feedstock Improvement, Green Revolution 2.0: Food + Energy and

Environmental Security, Long Beach, CA, October, 2010

2. From Network to Gene Function – How Systems Biology can Help Plant Insect Interaction, International Plant

Resistance to Insects Workshop, Charleston, SC, March, 2010

3. Genomic, Transcriptomic, Proteomic and Functional Analysis of Candidate Genes for Bioenergy Feedstock

Improvement, 30th Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals, New Orleans, May 2008


132

XIN-GEN (SHANE) ZHOU Texas A&M University System AgriLife Research and Extension Center

at Beaumont,1509 Aggie Drive, Beaumont, TX 77713 409 752 2741 (phone), 409 752 5560 (fax)

[email protected]

Education: 2000 Ph.D. Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University.

1988 M.S. Plant Pathology, Zhejiang University, China.

1985 B.S. Plant Protection, Zhejiang University, China.

Professional Experience: 2009-Present Assistant Professor, Research Plant Pathologist, Texas A & M University

System, AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Beaumont, TX. Epidemiology and

management of fungal and bacterial diseases in rice.

2000-2009 Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Maryland College Park, Lower

Eastern Shore Research and Education Center, Salisbury, MD. Epidemiology and

integrated management of Fusarium wilt and foliar diseases of watermelon and

other cucurbit vegetables.

1996-2000 Graduate Research Assistant (Ph.D.), Oklahoma State University, Wes Watkins

Agriculture Research and Extension Center, Lane, OK. Quantitative

epidemiology and fungicidal control of anthracnose on watermelon.

1995-1996 Associate Professor and Associate Director, Shanghai Academy of Agriculture

Sciences, Plant Protection Research Institute, Shanghai, China. Epidemiology and

integrated management of vegetable diseases.

1990-1995 Research Assistant Professor, Shanghai Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Plant

Protection Research Institute, Shanghai, China.

1989-1990 Research Associate, Shanghai Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Plant Protection

Research Institute, Shanghai, China.

Professional Affiliations:

American Phytopathological Society (APS)

APS Southern Division

Chinese Society for Plant Pathogen

Texas Plant Protection Association

Publications: Refereed journal articles and book chapters: 25

Conference proceedings articles: 10

Non-refereed, peer-reviewed technical articles: 75

Outreach publications and service: 29

Presentations: Contributed Papers/Posters: 29

Invited Seminars: 44

Invited Public Presentations: 29

Grantsmanship:

Grants and agreements with Zhou as investigator: 27


133

Awards and Honors: 2010 Agricultural Proposals Review Panelist for the USAID Middle East Regional Cooperation (MERC)

Program.

1995 Peer Review Panelist for the Young Scientists Competitive Grants Program of National Natural

Sciences Foundation of China.

1995 Outstanding Scientific Research Award, Shanghai Society of Science and Technology,

China.

Selected Recent Articles in Refereed Journals:

Zhou, X. G., Everts, K. L., and Bruton, B. D. 2010. Race 3, a new and highly virulent race of Fusarium

oxysporum f. sp. niveum causing Fusarium wilt in watermelon. Plant Disease 94:92-98.

Keinath, A. P., Hassell, R. L., Everts, K. L., and Zhou, X. G. 2010. Cover crops of hybrid common vetch

reduce Fusarium wilt of seedless watermelon in the eastern United States. Online. Plant Health Progress

doi:10.1094/PHP-2010-0914-01-RS.

Zhou, X. G., Tabien, R. E., and Way, M. O. 2010. First report of white leaf streak of rice caused by

Mycovellosiella oryzae in Texas. Plant Disease 94:639.

Zhou, X. G., K. L. Everts, and B. D. Bruton. 2010. Potential impact of a new highly virulent race of

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum in watermelon in the USA. Acta Hort. (ISHS) 871:535-542.

Zhou, X.G., and Everts, K. L. 2008. Integrated management of gummy stem blight of watermelon by green

manure and Melcast-scheduled fungicides. Plant Health Progress doi:10.1094/PHP-2008-1120-01-RS.

Zhou, X. G., and Everts, K. L. 2008. First report of Alternaria alternata f. sp. cucurbitae causing Alternaria

leaf spot of melon in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Plant Disease 92:652.

Zhou, X. G., and Everts, K. L. 2007. Characterization of a regional population of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.

niveum by race, cross pathogenicity, and vegetative compatibility. Phytopathology 97: 461-469.

Zhou, X. G., and Everts, K. L. 2007. Effects of host resistance and inoculum density on the suppression of

Fusarium wilt of watermelon induced by hairy vetch. Plant Disease 91:92-96.

Zhou, X.G., and Everts, K. L. 2006. Suppression of Fusarium wilt of watermelon enhanced by hairy vetch

green manure and partial cultivar resistance. Plant Health Progress doi:10.1094/PHP-2006-0405-01-RS.

Zhou, X. G., and Everts, K. L. 2004. Suppression of Fusarium wilt of watermelon by soil amendment with

hairy vetch. Plant Disease 88:1357-1365.

Zhou, X. G., and Everts, K. L. 2004. Quantification of root and stem colonization of watermelon by

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum and its use in evaluating resistance. Phytopathology 94:832-841.

Zhou, X. G., and Everts, K. L. 2003. Races and inoculum density of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum in

commercial watermelon fields in Maryland and Delaware. Plant Disease 87:692-698.

Staff Support

135


Support Staff

Staff members of the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology provide a wide

range of services and support to the faculty and students in our department. Administrative staff

members provide clerical, accounting and student service functions while technical staff

members assist in various aspects of laboratory and field research. Additionally, the department

has staff members whose responsibilities encompass maintaining the computer network,

common-use equipment and the six departmental greenhouses and environmental growth

chambers available for teaching, research, and extension activities. Departmental resources are

used for staff salaries, central services and infrastructure critical to the mission of the department.

Staff members are encouraged to continue their professional and personal development

through courses, meetings and training sessions offered by the university. Some training focuses

on specific tasks or responsibilities while other continuing education deals with topics such as

interpersonal communication skills, management techniques and computer software training.

Staff members are also encouraged to pursue degrees through Texas A&M University and are

allowed flexible work schedules to accommodate coursework.

Following is a list of each departmental staff position, a brief synopsis of the duties and

responsibilities, and the staff member’s length of tenure with the department.

Administrative Assistant - Karen Hodges (4.5 years) Coordinates

meetings and appointments for Department Head; coordinates travel

itinerary for Department Head and visitors to the department; handles

graduate admissions and maintains graduate academic records; handles

business activities of main departmental office.

Business Coordinator I – Victoria Hughes (16 years) Processes all new

and terminating employees, including international processing for

employees, prospective employees and visiting scientists; generates all

payroll and human resource documents; responsible for monthly and bi-

weekly payroll; administers on-line human resource programs such as

LeaveTraq, TimeTraq, TrainTraq and Laserfische.

Business Associate III – Yvonne Redmon (3.5 years) Responsible for

teaching and extension accounting including preparing purchase orders,

written bids and payment of invoices; reconciles all teaching and

extension accounts; handles travel for teaching and extension.

Staff Support

136

Business Associate II – Tracy Hurych (1 year) Responsible for research

accounting including preparing purchase orders, written bids and payment

of invoices; reconciles research accounts; handles travel for research.

Technical Secretary – Bobbie Dupuis (8.5 years) Maintains log of plant

specimens received for analysis in the Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic

Laboratory; responsible for accounts receivable including preparation of

deposits, invoicing and billing records; prepares reports and

correspondence.

Extension Program Specialist – Sheila McBride (3.5 years, service to

dept., 15 years) Assists in the management of the Texas Plant Disease

Diagnostic Lab including processing and diagnosing samples; assists in

activities related to the Southern Regional Plant Diagnostic Network by

training “first responders”, develops educational products and presents

diagnostic information at appropriate meetings.

Sr. Academic Advisor – Sam Murdock (3 years) Serves as the

undergraduate advisor for Bioenvironmental Sciences and Environmental

Studies programs; advises students regarding their academic progress and

handles administrative processes such as Q-drops, curriculum changes,

and academic probation; serves on various departmental and college

committees and assists with faculty load reporting.

Lab Demonstration Supervisor - Suzanne Segner (32 years) Assists

faculty in the development, preparation and implementation of lab

material and experiments; organizes lab equipment and facilities and

maintains teaching culture and plant collections; responsible for

departmental inventory and records.

Staff Support

137

Research Assistant – Robert Kwiatkowski (4.5 years) Maintains six

greenhouses including repairs, ongoing maintenance, pesticide

application, and scheduling usage; orders supplies and maintains inventory

for greenhouses; prepares soil and soil mixes as needed for greenhouse

experiments; schedules and maintains environmental growth chambers;

assists with field research including soil preparation, planting and

harvesting, as needed.

Research Assistant – Betty Morgan (3.5 years, service to dept., 20 years)

Responsible for maintenance, safety issues, and renovations of

departmental facilities working with Physical Plant; maintains common

use equipment through minor repairs or service contract calls; order and

inventories necessary supplies for common use equipment; trains users on

equipment; responsible for records retention and disposal; assists with

accounts payable functions in business office.

Microcomputer Specialist – Chris Court (3 years) Maintains

departmental website; provides software and hardware assistance as

needed to faculty, staff and students; determines needs for software and

hardware upgrades for departmental computer resources and classrooms;

serves as network administrator handling server upgrades, patches,

creating and managing user accounts.

Business Administrator II – Linda Brochu (17 years) Manages all

business functions including budgets, purchasing, facilities and payroll for

research, teaching, and extension components of the department;

supervises departmental staff members and oversees all personnel issues

in the department; assist faculty members with grant management; serves

as a member of the Executive Committee.

Staff Support

138

Comparison of Faculty & Staff

Numbers Among Departments

PLPM ranks 10th of 14

in terms of Faculty FTEs*.

PLPM ranks 11th of 14

in terms of Staff/Faculty Ratio*.

*According to the FY10 Goldplate.

Research and Scholarly Activities

139


Definition and Scope of Research

Plant pathology and microbiology are multidisciplinary fields requiring a broad range of faculty

expertise. Faculty members in the department collectively possess expertise in genetics,

genomics, bioinformatics, molecular biology, biochemistry, bioremediation, epidemiology,

ecology, microbiology, microbial communities, plant-microbe interactions and traditional

expertise in understanding plant and animal pathogen biology and field-applied plant pathology.

The breadth of research in the Department reflects an impressive array of approaches and

technologies, particularly given the small size of the faculty. Department faculty research focus

areas include:

Host-pathogen interactions

Disease resistance

Plant innate immunity

Gene silencing

Vector-pathogen interactions

Pathogenic fungi

Plant biology

Virology/Bacteriophage biology

Bacteriology

Nematology

Bioenergy and Biotechnology

Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

Waterborne pathogens

Faculty are pursuing new knowledge in each of these areas using the latest tools available,

including genomics, DNA microarrays, RNA-seq transcriptomic analysis, RNAi, plant

mutagenesis, and proteomics. Faculty are working on basic and applied research that

dramatically affects Texas growers and citizens plus the rest of the U.S. and the world.

Examples of recent PLPM Research Impacts

Mycotoxin contamination of corn, peanut, sorghum, etc by Aspergillus flavus, A.

parasticus and Fusarium verticillioides.

Aflatoxin (AF) alone costs Texas corn growers tens of millions of dollars/yr, including

reduced prices for producers at elevators, reduced value of corn as a biofuel due to AF

contamination of Dried Distiller Grains (DDGs), and economic losses due to reduced

growth of animals and poultry, and negative impacts on wildlife due to feeding on

residual contaminated grain. Screening for AF resistant lines and mutants reducing AF

contamination 5 fold.


140

Verticillium wilt on cotton. Estimated $12.5 million/yr. cost to Texas growers. Expect gains of $20-40/acre with

improved planting and crop rotations being developed. (3.2 million acres harvested last yr

= ~$60 million in savings).

Nematode damage on cotton.

Estimated losses of $25 million/yr without chemical nematicide controls and variety

selections that have been performed and are ongoing. Estimated current savings to state:

$12.5 million/yr.

Karnal Bunt on wheat.

Recently, 18,000 acres de-quarantined for Karnal Bunt due to research. Disease cost

growers more than $27 million/1st yr during of the quarantine alone.

Citrus Greening Disease.

Citrus production is $74 million and total statewide economic impact is $121 million.

Citrus greening pathogen (Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus) could decimate the Texas

citrus industry when it arrives. Currently in Florida and reported in several other southern

states. Development of greening resistant varieties saving state $24 million/yr. Additional

work is aimed at improved methods of pathogen detection and following the

epidemiology of the pathogen and its psyllid vector.

Sugarcane Disease.

Sugarcane production is $77.8 million at the mill while the total statewide economic

impact is $150.1 million. Recently, showed that manipulating unsaturated fatty acid

synthesis substantially inhibits viral RNA replication of several plant viruses.

Development of virus resistant sugarcane saving the state up to $75 million/yr. We expect

to extend the strategy to other major species as well.

Pierce’s Disease on grapes.

Xyella fastidiosa is the number one limit to increased grape acreage in Texas and has the

potential to devastate the $1 billion/yr. Texas wine industry. We are identifying resistant

lines of grapes. We have developed methods for the isolation and propagation of the first

Xylella phage that may be a potentially effective biological control approach against the

disease. Field studies are ongoing to identify more resistant rootstocks and to evaluate

potential new biological agents against the PD pathogen.

Water Quality.

Texas State E. coli Bacterial Source Tracking (BST) Library contains over 12,000 E. coli

from several thousand fecal and water samples. We are helping the Texas Soil and

Water Conservation Board and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality identify

sources of fecal contamination for the development of effective watershed protection

plans. Currently, over 200 Texas water bodies are impacted by E. coli contamination.

EPA-mandated cleanup is being reduced by $500,000/project using source tracking

system. Estimated 2 projects/ yr.


141

Zebra Chip on potatoes.

Is a relatively new disease of potatoes in Texas, having been first diagnosed in the early

1990s. It is transmitted primarily by the potato psyllid Bactericera cockerelli. The

pathogen, Candidatus Liberibacter spp. can kill the plant, but more importantly it alters

the transport of starch to the developing tubers. The symptoms are not readily visible

until the tubers are sliced and fried. Efforts will save ~$2,000,000/yr.

Turfgrass diseases.

Research and extension supports over 900 golf course superintendents and 156 sod

producers in Texas. This industry contributes $7.4 billion annually to the Texas

economy. The annual chemical budget by golf courses in Texas is $10,533,000. Our

turfgrass disease management program will save 10%, or $1,053,300 with a proper

fungicide program, reducing application of chemicals in the season.

Bioenergy.

The Global Biodiesel market is estimated to reach 37 billion gallons by 2016. Its average

annual growth is 42% and could result in a potential market of $10 billion/yr in Texas.

Potential $100 million/yr savings to Texas due to reduced environmental cleanup and

carbon credits. We are also generating novel cold tolerant transgenic sugarcane

germplasm to be deployed for biofuels and sugar production. Work is also focused on

efficient oil production by yeast.

Bioterrorism.

A major bioterrorism attack in a city (e.g., an aerosolized variant of Brucella) likely

would disrupt economic activity for ~30 days (the time to inactivate and decontaminate

the agent), and have long-term (30 days +) implications for the cities growth and

productivity. Hence, such an attack would engender an estimated $30B in acute losses,

and more than ~$100B in longer term losses to the city. We are developing safe,

inexpensive, and effective countermeasures against bioterrorism.


142

Plant Pathology and Microbiology Productivity

Productivity in the Department has increased several-fold over the past decade in all aspects of

departmental operations, teaching, research and extension. Departmental faculty actively seek

extramural funding. As is shown in the graph below along with the accompanying table, PLPM

is very successful in attracting funding.

Grant Support of PLPM Compared to Other COALS Departments

(FY06-FY10)

BCBP = Biochem/Biophysics; SCSC = Soil & Crop Sciences; ANSC = Animal Sciences; BIAG = Biological & Ag

Engineering; AGEC = Ag Leadership, Education & Communications; NUFS = Nutrition & Food Science; ENTO =

Entomology; PLPM = Plant Pathology & Microbiology; POSC = Poutry Science; RECP = Recreation, Park &

Tourism Sciences. Horticultural Sciences and Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences are not listed.

Summary of Grant Support by Department (past 5 years)

BCBP SCSC ANSC BIAG AGEC NUFS ENTO PLPM POSC RECP HORT AGLD

FY10 9.2 6.7 3.4 3.2 3.2 2.7 2.5 1.9 1.2 1.2 0.56 0.41

FY09 6.6 6.7 2.3 2.7 3.6 1 1.6 3.1 1.1 2.1 0.82 0.65

FY08 10.4 6 4.2 1.8 1.9 2.5 2.9 3.6 0.9 2.8 0.29 0

FY07 9.9 1.4 3.9 1.8 2.8 2.3 2.6 1.4 1 1.8 3.5 0.1

FY06 11.3 2.2 2.2

3.2 0.9 1.8 2.2 0.5 0.9 1.3 0.9

Competitive grant support by Plant Pathology and Microbiology faculty

has averaged $2.44 million/yr. over the past 5 years.

Millions of Dollars


143

Grant Productivity by Department Per FTE (FY10)

Grant Productivity Faculty FTE

FY2010 (in Millions) Res/Teaching Lecturers

Adj. FTE

Grants/FTE Rank

Biochemistry 9.2 28.88 4.5 24.38 0.37736 1

Soil & Crop 6.7 29.99 0.5 29.49 0.22720 3

Animal Science 3.4 33.14 2 31.14 0.10918 7

Biological & Ag Eng. 3.2 11.5 1 10.5 0.30476 2

Ag Economics 3.2 30.44 1 29.44 0.10870 8

Ecosystems & Science Mgmt 3.1 22.35 1.5 20.85 0.14868 5

Nutrition & Food 2.7 16.32 4.11 12.21 0.22113 4

Entomology 2.5 23.86

23.86 0.10478 10

Wildlife Fisheries 2.2 22.88

22.88 0.09615 11

Plant Pathology & Microbiology 1.9 17.99

17.99 0.10561 9

Poultry Science 1.2 9.59

9.59 0.12513 6

Recreation & Parks 1.2 19.83 1 18.83 0.06373 12

Horticulture 0.56 21.19

21.19 0.02643 13

Ag Leadership 0.41 29.1 5 24.1 0.01701 14

Note that FY10 support ($1.9 mill) was lower than FY09 ($3.1 mill) or FY08 ($3.6

mill). This in part reflects uncertainty in federal funding availability. For FY10,

PLPM ranks 9th of 14 departments in terms of Grant dollars garnered per FTE.

Lecturers in other departments were excluded since they are not expected to

generate revenue.


144

Distribution of Faculty FTEs, FY11

Employee Teaching% Research % Extension% Total PLPM Effort

Pierson, Leland 31.00% 39.37% 29.63% 100.00%

Gross, Dennis 50.40% 49.60% 0.00% 100.00%

Appel, David 44.00% 23.12% 32.88% 100.00%

Dickman, Marty 65.89% 34.11% 100.00%

Starr, James 60.00% 40.00% 100.00%

Kenerley, Charles 60.00% 40.00% 100.00%

Magill, Clint 60.00% 40.00% 100.00%

Ebbole, Daniel 60.00% 40.00% 100.00%

Gonzalez, Carlos 60.00% 40.00% 100.00%

Scholthof, Herman 60.00% 40.00% 100.00%

Scholthof, Karen-Beth 60.00% 40.00% 100.00%

Wilkinson, Heather 60.00% 40.00% 100.00%

Yuan, Joshua 76.32% 23.68% 100.00%

DeWitt, Thom 12.45% 12.06% 24.51%

de Figueiredo, Paul 51.24% 48.76% 100.00%

Kolomiets, Mike 60.00% 40.00% 100.00%

Shim, Won-Bo 50.97% 49.03% 100.00%

Shaw, Brian 76.42% 23.58% 100.00%

Shan, Libo 84.00% 16.00% 100.00%

Isakeit, Tom 23.09% 76.91% 100.00%

Bogran, Carlos 9.54% 30.46% 40.00%

Schuster, Greta 37.11% 37.11%

Steddom, Karl 100.00% 100.00%

Woodward, Jason 74.04% 74.04%

Ong, Kevin 100.00% 100.00%

Black, Mark 100.00% 100.00%

French, Ron 100.00% 100.00%

Jo, Young-Ki 25.19% 74.81% 100.00%

TOTAL FTES 11.08 7.12 7.56 25.76

Ad-loc’d to AgriLife Research Centers

Charlie Rush (Amarillo) 100%

Gary Odvody (Corpus) 100%

George Di Giovanni (El Paso) 100%

Terri Wheeler (Lubbock) 100%

Qingyi Yu (Weslaco) 100%

Shane Zhou (Beaumont) 100%

Xiaofeng Wang (Weslaco) 100%

Eric Mirkov (Weslaco) 100%


145

Current Grant Support: Research Faculty

Faculty Acct. Number Grantor Title Period Award

Appel NEW USDA - APHIS Pierce's Disease 4/1/2011-3/31/2012 $67,074.00

deFigueiredo

422931-00001 NSF

Molecular Analysis of Brucella Host

8/1/2008-7/31/2011 $319,063.00

422971-00001 NSF

Microbe-Mediated Electricity

4/1/2009 - 3/31/2012 $306,000.00

428881-00001 DOD-Army

Confocal Microscopy an Instrument

6/1/2010 - 5/31/2011 $143,106.00

429471-00001

Diamond Blackfan Anemia

Discovering Therapeutics for

8/1/2010 - 7/31/2011 $43,256.00

499421-00001 DHHS-NIH-NiAID

Indentification and Analysis

2/15/2008 - 1/31/2011 $394,336.00

Dickman 405275-91240

Binational Ag R&D (BARD)

Modulation of the Redox Climate &

9/1/2007 - 5/31/2011 $145,000.00

405562-91240

Chevron Technology Ventures

Lignocellulosic Feedstock Develop

8/1/2008 - 4/8/2011 $345,090.00

426161-00001 NSF

Acquisition of a Roche 454 FLX

9/1/2009 - 8/31/2012 $612,019.00

405508-91240 TIE Bard

The Effect of Ph Modulation

7/1/2008-6/30/2011 $145,455.00

Ebbole 503617-816800 NSF

Evolution of Asexual Sporulation in F

9/1/2007 - 8/31/2011 $168,239.00

Gonzalez 404025-68410 RSL Reactive Surfaces

1/1/2008-12/31/2012 $128,226.00

NEW USDA-APHIS Pierce's Disease

4/1/2011-3/31/2012 $65,000.00

406039-68410

Otsuka Pharmaceutical

Treatment of Pierce's Disease w/Pha

6/1/2010 - 9/30/2013 $687,588.00

42611-01001 NSF

Whole Phage Genomics

12/1/2009 - 11/30/2012 $119,852.00

NEW NSF Pending Award - REU


146

Gross 405888-88320 TDA Zebra Chip

12/1/2009 - 11/30/2011 $87,525.00

503737-88320 Iowa State

Functional Genomics of the Pathoge

1/15/2008 - 1/14/2012 $180,000.00

503909-88320 USDA

Development of Protype Pathogen De

1/1/2009 - 12/31/2011 $174,932.00

Isakeit 503482-87620 USDA ARS

Chem Control of Downy Mildew &

9/1/2006 - 8/31/2011 $76,341.00

504094-87620 USDA/NIFA

Chem Control of Downy Mildew &

2/1/2010 - 1/31/2014 $5,500.00

406212-87620 Cotton Inc.

Chem Mgmt of Cotton Root Rot

1/1/2011-12/31/2012 $38,250.00

406014-87620 Cotton Inc.

Chem Mgmt of Cotton Root Rot

1/1/2010 - 6/30/2011 $25,600.00

Jo 406009-12710

Texas Rice Research

Econo Rice Research Project

3/1/2010 - 2/29/2012 $1,750.00

Kenerley 422681-00001 TDA

Identification of Novel Indicators

7/1/2008 - 6/30/2011 $150,000.00

423051-00001 USDA - CSREES

Ability of Secondary Metabolites

9/1/2008 - 8/31/2011 $397,680.00

Kolomiets 504009-89520 NSF

Collaborative Res: Signals, Genes

9/1/2009 - 8/31/2012 $469,677.00

504094-89520

USDA NIFA (CSREES) ?

2/1/2010 - 1/31/2014 $85,704.00

NEW NSF Pending Award

Magill 406041-68900

United Sorghum Checkoff

Potential Sources of Resistance to Er

5/1/201 - 4/30/2012 $27,000.00

503630-68900 USDA-ARS

Screening Sorghum Germplasm Lines

9/1/2007 - 8/31/2012 $13,375.00

504002-68900 USDA ARS

Role of Fungal Secondary Metabolite

7/15/2009 - 7/14/2014 $7,000.00


147

Pierson 504158-94480 NSF

Novel Two Component Regulation

3/1/2010 - 2/28/2012 $200,956.00

504255-94450 USDA NIFA

Role of Phenazine Structural Derivati

9/1/2010 - 8/31/2012 $358,478.00

Scholthof, H 491521-00001 USDA - CSREES

Novem Tombusvirus P 19 - Mediated

8/1/2006 - 7/31/2011 $397,709.00

405888-83870 TDA Zebra Chip

12/1/2009 - 11/30/2011 $46,880.00

Scholthof, K 497271-00001 NSF

The Development of Plant Pathology

8/1/2007 - 7/31/2011 $85,265.00

117620-83880

ARP-TX Higher Ed Coordina

Molecular Mechanisms of Performan

7/1/2010 - 8/31/2012 $200,000.00

Shan 500291-00001 NSF

Collaborative Research: Modulation

9/1/2010 - 8/31/2013 $95,837.00

Shaw 497451-01001 USDA-SCREES

Characterization of Virulence

9/1/2007 - 8/31/2011 $179,961.00

503617-90180 NSF

Evolution of Asexual Sporulation in F

9/1/2007 - 8/31/2011 $61,789.00

Shim 503909-93330 USDA

Development of Protype Pathogen De

1/1/2009 - 12/31/2011 $230,209.00

497451-00001 USDA-SCREES

Characterization of Virulence

9/1/2007 - 8/31/2011 $226,991.00

Starr NEW Texas Peanut Producers

Breeding Peanut for Increased Yield

4/1/2011 - 3/31/2012

406200-70460

National Peanut Board

Improving Mgmt of Peanut

1/1/2011 - 12/31/2011 $5,000.00

406213-70460 Cotton Inc.

Development of Resistance to Root

1/1/2011 - 12/31/2011 $40,000.00

Wilkinson 114731-87440 Initiative Bioenergy

9/1/2010 - 8/31/2011 $82,181.00

503617- NSF Evolution of Asexual 9/1/2007 - $173,722.00


148

87440 Sporulation in F 8/31/2011

Yuan 114731-93160 Initiative Bioenergy

9/1/2010 - 8/31/2011 $82,181.00

504128-93160

Donald Danforth Plant

Nat'l Alliance for Advanced Biofueld

4/1/2010 - 3/31/2013 $54,435.00

427161-00001

Sun Grant Initiative Structure Dynamics

7/1/2009 - 6/30/2011 $31,718.00


149

Current Grant Support: Extension Faculty

Faculty

Acct. Number Grantor Title Period Award

Appel 440890-60001 USDA-APHIS

Citrus Health Diagnostics 1/1/2010 9/30/2011 $41,547.00

440960-00000

USDA Forest Service

Sudden Oak Death Detection 6/1/2010 9/30/2012 $15,000.00

440970 TDA

Detection of Survey for Sudden 6/1/2010 5/31/2011 $25,000.00

Black 440850 Texas Peanut Produce

Spotted Wilt Resistance Mech 1/1/2010 6/30/2011 $14,130.00

New TDA Pierce's Disease 4/1/2011 3/31/2012 $115,000.00

440250

Texas Peanut Producer

Improving on Mgmt of Peanut 1/1/2011

12/31/2011 $5,000.00

French 440820 TX Citrus Producers B

Developing Education & Outrea 9/1/2009 7/31/2011 $4,950.00

440990 Kansas ST

TX High Plains Diagnostic Lab 6/1/2010 5/31/2011 $45,000.00

440610 Kansas ST

Great Plains Diagnostic 6/1/2008 5/31/2011 $45,000.00

440950 Univ of Florida

IR-4 Food Use Trials - ZC

4/15/2010 4/14/2011 $7,000.00

440170 TDA

From Seed to Kitchen Table

10/1/2010 1/30/2012 $31,625.00

Isakeit 440740 TDA

Soybean Commodity Survey 71/2009 6/30/2011 $37,000.00

440910 TDA

Soybean Commodity Survey 7/1/2010 6/30/2011 $37,000.00

Jo 440880 Rep Of Korea Methods for seed borne diseases 4/1/2010 3/31/2012 $120,000.00

Ong 440820 TX Citrus Producers B

Developing Education & Outrea 9/1/2009 7/31/2011 $4,950.00

440490-60000 Univ. of Florida

Southern Regional Plant Diag. 7/1/2007 6/30/2011 $156,000.00


150

440140 TDA

Identification of Plant Nemato 9/1/2010 8/31/2011 $15,000.00

440890 USDA-APHIS

Citrus Health Diagnostics 9/1/2010 9/30/2011 $68,470.00

440980 TDA

Plum Pos Virus Survey 9/1/2010 8/31/2011 $19,500.00

Steddom 440830 UC Davis Legume IPM Pipe 2009 9/1/2009

12/31/2011 $11,055.00

440150 Colorado St

Legume Pipe Subc 2010

11/1/2010 2/29/2012 $10,725.00

440920 Univ of Florida

IR-4 Ornamental 2010 5/1/2010 4/30/2011 $10,000.00

440940

Virginia Polytech Inst

Oomyceticide Resistance 7/1/2010 6/30/2012 $5,000.00

Woodward NEW Cotton Inc. Screening of Cotton Varieties 1/1/2011

12/31/2011

440930 TPPB

Improving the Mgmt of Peanut 1/1/2010 3/31/2010 $23,000.00

440190 TPPB

Improving the Mgmt of Peanut 1/1/2011

12/31/2011 $12,500.00

All PLPM faculty have extramural support.

Total support has averaged ~$12.2 million over the past 5 years, or

~$343,662 on average per faculty FTE (35.5).


151

Publications (2006-Feb. 2011)

Faculty in PLPM published 309 peer-reviewed manuscripts during

2008-Feb. 2010.

2011 Publications (15 to date) Baring, M.R., W.L. Rooney, C.E. Simpson, J.L. Starr, M.D. Burow, M.C. Black, J.M. Cason, and J.L.

Ayers. 2011. Sequential vs. pedigree selection for multiple disease resistance in peanut. Peanut Sci.

38:00-00 (accepted).

Black, M.C. 2011. Phymatotrichopsis root rot. Pages 00-00 in: T.B. Sutton and J.F. Walgenbach, eds.

Compendium of apple and pear diseases, 2nd edition. APS Press, St. Paul, MN. (in press)

Wu S, Lu D, Kabbage M, Wei HL, Swingle B, Records AR, Dickman MB, He P, Shan L.

Mol Plant Microbe Interact. 2011 . Bacterial effector HopF2 suppresses Arabidopsis innate immunity at

the plasma membrane.

Jan 3. [Epub ahead of print]

Chung, DW., Greenwald, C., Upadhyay, S., Ding, S., Wilkinson, HH., Ebbole, D.J., Shaw, BD. 2011.

acon-3, the Neurospora crassa ortholog of the developmental modifier medA, complements the

conidiation defect of the Aspergillus nidulans mutant. Fungal Genet Biol. 48:370-376.

Christensen S, Kolomiets M (2011) The lipid language of plant-fungal interactions. Fungal Genetics and

Biology. 48:4-14

Mukherjee M, Kim J-E, Park J-S, Kolomiets MV, Shim W-B. (2011) Regulators of G-protein signaling

in Fusarium verticillioides mediate differential host-pathogen responses on nonviable versus viable maize

kernels. Mol Plant Pathology: DOI: 10.1111/J.1364-3703.2010.00686.X

Knutson, A. J. Butler, J. Bernal, C. Bográn and M. Campos. 2011. Impact of area-wide malathion on

predatory arthropods and secondary pests in cotton during boll weevil eradication in Texas. Crop

Protection (in press) doi:10.1016/j.cropro.2010.12.003.

Young Cheol Kim, Johan Leveau, Brian B. McSpadden Gardener, Elizabeth A. Pierson Leland S.

Pierson III, Choong-Min Ryu. 2011. The multifactorial basis for plant health promotion by plant-

associated bacteria. J. Bacteriol. (in press).

Legatski A, Ortiz M, Neilsen JW, Dominguez S, Anderson GL, Toomey RS, Pryor BM, Pierson LS III,

Maier RM. 2011. Bacterial and archaeal community structure of two adjacent calcite speleothems in

Kartchner Caverns, Arizona, USA. Geomicrobiology J.(in press).

Mustafa M., D. Jones, F. Workneh, J. Ansley, and C.M. Rush. 2011. Satellite Remote Sensing of Wheat

Infected by Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus. Plant Dis. 95:4-12.

Gao, X., Wheeler, T., Li, Z., Kenerley, C., He, P., and Shan, L. (2011) Silencing GhNDR1 and GhMKK2

compromised cotton resistance to Verticillium wilt. The Plant Journal. In press.


152

Wu, S., Lu, D., Kabbage, M., Wei, H., Swingle, B., Dickman, M., He, P., and Shan, L. (2011) Bacterial

effector HopF2 suppresses Arabidopsis innate immunity at the plasma membrane. Mol. Plant Microbe

Interact. In press.

Scholthof, K.-B. G. 2011. Looking at a virus in 1930: Francis O. Holmes and the local lesion assay.

Microbe: in press.

Gao, X., T. Wheeler, Z. Li, C. M. Kenerley, P. He, and L. Shan. 2011. Silencing GhNDR1 and GhMKK2

compromised cotton resistance to Verticillium wilt. The Plant Journal doi: 10.1111/j/1365-

313X.2011.04491.x

Wilson, J.N., Wheeler, T.A., Black, M.C., Burow, M.D., and Mullinix, B.G. 2011. Effect of container

size, inoculum density, and test duration on detecting resistance to Cylindrocladium black rot of peanut.

Peanut Sci. 38:00-00 (accepted).

Weibing Shi, Shi-you Ding, Joshua S. Yuan, Comparison of insect gut cellulase and xylanase activity

across different insect species with distinct food sources, 2011, BioEnergy Research, 4: 1-10.

2010 Publications (79 total)

Ancona, V., Appel, D.N., and P. de Figueiredo. 2010. Xylella fastidiosa: a model for analyzing

agricultural biosecurity. Biosecurity and Bioterrorism 8:171-182.

Appel, D.N., M.C. Black, J.S. Kamas, D.H. Hopkins, K. Palacios. 2010. Biological control trials with

EB92-1 in Texas. Pages 151-154 in T. Esser and D. West, eds., Proc. 2010 Pierce’s Disease Research

Symposium. California Dept. Food Agric., Sacramento.

Black, M.C., J. S. Kamas, A. M. Sanchez, L. S. Silva, and P. S. Adams. 2010. Progress of Pierce’s

disease in three Vitis vinifera scions grafted on three rootstocks. Pages 155-158 in T. Esser and D. West,

eds., Proc. 2010 Pierce’s Disease Research Symposium. California Dept. Food Agric., Sacramento.

Reed, J. D., J. E. Woodward, K. L. Ong, M. C. Black, and L. A. Stein. 2010. Plant Disease 94:1377.

First report of Stemphylium botryosum on spinach in Texas. DOI: 10.1094/PDIS-06-10-0471.

Summer, E.J., C.J. Enderle, S.J. Ahern, J.J. Gill, C.P. Torres, D.N. Appel, M.C. Black, R.Young, and

C.F. Gonzalez. 2010. Genomic and biological analysis of phage Xfas53 and related prophages of Xylella

fastidiosa. J. Bacteriol. 192(1):179-190.

Jupiter D, Ficht TA, Samuel J, Qin Q, and de Figueiredo P. 2010. DNA watermarking of infectious

agents: progress and prospects. PLoS Pathog. 6:e1000950.

Dodsworth, JA, Li, L, Wei S, Hedlund BP, Leigh JA and de Figueiredo P. 2010. Inter-domain conjugal

transfer of DNA from Bacteria to Archaea. Appl. Environ. Micro. 76:5644-5647.

Hou H, Li L, de Figueiredo P, Han A. Air-cathode microbial fuel cell array: A device for identifying and

characterizing electrochemically active microbes. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20655725>

Biosens Bioelectron. 2010. Jul 1. Epub ahead of print PMID: 20655725


153


and S. Huw. 2010. Seasonal distribution of enteric opportunistic Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts and

Giardia spp. cysts in a tropical water basin, Cameroon. WATER 2:44-57.

Besner, M-C, R. Broséus, J. Lavoie, G. Di Giovanni, P. Payment, M. Prévost. 2010. Pressure monitoring

and characterization of intrusion pathways at the site of the Payment drinking water epidemiological

studies. Environmental Science & Technology 44:269-277.

Lalancette, C., G. D. Di Giovanni, M. Prévost. 2010. Dual direct detection of total and infectious

Cryptosporidium oocysts on cell culture with immunofluorescent assay (3D-CC-IFA): A method to

improve risk analysis. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 76:566-577.


and H. Smith. 2010. Seasonal distribution of enteric opportunistic Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts and

Giardia spp. cysts in a tropical water basin, Cameroon. WATER 2:44-57.

Williams, B., Kabbage, M., Britt, R., and Dickman, M.B. 2010. AtBAG7, a unique endoplasmic

reticulum-localized Bcl-2 associated athanogene is involved in stress responses in Arabidopsis. Proc.

Natl.Acad. Sci. 107: 6088-6093.

Kabbage, M., Li,W., Chen, S. and Dickman, M. B. 2010. The E3 ubiquitin ligase activity of an insect

anti-apoptotic gene (Sf-IAP) is required for plant stress tolerance. Physiol. Mol.Plant Path 74:351-362.

Li, W., Kabbage, M. and Dickman, M. B. 2010. Transgenic expression of an insect inhibitor of apoptosis

gene, Sf-IAP, confers abiotic and biotic stress and delays tomato fruit ripening. Physiol. Mol. Plant Path

74:363-375.

Greenwald, CJ., Kasuga, T., Glass, NL., Shaw, BD., Ebbole, DJ., Wilkinson, HH. 2010. Temporal and

Spatial Regulation of Gene Expression During Asexual Development in Neurospora crassa. Genetics

186:12-17-1230.

Hollister, EB., Forrest, AK., Wilkinson, HH., Ebbole, DJ., Malfatti, SA., Tringe, SG., Holtzapple, MT.,

and Gentry, TJ. 2010. Structure and dynamics of the microbial communities underlying the carboxylate

platform for biofuel production. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 88:389-399.

French-Monar, R.D., Rodrigues, F.A., Korndorfer, G.H., and Datnoff, L.E. 2010. Silicon suppresses

Phytophthora blight development on bell pepper. J. Phytopathol 158:554-560.

French-Monar, R.D., Abad, J.A., Patton, A.F., Schuster, G., Wallace, R.W., Wheeler, T., and Douglas,

J. 2010. First Report of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ on Field Tomatoes in the United States.

Plant Disease 94: 481 (First Disease Report)

Summer, E. J., C. J. Enderle, S. J. Ahern, J. J. Gill, C. P. Torres, D. N. Appel, M. C. Black, R. Young,

and C. F. Gonzalez. 2010. Genomic and Biological Analysis of Phage Xfas53 and Related Prophages of

Xylella fastidiosa. J Bacteriol 192:179-190.

Carmody, L. A, J.J. Gill, E.J. Summer,U. S. Sajjan,C. F. Gonzalez,R. F. Young, and J. J. LiPuma. 2010.

Efficacy of Bacteriophage Therapy in a Model of Burkholderia cenocepacia Pulmonary Infection. J Infect

Dis 201:264-271.


154

Records, A. R., and D. C. Gross. 2010. Sensor kinases RetS and LadS regulate Pseudomonas syringae

type VI secretion and virulence factors. J. Bacteriol. 192:3584-3596.

Lu., S.-E., and D. C. Gross. 2010. Drippy pod of whit lupine: A new bacterial disease caused by a

pathovar of Brenneria quercina. Plant Dis. 94:1431-1440.

Mukherjee, P.K., Wiest, A., Ruiz, N., Keightley, A., Moran-Diez, M.E., McCluskey, K., Pouchus, Y.F.,

Kenerley, C.M. 2010. Two classes of new peptaibols are synthesized by a single non-ribosomal peptide

synthetase of Trichoderma virens. Journal Biological Chemistry doi: 10.1074

Buensanteai, N. Mukherjee, P.K., Horwitz, B.A., Chent, C. Dangott, L.J., and Kenerley, C.M. 2010.

Expression and purification of biologically active Trichoderma virens proteinaceous elicitor Sm1 in

Pichia pastoris. Protein Expression and Purification 72:131-138.

Mukherjee, P.K., and Kenerley, C.M. 2010. Regulation of morphogenesis and biocontrol properties in

Trichoderma virens by a VELVET protein, Vel1. Applied & Environmental Microbiology 76:2345-2352.

Park Y-S, Kunze S, Ni X, Feussner I, Kolomiets MV. (2010) Comparative molecular and biochemical

characterization of segmentally duplicated 9-lipoxygenase genes ZmLOX4 and ZmLOX5 of maize.

Planta. 231:1425-1437

Mona B. Damaj, Siva P. Kumpatla, Chandrakanth Emani, Phillip D. Beremand, Avutu S. Reddy, Keerti

S. Rathore, Marco T. Buenrostro-Nava, Ian S. Curtis, Terry L. Thomas, T. Erik Mirkov. (2010).

Sugarcane DIRIGENT and O-METHYLTRANSFERASE promoters confer stem-regulated gene

expression in diverse monocots. Planta 231: 1439-1458

Mona B. Damaj, Phillip D. Beremand, Marco T. Buenrostro-Nava, John Ivy, Siva P. Kumpatla, John

Jifon, Getu Beyene, Qingyi Yu, Terry L. Thomas, and T. Erik Mirkov. (2010). Isolating promoters of

multigene family members from the polyploid sugarcane genome by PCR-based walking in BAC DNA.

Genome 53: 840-847.

Getu Beyene, Marco T. Buenrostro-Nava, Mona B. Damaj, San-Ji Gao, Joe Molina, T. Erik Mirkov

(2010). Unprecedented enhancement of transient gene expression from minimal cassettes using a double

terminator. Plant Cell Reports 30: 13-35

T. Erik Mirkov, Zhong-Nan Yang, Mamta Rai, Joe J. Molina, Mikeal L. Roose and Xin-Rong Ye.

(2010). Towards positional cloning of the Citrus tristeza virus resistance gene. In: Citrus Tristeza Virus

Complex and Tristeza Diseases. A.V. Karasev and M.E. Hilf, editors. APS Press pp. 187-202.

Reed, J.D., Woodward, J.E., Ong, K., Black, M.C. and Stein, L.A 2010 First report of Stemphylium

botryosum on spinach in Texas. Plant Disease 94: 1377.

Pierson LS 3rd, Pierson EA. 2010. Metabolism and function of phenazines in bacteria: impacts on the

behavior of bacteria in the environment and biotechnological processes. Appl Microbiol

Biotechnol.86:1659-1670.

Acosta-Leal, R., B. Brian, J. Smith, and C.M. Rush. 2010. Breakdown of host resistance by independent

evollutionary lineages of Beet necrotic yellow vein Common Nail, 16d, virus involves a parallel C/U

mutation in its p25 gene. Phytopathology 100: 127-133.


155

Acosta-Leal, R., B.K. Bryan, and C.M. Rush. 2010. Host effect on the genetic diversification of beet

necrotic yellow vein virus single-plant populations. Phytopathology. 11: 1204-1212.

Henne, D.C., F. Workneh, A. Wen, J.A. Price, J.S. Pasche, N.C. Gudmestad, and C. M. Rush. 2010.

Characterization and Epidemiological Significance of Plants Grown from Seed Tubers Affected by Zebra

Chip Disease. Plant Dis. 94:659-665.

Price, J.A., F. Workneh, S.R. Evett, D.C. Jones, J. Arthur, and C.M. Rush. 2010. Effects of Wheat streak

mosaic virus on root development and water-use efficiency of hard red winter wheat. Plant Dis. 94: 766-

770.

Price, J.A., Smith, J., Simmons, A., Fellers, J., Rush, C. M. 2010. Multiplex real-time PCR for detection

of Wheat streak mosaic virus and Triticum mosaic virus. J. Virol. Methods 165: 198-201.

Velandia-Parra, M., Rejesus, R., Jones, D. C., Price, J. A., and Workneh, F., Rush, C. M. 2010.

Economic impact of the Wheat streak mosaic virus in the Texas High Plains. Crop Protection 29:699-703.

Workneh, F., J.A. Price, D.C. Jones, and C.M. Rush. 2010. Wheat Streak Mosaic: A Classic Case of

Plant Disease Impact on Soil Water Content and Crop Water-Use Efficiency. Plant Dis. 94: 771-774.

Li-Jun Ma, H. Charlotte van der Does, Katherine A. Borkovich, Jeffrey J. Coleman, Marie-Josée

Daboussi, Antonio Di Pietro, Marie Dufresne, Michael Freitag, Manfred Grabherr, Bernard Henrissat,

Petra M. Houterman, Seogchan Kang, Won-Bo Shim, Charles Woloshuk, Xiaohui Xie, Jin-Rong Xu,

John Antoniw, Scott E. Baker, Burton H. Bluhm, Andrew Breakspear, Daren W. Brown, Robert A. E.

Butchko, Sinead Chapman, Richard Coulson, Pedro M. Coutinho, Etienne G. J. Danchin, Andrew Diener,

Liane R. Gale, Donald M. Gardiner, Stephen Goff, Kim E. Hammond-Kosack, Karen Hilburn, Aurélie

Hua-Van, Wilfried Jonkers, Kemal Kazan, Chinnappa D. Kodira, Michael Koehrsen, Lokesh Kumar,

Yong-Hwan Lee, Liande Li, John M. Manners, Diego Miranda-Saavedra, Mala Mukherjee, Gyungsoon

Park, Jongsun Park, Sook-Young Park, Robert H. Proctor, Aviv Regev, M. Carmen Ruiz-Roldan, Divya

Sain, Sharadha Sakthikumar, Sean Sykes, David C. Schwartz, B. Gillian Turgeon, Ilan Wapinski, Olen

Yoder, Sarah Young, Qiandong Zeng, Shiguo Zhou, James Galagan, Christina A. Cuomo, H. Corby

Kistler & Martijn Rep. 2010. Comparative genomics reveals mobile pathogenicity chromosomes in

Fusarium. Nature 464, 367-373.

Scholthof, K.-B.G., and Scholthof, H.B. (2010). Induction and Suppression of RNA Silencing: Insights

from Plant Viral Infections - A BARD Workshop Report. Plant Molec. Biol. 75:205-210.

Saxena, P., Hsieh, Y-C., Alvarado, V.Y., Sainsbury,, F., Saunders. K., Lomonossoff, G., and Scholthof,

H.B. (2010). Improved foreign gene expression in plants using a virus-encoded suppressor of RNA

silencing modified to be developmentally harmless. Plant Biotech. J. (Epub ahead of printing Nov.16,

2010)

Everett, A, Scholthof, H.B., and Scholthof, K.-B. G. 2010. Satellite panicum mosaic virus coat protein

enhances the performance of plant virus gene vectors. Virology 396:37-46.

Scholthof, K.-B. G. and Peterson, P.D. 2010. The society that almost wasn't: Issues of professional

identity and the creation of the American Phytopathological Society in 1908. Phytopathology 100:14-20.

Lu, D., Wu, S., He, P., and Shan, L. 2010. Phosphorylation of receptor-like cytoplasmic kinases by

bacterial flagellin. Plant Signal Behav. May 9; 5 (5) [EPub ahead of print].


156

Lu, D., Wu, S., Gao, X., Zhang, Y., Shan, L. and He, P. 2010. A receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase BIK1

associates with flagellin receptor complex to initiate plant innate immunity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A.

107:496-501.

Lu, D., He, P., and Shan, L. 2010. Bacterial effectors target BAK1-associated receptor complexes: one

stone two birds. Communicative & Integrative Biology. 3 (2):80-83.

Boudsocq, M., Willmann M. R., McCormack, M., Lee, H., Shan L., He P., Bush, J., Cheng, S., and

Sheen J. 2010. Differential innate immune signalling via Ca2+ sensor protein kinases. Nature. 464: 418-

422.

Greenwald, C. J., Kasuga, T., Glass, N. L., Shaw, B. D., Ebbole, D. J., and Wilkinson, H. H. 2010.

Temporal and spatial regulation of gene expression during asexual development of Neurospora crassa.

Genetics. 2010 186: 1217–1230.

Chih-Li Wang, Won-Bo Shim, and Brian D. Shaw. 2010. Aspergillus nidulans striatin (StrA) mediates

sexual development and localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum. Fungal Genetics and Biology 47: 789-

799.

Ma LJ, van der Does HC, Borkovich KA, Coleman JJ, Daboussi MJ, Di Pietro A, Dufresne M, Freitag M,

Grabherr M, Henrissat B, Houterman PM, Kang S, Shim WB, Woloshuk C, Xie X, Xu JR, Antoniw J,

Baker SE, Bluhm BH, Breakspear A, Brown DW, Butchko RA, Chapman S, Coulson R, Coutinho PM,

Danchin EG, Diener A, Gale LR, Gardiner DM, Goff S, Hammond-Kosack KE, Hilburn K, Hua-Van A,

Jonkers W, Kazan K, Kodira CD, Koehrsen M, Kumar L, Lee YH, Li L, Manners JM, Miranda-Saavedra

D, Mukherjee M, Park G, Park J, Park SY, Proctor RH, Regev A, Ruiz-Roldan MC, Sain D, Sakthikumar

S, Sykes S, Schwartz DC, Turgeon BG, Wapinski I, Yoder O, Young S, Zeng Q, Zhou S, Galagan J,

Cuomo CA, Kistler HC, Rep M. 2010. Fusarium comparative genomics reveals lineage-specific

chromosomes related to pathogenicity. Nature 464:367-373.

Diaz A. Wang X. and Ahlquist P. 2010. Membrane-shaping reticulon proteins play crucial roles in

forming viral RNA replication compartments. PNAS 107: 16291-16296

Wheeler, T. A., J. E. Woodward, and B. G. Mullinix, Jr. 2010. Effect of seedling rate on Verticillium

wilt incidence, yield, and value for three cotton cultivars. J. Cotton Sci. 14:173-180.

Vandiver, M., T. A. Wheeler, K. Bronson, and B. G. Mullinix, Jr. 2010. Evalution of commercial aerial

imagery to assess variability of height and yield in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L) fields. Texas J Agric.

Nat. Resour. 23:26-41.

Wilson, J. N., T. A. Wheeler, and B. G. Mullinix, Jr. 2010. Effect of sodium hypocholorite on mortality

of Sclerotinia minor sclerotia. Peanut Sci. 37:92-94.

Hollister, E. B., A. S. Engledow, A. J. M. Hammett, T. L. Provin, H. H. Wilkinson, and T. J. Gentry.

2010a. Shifts in microbial community structure along an ecological gradient of hypersaline soils and

sediments. The ISME Journal 4:829-838.

Hollister, E. B., A. K. Forrest, H. H. Wilkinson, D. J. Ebbole, S. A. Malfatti, S. G. Tringe, M. T.

Holtzapple, and T. J. Gentry. 2010b. Structure and dynamics of the microbial communities underlying the

carboxylate platform for biofuel production. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 88:389-399.


157

Young, C. and H. H. Wilkinson. 2010. Epichloë endophytes: models of an ecological strategy.in K. A.

Borkovich and D. J. Ebbole, editors. Cellular and Molecular Biology of Filamentous Fungi. ASM Press,

Washington, DC.

Zhang,W., Wai, C.M., Ming, R., Yu, Q., Jiang, J. 2010. Integration of genetic and cytological maps and

development of a pachytene chromosome-based karyotype in papaya. Tropical Plant Biology 3: 166-170.

Damaj, M.D., P.D. Beremand, M.T. Buenrostro-Nava, J. Ivy, S.P. Kumpatla, J. Jifon, G. Beyene, Q. Yu,

T.L. Thomas, T.E. Mirkov. 2010. Isolating promoters of multigene family members from polyploidy

sugarcane genome by PCR-based walking in BAC DNA. Genome 53: 840-847

Wai, C.M., R. Ming, P.H. Moore, R.E. Paull, Q. Yu. 2010. Development of chromosome-specific

cytogenetic markers and merging of linkage fragments in papaya. Tropical plant biology 3: 171-181

Wu, X., J. Wang, J.K. Na, Q. Yu, R.C. Moore, F. Zee, S.C. Huber, R. Ming. 2010. The origin of the non-

recombining region of sex chromosomes in Carica and Vasconcellea. Plant Journal 63: 801-810.

Wang, J., B. Roe, S. Macmil, Q. Yu, J.E. Murray, H. Tang, C. Chen, F. Najar, G. Wiley, J. Bowers, M.-

A. Van Sluys, D.S. Rokhsar, M.E. Hudson, S.P. Moose, A.H. Paterson, R. Ming. 2010. Microcollinearity

between autopolyploid sugarcane and diploid sorghum genomes. BMC Genomics 11: 261.

Blas A.L., R. Ming, Z. Liu, O.J. Veatch, R.E. Paull, P.H. Moore, Q. Yu. 2010. Cloning of papaya

chromoplast specific lycopene β-cyclase, CpCYC-b, controlling fruit flesh color reveals conserved

microsynteny and a recombination hotspot. Plant Physiology 152:2013-2022.

Sanmin Liu, Lantao Liu, Ugur Uzuner, Xin Zhou, Manxi Gu, Weibing Shi, Yixiang Zhang, Susie Y. Dai,

and Joshua S. Yuan. 2011. HDX-Analyzer: A novel package for statistical analysis of protein structure

dynamics. BMC Bioinformatics 12 Suppl 1:S43.

Ugur Uzunner, Weibing Shi, Lantao Liu, Sanmin Liu, Susie Y. Dai, Joshua S. Yuan. 2010. Enzyme

structure dynamics of xylanase I from Trichoderma longibrachiatum. BMC Bioinformatics, 11, S6: S12.

Chao Di, Wenying Xu, Zhen Su, Joshua S. Yuan. 2010. Comparative genome analysis of PHB gene

family reveals deep evolutionary origins and diverse gene function., BMC Bioinformatics, 11, S6: S22.

Yanhui Peng, Laura G. Abercrombie, Joshua S. Yuan, R.D. Sammons, Patrick J. Tranel, and C.N.

Stewart Jr., Characterization of de novo transcriptome for a non-model plant, Conyza canadensis

(horseweed), using GS-FLX 454 pyrosequencing, 2010, Pest Management Science, 66: 1053–1062

Shi W, Sun J, Syrenne R, Yuan JS. 2010. Molecular approaches to study the insect gut symbiotic

microbiota at the ‘Omics’ age. Insect Science, 17: 199-219.

Yuan JS, Abercrombie LG, Cao Y, Halfhill MD, Zhou X, Peng Y, Hu J, Rao MR, Heck GR, Larosa TJ,

Sammons RD, Wang X, Ranja P, Johnson DH, Wadl PA, Scheffler BE, Rinehart TA, Trigiano RN

Stewart, CN Jr.. 2010. Functional genomics analysis of glyphosate resistance in Conyza canadensis

(horseweed). Weed Sciences, 58: 109-117.

Zhang Y, Gao P, Yuan JS. 2010. Plant internactome and protein-protein interaction network.Current

Genomics, 11: 40-46.


158

Keinath, A. P., R. L. Hassell, K. L. Everts, and X. G. Zhou. 2010. Cover crops of hybrid common vetch

reduce Fusarium wilt of seedless watermelon in the eastern United States. Online. Plant Health Progress

doi:10. 1094/PHP-2010-0914-01-RS.

Zhou, X. G., K. L. Everts, and B. D. Bruton. 2010. Race 3, a new and highly virulent race of Fusarium

oxysporum f. sp. niveum causing Fusarium wilt in watermelon. Plant Disease 94:92-98.

Zhou, X. G., K. L. Everts, and B. D. Bruton. 2010. Potential impact of a new highly virulent race of

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum in watermelon in the USA. Acta Hort. (ISHS) 871:535-542.

Zhou, X. G., R. E. Tabien, and M. O. Way. 2010. First report of white leaf streak of rice caused by

Mycovellosiella oryzae in Texas. Plant Disease 94: 639.

2009 Publications (35 total) Fillinger, S., Amselem , J., Artiguenave , F., Billault , A., Choquer , M., Couloux , A., Cuomo , C.,

Dickman , M.B., Fournier , E., Gioti , A., Giraud , C., Kodira , C., Kohn, L., Legeai , F., Levis, C.,

Mauceli , E., Pommier , C., Pradier , J., Quevillon, E., Rollins, J., Se'gurens, B., Simon, A., Vbiaud , M.,

Weissenbach, J., Wincker, P., & Lebrun, M., 2009. The genome projects of the plant pathogenic fungi

Botrytis cinerea and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Macromolecules of Grape and Wines (In press)

Hou H., Li L, de Figueiredo P and Han A. Microfabricated microbial fuel cell arrays reveal

electrochemically active microbes. 2009. PLoS ONE 2009 Aug 10;4(8):e6570 PMID: 19668333

Lamendella, R., J. W. Santo Domingo, A. C. Yannarell, S. Ghosh, G. D. Di Giovanni, R. I. Mackie, D.

B. Oerther. 2009. Evaluation of swine-specific PCR assays used for fecal source tracking and analysis of

molecular diversity of Bacteriodales-swine specific populations. Applied and Environmental

Microbiology 75:5507-5513.

Zhou J, Lin CZ, Zheng XZ, Lin XJ, Sang, SH., Wang ZH., Ebbole D.J., Lu GD. 2009. Functional

analsyis of an -1,2-mannosidase from Magnaporthe oryzae. Curr. Genet. 55:485-496.

Meng S, Brown DE, Ebbole DJ, Torto-Alalibo T, Oh YY, Deng J, Mitchell TK, Dean RA. 2009. Gene

Ontology annotation of the rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae. BMC Microbiol. 19:S8

Zhang, R., J. J. LiPuma, and C. F. Gonzalez. 2009. Two type IV secretion systems with different

functions in Burkholderia cenocepacia K56-2. Microbiology 155:4005-13.

Gao, X., M. Brodhagen, T. Isakeit, S.H. Brown, C. Göbe, J. Betrán, I. Feussner, N.P. Keller, and M. V.

Kolomiets. 2009. Inactivation of the lipoxygenase ZmLOX3 increases susceptibility of maize to

Aspergillus spp. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions 22: 222-231.

Jo, Y., Kim, B., and Jung, G. 2009. Antifungal activity of silver ions and nanoparticles on

phytopathogenic fungi. Plant Disease 93:1037-1043

Koch, P., Grau, C., Jo, Y., and Jung, G. 2009. Thiophanate-methyl and propiconazole in vitro sensitivity

of Sclerotinia homoeocarpa isolates collected from golf courses in Wisconsin and Massachusetts. Plant

Disease 93:100-105.


159

Sim, S., Yu, J., Jo, Y., Sorrells, M., and Jung, G. 2009. Transferability of cereal EST-SSR markers to

ryegrass. Genome 52:431-437

Wu, H.-i., Chakraborty, A., Li, B.-L., and Kenerley, C.M. 2009. Formulating variable carrying capacity

by exploring a resource dynamics-based feedback mechanism underlying the population growth models.

Ecological Complexity 6: 403-412.

Vargas, W.A., Mandawe, J.C., and Kenerley, C.M. 2009. Plant-derived sucrose is a key element in the

symbiotic association between Trichoderma virens and maize plants. Plant Physiology 151: 792-808.

Kumar, V., Parkhi, V. Kenerley, C.M., and Rathore, K. 2009. Defense-related gene expression and

enzyme activities in transgenic cotton plants expressing an endochitinase gene from Trichoderma virens

in response to interaction with Rhizoctonia solani. Planta 230:277-291

Gao X, Kolomiets M. (2009). Host-derived lipids and oxylipins are crucial signals in modulating

mycotoxin production by fungi. Toxin Reviews: 28: 79–88

Katilé, SO, Perumal, R, Rooney, WL Prom, LK, Magill, CW 2009 Expression of pathogenesis-related

protein PR-10 in sorghum floral tissues in response to inocluation with Fusarium thapsinum and

Curvularia lunata Mol. Plant Pathol. 11:93-103

Little, C.R., and Magill, C.W. 2009. The grain mold pathogen, Fusarium thapsinum, reduces caryopsis

formation in Sorghum bicolor. Journal of Phytopathology 157: 518-519

Ramasamy, P, Menz, MA, Mehta, PJ, Katile, S, Gutierrez Rojas, LA, Klein, RR, Klein, PE, Prom, LK,

Schlueter, JA, Rooney WL, & Magill, CW 2009. Molecular mapping of Cg1, a gene for resistance to

anthracnose (Colletotrichum sublineolum) in sorghum. Euphytica 165:597-606

MacDonald, J., Allen, C., Gadoury, D., Jacobi, W., Kelemu, S., Moyer, J., Murray, T., Ong, K., Pearson,

C., Sherwood, J., and Vidaver, A. 2009 Education in Plant Pathology: Present Status and Future

Challenges. Plant Disease 93:1238-1251.

Hsieh YC, Omarov RT, Scholthof HB. 2009. Diverse and newly recognized effects associated with short

interfering RNA binding site modifications on the Tomato bushy stunt virus p19 silencing suppressor. J

Virol. 83:2188-2200.

Wen, A, Mallik, I, Alvarado, V.Y. Pasche, J. S. Wang, X. Li, W., Levy, L., Lin, H., Scholthof, H.B.,

Mirkov, T.E., Rush, C.M., and Gudmestad,, N. C. (2009). Incidence, distribution and genetic variations of

'Candidatus Liberibacter sp.' associated with zebra complex of potato in North America. Plant Disease

93:1102-1115.

Alvarado, V., and Scholthof, H.B. (2009). Plant responses against invasive nucleic acids: RNA

silencing and its suppression by plant viral pathogens. Sem. Cell Develop. Biol. 20:1032–1040.

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syringae type III effector AvrRpt2 alters Arabidopsis thaliana auxin physiology. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.

S. A 104: 20131-20136.

Shan, L., He, P., and Sheen, J. 2007. Intercepting host MAPK signaling cascades by bacterial type III

effectors. Cell Host & Microbe 1: 167-174.

He, P., Shan, L., and Sheen, J. 2007. Elicitation and suppression of MAMP-triggered immunity in plant-

microbe interactions. Cell Microbiol 9: 1385-1396.

Shan, L. , He, P., and Sheen, J. 2007. Endless hide-and-seek: dynamic coevolution in plant bacterium

warfare. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology 49:105-111.

U. Sagaram, B. D. Shaw, and W.-B. Shim. 2007. Fusarium verticillioides GAP1, a gene encoding a

putative glycolipid-anchored surface protein, participates in conidiation and cell wall structure but not

virulence. Microbiology 153: 2850-2861.

S. C. Lee and B. D. Shaw. 2007. A novel interaction between N-myristoylation and the 26S proteasome

during cell morphogenesis. Molecular Microbiology 63: 1039-1053.

Starr, J. L., Koenning, S. R., Kirkpatrick, T. L., Robinson, A. R., Roberts, P. A., and Nichols, R. L. 2007.

The future of nematode management in cotton. Journal of Nematology 39:283-294.

Watson, W. T, Appel, D. N., Arnold, M. A., Kenerley, C. M., Starr, J. L., and Trinida, T. M. 2007.

Inoculation, symptoms, and colonization of containerized apple trees by Phymatotrichopsis omnivora

(Dugger) Hennbet. Articulo en Agrociencia 41:459-468.

Starr, J. L., K. L. Ong, M. Huddleston, and Z. A. Handoo. 2007. Control of Meloidogyne marylandi on

Bermuda grass. Nematropica 37: 43-49.

Faske, T. R., and Starr, J. L. 2007. Cotton root protection from plant-parasitic nematodes by abamectin-

treated seed. Journal of Nematology 39:27-30

Wheeler, T. A., U. S. Sagaram, G. L. Schuster, and J. R. Gannaway. 2007. Identification of factors that

influence screening for bacterial blight resistance. J. Cotton Science 11:91-97.

Wheeler, T. A., J. Cotton, and D. O. Porter. 2007. Effect of irrigation parameters on concentration of

mefenoxam in soil over time and depth in greenhouse studies. Peanut Sci. 34:17-21.

Kutil, B., C. Greenwald, G. Liu, M. Spiering, C. Schardl, and H. Wilkinson. 2007. Comparison of loline

alkaloid gene clusters across fungal endophytes: Predicting the co-regulatory sequence motifs and the

evolutionary history. Fungal Genetics and Biology 44:1002-1010.


169

Chen, C., Q. Yu, S. Hou, Y. Li, M. Eustice, R.L. Skelton, O. Veatch, R. Herds, L. Diebold, J. Saw, Y.

Feng, L. Bynum, L. Wang, P.H. Moore, R.E. Paull, M. Alam, R. Ming. 2007. Construction of a high

density genetic map of papaya using microsatellites derived from BAC end and whole genome shotgun

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Ming, R., Q. Yu, P.H. Moore. 2007. Sex determination in papaya. Seminars in cell and developmental

biology 18:401-408.

Yu, Q., S. Hou, R. Hobza, F.A. Feltus, X. Wang, W. Jin, R.L. Skelton, A. Blas, C. Lemke, J. H. Saw,

P.H. Moore, M. Alam, J. Jiang, A.H. Paterson, B. Vyskot, R. Ming. 2007. Chromosomal location and

gene paucity of the male specific region on papaya Y chromosome. Molecular Genetics and Genomics

278:177-185.

Zhou, X. G. and K. L. Everts. 2007. Characterization of a regional population of Fusarium oxysporum f.

sp. niveum by race, cross pathogenicity, and vegetative compatibility. Phytopathology 97: 461-469.

Zhou, X. G. and K. L. Everts. 2007. Effects of host resistance and inoculum density on the suppression of

Fusarium wilt of watermelon induced by hairy vetch. Plant Disease 91: 92-96.


M. R. Baring, C. E. Simpson, M. D. Burow, M. C. Black, J. M. Cason, J. Ayers, Y. Lopez, and H. A.

Melouk. 2006. Registration of ‘Tamrun OL07’ peanut. Crop Sci. 46:2721-2722.

M. E. Miller, R. R. Saldana, M. C. Black, and H. R. Pappu. 2006. First Report of Iris yellow spot virus

on onion (Allium cepa) in Texas. Plant Dis. 90:1359.

C.E. Simpson, M.R. Baring, A.M. Schubert, M.C. Black, H.A. Melouk, and Y. Lopez. 2006.

Registration of ‘Tamrun OL 02’ peanut. Crop Sci. 46:1813-1814.

G. N. Odvody, D. T. Rosenow, and M. C. Black. 2006. First report of Ramulispora sorghicola in the

United States causing oval leaf spot on johnsongrass and sorghum in Texas. Plant Dis. 90:108.

R. F. Ditt, K. F. Kerr, P. de Figueiredo, J. Delrow, L. Comai, and E. W. Nester The Arabidopsis thaliana

transcriptome in response to Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Mol. Plant Microbe Interact. 2006 Jun;19:665-

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Jaramillo Lopez. 2006. Investigation of potential anthropozoonotic transmission of cryptosporidiosis and

giardiasis through agricultural use of reclaimed wastewater. Int. J. Environ. Health Res. 16:405-418.

Watrud, L. S., S. Misra, L. Gedamu, T. Shiroyama, S. Maggard and G. D. Di Giovanni. 2006. Ecological

risk assessment of alfalfa (Medicago varia L.) genetically engineered to express a human metallothionein

(hMT) gene. Water, Air and Soil Pollution 176: 329–349.

Chen, C., Ha, Y. Min., J., Memmott, S.D. and Dickman, M.B. 2006. Cdc42 is required for proper growth

and development in the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum trifolii. Euk. Cell 5:155-166.

Chen, C. Wanduragala S., Becker D.F., and Dickman, M.B. 2006. A Tomato QM-like protein


170

protects Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells against oxidative stress by regulating intracellular proline levels.

Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 72: 4001-4006.

Xu. J.R. Dickman, M. B. and Sharon, A. 2006. The dawn of fungal pathogen genomics. Annual Review

of Phytopathology 44: 337-366.

Doukhanina, E.V., Chen, S., van der Zalm, E. Godzik, A., Reed, J. and Dickman, M.B. 2006.

Identification and functional characterization of the BAG protein family in Arabidopsis thaliana. Journal

of Biological Chemistry 281:18793-18801.

French-Monar, R. D., Jones, J.B., and Roberts, P.D. 2006. Characterization of natural populations of

Phytophthora capsici associated with local weed populations on Florida vegetable farms. Plant Disease

90: 345-350.

Summer, E.J., C. F. Gonzalez, M. Bomer, T. Carlile, A.Embry, A. M. Kucherka, J. Lee, L. Mebane, W.

C. Morrison, L. Mark, M. D. King, J.J. LiPuma, A. .K. Vidaver, and R. Young. 2006. Divergence and

mosaicism among virulent soil phages of the Burkholderia cepacia complex. J. Bacteriol. 188:255-268.

Wang, N., S.-E. Lu, Q. Yang, S.-H. Sze, and D. C. Gross. 2006. Identification of the syr-syp box in the

promoter regions of genes dedicated to syringomycin and syringopeptin production by Pseudomonas


Wang, N., S.-E. Lu, J. Wang, Z. J. Chen, and D. C. Gross. 2006. The expression of genes encoding

lipodepsipeptide phytotoxins by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae is coordinated in response to plant

signal molecules. Mol. Plant-Microbe Interact. 19:257-269.

Wang, N., S.-E. Lu, A. R. Records, and D. C. Gross. 2006. Characterization of the transcriptional

activators SalA and SyrF, which are required for syringomycin and syringopeptin production by

Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae. J. Bacteriol. 188:3290-3298.

Betrán, F.J., S. Bhatnagar, T. Isakeit, G. Odvody, and K. Mayfield. 2006. Aflatoxin accumulation and

associated traits in QPM maize inbreds and their testcrosses. Euphytica 152:247-257.

Jo, Y., Niver, A. L., Rimelspach, J., and Boehm, M. 2006. Fungicide sensitivity of Sclerotinia

homoeocarpa isolates from golf courses in Ohio. Plant Disease 90:807-813

Jo, Y., and Smitley, D. 2006. Impact of soil moisture and mowing height on the colonization of Ataenius

spretulus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in golf course turfgrass. HortScience 41:459-462

Nemchenko A†, Kunze S, Feussner I, Kolomiets M. 2006. Duplicate maize 13-lipoxygenase genes are

differentially regulated by circadian rhythm, cold stress, wounding, pathogen infection and hormonal

treatments. Journal of Experimental Botany 57: 3767-3779.

Sagaram US, Kolomiets M, Shim WB 2006. Regulation of fumonisin biosynthesis in Fusarium

verticillioides-maize system. The Plant Pathology Journal 22: 203-210.

Sabry, A.B., Jeffers, D.,Vasal, S.K., Frederiksen, R., and Magill, C.W. 2006. A region of maize

chromosome 2 affects response to downy mildew pathogens. Theor. Appl. Genet. 113:321-330.


171

Singh, M., Chaudhary, K, Singal, H.R., Magill, C. W., and Boora, K. S. 2006. Identification and

characterization of RAPD and SCAR markers linked to an anthracnose resistance gene in sorghum

[Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. Euphytica 149:179-187.

Perumal, R. Isakeit, T., Menz, M., Katilé, S., No, E-G, Magill, C.W. 2006. Characterization and genetic

distance analysis of isolates of Peronosclerospora sorghi using AFLP fingerprinting. Mycological Res.

110:471-478.

Rassaby, L., Royer, M., Borg, Z., Braithwaite, K., Mirkov, T.E., Perrier, X., Smith, G.R., and Rott, P.

2006. Yellow leaf of sugarcane is caused by at least three different genotypes of Sugarcane yellow leaf

virus, one of which predominates on the Island of Réunion. Archives of Virology 151: 1355-1371.

Herron, C. M., Mirkov, T. E., da Graça, J. V, and Lee, R. FC. 2006. Citrus tristeza virus transmission by

the Toxoptera citricida vector: in-vitro acquisition and transmission and infectivity immunoneutralization

experiments. Journal of Virological Methods 135: 205-211.

Betran, F. J., F. J., S. Bhatnagar, T. Isakeit G. Odvody and K. Mayfield. 2006. Aflatoxin accumulation

and associated traits in QPM maize inbreds and their test crosses. Euphytica 152:247–257.

Chilcutt, C. F. , G. N. Odvody, J. C. Correa, and J. Remmers and R.D. Parker. 2006. Decreased Whorl

and Ear Damage in Nine Mon810 Bacillus thuringiensis-Transgenic Corn Hybrids Compared with Their

Non-Bt Counterparts. Journal of Economic Entomology 99:2164-2170.

Odvody, G. N., D. T. Rosenow, and M. Black. 2006. First Report of Ramulispora sorghicola in the United

States causing oval leaf spot on johnsongrass and sorghum. Plant Disease 90: 108.

Rush, C.M., Lui, H.-Y., Lewellen, R.T., and Acosta-Leal, R. 2006. The Continuing Saga of Rhizomania

of Sugar Beets in the United States. Plant Dis. 91: 4-15.

Skare, J.M., Ineke Wijkamp, Jorge A.M. Rezende, Kitajima, E.W., Park, J-W., Desvoyes, B., Rush,

C.M., Michels, G.J., Scholthof, K-B.G., and Scholthof, H.B. 2006. A new eriophyid mite-borne

membrane-enveloped virus-like complex isolated from plants. Virology. 347:343-353.

Workneh, F. and Rush, C.M. 2006. Weather factors associated with development of sorghum ergot in

the Texas Panhandle. Plant Dis. 90:717-722.

Workneh, F., Narasimhan, B., Srinivasan, R., and Rush, C.M., 2006. Assessment of regional site-

specific sorghum ergot severity using radar-rainfall measurement. Plant Dis. 91:704-707.

Scholthof, H.B. 2006. The Tombusvirus-encoded P19: from irrelevance to elegance. Nat. Rev. Microbiol.

4:405-411

Omarov, R., Sparks, K., Smith, L., Zindovic, J., and Scholthof, H.B. 2006. Biological relevance of a

stable biochemical interaction between the tombusvirus-encoded P19 and siRNAs. J. Virol. 80:3000-

3008.

Skare, J.M., Wijkamp, I., Denham, I., Rezende, J.A.M., Kitajima, E.W., Park, J.W., Desvoyes, B., Rush,

C.M., Michels, G., Scholthof, K.-B. G., and Scholthof, H.B. 2006. A new eriophyid mite-borne

membrane-enveloped virus complex isolated from plants. Virology 347:343-353.

Batten, J. S., Turina, M., and Scholthof, K.-B. G. 2006. Two membrane-associated proteins are essential


172

and sufficient for Panicum mosaic virus replication. Virol. J. 3:12.

Skare, J. M., Wijkamp, I., Denham, I., Rezende, J. A. M., Kitajima, E. W., Park, J.-W., Desvoyes, B.,

Rush, C., Michels, G., Scholthof, K.-B.G., and Scholthof, H. B. 2006. A new eriophyid mite-borne

membrane-enveloped virus complex isolated from plants. Virology 347:3433-53.

Batten, J. S., Desvoyes, Yamamura, Y., and Scholthof, K.-B. G. 2006. A translational enhancer element

on the 3’-proximal end of Panicum mosaic virus. FEBS Lett. 580:2591-2597.

Scholthof, K.-B. G. and Peterson, P.D. 2006. The role of Helen Purdy Beale in the early development of

plant serology and virology. Adv. Appl. Microbiol. 59:221-241.

He, P., Shan, L. and Sheen, J. 2006. The use of protoplasts to study innate immune responses. Methods

Mol Biol. 354: 1-10.

He, P., Shan, L., Lin, N.-C., Martin, G., Kemmerling, B., Nurnberger, T., and Sheen, J. 2006. Specific

bacterial suppressors of MAMP signaling upstream of MAPKKK in Arabidopsis innate immunity. Cell

125: 563-575.

Robert-Seilaniantz, A., Shan, L., Zhou, J.-M., and Tang, X. 2006. The Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato

DC3000 type III effector HopF2 has a putative myristoylation site required for its avirulence and

virulence functions. Mol. Plant Microbe Interact. 19: 130-138.

S. Upadhyay, and B. D. Shaw. 2006. A phosphoglucose isomerase mutant in Aspergillus nidulans is

defective in hyphal polarity and conidiation. Fungal Genetics and Biology 43: 739-751. (Includes

Journal Cover Illustration).

B. D. Shaw, G. C. Carroll, and H. C. Hoch. 2006. Generality of the prerequisite of conidium attachment

to a substratum as a signal for germination among Phyllosticta species. Mycologia 98: 186-194. (Includes

Journal Cover Illustration).

Besler, B. A., W. J. Grichar, J. L. Starr, S. A. Senseman, and A. J. Jaks. 2006. Effects of row spacing,

cultivar, and fungicides for control of foliar and soilborne disease. Peanut Science 33:1-6.

Starr, J. L. Raghvan, T., Henry, M. A., Kenerley, C. M., and Wheeler, T. A. 2006. Botrytis blight of

peanut - cultivar susceptibility and pathogen fungicide sensitivity. Peanut Science 33:147-151.

Muitia, A., Lopez, Y., Starr, J. L., Schubert, A. M., and M. D. Burow. 2006. Introduction of resistance

to root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne arenaria Neal (Chitwood)) into high oleic peanut. Peanut Science

33:97-103.

Faske, T. R., and J. L. Starr. 2006. Sensitivity of Meloidogyne incognita and Rotylenchulus reniformis

to abamectin. Journal of Nematology 38:240-244.

Robinson, A. F., J. R. Akridge, J. M. Bradford, C. G. Cook, W. S. Gazaway, E. C. McGawley, J. L.

Starr, and L. D. Young. 2006. Suppression of Rotylenchulus reniformis 122-cm deep endorses

resistance introgression in Gossypium. Journal of Nematology 38:195-209.

Mustafa Mirik, Karl Steddom, and Gerald J. Michels Jr., 2006. Estimating biophysical characteristics of

Musk Thistle (Carduus nutans) with three remote sensing instruments. Rangeland Ecology and

Management 59:44-54.


173

Starr, J. L., T. Raghvan, M. A. Henry, C. M. Kenerley, and T. A. Wheeler. 2006. Botrytis blight of

peanut: cultivar susceptibility and pathogen fungicide sensitivity. Peanut Sci 33:147-151.

Wheeler, T. A., C. R. Howell, J. Cotton, and D. Porter. 2006. Pythium species associated with pod rot on

west Texas peanuts and in vitro sensitivity of isolates to mefenoxam and azoxystrobin. Peanut Science

32:9-13.

Bronson, K. F., J. D. Booker, J. P. Bordovsky, J. W. Keeling, T. A. Wheeler, R. K. Boman, M. N.

Parajulee, E. Segarra, and R. L. Nichols. 2006. Site-specific irrigation and nitrogen management for

cotton production in the Southern High Plains. Agron. J. 98:212-219.

Shim, W. B., U. S. Sagaram, Y. E. Choi, J. So, H. H. Wilkinson, and Y. W. Lee. 2006. FSR1 is essential

for virulence and female fertility in Fusarium verticillioides and F-graminearum. Molecular Plant-

Microbe Interactions 19:725-733.

Saengkerdsub, S., R. C. Anderson, H. H. Wilkinson, W. K. Kim, D. J. Nisbet, and S. C. Ricke. 2006.

Identification and Quantification of Methanogenic Archaea in Adult Chicken Ceca. Applied and


Lai, C.W.J., Q. Yu, S. Hou, R.L. Skelton, M.R. Jones, K.L.T. Lewis, J. Murray, M. Eustice, P. Guan, R.

Agbayani, P.H. Moore, R. Ming, G.G. Presting. 2006. Analysis of papaya BAC end sequences reveals

first insights into the organization of a fruit tree genome. Molecular Genetics and Genomics 276:1-12.

Skelton, R. L., Q. Yu, R. Srinivasan, R. Manshardt, P. H. Moore, R. Ming. 2006. The expression of the

gene for Lycopene β-cyclase is elevated in leaves and flowers and down-regulated in both yellow- and

red- fleshed papaya fruits. Cell Research 16:731-739.

Zhou, X. G. and K. L. Everts. 2006. Suppression of Fusarium wilt of watermelon enhanced by hairy vetch

green manure and partial cultivar resistance. Plant Health Progress doi:10. 1094/PHP-2006-0405-01-RS.

Teaching: Undergraduate

175

Instruction and Teaching

Undergraduate: Bioenvironmental Sciences (BESC)

The Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, similar to most departments across the

country, has no undergraduate Plant Pathology major. The department instead satisfies its

undergraduate teaching responsibilities by offering a B.S. degree in Bioenvironmental Sciences.

Background

The increasing importance of environmental issues is being recognized locally, regionally and

globally. Environmental hazards take many forms, including microbial threats, toxic waste and

the indirect impact of man’s activities on a fragile ecosystem. As a result, there is a growing

recognition that the solutions to environmental problems require innovative multi-disciplinary

perspectives and technologically-intensive approaches. The Bioenvironmental Sciences

curriculum (BESC) was designed in consultation with numerous industry representatives in order

to comply with the most current thinking on the talents needed for tomorrow’s environmental

fields. Students will be prepared for a number of environmental sciences career choices in such

areas as research and development, environmental consulting, remediation of wastes, site

assessment and environmental sampling, and environmental law. Graduates from BESC find

employment in federal, state and municipal environmental agencies; in industries concerned with

the generation and clean-up of hazardous wastes; with environmental advocacy and educational

groups. In addition, the strong science base in BESC prepares students for professional and

graduate schools in a variety of disciplines.

The BESC curriculum combines a foundation of required courses, technical electives and free

electives to allow the student the maximum flexibility to design a personalized course of study.

Students are advised to focus on an area of emphasis with those electives that come from such

categories as conservation/ecology, policy/ethics/regulations, the physical environment,

engineering, plant studies, genetics/biotechnology and general environmental. The Department

of Plant Pathology and Microbiology also supports the extracurricular activities needed to

support a successful environmental professional.

The program was first offered in 1990 and has undergone minor revisions. Since 2003, BESC

student numbers have increased fairly consistently with 160 majors in 2003 and 229 majors in

Fall 2010. Since 1990, the program has graduated 817 students.

In 2009 the BESC major at Texas A&M was ranked the second most popular

environmental sciences program in the country by StateUniversity.com.


176

Year # of BESC Graduates

1990 2

1991 1

1992 9

1993 12

1994 22

1995 37

1996 44

1997 55

1998 53

1999 40

2000 51

2001 62

2002 39

2003 45

2004 44

2005 35

2006 59

2007 63

2008 53

2009 61

2010 30

GRAND TOTAL 817


177

Bioenvironmental Sciences (BESC) Major Requirements

The BESC degree is designed with a limited number of set requirements to allow maximum

flexibility for students to focus on the areas that will most directly impact their career goals.

Major Field Requirements (14 hours)

Course Number Title Units

BESC 201 Introduction to Bioenvironmental Science 3.0

PLPA 301/303 Introductory Plant Pathology/Plant Pathology Lab 4.0

GENE 310 or Principles of Heredity 3.0

GENE 315 Genetics of Plants 3.0

BESC 481-900 Seminar 1.0

BESC 484-900 Field Experience (Internship) 3.0

Bioenvironmental Group (Choose any 18 hours)


BESC 204 Molds and Mushrooms 3.0

BESC 314 Pathogens, the Environment, and Society 3.0

BESC 320 Water and the Bioenvironmental Sciences 3.0

BESC 357 Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts 3.0

BESC 367 U.S. Environmental Regulations 3.0

BESC 401 Bioenvironmental Microbiology 3.0

BESC 402 Microbial Processes in Bioremediation 3.0

BESC 403 Sampling and Environmental Monitoring 3.0

BESC 489 Special Topics* 1.0

SCSC 405 Soil Microbiology 3.0

*During spring 2010 the course was ‘Carbon Trading, Mediation and the Environment’ taught by

Jim Heath, a 2002 BESC B.S. major and Dr. Karen-Beth Scholthof.

Science Requirements (28 hours)


BIOL 111 Introductory Biology I 3.0

BIOL 112 Introductory Biology II 3.0

CHEM 101/111 Fundamentals in Chemistry I 3.0

CHEM 102/112 Fundamentals in Chemistry II 3.0

CHEM 222/242 Organic chemistry, applic to biology & agriculture 3.0

RENR 205/215 Fundamentals of Ecology 3.0

SCSC 301 Soil Science 3.0

Math & Logical Reasoning (9 hours)


MATH 141 Business Mathematics 3.0

MATH 131 Mathematical Concepts- Calculus 3.0

STAT 302 Statistical Methods 3.0

Plus: 3 h Social Science, 6 h Humanities, 6 h English & Speech, 12 h Citizenship, 2 h Physical

Education, 8 h General Electives and 14 h Technical Electives.


178

Environmental Studies (ENST)

Since the program’s inception in the fall 2005 semester, Environmental Studies (ENST) has been

administratively coordinated by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (COALS) and the

College of Geosciences (GEOS). The major resides administratively within the Dean’s Office in

COALS, but students always have been directed by the PLPM Advising Office. In order to

consolidate some of the separate environmental sciences majors across campus, PLPM obtained

approval in November 2010 from the Dean’s office to assume administrative control of the

ENST degree and become the degree granting department. This arrangement was accepted by

COALS and the transition is occurring for currently enrolled students.

A remaining challenge for the program in PLPM is the difficulty of recruiting majors while a

similar program counter-part exists in GEOS (a similar major with the exact same title

(Environmental Studies) and major heading, but featuring different coursework focusing solely

on geosciences). If a clearer and separate bioenvironmental sciences major can be advertised,

PLPM can more effectively recruit students earlier in their degree cycle. Therefore, this

transition of ENST into PLPM may help the department improve the visibility of the BESC

program across campus.

ENST Enrollment

7

9

1112

16

13

11

8

15

13

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

05C 06A 06C 07A 07C 08A 08C 09A 09C 10A

Semester

En

roll

me

nt

BESC Honors Program

179

Bioenvironmental Sciences Honors at Texas A&M

The Undergraduate Honors Program at Texas A&M University offers an opportunity for highly

motivated, curious, and scholarly students to participate in challenging classroom and laboratory

experiences in university-wide programs. Bioenvironmental Sciences (BESC) Honors allows

undergraduates majoring in BESC to participate in an optional curriculum and access to

University Honors and an undergraduate thesis. Students who completed the requirements for

BESC Honors will satisfy the majority of the requirements for University Honors.

Departmental Requirements to Graduate with BESC Honors

To achieve BESC Honors, a student must complete the following 18 hours of Honors

coursework:

1. Six (6) hours of honors in courses offered outside of the BESC and PLPA program, which

may include Core Curriculum courses.

2. Nine (9) hours of honors-level BESC coursework.

a. At least six (6) hours of BESC courses must be at the 300/400 level.

b. Upper level may include 6 hours of Independent Study/Directed Research, leading to a senior

thesis, preferably through the University Undergraduate Research Fellows Program.

3. Three (3) additional hours of honors-level courses in the BESC degree plan.

4. To be certified for Honors Distinction in Bioenvironmental Sciences no grade of D* or F* in

any course on the transcript and no grade on the transcript of 'D' or 'F' in an honors class can be

recorded. (An asterisk [*] on the transcript of a graduating student indicates that the student was

given a grade penalty for academic dishonesty and the student did not complete the remediation

program that is required in order to have the asterisk removed from such a student's transcript.)

Note: If approved by the University Honors Program Office a maximum of six (6) credits based

on high AP/IB examination scores or from honors transfer credit can be used towards the

requirements of the BESC Honors Plan. For details, please see the TAMU Undergraduate

Honors Handbook <http://honors/tamu.edu/honors/general/Handbk.pdf>.

Honors Recognition and Graduation with Honors

All completed Honors coursework taken at Texas A&M University is designated as such on a

student’s official transcript, showing that the student has taken part in this enhanced curriculum.

After graduation, the transcript will designate that the student has achieved the distinction of

“Bioenvironmental Sciences Honors”, as well as any University-wide Honors distinctions.

Admission to the Honors Program in Bioenvironmental Sciences

Admission to the BESC Honors Program is the same as for the University Undergraduate Honors

Program. Current and potential BESC majors who have an overall GPA of ≥ 3.5 are encouraged

to consult with the Faculty Advisor in charge of coordinating BESC Honors as early as possible

in their academic career to plan their course sequence. To graduate with BESC Honors, a student

must graduate with a cumulative 3.5 GPA and a 3.25 GPA in Honors courses.

BESC Honors Program

180

Bioenvironmental Sciences (BESC) Honors Course Options

BESC 204-200: Molds and Mushrooms (3 hr)

BESC 314-200: Pathogens, the Environment and Society (3 hr)

BESC 402-200: Microbial Processes in Bioremediation (3 hr)

BESC 481-980: Seminar (1 hr)

BESC 484-970: Field Experience/Internship (3 hr)

BESC 489-200: Special Topics (1 to 3 hr)

BESC 491-200: Research (1 to 3 hr)

Note: Honors-level courses are indicated by the section number “200”. Honors-level writing-

intensive courses are indicated by the section number “970”. Honors-level communication-

intensive courses are indicated by section number "980". Some Honors courses might be taught

as part of regular BESC sections; if so, there will be additional time scheduled for Honors

group-discussion with the instructor.

For further information about BESC Honors, please contact:

Mr. Sam Murdock Professor Karen-Beth G. Scholthof

Advisor, BESC Program Faculty Coordinator, BESC Honors

101 LF Peterson Bldg. Plant Pathology and Microbiology Dept.

Texas A&M University Texas A&M University

College Station, TX 77843-2132 College Station, TX 77843-2132

Telephone: 979-845-2388 Telephone: 979-845-8265

E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]

Approved 8/2009; Modified 11/2010.

BESC Internship/Research Experiences

181

Undergraduate Internship/Research Experiences

BESC Senior Internships

All BESC majors are required to have at least one internship experience prior to graduation.

These internships can last from one to several semesters. Seventy three and seventy two students

completed internships in 2010 and 2009, respectively. This information was not collected prior

to 2009 when Mr. Sam Murdock was hired as Academic Advisor. The hiring of Sam Murdock as

our Academic Advisor has been a great move forward for the department.

Examples of internship experiences during 2009 – 2010 include:

Carr Environmental Group, Spring TX

United States Geological Survey (USGS), TX

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Austin, TX

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Aqua-Tech Laboratories, Austin, TX

Monsanto Corporation, St. Louis, MO

EcoServe Corporation, Houston, TX

Lynntech Incorporated, College Station, TX

Messina Hof Texas Vineyards, Bryan, TX

City of Bryan – Sustainability Programs and Environmental Services, TX

City of College Station, TX

Thomas Analytical Services, College Station, TX

Terracon Consultants, Incorporated, College Station, TX

Texas A&M University Recycling Center, College Station, TX

Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (TPDDL), College Station, TX

Total Port Arthur Refinery, Port Arthur, TX

San Antonio Audubon Society, San Antonio, TX

Garland Power & Light Company, Garland, TX

Carter Creek Waste Water Treatment Facility, College Station, TX

Koke’e Resource Conservation Program, Koke’s State Park, Kaua’i, HI

Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute, Moscow, ID

Miramont Country Club Golf Course, Bryan, TX

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-Dallas, TX

City of Brenham Public Utilities, TX

Opthamology, Palestine, TX

Naturalist, Fripp Island, SC

Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital, Nacogdoches, TX

MD Anderson Health Clinic, Houston, TX

Jones-Heroy Associates, Pflugerville, TX

Amigos de las Americas, Costa Rica

Houston Zoo, Houston, TX

Andarko Petroleum Corporation Environmental Health Division, Woodlands, TX

Garland Health Department-West Nile Virus, Garland, TX

Sawmill Hollow Organic Farm, IA

Sitka Rangers, Tongrass National Forest, AK

University of Texas at Tyler, Freshwater turtles, Tyler, TX

BESC Internship/Research Experiences

182

EcoServe Environmental Consulting, Houston, TX

TAMU Systems, Ingleside Naval Base, TX

Pharmacy, Halletsville, TX

RK Hall Construction, Paris, TX

USAF Center for Engineering and Environment, San Antonio, TX

Dr. Joiners Dental and Orthodontics Group

College Station Water Treatment Plant

Rio Grande Resources Corporation, Houston, TX

Tarrant County Regional Water District

North Louisiana Crime Laboratory, Shreveport, LA

Holtzapple Research Group, TX

Texas Master Naturalist program

VSS Animal Hospital, TX

Texas Health Resources, Arlington, TX

St. Joseph Hospital, Sterile Processing Unit


183


Name Award Year

Chavez, Christa Dean’s Honor Roll 2003

Chavez, Christa El Paso Natural Gas Scholarship 2003 - 2007

Chavez, Christa President’s Endowed Scholarship 2003 - 2007

Chavez, Christa Robert M. Light Science Scholarship 2003 - 2007

Chavez, Christa Washington Tru Solutions Scholarship 2003 - 2004

Chavez, Christa L.U.L.A.C. Scholarship 2003 - 2004

Smith, Frances Intern DC Spring 2003


Chavez, Christa Louis Stokes Alliance Mentor Program Scholar, NSF 2004 - 2005

Denham, Ivey Outstanding Undergraduate Student - PLPA 2004

Chavez, Christa A. L. Darnell Agricultural Scholarship 2004 - 2005

Chavez, Christa AFS Academic Achievement Scholarship 2004 - 2005

McMurry, Erin Intern DC Spring 2004

Twigg, Kristina Dean’s Honor Roll Fall 2004


Chavez, Christa National Hispanic Environmental Conference Travel Award 2005

Haynes, Abria Century Scholar Scholarship 2005 - 2008

Morales, Jay Intern DC Spring 2005

Simmons, Toni Intern DC Spring 2005

Snider, Jennifer Udall Scholar 2005

Ireland-Stoddard,

Kati

Senior Merit Award, COALS 2005

Trampe, Erin Senior Merit Award, COALS 2005

Twigg, Kristina Dean’s Honor Roll Spring 2005

Williams, Courtney Frank L. Howard Undergraduate Research Fellowship, APS 2005


Kalicec, Cassie Senior Merit Award, COALS 2006

Snider, Jennifer Senior Merit Award, COALS 2006

Snider, Jennifer Earl Rudder Memorial Outstanding Student Award, Brown

Foundation

2006


Twigg, Kristina Student Government Association Chair of the Year Award 2006 - 2007

Twigg, Kristina Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Endowed Scholarship 2006 - 2008


Garfield, Brenden Intern Austin Spring 2007

Haynes, Abria Dean’s List 2007

McGehee, Jacqueline Intern Austin Spring 2007

Roconi, John C.R. and B.J. Butler Endowed Scholarship, PLPM , TAMU Fall 2007

Twigg, Kristina Intern DC Fall 2007


184


Twigg, Kristina Charles and Frances Fleming Scholarship 2007 - 2008

Vasquez, Jacquelyn Senior Merit Award, COALS 2007

Book, Michael C.R. and B.J. Butler Endowed Scholarship, PLPM , TAMU Fall 2008

Haynes, Abria Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Endowed Scholarship 2008

Hughes, Randi Intern DC Spring 2008

Twigg, Kristina Senior Merit Award, COALS 2008

Twigg, Kristina Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society of Agriculture Outstanding

Senior Award

2008

Twigg, Kristina PLPM Outstanding Senior Award 2008

Jones, Adrienne Bruce Maunder Endowed Scholarship, PLPM, TAMU Spring 2009

Lindley, Lauren C.R. and B.J. Butler Endowed Scholarship, PLPM , TAMU Fall 2009

Purnell, Elizabeth Summer Internship Fellowship, Department of Plant Pathology,

Cornell University

2009

Purnell, Elizabeth Tom C. Barnsley Foundation Scholarship, COALS 2009

Purnell, Elizabeth Senior Merit Award, COALS 2009

Rains, Megan Senior Merit Award, COALS 2009

Roland, Steven C.R. and B.J. Butler Endowed Scholarship, PLPM , TAMU Fall 2009

Skeels, Amanda Bruce Maunder Endowed Scholarship, PLPM, TAMU Spring 2009

Thibodeaux, Zanara Bruce Maunder Endowed Scholarship, PLPM, TAMU Spring 2009

Ballou, John Intern DC Fall 2010

Butler, Sarah Intern DC Fall 2010

de la Garza, Laura Senior Merit Award, COALS 2010

Lightner, Jessica

Jesse Pyle

Sarah Butler

Moeller, Montana

Kobylinski, Catherine

Srubar, Megan

Senior Merit Award, COALS

Selected by TAMU for Natl Udall Scholarship Competition

Selected by TAMU for Natl Udall Scholarship Competition

Senior merit Award, COALS



2010

2011

2011

2011

2011

2011


185


Spring 2010: (21)

BOOK, MICHAEL JOHN

BURNS, STEPHANIE LYNN

CHERRY, LAURA CAMPBELL

DE LA GARZA, LAURA ANDREA

FLORENCE, JADE ASHLEY

GUENTHER, LACIE LYNN

HOLTON, STEPHANIE DOMINIQUE

HUMPHREY, MELISSA JORDAN

JONES, MATTHEW EVANS

KUBIC, TAYLOR JOSEPH

LINDLEY, LAUREN NICOLE

NGUYEN, HONG-HANH THI

PURNELL, ELIZABETH LEE

RAMSEY, STANLEY WAYNE

REA, JORDAN BLAKE

ROLAND, STEVEN KANE

SKEELS, AMANDA GAYLE

SMALL, JESSIKA LEE

TAYLOR, KYLE BENJAMIN

WRIGHT, MEGAN TANUNYEAKE

ZAVALA, SILVIA EUGENIA

Summer 2010: (8)

BALLOU, JOHN ROLLIN

ENGLISH, ERIC HARRY

MAKI, ARTEMIS ALEXANDER

NAUMANN, BRANDON WILLIAM

NORMAN, WHITNEY DANIELLE

REGMI, SHAMA

RHODES, STEPHEN MARSHALL

TESSEM, CHAD RICHARD

Fall 2010: (30)

BARGE, JONATHAN THOMAS

BLUDAU, CHRISTA RAE

ESPONDA, CISCERON JORDANO

FLORES, JENNIFER RENEE

GARCIA, KAMRYN ALYSE

GONZALEZ, MANUEL ESTEVAN

GREENIDGE, CHRISTOPHER DAVID

HOLT, CALEB

KANOJIA, SUNAINA HARICHAND

LAWSON, VALERIE ALEXANDRA

LIGHTNER, JESSICA CAREY

LYNDERSAY, MEGAN CLARE

MANCINI, MATTHEW

MILLIGAN, SPENCER

NEBGEN, WESLEY

NORTHUP, ASHLEY

ONEILL, KIMBERLY

PUENTES, CARLOS ALBERTO

QUINTERO, KORD

RAFIQUE, UMMER

RODRIGUEZ, KRISTY MARIE

SMITH, ALTRICIA BREANNA

TERRELL, MINDY LAUREN

THIBODEAUX, ZAMARA CHAKELIA

THORNTON, OMESHIA LYNNETTE

TORRES, RICHARD

TREVINO, ALEJANDRA

TURNER, LUKE

VALADEZ, CARLOS

WITHERS, CODY

Undergraduate Teaching: Additional Resources

186

International Education Programs (Study Abroad Programs)

The Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology is exploring ways to increase its

participation in Distance Education. Currently, many A&M departments use pre-existing

facilities established by A&M for their international education programs. These programs benefit

from initial investments made by A&M. In most cases, due to the focus of plant pathology our

programs do not ideally fit the current locations of these branch campuses. Hence, we are trying

to establish the connections that will lead to the development of excellent distance education

programs. However, investment and support in many of these cases will be necessary to move to

the next step.

Currently, 14 undergraduate BESC students were involved in Study Abroad experiences:

Student(s) Country

Delba Barrios Australia/Fiji

Edward Hartmann Australia (semester-long university program)

Stephen Rhodes Brazil

Zamara Thibodeaux Brazil

Lauren Dean Brazil

Christopher Greenidge Brazil

Eileen Cassidy Costa Rica

Carlos Puentes Costa Rica

Selyna Nunez Dominica

Megan Rains Ireland

Emma Vescovo New Zealand

Price Almon Taiwan*

John Ballou Taiwan*

Rosa Alvarado Taiwan*

A new distance education course currently being offered:

*1. Dr. Dan Ebbole developed a new BESC 484W course in 2010 that involves a four-week

field experience in Taiwan. Three students spent a month in Taiwan, working with Dr. Wei-

Chang Shen at the National Taiwan University. This university teaches a course (in English)

on ‘Biodiversity, Agriculture and Culture in Taiwan.’ The National Taiwan University is

interested in establishing a “3+1” program with Texas A&M University in the future.

Potential new distance education opportunities being pursued:

2. Dr. Won-Bo Shim is working to establish an international consortium of scientists to study

the pathogenic fungus Fusarium. Fusarium spp. represent the most important agricultural


187

plant pathogenic fungi due to the wide range of agricultural crops they attack and their ability

to produce mycotoxins that pose critical health concerns for human and animal consumption.

It is estimated that ~25% of crops world-wide are mycotoxin contaminated. He has traveled

to China and is interacting with the laboratory of Dr. Zonghua Ma at Zhejiang University in

China. This collaboration would result in students from A&M traveling to China to work in

laboratories at Zhejiang University and interact with Chinese counterparts. An aspect that

makes this experience even more beneficial for A&M students is that China pays all living,

boarding and food expenses for the visit. This could be a model for further improving US-

China relations.

3. Dr. Young-Ki Jo is hosting one Chinese internship student in his lab each fall, which supports

the Michigan State University - China Turfgrass Management Program. The student has

completed most course requirements for a 4-year turfgrass management degree (B.S.) in

China. The internship experience in the U.S. is a requirement for completing the degree

program. During the internship in his lab, the student is involved in multiple field and lab

research projects focused on turfgrass pathology.

4. Dr. Joshua Yuan, Dr. Won-Bo Shim and Dr. Dan Ebbole traveled to China for the Beijing

Conference held October, 2009. Dr. Yuan was an organizer and host for the first US-China

Bioenergy Forum as part of the US-China Relationship Conference. In addition, he co-hosted

the International Symposium of Biotechnology and Biofuels in Peking University, he was a

keynote speaker in a symposium for the dedication of Bioenergy Research Center in Jiangsu

University and accepted an Adjunct Professorship at Jiangsu University. The US-China

Bioenergy Forum is one of the first high level bioenergy specific forum with leading scientists

from both nations in attendance. A TAMU graduate student, Aaron Smith from Chemical

Engineering, went with him and gave a talk at the meeting on behalf of Mark Holtzapple.

5. Dr. Chuck Kenerley, Heather Wilkinson, Herman Scholthof and Jim Starr hosted four

Borlaug Fellows last fall. Our faculty have participated in these international programs for

years (this is run through Mike McWhorter's shop on campus). These are programs, but do

involve faculty going abroad as well. David Reed should have this information as Chuck

Kenerley sent it to him previously.

6. Dr. Jim Starr travels extensively to West Africa to collaborate on research to develop

nematode resistant crops. He has also hosted scientists from West Africa in his laboratory.

Invisible Jungle Radio Program

The Invisible Jungle is a two minute radio broadcast about microorganisms

(http://www.invisiblejungle.com/). In fall 2009, four Texas A&M students who were part of the

University Scholars Program created their own project with the oversight of Dr. Paul de

Figueiredo in PLPM. Aaron Gray, Kristen Carter, Alicia Israel, and Grant Atkinson decided to

create a radio program to bring the interesting and relevant news of microorganisms to the

public. This interdisciplinary team would research the latest stories and translate the scientific

articles into everyday language. It took a semester to work out the logistics of the program,


188

including finalizing the concept, creating a name and logo, and talking to radio stations. Spring

2010 brought along more members and writers to the team, a final selection of music, and the

first recordings. The Invisible Jungle first aired on the NPR affiliate KAMU-FM (College

Station, TX) in March 2010. The program is now broadcast by National Public Radio stations

across the U.S. Topics range from microbes that thrive on hand sanitizer to curing brain diseases

with herpes. This program is organized and run by University Scholars students and overseen by

Dr. Paul de Figueiredo. The students meet, decide on topics, research, organize and produce the

broadcasts. It is a great hands-on experience and exposes the public to microorganisms, both

good and bad.

Members:

Grant Atkinson, Kyle Bolton, Kristen Carter, Marissa Doshi, Amanda Flores, Aaron Gray, Alicia

Israel, Rika Mallepally, Alex Mijalis, Katy Ralston, Sarah Roberts, Morgan Scott, Maggie

Shaughnessy, Kristina Twigg. Faculty supervisor: Dr. Paul de Figueiredo.

Examples of topics:

Bacteria Powered-

Sleeping Beauty and the Beast-

Malnutrition and Tuberculosis-

Antibiotics in Cockroach Brains-

Q Fever-

Protecting Bananas with Gene Transfers-

Picture Perfect Virus-

Underwater Under Scrutiny-

Allergy Relief Found in the Stomach-

Life without Light-

H1N1 Immune Response-

Pick up that Poo-

The Froggy prince Fights Bacteria-

Deadly Invisibles-

Undergraduate Teaching: Research Experiences

189

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

A major emphasis of the Texas A&M University Action 2015 strategic plan is “Education First,”

the integration of Teaching, Research and Service. The PLPM department has been operating its

undergraduate program this way for many years. The internship experience all BESC majors

participate in are a great service opportunity for companies and organizations within Texas and

across the country. In addition, many BESC majors (and non majors) have been involved in

undergraduate research experiences working with PLPM faculty on laboratory research projects.

Since 2003, faculty in PLPM have mentored over 200 undergraduate

research students in their laboratories .

(REUs since 2003)

Last name First Name Time in Lab Lab Current ? Stephanie Sum 2007 Ebbole Unknown

Adams Jonathan Sum 2007 Kolomiets Unknown

Adams Silas ? Shan TAMU

Adawich Ezz-eddien 2005 - 2006 Wilkinson Unknown

Arriaga Christopher Spr 2010 Kolomiets Unknown

Assefa Tenbite 2002 - 2003 Wilkinson Unknown

Atnip Chelsea 2008 Magill Unknown

Babilonia Kevin REU Shan Grad. Student

University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez

Ballou John 2009 - 2010 Wilkinson Unknown

Barge Jonathan 2009 Starr Unknown

Barge Jonathan 2010 Yuan TAMU

Barrera Jennifer 2009 - current Shim Unknown

Batisita Bianca Unknown Gonzalez Grad. Student

University of Texas

Berkley Kathleen 2010 Starr Unknown

Blackwell Jillian 2006-2008 de Figuiredo UCSD

Borrego Eli Sum 2007 REU Kolomiets PLPM GS

Botard Ashley 2002 - 2003 Wilkinson Unknown

Brazelton Stacy 2000 - 2001 Wilkinson Unknown

Britt Robert Unknown Shan TAMU

Brown Jillian 2005 - 2007 Shim Unknown

Byrant Becky Unknown Gonzalez U Wash.

Canales Lorena 2006 -2007 Shim Unknown

Caple Ryan Sum 2007 REU Ebbole Unknown

Cardona Rogelio 2010 Yuan TAMU

Carpenter Casey 2007 Shim Unknown

Carrizales Cassie 2009-present de Figuiredo TAMU

Castle Megan Sum 2005 REU Ebbole Unknown

Cazares Quinten Spr 2006, Fall 2007 Kolomiets Unknown

Chavez Christa Unknown K.B. Scholthof UCBerkeley

Chavez Raven 2009 REU Shaw Unknown

Cieker Ryan Unknown Gross TAMU

Ciomperlik Jessica 2005 & 2006 H. Scholthof UWis/Mad

Cochrane Katharyn Unknown Gonzalez U Michigan

Collett Robin 2008 Shaw Unknown

Cook William 2010 Yuan TAMU


190

Covey Charlotte 2003 - 2004 H. Scholthof Unknown

Davidson Jim 1999 - 2000 Wilkinson Unknown

Davis Randy 2003 -2004 H. Scholthof Unknown

Davis Randy Unknown K.B. Scholthof Unknown

De La Fuente Gerald 2010 Kolomiets TAMU GS

DeLeon-Early Tiffany Unknown Gross TAMU GS

Denham Ivey 2001 - 2004 H. Scholthof Unknown

Destouet Kristi 2007 - 2008 Wilkinson Unknown

Douglas Steven Unknown Ong Unknown

Doyungan Alison REU Kolomiets Unknown

Duncan Malcolm Sum 2003 Kolomiets Unknown

Eijsink Kennie 2010 Kenerley TAMU UG

Escalan Miguel 2001 Wilkinson Unknown

Flores Michelle 2007 Shaw Unknown

Franco Arturo 2001 Wilkinson Unknown

Frierichs Marshall 2009-present de Figueiredo TAMU UG

Fullilove Seth Fall 2006 Kolomiets Unknown

Fulton Sarah Unknown Gross United Nations

Foundation, Washington D.C.

Gallagher Megan Unknown Gonzalez TAMU GS

Garcia Jesus 2009 - 2010 Wilkinson Unknown

Garza James Unknown Gonzalez Teacher,

Uvalde, TX

Girgis Rosemary Unknown Wilkinson Unknown

Gruber Charley 2006-2008 de Figueiredo UT

Southwestern Medical School

Guthrie Lindsey Unknown Wilkinson Unknown

Hager Zaida 2010 REU Shaw TAMU

Harris Lindsey 2004 - 2005 Shaw Law School

Hartmann Eddie Unknown Gross TAMU

Hasouris Adriane Spr 2003 Kolomiets Unknown

Heath James 2000-2002 K.B. Scholthof MBA

Georgetown University

Hemenez Maria Sum 2007 Kolomiets Unknown

Henry Rick 2008 Jo US ARMY

Henry Merribeth 2004 Kenerley Teacher,

Levelland, TX

Hill Britt 2009 REU Wilkinson Unknown

Hodde Sarah 2009 -2010 Kenerley UT

Southwestern Medical School, Fall 2011

Holt Christopher 2010 Starr Unknown

Holton Stephanie 2009 Starr Unknown

Hooper Kimberly Sum 2006 Kolomiets Unknown

Horndeski Michelle 2004 Kenerley TAMU GS

Horowitze Brittany 2009 Magill Unknown

Houston Aaron Unknown Gonzalez Unknown

Hughes Randi 2007 Shim Unknown

Ireland Kati 2003 - 2005 Wilkinson Unknown

Jones Matthew 2009 Wilkinson Unknown

Kanojia Sunaina 2010 Yuan TAMU

Keith Sarah Fall 2009 Kolomiets Unknown

Kemph Aaron Unknown Wilkinson Unknown

Kizewski Shawn 2003 Kenerley Arc Terminals,

Houston, TX

Knight Clayton 2005-2008 de Figueiredo UT

Southwestern Medical School


191

Kolomiets Pavel Sum 2010 Kolomiets U Virginia

Kuty Gabriela Unknown Gonzalez TAMU

Bio/Bio Graduate Student

Lam Willie 2006 Shim Unknown

Lange Deb 2000 - 2001 Wilkinson Unknown

Laughlin David 2008 Kenerley PLPM GS

Lindley Lauren 2010 Ong TAMU

Linquest Kyle 2009 Starr Unknown

Lopez Pablo Fall 2010 Kolomiets TAMU

Lozano Abigail 2010 - present Wilkinson Unknown

Mandawe John 2007 Kenerley York

University, Canada

Mao Xian 2009 Jo Katholieke

University Leuven, Belgium

McCharen Justin 2004 - 2005 Shaw Biotech Sector

Houston, TX area

McConkey Travis 2007 Kolomiets Unknown

McGehee Jackie 2006 Ong South Texas

College of Law Student

Mebane Leslie Unknown Gonzalez MIT GS

Michalek Greg 1999 Wilkinson Unknown

Monsies Julie 2009 Wilkinson Unknown

Morian Josh 2007 - 2008 Shaw Employed in

the energy sector Dallas, TX area

Namendorg Sonny 2008 Shim Unknown

Napper Lori Fall 2004 Kolomiets Unknown

Nguyen Eric 2006-2007 de Figueiredo Unknown

Nguyen Hana 2009 - 2010 H. Scholthof Optometry

School, Houston, TX

Nixon Sarah Fall 2007 Kolomiets Unknown

Noraman Whitney Sum 2009 Kolomiets Unknown

O’Brien Tim Unknown Gonzalez Austin Police

Department

Okon Aniekan 2009 REU Wilkinson Unknown

Ortiz Carlos Sum 2006 de Figueiredo PLPM GS

Owens Carolyn Fall 2007 Kolomiets Unknown

Palacious Ricardo Fall 2007 Kolomiets Unknown

Patterson Naquita Spr 2009 Kolomiets Unknown

Pavlosky Alex 2010 Kolomiets Attending

Blinn College

Perez Lauren Fall 2007 Kolomiets Unknown

Pesquera Ismael Sum 2008 Ebbole PLPM GS

Pesquera Ismael 2008 - 2009 Wilkinson Unknown

Phillip Grace 2010 Kenerley TAMU

Prowse Michaelyn 2003 REU Ebbole Unknown

Purnell Elizabeth 2007 - 2009 Shaw UT San

Antonio Medical School

Pyle Jesse Unknown K.B. Scholthof TAMU

Quintero Kord 2010 Starr Unknown

Ramos Cynthia Sum 2007 REU de Figueiredo UT

Brownsville

Ramos Regina 2003 - 2004 Wilkinson Unknown

Ramos Estephan Unknown Wilkinson Unknown

Rebello Gustavo 2005 - 2006 Shaw U Florida

Requenez Laura REU Shan TAMU


192

Richardson Stephen 2005 Kenerley Medical

student in Louisiana

Rocconi John Unknown Wilkinson Unknown

Rodriguez Joey 2009 Starr Unknown

Roland Steve 2010 Ong Employed by

ESR Environmental Consulting, Magnolia, TX

Romoser Amy 2008 Magill TAMU GS

Roque-Andrade Andrea 2010 H. Scholthof TAMU

Ross Matthew 2007 Ong Employed by

Southern Botanical, Dallas, TX

Ross Michelle 2001 Wilkinson Unknown

Ruiz Isabella 2008 REU Shaw Unknown

Russey Deann 1999 Wilkinson Unknown

Salazar Julie 2009 - 2010 H. Scholthof TAMU

Salazer Andrew 2009 Starr Unknown

Samuelkutty Benjamin 2009 Yuan TAMU

Sanchez Juan REU Shan Attending

Medical School University of Texas Austin

Schmucker Kyle 2008-2009 de Figueiredo TAMU

Shah Pankil 2005-2006 de Figueiredo Applying to

Dental School

Sharp Gretta 2011 Kolomiets TAMU

Shaw Sarah 2005 Shim Unknown

Sherekar Mukul Spr 2009 Ebbole Biotech

Industry (oligonucleotide synthesis company)

Shin Joon-He 2007 Shim Unknown

Shoshin Leonid Sum 2008 REU Ebbole Unknown

Sibley Carson 2009-present de Figueiredo Undergrad

TAMU

Sierra Josh 2010 REU Wilkinson Unknown

Silva Erin 2008 - 2009 Shim Unknown

Simmons Toni 2003 Kenerley Unknown

Skeel Amanda 2010 Yuan Employed by a

body shop

Skinner Brant Unknown Shan TAMU UG

Small Jessika 2009 Magill U. North

Texas

Snider Jennifer 2005 Kenerley Law Student

University of Oregon

Sosa Oscar Sum 2008 REU de Figueiredo MIT GS

Sridar Keshivan 2005-2006 de Figueiredo Unknown

Stein Holly 2005 Kenerley TAMU GS

Stowe Sean 2003 REU Ebbole Unknown

Synrenne Ryan 2009 Yuan TAMU GS

Szabo Ashley 2004 - 2005 H. Scholthof U Austin

Tankersley Kara Fall 2006 Kolomiets Unknown

Thatipelli Abhiram 2010 Yuan TAMU UG

Thomas Ambrose 2008 Magill Unknown

Thompson Heather 2003 Wilkinson Unknown

Thorkelson John 2010 Jo TAMU UG

Thorpe Jamie Unknown Wilkinson Unknown

Thorton Omeshia 2010 Starr Unknown

Torres Jessica 2010 Wilkinson Unknown

Turner Luke 2010 Yuan TAMU UG

Twigg Christina 2004-2007 K.B. Scholthof Water

Environment Federation, Washington D.C.


193

Valencia Anabel 2010 Wilkinson Unknown

Valentine Lori Unknown K.B. Scholthof Unknown

Valentine Lori 2003 Wilkinson Unknown

Van Note Katie 2010-present de Figueiredo TAMU UG

Vasquez Jacquelyn Unknown Gonzalez Int. AID Grp

Verett Keller Unknown Wilkinson Unknown

Vielma Francisco Unknown Gonzalez Teaching in

Eagle Pass, TX

Vittone Gloria 2006 Kenerley Graduate

Student Baylor College of Medicine

Volkum Mildred 1999 - 2000 Wilkinson Unknown

Walker Mary 2010 - 2011 Kenerley TAMU UG

Walsh Jameson 2007 Magill US Navy

Ward Jessica 2004 - 2005 H. Scholthof Unknown

Warren Cassie 2011 Kolomiets TAMU UG

Watkins Beau 2007 Kenerley Law Student

Texas Southern University

White Taryn 2007 Magill Unknown

Whitehead Lee Sum 2006 Kolomiets Unknown

Williams Courtney Spr 2005 Kolomiets Unknown

Williams Courtney 2004 - 2006 Shim Unknown

Williams Joseph 2002 Wilkinson Unknown

Willis Meagan 2008 Shim Unknown

Zacezek Alison 2009 Shim Unknown

Zavala Silvia 2009 Wilkinson Unknown

The Department has long been a proponent of hands-on practical

training for our students.

Since 2003, over 200 undergraduates have received hands-on research

training in the laboratories of PLPM faculty.

Undergraduate Teaching: Student Recruitment

194

Under-Represented Student Recruitment Efforts

1. Undergraduate Minority REU Program

During the summers of 2007- 2010 the Plant Pathology and Microbiology Department, with

support from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the TAMU Office of

Undergraduate Research hosted 21 undergraduate students for a 10-week Research Experiences

for Undergraduates (REU) in collaboration with four Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) in

South Texas [(Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK), Texas A&M University-Corpus

Christi (TAMU-CC), The University of Texas Pan American (UTPA), and The University of

Texas-Brownsville (UTB)]. The goal of the REU is to provide research opportunities for talented

undergraduates and to provide a recruitment opportunity for talented students interested in

graduate school.

Over the past five years, the 10 PLPM faculty associated with this REU program have

instructed 2,140 undergraduates in formal classrooms settings, guided more than 90

independent research projects in their laboratories, and co-authored 37 peer reviewed

publications with undergraduate students.

Four of the students that participated in the Summer REU program are now enrolled in

the Plant Pathology and Microbiology Ph.D. program at Texas A&M.

Other former participants are now enrolled in graduate program at institutions such as

MIT, Harvard, The University of Texas and Michigan.

We have a pending NSF-REU the will support a total of 30 students during a 3-year

period. The PIs of the program are Drs. Carlos Gonzalez and Paul de Figueiredo. This

proposal is more fully described below.

Additionally, over the last 4 years, as Co-PIs of an NSF-funded program, Drs. Ry Young

(BICH) and Carlos Gonzalez (PLPM) have engaged 59 students in a genomic sequencing

program of Burkholderia phages. This project was refunded by NSF through November

of 2012. We normally have 12-15 students per semester and minority students are an

important part of the program.

Future:

A new NSF-funded REU grant was just awarded to Dr. Carlos Gonzalez

and Dr. Paul de Figueiredo.

REU Proposal funded by NSF: The Plant-Microbe Interface: A Summer Undergraduate

Research Program

Principal Investigators: Carlos F. Gonzalez and Paul de Figueiredo

Research Main field: Biology; Sub-fields: Plant Pathology and Microbiology

Number of undergraduate students per year: 10

Summer and academic year REU Site: Texas A&M University

Weeks per year students will participate: 10 (with long term tracking plan)

The project includes an ethics component

Web site address for REU Site: http://plantpathology.tamu.edu/


195

Project Summary: Ten junior or senior level undergraduates from minority- and non-minority-

serving institutions will learn and practice the elements of hypothesis-driven scientific research

based on a theme of “The Plant-Microbe Interface; ” total of 30 students over a 3-year period.

REU students will conduct hypothesis-driven research in a laboratory of the Department of Plant

Pathology and Microbiology at Texas A&M University during a 10-week summer experience.

We have three pedagogically sequenced, overlapping, and measurable objectives. Students will

learn and demonstrate their knowledge of:

1. The scientific method, by designing and conducting hypothesis-driven microbiological

and molecular biological research projects with proper controls;

2. Scientific communication, by reporting status of experiments in laboratory group meetings

and preparing Power Point and poster presentations of findings; and

3. Interests of the university research community, by attending seminars on campus,

understanding the elements of managing hypothesis-driven research, and interacting

scientifically and socially with research faculty and REU students in other departments

and colleges.

Students to be recruited will be highly motivated entering junior and senior undergraduate

students from minority- and non-minority-serving universities from across the country. We will

develop and distribute flyers describing the REU to biology, chemistry, and biochemistry

departments. We will also distribute pamphlets at the Annual meetings of Minorities in

Agriculture Natural Resources and Related Sciences, Society for the Advancement of Chicanos

& Native Americans in Science, and the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority

Students. A distinguishing feature of our recruiting effort will be our existing close working

relationships with four Hispanic-Serving Institutions in South Texas which we will visit to

recruit. Intended impact is to (a) reinforce student interest in scientific research, (b) encourage

student interest in graduate studies, and (c) develop student interest in joining the professoriate.

Intellectual merit, using the platform of the plant-microbe interface, we will provide students

with opportunities to learn fundamental biological research methods and critical thinking by

performing independent research projects in laboratories that have active efforts in this area. The

proposed projects will be structured so that students can transition from directed to independent

research activities.

Broader impacts, the program will have long-lasting impacts related to (a) establishing novel

collaborations and interaction between a Land Grant University, Hispanic-Serving Institutions,

Historically Black Colleges, and other institutions outside of Texas; (b) institutionalizing

undergraduate research; (c) training of a new generation of scientific leaders from diverse

populations; and (d) advancing the fundamental body of knowledge in plant-microbe interface

research.

2. Minorities in Agriculture Natural Resources and Related Sciences

(MANRRS) The Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology has been the host department for the

Texas A&M Chapter of the Society for Minorities in Agriculture Natural Resources and Related

Sciences (MANRRS) for the last six years. MANRRS is a national society that promotes the

involvement of minorities in agriculture and related sciences, and is made up of a national office

with chapters established at colleges and universities throughout the United States. Membership

is open to people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds who support the objective of full ethnic

group participation and achievement in agricultural and related science careers. Current


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membership is made up of over 1,800 undergraduate students, graduate students, and

professionals and includes men and women of African American, Hispanic, Asian American,

Native American, and European American backgrounds. There are 59 active chapter located at

1852, 1890 and 1990 universities.

Currently the TAMU chapter membership includes 22 undergraduate and graduate students. Dr.

Carlos Gonzalez is the faculty advisor for the MANRRS chapter.

In 2010, the Texas A&M Chapter won the “National MANRRS

Chapter of the Year Award.”

3. Efforts to Increase Visibility of the BESC Program (Mr. Sam Murdock). Wrote several advising articles for the Regent's Scholars newsletter (Regent's

Scholars are first-generation students and typically under-represented students).

Serves as an Aggie Access Learning Community Namesake (under-represented

Learning Community) which involves working with groups of students through a

variety of activities. This program was recently discontinued.

Serves on the COALS Marketing and Recruiting Council (which coordinates and

creates almost all of the College's recruitment activities throughout the year).

Visits the TAMU-Galveston campus with General Academic Programs for

recruitment.

Serves on the Executive Board of the ATMentors (http://atmentors.tamu.edu/) a

mentoring organization that does a lot of recruitment and "Aggie

Moms Club" events and informational as well as serving current students.

Distributes to Regional Prospective Student Centers marketing information about

the BESC major for use in their high school visits and other school programs (and

works with some of the Houston area inner-city schools as a Scholarships

Recruiter in Honors Programs).

Works with Mike Spies and David DeSousa in Admissions on advertising the

BESC major to the Community Colleges across the state.

Participates in the Transfer Articulation Pilot Program (TAPP) which guarantees

transfer admission into specific TAMU majors as long as students take specified

classes and get a specific GPA on those courses.

Participates in Aggieland Saturday, Transfer Information Day, Freshman

Information Day, and other major recruiting events held on campus.

Visits Blinn Community College (Bryan and Brenham campuses) regularly with

COALS recruiters.

Volunteers for the Blinn TEAM program (co-enrollment program with

Blinn/TAMU) every summer to register students and advertise the major.

Attends cross-training events with Financial Aid/Admissions and COALS

Recruiters every year to make sure they know what's new/changing with our

majors and have up-to-date materials.

http://atmentors.tamu.edu/


197

Participates in the Visitor's Center online scheduling program so that visiting

students and families can easily schedule visits to our Department when they visit

campus.

Presents a program annually to the Gateway program (provisional TAMU

admission program in the summer that has hundreds of students, largely under-

represented, without a major).

Works closely with Admissions and COALS recruiters on campus visit programs

and summer camps that target metro schools (typically Juniors in the Spring),

gives presentations to those students.

Works with Phi Kappa Phi and Honors Programs to represent our College and

Department in their recruiting activities.

Serves on a variety of scholarship and award committees to advertise our

Department to high achieving students, and serves each semester on the Ag &

Natural Resource Policy Internship Program in Washington, DC as well.

Occasionally presents at various Houston area events (like the Houston Hispanic

Forum, Admitted Student Receptions, and targeted student receptions) with the

COALS recruiters and Assoc. Dean Danielle Harris (These efforts by the college

have been pared back due to budget issues).

Scholarships

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Plant Pathology and Microbiology Scholarships

Spring 2011

Account Scholarship Name Balance Restrictions/Purpose

650545 Robert Nicholson Endowed $96,029 To be used for outstanding plant pathology

Scholarship graduate students with research interest in seed pathology and improvement

651938 Bruce A. Maunder/DeKalb $381 To be used for currently enrolled undergraduate

students in plant pathology or bioenvironmental

sciences based on either need or scholarship as recognized by the faculty

653947 Plant Pathology & Microbiology $1,000

To be used for scholarships, tuition & fees for PLPM graduate students & BESC undergraduates

652814 Department of Plant Pathology 0 Demonstrated need by either undergraduate or graduate student in our department

and Microbiology

65219 Biology of Filamentous Fungi $0 To be awarded to students in the Program for

Biology of Filamentous Fungi

33396 C.R. Butler and B.J. Butler $17,227

To be used for an outstanding undergraduate in Plant Pathology or Bioenvironmental Sciences with research interest in ornamental crops

Foundation Endowed Scholarship

57406 Luther Bird Endowed $2,456

To be used for an outstanding graduate student in Plant Pathology & Microbiology with interest in host plant resistance

Foundation Scholarship

Challenges to BESC Program

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Challenges to the BESC Program

The Bioenvironmental Sciences major is enjoying continuing success and is rapidly growing. In

spite of this success, the BESC major faces several challenges.

(1) Currently at Texas A&M there are multiple programs that carry the name environmental

sciences. For example, Geosciences has a B.S. in Environmental Geosciences that focuses on

the interdisciplinary relationships between geology, geophysics, meteorology, oceanography

and physical geography. It also had a B.S. in Environmental Sciences (ENST) which

recently was given to PLPM. However, the presence of multiple environmental majors

across campus is confusing to students. A means of strengthening the BESC major would be

to make it known as THE environmental major. At Texas A&M, all Freshmen enter with a

declared major. As freshmen recruitment is largely a college and university-admissions

driven process, we have not been sufficiently visible, although our academic advisor works

hard to keep Texas A&M’s Prospective Student Centers across the State supplied with our

one-pagers and brochures. Therefore, students are usually in their 2nd or 3rd year before they

learn about BESC.

Breakdown of Undergraduates (as of March 24, 2010):

Actual Target

Total Students: 189 220

Freshmen: 8 (4%) 33 (15%)

Sophomores: 22 (12%) 44 (20%)

Juniors: 56 (30%) 66 (30%)

Seniors: 103 (54%) 77 (35%)

As shown under the ‘Actual’ heading, the BESC major is weighted too heavily towards

upperclassmen. This reflects the current issue of most of our majors being transfer students

and that many freshmen are coming in with a significant amount of credit hours from Dual

Credit courses and AP courses.

Under the ‘Target’ heading is the percentage splits we would like to see for the BESC student

distribution. This distribution would still take into account our appeal to change of majors

and transfer students.

(2) Student quality and scholastic timeline. Most BESC majors transfer into BESC during their

second or third years at A&M. Many of these students initially majored in other fields who

decided to take a different career track. In many cases, this reflects the requirement for

students to select a major area prior to arriving on campus. Many students apply to A&M for

specific majors such as engineering without knowing what is involved. Once at A&M, they

realize that their career goals are not served by their initial major choice. In some cases,

students switch due to scholastic issues. These marginal students require extra counseling and

encouragement, and occasionally some “tough love.” We are fortunate to have Mr. Sam

Murdock as our academic advisor. Mr. Murdock does an excellent job of keeping our BESC

majors on track. Sam recently was awarded the 2010 President’s Advisor Award at A&M. In

both cases, often by the time student’s transfer into the BESC program they have already used

Challenges to BESC Program

200

a significant proportion of their allotted 120 student credit hours. Getting them through the

required BESC curriculum within the remaining time period can be difficult.

(3) Due to perceived weaknesses in the ability of A&M graduates to write and speak effectively,

the Texas legislature required the university to institute ‘W’ writing-intensive courses in all

undergraduate majors in Fall 2004. A second such ‘W’ course was added in Fall 2007. In

Spring 2008 a ‘C’ course emphasizing communications could be substituted for one of the

‘W’ courses. Therefore, all undergraduates must take at least one ‘W’ and one ‘C’ course. The

‘W’ courses are designed to re-enforce writing skills awhile the ‘C’ courses are designed to

re-enforce speaking skills. ‘W’ and ‘C’ courses have a maximum permitted enrollment of 25

students. This requires that each BESC faculty member involved in a ‘W’ or ‘C’ course had to

hold multiple sections. Faculty involved in these courses were suffering burnout due to the

demands of reviewing each assignment and returning it to the students with comments

followed by re-reading, etc. For example, BESC 320 Water and the Bioenvironmental

Sciences has no instructor currently due to this issue. To overcome this issue, several faculty

have agreed to run sections of BESC484W in which they interact with a group of BESC

majors during their internships. Each week the students submit written updates on their

projects and additional reading which are reviewed, edited and returned by the instructors.

We have implemented a similar approach to try to deal with the sheer number of majors for

the ‘C’ course requirement, as BESC 481, a capstone seminar course.

(4) The faculty who teach BESC courses are in most situations teaching far outside their areas of

expertise. In order to maintain excellence in teaching, this requires additional preparation time

by the instructors for each lecture as the instructors learn the latest in their respective subject

areas. These faculty have arguably larger teaching assignments than other faculty that teach

plant pathology courses alone.

Future Goal:

One area that the Department is working jointly with the Development Office is to establish a

chair in Bioenvironmental Science. The establishment of such a chair would increase the

visibility of the program and serve as a solid base for the major. More information on this

position is included under the Future Plans section.

Graduate Instruction: PLPM

201

Instruction and Teaching

Graduate: Plant Pathology and Microbiology

Plant Pathology is the science of plant health management that encompasses plant

diseases, their nature, causal agents, host resistance, community ecology and interrelated

phenomena. Plant Pathology is a broad program with emphasis on both basic molecular biology

and field application. Graduate study in Plant Pathology involves the scientific training of

professional psychopathologists. Emphasis is placed on the fundamental and practical concepts

associated with pathology and the conceptual schemes of fungal, bacterial, viral, nematological,

mycoplasmal and physiogenic diseases, host plant resistance, and the role of environmental cues

in plant health. In addition, department faculty research most aspects of plant pathology,

including physiology of parasitism, plant-microbe interactions, genetics of PAMP-triggered

immunity (PTI) and Effector-triggered immunity (ETI), RNA silencing, genetics of pathogen

variation and variability, genetics of host-pathogen-hyperparasite populations, ecology of soil-

borne pathogens, etiology and epidemiology of plant disease, nematology, virology,

biotechnology, phytotherapeutics and clinical phytopathology.

As a faculty we are committed to providing our students with the best training possible.

Graduate study is different from undergraduate studies. Our goal is not so much to provide

masses of information, but to help the student learn “how to learn”. Science changes

continuously and it is critically important that scientists are able to grow and adapt to new

technologies while incorporating the latest scientific “facts.” Our success is measured by how

well our students develop the discipline, the self-confidence, and the ethical standards that are

primarily responsible for their future success. Much of what we teach is by apprenticeship

methods. There is considerable "art" in scientific research, teaching and extension. The best way

to teach this is by laboratory rotations, laboratory classes, seminar courses, field trips, and

research experiences that we provide to our students. Most of our student’s learning comes from

primary literature and from personal interactions with professors, technical staff, and fellow

students. Our primary purpose as University faculty is to share our knowledge and skills with our

students. The best way we know to do this is to include our students in all aspects of our current

research, teaching, and extension activities. PLPM is large enough to allow students to become

exposed to all aspects of plant pathology and plant-microbiology while small enough to promote

close interaction between students and faculty.

The design of the graduate curriculum in Plant Pathology is challenging from a number

of viewpoints. Many variations have been tried, including mini-courses that provided students

exposure to many pathogen systems in a relatively short time frame. However, these courses

were discontinued in part due to scheduling difficulties. All curricula revisions and changes are

submitted to the Graduate Program Committee (GPC) which discusses the proposed changes and

forwards possible changes to the full faculty for discussion, vote, and implementation.

Graduate Program Coursework

The Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology offers a M.S. and Ph.D. degree in Plant

Pathology. The PLPM Ph.D. program requires a minimum of 96 hours while the M.S. program

requires 32 hours. The current plant pathology curriculum reflects a compromise among multiple


202

factors, including the need to justify and maximize student credit hours (SCH), accommodating

faculty expertise in current courses and planning for new expertise and curricula. Also, each

course must attract a minimum of 5 students to be offered. If a course goes three consecutive

years without being offered, it is automatically dropped. Therefore, it is imperative that courses

are offered on a regular basis and have a sufficient enrollment base.

Major Field Requirements

Course Number Title Hours

PLPA 611 Advanced Plant Pathology 3.0

PLPA 616 Methods in Molecular Biology of Plant-Microbe Interactions 2.0

PLPA 613 Advanced Plant Pathology 3.0

PLPA 626 Diagnosis of Plant Diseases 2.0

or

PLPA 623 Diseases of Field Crops 2.0

PLPA 681 Seminar 2.0

PLPA 690 Theory of Research 1.0

Elective PLPA Course Options

Course Number Title Hours

PLPA 601 Introduction to Plant Pathology 3.0

Organismal Courses:

PLPA 618 Bacterial Plant Diseases 3.0

PLPA 620 Plant Virology 3.0

PLPA 630 Fungi: Cell Biology and Taxonomy 2.0

PLPA 631 Fungi: Genetics and Physiology 2.0

PLPA 632 Fungi: Laboratory 1.0

Principles Courses:

PLPA 610 Host Plant Resistance 3.0

PLPA 623 Diseases of Field Crops 2.0

PLPA 626 Diagnosis of Plant Diseases 2.0

PLPA 617 Molecular Plant Pathogen Interactions 4.0

PLPA 689 Bioinformatics 3.0

PLPA 665 Viral Vectors and Gene Therapy 3.0

PLPA 614 Pathogens, the Environment and Society 3.0

Online Courses:

PLPA 603 Online: Disease Management 3.0


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Minimum Required Credit Hours for Graduate Students

Course M.S. Ph.D.

PLPA 616 2 2

PLPA 611 and lab (PLPA 613) 4 4

PLPA 626 or 623 2/3 2/3

PLPA 681 2 2

PLPA 690 2 3

PLPA Electives 9/10 19/20

Subtotal 22 33

Other Electives 10 63

Minimum Total Credit Hours 32 96

Deadlines for Completion of Degree Requirements

Requirement Completion Date

M. Ag. M.S. Ph.D.

Completion of PLPA 616, 611, 613 2nd* 2nd 2nd

Committee Formation 2nd 2nd 3rd

Degree Plan Submission 2nd 2nd 3rd

Research Proposal Submission na 4th 6th

Internship 6th na na

Preliminary Exam na na 8th

Final Seminar End of Program

Final Exam End of Program

*Semesters after 1st enrollment.

In addition, each year graduate students must submit a annual report for the Department Head’s

review.


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Graduate Student Enrollment

The total numbers of graduate students in the department remained fairly constant from 2006 to

2007, but we have seen a slight increase since 2008 to present. Currently, the department has 35

graduate students enrolled as M.S. or Ph.D. students.

The graph shows the relative diversity of graduate students in the department since 2006.

Fall 2010 Fall 2009 Fall 2008 Fall 2007 Fall 2006

Int - Male 7 7 6 9 9

Int - Female 8 7 7 3 3

Domestic Hisp - Male 4 4 3 1 1

Domestic Hisp - Female 3 2 2 3 2

Domestic Afr

American- - Male 0 0 0 0 0

Domestic Afr

American- Female 1 1 0 0 0

Domestic White - Male 4 4 6 6 8

Domestic White -

Female 8 8 8 9 8

35 33 32 31 31

The majority of our graduate students are female, and are evenly split between domestic and

foreign. The next largest group is international male students.

African American Female

African American Male


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Post-doctoral Students

The department hosts a sizable group of post-doctoral students. We consider post-doctoral

student training as extremely important as described in the Teaching section. Currently the

majority of post-doctoral students are foreign males and females. It has been difficult

traditionally to attract as many domestic post-doctoral students into the department.

Fall 2010 Fall 2009 Fall 2008 Fall 2007 Fall 2006

Int - Male 12 10 9 13 5

Int - Female 5 6 6 4 2

US - Male 1 2 0 1 1

US - Female 0 1 0 0 0

Total 18 19 15 18 8

Current & Recent Post-doctoral Students Name Nationality Mentor

Cho, Jae-Min US Shim

Christensen, Shawn A US Kolomiets

Das, Mayukh India Gonzalez

Ding, Shengli China Kenerley

Ek Ramos, Maria J Mexico Dickman

Kim, Jung E Korea Shim

Liu, Wen D US Dickman

Mandadi, Kranthi K US Kenerley

Moran Diez, Maria E Spain Kenerley

Ravindran, Aravind India Gross

Shi, Weibing China Yuan

Shin, Su Young China Yuan

Song, Yaling China Yuan

Veluchamy, Selvakumar India Dickman

Yan, Yuanxin China Kolomiets

Vacant, Wu, Shujing China Shan went to Austin 2/11

Vacant, Manebayeva, Shuga Kazakhstan Scholthof home country 12/10

Vacant, Luo, Jijing China deFig went to biology 8/10


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Graduate Student Support

Graduate students are funded via one of three categories:

Graduate Assistant- Teaching (GAT).

Graduate Assistant- Non-Teaching (GANT.)

Graduate Assistant- Research (GAR).

These are the definitions of these categories.

1. GAT (Graduate Assistant - Teaching)

"any employee with a primary duty of teaching, tutoring, instructing or lecturing in the activity

of imparting knowledge and who is employed and engaged in this activity as a teacher in an

educational establishment by which the employee is employed."

2. GANT (Graduate Assistant - Non-Teaching)

assists with teaching (class/lab preparation, grade papers, maintain facilities, etc.), but does not

have any of the primary duties listed under GAT; e.g. does not teach, instruct, lecture, impart

knowledge, etc.

3. GAR (Graduate Assistant - Research)

"assists in research in the course of obtaining advanced degrees and where the research is

performed under the supervision of a member of the faculty in a research environment."

The PLPM Department currently funds graduate students at the following rates regardless of

title:

Degree Monthly stipend Approx. Annual Amt

M.S. $1,583.00 $18,996.00

Ph.D. $1,633.00 $19,596.00


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The Department has a number of additional activities to enrich the graduate experience at Texas

A&M.

Program for the Biology of Filamentous Fungi (PBoFF)

The Program for the Biology of Filamentous Fungi (PBoFF) at Texas A&M was established in

1991 through a grant from the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station to support two graduate

students per year for a period of two years. The Program was expanded by a Graduate Research

Traineeship Program grant from the National Science Foundation that was active from 1994

through 2000 for $566,500 to provide 25 student-years of support. Currently, 17 faculty in the

Departments of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, and Biology

participate in the training program. A more recent National Needs Fellowship award supported

two students from 2007 to 2010. The group web site (http://pboff.tamu.edu) provides an

introduction to the faculty group and research programs.

Graduate Student Club

The Graduate Student Club is composed of the graduate students attached to any Principal

Investigator in the Plant Pathology and Microbiology department. Each year the students elect a

President, a Vice President, and a Treasurer. The students meet monthly to discuss news in the

department and plan social events. Rotating selections of graduate students attend regular and

emergency faculty meetings and update the other graduate students on departmental affairs. The

graduate student club officers plan parties and socials for the entire department, as well as events

exclusively for the graduate students. The officers act as liaisons between the students and

faculty and keep the club organized.

Current Officers: President – David Laughlin

Vice President – Jessica Williams

Treasurer - Julia Cope

GSC Liaisons – Ismael Pesquera and Christopher Lyons

Robigalia

The Graduate Student Club helps sponsor the Robigalia, a celebration following the annual

PBoFF symposium. Robigalia was an ancient Greek festival to pay homage to the gods in a plea

to prevent wheat rust epidemics that year. The grad students dress up in “traditional” clothing

and act out the Robigalia ceremony at the event.

http://pboff.tamu.edu/


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Graduate Minority Programs

The Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology is involved in two graduate minority

programs, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation's Minority Ph.D. Program and the USDA-funded

Hispanic Leaders in Agriculture and the Environment Program (HLAE). Dr. Carlos Gonzalez is

the Sloan Project Director for the program that currently funds six minority graduate students in

the department. The HLAE program has sponsored 104 students at the M.S. or Ph.D. level in the

past 8 years in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Currently seven students in PLPM

are part of the HLAE program.

Minorities in Agriculture Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS)

The Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology has been the host department for the

Texas A&M Chapter of the Society for Minorities in Agriculture Natural Resources and Related

Sciences (MANRRS) for the last six years. MANRRS is a national society that promotes the

involvement of minorities in agriculture and related sciences, and is made up of a national office

with chapters established at colleges and universities throughout the United States. Membership

is open to people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds who support the objective of full ethnic

group participation and achievement in agricultural and related science careers. Current

membership is made up of over 1,800 undergraduate students, graduate students, and

professionals and includes men and women of African American, Hispanic, Asian American,

Native American, and European American backgrounds. There are 59 active chapter located at

1852, 1890 and 1990 universities.

Currently the TAMU chapter membership includes 22 undergraduate and graduate students. In

2010 the Texas A&M Chapter won the “Chapter of the Year Award”. Dr. Carlos Gonzalez is the

faculty advisor for the MANRRS chapter.


209

Challenges to the PLPM Graduate Program

The PLPM department faces similar graduate student issues as other Plant Pathology

departments across the U.S. While the importance of plant pathology to worldwide agriculture

continues to increase, there are fewer highly qualified students applying to plant pathology

departments in general. To generalize, our challenges include:

Recruitment

Funding

Space availability in faculty laboratories

The number of faculty in the department has only increased by three since the department was

created in 1985. As our students are dependent primarily on competitive grant support, there is a

limit to the number of students a faculty member can successfully manage. In addition, the

support available through the college or university is limited and extremely competitive, making

increases in the numbers of graduate students a slow process. One area that is always

problematic is financial support. PLPM ranks third from the bottom in graduate student stipends.


210


Name Award Year

Crutcher, Frankie USDA National Needs Fellowship 2005 - 2008

Djonovic, Slavica Graduate Fellowship, Storkan-Hanes-McCaslin Foundation 2005

Djonovic, Slavica Nicholson Fellowship, PLPM, TAMU 2005

Lee, Soo Chan Student Mentor Travel Award, Mycological Society of America 2005

Li, Dan Nicholson Fellowship, PLPM, TAMU 2005

Park, Yong-Soon Oversea Student Scholarship, South Korea 2005 - 2006

Records, Angela Gamma Sigma Delat Honor Society 2005 - 2009

Records, Angela Graduate Student Excellence Award, PLPM, TAMU 2005

Ancona, Veronica Pathways to the Doctorate Program Fellowship 2006

Records, Angela I.E. Melhus Award, APS 2006

Sagaram, Uma Outstanding Achievement Award, PLPM, TAMU 2006

Sagaram, Uma Academic Excellence Award, TAMU 2006 - 2007

Torres, Cruz Certificate of Appreciation, Minorities in Agriculture, Natural

Resource and Related Sciences

2006

Hammett, Amy Jo Regent’s Fellowship, TAMU 2007

Lee, Soo Chan American Society for Microbiology Poster Award , Fungal

Genetics Meeting

2007

Lee, Soo Chan Nicholson Fellowship, PLPM, TAMU 2007

Lee, Soo Chan Graduate Student Excellence Award, PLPM, TAMU 2007

Records, Angela Council Award, APS 2007

Sagaram, Uma 13th George W. Kunze Prize, OGS, TAMU 2007

Torres, Cruz Certificate of Appreciation, Minorities in Agriculture, Natural

Resource and Related Sciences

2007

Ciomperlik, Jessica Competitive Graduate Student Travel Award, APS 2008

Ciomperlik, Jessica Willy May Harris Charitable Trust Graduate Fellow, COALS,

TAMU

2008

Hsieh, John Competitive Graduate Student Travel Award, ASV 2008

Malapi-Nelson,

Martha

Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society 2008 - 2010

Malapi-Nelson,

Martha

Dick Stuckey Public Policy Award, APS 2008

Park, Yong-Soon Travel Award, APS 2008

Park, Yong-Soon Travel Award, PLPM, TAMU 2008

Park, Yong-Soon Travel Award, American Society of Plant Biologists 2008

Torres, Cruz Travel Award, APS 2008

Torres, Cruz 3rd Place, Graduate Student Oral Presentation Competition, APS 2008

Torres, Cruz Honorary Mention, Graduate Student Research Poster, AgriLife

Conference

2008

Ortiz, Carlos Regional Vice President Service Award, MANRRS 2008 - 2009


211

Ancona, Veronica Graduate Student Travel Award, COALS 2009

Ancona, Veronica Graduate Student Travel Award, PLPM , TAMU 2009

Chung, Dawoon Outstanding Presentation, International Aspergilus Community

Meeting

2009

Laughlin, David Hispanic Leadership Fellowship 2009 - 2011

Lundy, Donna Graduate Program Enhancement Fall 2009

Malapi-Nelson,

Martha

Monsanto Conference Scholarship 2009

Malapi-Nelson,

Martha

International Education Fee Scholarship, TAMU 2009

Ortiz, Carlos SLOAN Fellowship 2009

Ortiz, Carlos National Graduate Student President Service Award, MANRRS 2009 - 2010

Pesquera, Pedro

Ismael

Regents Fellowship, TAMU 2009

Pesquera, Pedro

Ismael

SLOAN Foundation Fellowship 2009

de la Garza, Laura Diversity Fellowship 2010

Malapi-Nelson,

Martha

COALS Scholarship, TAMU 2010

Malapi-Nelson,

Martha

Academic Excellence Award, TAMU 2010

Malapi-Nelson,

Martha

Shibata International Memorial Scholarship, TAMU 2010

Malapi-Nelson,

Martha

Tina Watkins Scholarship, TAMU 2010

Park, Yong-Soon Travel Award, PLPM, TAMU 2010

Recent M.S. and Ph.D. Graduates

212

Recent M.S. and Ph.D. Graduates: Thesis Abstracts

Student Major Advisor Thesis Title

Dec ’10:

Hyo-Jin Kim M. Dickman Role of Programmed Cell Death in Disease

Development of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Plant programmed cell death (PCD) is an essential process in the outcome plant-pathogen interactions. PCD can

have contrasting effects following pathogen challenge depending on context of the interaction and the lifestyle of the

pathogen. For example, plant PCD in plant-biotroph interactions is clearly beneficial to plants, whereas it could be

detrimental to plants in plant-necrotroph interactions. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is studied in the Dickman lab and is

an agriculturally and economically important necrotrophic pathogen. Previous studies have shown that S.

sclerotiorum secretes oxalic acid (OA) to enhance Sclerotinia virulence by various mechanisms including induction

of host PCD. Recently we have shown that reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation correlates with induction of

PCD during disease development. Therefore, my studies focus on links between ROS, oxalate, and PCD, and how

they impact S. sclerotiorum disease development. In Chapter II, I examined the involvement of reactive oxygen

species (ROS) in pathogenic development of S. sclerotiorum. I identified and functionally characterized two

predicted S. sclerotiorum NADPH oxidases (Nox1 and Nox2) by RNAi. Both nox genes appear to have roles in

sclerotial development, while only Nox1-silenced mutants showed reduced virulence. Interestingly, the reduced

virulence of the Nox1-silenced mutant correlated with decreased production of OA in the mutant. This observation

suggests that regulation of ROS by S. sclerotiorum Nox1 may be linked to OA. In Chapter III, I detail the phenotype

of plants inoculated with an S. sclerotiorum oxalate deficient mutant (A2), which showed restricted growth at the

infected site. This response resembles the hypersensitive response (HR), and is associated with plant resistance

responses including cell wall strengthening, plant oxidative burst, and induction of defensin genes. Conversely,

leaves infected with wild type showed unrestricted spreading of cell death and were not associated with these

resistant responses. Furthermore, a Caenorhabditis elegans anti-apoptotic gene (ced-9) conferred resistance to wild

type S. sclerotiorum as reported by Dickman), while this gene had negligible effects on the phenotype of plant

leaves inoculated with A2 mutants. These findings suggest that HR-like cell death by A2 and PCD by wild type S.

sclerotiorum may be regulated by different pathways.

As a whole, these results reveal the importance of ROS, oxalate, and PCD in Sclerotinia disease development as

well as the significance of interplay between them. These studies contribute to the understanding of underlying

mechanisms of Sclerotinia disease.

Dec ‘10

Yulan Zhang L. Shan Salmonella Infection and Death of Arabidopsis

Seedlings in Liquid Medium

Human enteric pathogen Salmonella contaminates raw produce and triggers significant economic loss and illness.

Under a natural environment, Salmonella resides in soil and enters the interior of plants without causing disease or

eliciting symbiotic growth. Upon being consumed by humans, complex virulence mechanisms are elicited by the

specific intestine conditions, such as high temperature and humidity and lead to profound infection. The lack of

effective prevention and drug treatment are largely attributed to the unclear mechanistic understanding on

Salmonella association with environmental media, and in vivo host and pathogen factors required for persistent

infection. We have explored the potential of deploying the model plant organism Arabidopsis thaliana to tackle this

fundamental yet clinically challenging question, as Arabidopsis possesses many advantages as a model system,

including enriched genomic resources, powerful genetic tools, low maintenance cost and a large collection of

individual gene deletion mutants. Our preliminary data demonstrated Arabidopsis seedlings under liquid culture

conditions mimicking the intestine environment were infected and killed by salmonella within 2 days upon

inoculation. The Arabidopsis system possesses well-developed genetic information and the resources to study host

factors required for infection on very short time scales, thus complementing traditional animal genetic studies. We

aim to define the pathogen factors required for this infection. By merging the fields of extremely powerful

Arabidopsis genetics and bacterial genetics/genomics, we hope to provide insight into possible new paradigms for

addressing salmonella-mediated food born infection.

Recent M.S. and Ph.D. Graduates

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Aug ’10:

Chestley Miller J. Starr Non-thesis MS

Aug ’10:

Charles Greenwald H. Wilkinson Evolution of Genes and Gene Networks in

Filamentous Fungi

The Pezizomycotina, commonly known as the filamentous fungi, are a diverse group of organisms that have a major

impact on human life. The filamentous fungi diverged from a common ancestor approximately 200 – 700 million

years ago. Because of the diversity and the wealth of biological and genomic tools for the filamentous fungi it is

possible to track the evolutionary history of genes and gene networks in these organisms. In this dissertation I focus

on the evolution of two genes (lolC and lolD) in the LOL secondary metabolite gene cluster in Epichloë and

Neotyphodium genera, the evolution of the MAP kinase-signaling cascade in the filamentous fungi, the regulation of

the gene networks involved in asexual development in Neurospora crassa, and the identification of two genes in the

N. crassa asexual development gene network, acon-2 and acon-3. I find that lolC and lolD originated as an ancient

duplication in the ancestor of the filamentous fungi, which were later recruited in the LOL gene cluster in the fungal

endophyte lineage. In the MAP kinase-signaling cascade, I find that the MAPK component is the most central gene

in the gene network. I also find that the MAPK signaling cascade originated as three copies in the ancestor to

eukaryotes, an arrangement that is maintained in filamentous fungi. My observations of gene expression profiling

during N. crassa asexual development show tissue specific expression of genes. Both the vegetative mycelium and

the aerial hyphae contribute to the formation of macroconidiophores. Also, with the help of genomic tools recently

developed by researchers in the filamentous fungal community, I identified NCU00478 and NCU07617 as the genes

with mutations responsible for two aconidial strains of N. crassa, acon-2 and acon-3 respectively.

May ’10:

Joon-Hee Shin W. Shim Characterization of PP2A Regulatory B

Subunits in Fusarium verticillioides

Fusarium verticillioides is a pathogen of maize causing ear rot and stalk rot. The fungus also produces fumonisins, a

group of mycotoxins linked to disorders in animals and humans. A cluster of genes, designated FUM genes, plays a

key role in the synthesis of fumonisins. However, our understanding of the regulatory mechanism of fumonisin

biosynthesis is limited. It was previously demonstrated that Cpp1, a protein phosphatase type 2A (PP2A) catalytic

subunit, negatively regulates fumonisin production and is involved in cell shape maintenance. Typically, a structural

A subunit, a catalytic C subunit, and a regulatory B subunit form PP2A heterotrimer complex. Significantly, there

are two PP2A regulatory subunits in F. verticillioides genome, Ppr1 and Ppr2, which are homologous to

Saccharomyces cerevisiae Cdc55 and Rts1, respectively. Based on preliminary data, I hypothesized that Ppr1 and

Ppr2 are independently involved in the regulation of fumonisin biosynthesis and/or cell development, and to test this

hypothesis I generated gene-deletion mutants of PPR1 and PPR2. The ppr1 deletion strain (∆ppr1) resulted in

drastic growth defect, but with increased microconidia production. The ppr2 deletion mutant strain (∆ppr2) showed

elevated fumonisin production similar to the ∆cpp1 strain. Germinating ∆ppr1 conidia formed abnormally swollen

cell with central septation. ∆ppr2 showed early hyphal branching during conidia germination. Results from this

study suggest that two PP2A regulatory subunits in F. verticillioides carry out unique roles in regulating fumonisin

biosynthesis and fungal development.

Post-doctoral Student Mentoring

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Post-doctoral Student Mentoring and Professional Development

The oversight and career enhancement of post-doctoral students currently is not recognized at

Texas A & M University as formal teaching as compared to undergraduate and graduate

teaching. Post-doctoral students historically are viewed as research-intensive workers with no

additional interests other than generating sufficient publications for funding and to obtain an

academic or industry position.

However, we believe this view is no longer valid as most post-doctoral students face increased

competition for professional positions and many become non-tenured lecturers. Additionally,

most post-doctoral students have only recently completed their graduate degrees and still have

much to learn in regards to becoming a successful scientist.

Discussion between the department’s post-doctoral students and the Department Head over the

past year has led to the implementation of a post-doctoral assessment program that includes:

Annual Post-doctoral report submitted to the Department Head for review.

Assignment of a seminar speaker selection to the post-doctoral student committee. The

post-doctoral students are charged to identify and invite a seminar speaker, and arrange

the schedule for the visiting speaker. This will provide experience in arranging visits.

Continuation of the meeting slot specifically between the post-doctoral students and the

visiting speaker. This enables good rapport and allows post-doctoral students the chance

to discuss a wide range of topics with each speaker.

Continuation of guest lectures. Post-doctoral students are encouraged to request lecture

slots in departmental faculty courses so they can practice their teaching organization and

presentation. Since many post-doctoral students will be working in academia and will be

expected to teach, this is a great opportunity.

Continuation of the post-doctoral student monthly meetings.

This is the first year of this new approach and they will be re-visited this year in order to make

further refinements. We are very good at training our post-doctoral students how to perform,

analyze and publish research. However, these are only a few of the skills needed by new faculty

members.

Future:

One addition the DH would like to see is the instigation of training for our post-doctoral students

on the following topics:

Budget management

Personnel management

Balancing work and home life

During these 1-2 lectures per topic discussions, post-doctoral students would listen to

presentations by faculty and staff on each of these topics. Outside presenters from Human

Resources and the Office of Grants and Contracts would be invited, as would experts in pre-

award and post-award management to present ways for post-doctoral students to be better

prepared for their professional careers.

Assessment of Undergraduate Student Learning

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Assessment of Undergraduate and Graduate Student Learning

General Overview: Assessment of Student Learning

Texas A&M University recently implemented a more formal approach to evaluating student

learning performance. The key terminology in this approach is assessment, defined as

the systematic collection, review, and use of information about educational programs and other

support programs undertaken for the purpose of program improvement, student learning, and

development.

In 2008, the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology implemented the beginnings of its

student assessment process. The department instituted a new Graduate and Undergraduate

Assessment Committee. The committee is responsible for the development and implementation

of appropriate assessment criteria to evaluate the effectiveness of faculty instruction and student

learning outcomes. The committee spear-headed the development of a Departmental Assessment

Plan, which identifies expected outcomes for our undergraduate and graduate programs. The

Assessment Plan also determines when the identified outcomes will be assessed. As stated on the

University Office of Institutional Assessment (OIA) website

(http://assessment.tamu.edu/asmt/methods.htm), direct methods require students to produce work

so that reviewers can assess how well students meet expectations, while indirect methods of

assessment provide opportunities for students to reflect on their learning experiences and provide

feedback to instructors regarding their learning experience.

Assessment of student learning uses multiple methods to gather information about student

learning, including direct and indirect and qualitative and quantitative assessment methods. The

basic principle of assessment for improving student learning is shown graphically below.

During 2008 the Graduate and Undergraduate Assessment Committee developed the

department’s first assessment plan. This plan was revised during 2009 and is being revised again

during the current year. The Graduate and Undergraduate Assessment Committee described an

update of the process during a faculty-wide meeting in November, 2010. The university is

currently writing the narratives for evaluation of assessment which after review by an off-site

committee will become the method of evaluation of individual department assessment plans.

Since the overall objectives of undergraduate and graduate student learning are related, we have

included the assessment plans for each in this one section of the APR document. The sections

below describe the principles and goals of the assessment plans for both the undergraduate BESC

degree and the graduate PLPM degree.


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Assessment of Undergraduate Student Learning: The BESC major

Plant Pathology and Microbiology does not offer a B.S. degree in Plant Pathology. The

department offers a B.S. degree in Bioenvironmental Sciences (BESC) with approximately 229

majors this year. The department formed the Undergraduate Program Committee (UPC) which

periodically reviews BESC course content. This committee determines:

Are the appropriate subject areas being covered?

Are there additional areas that need to be added to the curriculum?

Are there areas that are no longer of relevance to the field and which should be

discontinued?’

In designing the BESC major curriculum, several of the BESC-specific courses cover topics that

directly integrate plant-microbe and plant pathology concepts. These courses serve two purposes,

to expose students to major bioenvironmental concepts and to expose them to the importance of

microorganisms in everyday life.

However, in addition to consideration of course focus and content, it is also important to measure

how well students are mastering the subject matter. This is the basis for assessment of student

learning outcomes. In 2009 the department formed the Graduate and Undergraduate Assessment

Committee. This relatively new committee is charged with interacting with the Office of

Institutional Assessment at Texas A&M (http://assessment.tamu.edu/) to develop the

methodologies and matrices to assess undergraduate learning.

Mission/Purpose of Bioenvironmental Science

Promote a creative, challenging, and relevant educational environment in bioenvironmental

sciences that emphasizes student inquiry, scholarship, and integrity in preparation for leadership

roles in a knowledge-oriented society. To meet this purpose, the curriculum has several goals.

Goals of the BESC Program:

G1: Communicate effectively. BESC students will learn to communicate effectively using the

language of environmental professionals.

G2: Critical thinking. BESC students will develop the ability to take robust positions on complex

environmental issues by developing their critical thinking and argument developmental skills.

G3: Obtain core competency. BESC students will obtain a vigorous level of competency in core

skills necessary for environmental professionals.

G4: Become professionally engaged. BESC students will become engaged in professional

societies in the field of environmental sciences and will remain engaged throughout their careers.

These goals have specific student learning outcomes. These outcomes are associated with

specific courses and measurements.

O1: Present effective oral presentations.

O2: Improve argument development and critical thinking skills.

O3: Develop technical competency.

O4: Take an active interest in professional engagement and outreach.

O5: Graduates will be satisfied with the education they received.

http://assessment.tamu.edu/


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Each of these outcomes is associated with specific courses and course objectives, environmental

society membership in the National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP), and

internship experiences. The success of each of these outcomes is measured by specific

achievement targets, such as improved writing scores and oral presentation scores, core

competencies, membership in professional societies, and an exit survey (see end of this section).

Two examples of how these outcomes are measured include:

Oral presentations are embedded in two BESC courses (BESC 204; and BESC 403). A

standardized assessment metric is applied to a statistically significant number of student

presentations by each instructor concomitant to the course grading structure. This metric

is used to monitor students as they move through the curriculum as well as to monitor

effective teaching strategies within each course from year to year. Data is compiled and

analyzed by the Departmental Assessment Committee.

Assessment of technical competency is embedded into four BESC/PLPA courses (PLPA

301, BESC 401, BESC 402, and BESC 367). In cooperation with course instructors, a

simple course-specific questionnaire is given to students within the first two weeks of

class. Identical questions are embedded in the course final exam or administered as a quiz

near the end of the semester. A comparison between student performance upon entering

and upon leaving the course assesses if students have grasped central concepts of the

course. A statistically appropriate number of student outcomes are recorded by

the Assessment Committee.

Use of Assessment Outcome for Curricular Improvement

Based on the degree by which the learning goals are met, changes in the BESC program are

being implemented. For example, for 2010-2011 a Capstone course has been prepared and is

being implemented for the first time in Spring 2011. In the capstone course, students further

refine the communication skills and technical competency in environmental sciences.

Capstone course: BESC 481 Seminar

Course Objectives. This is a capstone course for BESC majors. The intent of the course

is to work individually and in small groups to analyze a single theme related to the major

and to study the problem through readings, presentations, and writing. A theme will be

introduced to the group, followed by students working individually and in small groups to

define and understand the complexities within the theme by preparing presentations and a

research paper on a subtheme. The course will meet weekly for direction by the

instructor, but it is expected that the most of your research and preparation will take place

outside of the classroom, either individually or in small groups. In using this course

format, the intended outcome is to allow the student to draw from course material, the

internship experience (BESC 484) and current events to analyze and understand a

discrete aspect within the broad area of bioenvironmental sciences. The emphasis will be

on problem solving and bringing theory (classroom) and practice (internship) to bear on

the semester theme.

Assessment of Graduate Student Learning

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General Overview: Graduate Plant Pathology major

Plant Pathology as a field has always had a sense of invisibility. Most people have heard of the

Irish potato famine in the 1840s, but few really know much about the cause of the famine and

why it led to the emigration of so many to the United States. Today plant diseases affect every

aspect of agricultural production, and new and exotic diseases such as citrus greening, Zebra

Chip, sweet orange scab, and others continue to appear and threaten the food security of the U.S.

and the world.

Mission/purpose of Graduate Studies in Plant Pathology and Microbiology

Promote a creative, challenging, and relevant educational environment in plant pathology

that emphasizes student inquiry, scholarship, and integrity in preparation for leadership

roles in a knowledge-oriented society.

To meet this purpose, the curriculum has several goals.

Goals of the Graduate PLPM Program:

G1: Communicate effectively. Students will learn to communicate effectively as scientists using

field-specific language of the fields of Plant Pathology, Microbiology and Plant Health.

G2: Develop hypotheses. Students will develop the ability to take robust positions on complex

environmental issues by developing their critical thinking and argument developmental skills.

G3: Obtain core competency. Students will obtain a vigorous level of competency in core skills

necessary of Plant Pathologists and Microbiologists.

These goals have specific student learning outcomes. These outcomes are associated with

specific courses and measurements.

O1: Enhance communication skills.

O2: Develop and implement a research project.

O3: Exhibit comprehensive knowledge.

O4: Demonstrate research findings.

O5: Discuss research proficiently.

Each of these outcomes is associated with specific courses and course objectives, research

laboratory training and skill development, and experiences in presenting research results both

orally and in writing. The success of each of these outcomes is measured by specific

achievement targets or benchmarks. Two specific examples of these measures include:

Within the first year of enrolling in the graduate program in the Department of Plant

Pathology Microbiology, each graduate student is expected to have formed a graduate

committee (these targets are monitored by the Department).

Each student is required to hold a yearly committee meeting (including the first year)

during which the student’s committee provides feedback on the student’s progress

towards obtaining the sought degree. Doctoral students submit a dissertation research

proposal by the 4th semester of enrollment. Student advisory committees and research

advisors work with the students in developing this research proposal. Benefits to the


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students include development of: critical thinking skills, communication skills, and

comprehensive knowledge in their field.

Graduate students prepare and defend a dissertation (Ph.D.) or thesis (M.S.) to present

their research outcomes, and must be able to discuss and defend their hypotheses and

conclusions to their official committee.

Benchmarks for Graduate Program Success:

The department employs multiple benchmarks to assist our students to reach their potential,

including:

Achievement of adequate scores in PLPA 611 Advanced Plant Pathology, PLPA 613

Advanced Plant Pathology Laboratory, and PLPA 616 Methods in Molecular Biology of

Plant-Microbe Interactions

Submission of approved degree plan

Submission of approved research proposal

Successful completion of preliminary exam for entrance to doctoral candidacy

Approval of thesis or dissertation by the student’s committee

Successful passage of final departmental seminar

Successful passage of final exam

Based on the degree by which the learning goals are met, changes in the Graduate Ph.D./M.S.

programs can be implemented. For example, after 2009 several changes were implemented to

improve the program:

1. Seminar evaluation form. This form allows graduate committee members to make specific

recommendations to the student after they have presented a seminar. This form exists but has not

been utilized effectively.

2. The curriculum was restructured to include more required courses and to integrate the

principles of epidemiology into multiple courses.

3. The new Department Head instituted a requirement for an Annual Graduate Student Report.

The goal of the reports is to allow each student to reflect on their progress over the past year and

to help identify milestones that they need to reach during the upcoming year. Areas covered

include:

Part A: Formal coursework and benchmarks:

Courses taken during the report period (or submit copy of degree plan).

Formation of an advisory committee.

Degree plan submission.

Research proposal submission.

Preliminary exam scheduling (for Ph.D. students).

Anticipated date of degree completion.

Part B: Activities:

Teaching or mentoring activities.

Student supervision.

Outreach activities.


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Description of research progress during reporting period and results that furthered the

student’s research hypotheses.

Problems or unanticipated events.

Meetings attended.

Publications, abstracts, posters, talks or seminars presented.

Awards and recognition received.

Part C: Milestones to be achieved over the next year.

Scholastic.

Research.

The reports are reviewed by the Department Head.


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Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology faculty are expected to be exceptional

instructors. Faculty take their role in training students at both the undergraduate and graduate

levels seriously. In fact, every course (except one summer course) is taught by tenured or tenure-

track faculty. The department operates under the philosophy that faculty teaching is evaluated for

purposes of:

Enhancing teaching proficiency

Promoting and rewarding teaching excellence

Faculty are encouraged to evaluate/review their teaching methodologies throughout their careers.

Initial assessment of teaching ability occurs during the recruitment process in the form of the job

seminar and through meetings with faculty and students during which the candidate is asked to

explain his/her teaching philosophy. Teaching quality is evaluated and discussed at each annual

performance review meeting held by the Department Head. A faculty member’s teaching

proficiency is evaluated at each step in the promotion process, especially during the pre-tenure

period. New faculty members are encouraged to attend seminars and workshops on teaching,

paid for by the department. The new Department Head is ‘sitting in’ on random lectures by

junior faculty in order to observe and possibly make recommendations to the instructor.

Specific course content is periodically reviewed by the Undergraduate Program Committee

(UPC) and the Graduate Program Committee (GPC). As a part of these reviews, results of

student assessment are discussed and used where appropriate to make changes in the curriculum

or to make suggestions to faculty on ways to improve their teaching quality. For example, the

BESC curriculum has undergone several modifications and changes. Additionally, the college

and the university offer resources to assist faculty in assessing their own teaching competency.

In order to improve teaching, a number of indicators and testing instruments are available. There

are a number of circumstances where teaching evaluation is necessary, such as during the annual

performance review and during the promotion process at the departmental, college and university

level. Faculty teaching performance is currently measured primarily by student evaluations.

These evaluations are administered by the Academic Advisor and are submitted anonymously.

The results at the end of each semester are provided to the Department Head and Associate

Department Head for Academic Programs who review them. Meetings can be arranged with any

faculty member to discuss the scores in greater depth. The faculty member can use the results of

the evaluations to make changes in their courses. The scores are discussed during the annual

performance review with the Department Head.

The current methods for evaluating faculty teaching proficiency are being reviewed and

proposed changes are being considered by the Interim Provost and the Executive Vice President

at Texas A&M University (http://provost.tamu.edu/councils-task-forces/faculty-performance-

evaluation/faculty-performance-evaluation).

Additionally, other criteria used to evaluate teaching success include:

Appropriate use of technology in the classroom.

Incorporation of web-based instructional materials.


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Generation of web-based instructional materials.

Generation of course specific instructional materials.

Incorporation of distance learning opportunities where appropriate.

Relevance of course content to major.

Generation of Student Credit Hours (SCH).

Comments from student exit interviews.

Faculty Teaching Assignments

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PLPM Faculty Teaching Assignments

Bioenvironmental Sciences Courses

BESC 201 Introduction to Bioenvironmental Sciences

T. DeWitt, L. Shan, H. Wilkinson, P. de Figueiredo

BESC 204 Molds and Mushrooms: The Impact of Fungi on Society and the Environment

B. Shaw

BESC 314-900/PLPA 614 Pathogens, the Environment, and Society

K-B. Scholthof

BESC 320 Water and the Bioenvironmental Sciences

Currently being revamped

BESC357 Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts

J. Yuan

BESC 367 U.S. Environmental Regulations

H. Wilkinson

BESC 401 Bioenvironmental Microbiology

C. Gonzalez

BESC 402 Microbial Processes in Bioremediation

C. Kenerley

BESC 403 Environmental Sampling and Monitoring

W-B. Shim

BESC 484W Internship Experiences (a writing emphasis course)

Multiple instructors

BESC 484-900 Biodiversity, Agriculture and Culture in Taiwan

D. Ebbole

BESC 689/689-200 (Honors) Carbon Trading, Mediation and the Environment

K-B. Scholthof, J. Heath

GENE 310 Heredity

C. Magill

GENE 482 Seminar

C. Magill

Faculty Teaching Assignments

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Plant Pathology Courses

PLPA 301/601 Fundamentals of Plant Pathology

M. Kolomiets, J. Starr,

PLPA 489 Turfgrass Pathology

Y-K. Jo

PLPA 603 Plant Disease Management

J. Starr

PLPA 610 Host Plant Resistance

J. Starr

PLPA 611 Advanced Plant Pathology

D. Ebbole

PLPA 613 Advanced Plant Pathology Laboratory

D. Gross, J. Starr

PLPA 616 Methods in Molecular Biology of Plant-Microbe Interactions

H. Scholthof

PLPA 617 Molecular Plant Pathogen Interactions

M. Kolomiets

PLPA 618 Phytobacteriology

D. Gross

PLPA 620 Plant Virology and Laboratory

H. Scholthof, K-B. Scholthof

PLPA 623 Diseases of Field Crops

Y-K. Jo

PLPA 625 Plant Pathogenic Fungi

D. Ebbole, B. Shaw

PLPA 626 Diagnosis of Plant Diseases

D. Appel

PLPA 630 Mycology, Physiology and Genetics

D. Ebbole

PLPA 631 Mycology Laboratory

D. Ebbole, B. Shaw

PLPA 632 Mycology: Cell Biology and Taxonomy

B. Shaw

PLPA 657 Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts

J. Yuan

PLPA 665 Special Topics in Virology: Viral Vectors and Gene Therapy

J. Leibowitz, H. Scholthof, B. Lupiani

PLPA 681 Seminar

Y-K. Jo

PLPA 689 Turfgrass Pathology

Y-K. Jo

PLPA 690 Theory of Research

M. Dickman, LS. Pierson

GENE 603 Genetics

C. Magill

Impediments to Excellence

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1. Budget This past year, the college and our department have been hit by severe budget reductions. PLPM

is especially vulnerable to these reductions as it lacks many of the resources that exist in other

departments in the college. For example, being a relatively new department, it was not assigned

any large service courses to guarantee weighted student credit hours (WSCH). Thus, any changes

to its core curriculum has large effects on its WSCH.

In order to understand the impacts of state budget recissions and reductions on the department, it

is important to note how state funds are used. The figure below indicates that of the total state

funds that the department is provided by the college, AgriLife research or AgriLife Extension,

96% are used for salary and 4% for operating. With so little operating funds, any budgetary

reductions/recissions immediately affects departmental personnel. PLPM already ranks 11th of 14

departments in terms of support personnel.

Timetable of Recent Budget Reductions

A. FY10 February 5% State Budget Reduction

In February 2010, the college and AgriLife Research and AgriLife Extension requested plans for

a 5% budget reduction. This resulted in reductions across the 3 funding sources shown below,

implemented with the budget cycle on Sept. 1, 2010.

Source Amount Cut Actual Reduction

Teaching (02) $24,731.00 1.99%

Research (06) $53,690.00 4.49%

Extension (07) $59,191.00 7.76%

Total reduction $137,612


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The department was cut less than the anticipated 5% in teaching and research but was hit hardest

in the extension budget possibly due to a presently unfilled position in Dallas. To make up the

deficit in teaching salary, we shifted new faculty commitments to (06) research money. The

extension (07) cut meant losing an important but currently vacant urban extension specialist

position in Dallas. The department suspended assistance to faculty for defraying publication

costs and support for the annual PBoFF conference, among other issues.

B. FY11 2.5% Budget Rescission

We were told to return 2.5% of the FY 11 AgriLife Research and AgriLife Extension Service

budgets, equivalent to $26,112.95 and $17,896.00, respectively. As these returns must be in state

dollars that would normally cover fringe benefits, shifting salaries to non-fringe bearing

designated funds costs more and makes it more difficult to cover these budget cuts.

C. FY12-13 10-20% State Budget Reductions

The university is planning for even more severe budget reductions for the FY12-13 biennium.

This is described as the worst budget situation faced by Texas education in over 70 years. Initial

planning focused on a 10% decrease in funding across all categories (02, 06, and 07). The actual

reduction will be at least 13.5% for the college (02), 18% for AgriLife Research (06), and 15%

for AgriLife Extension (07). Part of these percentages (3.5%) are to cover current commitments.

Therefore, the estimated total reduction is $475,011 when costs for two faculty promotions plus

Accrued Compensation Absences Payout (ACAP) costs are factored in. This reduction will

require drastic responses by the department, including:

A reduction in faculty positions from 12 to 10 month appointments.

A Reduction in Force (RIF) of 3-4 staff positions (1/3 of our total support staff).

Use of IDC to run all departmental operations, travel, office, greenhouse and field costs.

No 15-20K salary support funding available to augment CPT junior faculty position.

Whereas other departments are able to absorb some of the projected cuts by non-reappointing

non-tenured lecturers, no longer funding full-time technicians for single faculty, and/or had

eligible senior faculty take the Voluntary Separation Plan (VSP), Plant Pathology and

Microbiology have no options in this regard. In reality, these reductions are even larger as fringe-

bearing monies must be returned and our only means to cover the cuts is to use larger amounts of

non fringe-bearing funds. The Department Head is currently weighing strategies for handling

these budget cuts for FY12-13. Currently, the total funding lost from the department over 1 ½

years may be $612,623 not including the hopefully one-time 2.5% recission for FY11. No matter

what size the cuts will ultimately be, they are having drastic effects on the department and its

ability to train future students, or even to function!

Future Projections

For the foreseeable future there will be few opportunities for departmental growth and

badly needed facility and infrastructure improvements due to the budget situation.

Scenarios for adding or replacing faculty positions in the department is poor.

Recently, the Office for Graduate Studies Graduate Program Council announced plans to

only fund in-state tuition for Ph.D. GATS or GANTS students but not GAR research

students. This will also affect our abilities to fund graduate students.


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2. Infrastructure Limitations: The age and limitations of the Peterson Building (inadequate power, lack of backup power,

facility antiquity) are also handicaps to departmental success.

A. Space. The 2008 personnel snapshot by Texas A&M showed PLPM was composed of 117 people. The

calculated space available in the department was 60,657 sq ft. The amount of actual space that

should be available for a department of this size was 84,196 sq ft. Therefore, the department

currently has only 72% of the total space it needs (a 28% deficit). The 2008 snapshot failed to

account for the hiring of a new Department Head in Sept, 2009 with the concomitant return of

the previous Department Head to the faculty ranks, adding 1 more faculty member. Additionally,

another new faculty member is to be hired in 2011 for the Center for Phage Technology (CPT).

This means two additional faculty members will be present plus their students and post-docs.

The department often hosts visiting scientists and faculty. Last year PLPM hosted 8 visiting

Borlaug Fellows which required providing office space and laboratory space.

B. Facilities.

The Peterson Building was constructed in the 1960’s. PLPM has made full use of its facilities but

many aspects urgently need upgrading and renovation. Although the department is down 28% on

space, much of the space available is divided into sub-optimal configurations, with small

awkward rooms and even cases in which non-functional cold-rooms can only be used for

storage. Therefore, the actual amounts of quality useable space is even less. It is difficult to be

competitive in attracting top level scientists and even graduate students when they visit the

department and see the facilities. The Borlaug Center is a major attraction due to its more recent

design and facilities, but its space is mostly committed. Without renovation, the department will

continue to have a competitive handicap compared to other departmental facilities across

campus, such as the new research tower in Veterinary Medicine and more modern space located

in Biochemistry and Biophysics. In order to attract the best candidate for the new CPT position,

which offers an exciting and critical opportunity for the department to move into better

alignment with recent changes in AFRI funding priorities, especially food safety and control of

STEC issues and other bacterial food borne pathogens affecting animals, plants and humans,

space for this position plus one of our faculty (C. Gonzalez) has been made available in the new

NMR building next to Biochemistry and Biophysics. However, this building is on west campus,

again physically separating the department across the campus.

C. Separation from other COALS departments.

PLPM is currently split into three locations. The main department is located in the Peterson

Building on main campus. However, the Borlaug Center housing the Institute for Plant

Genomics and Biotechnology (IPGB) and most of our junior faculty is located on west campus.

The Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (TPDDL) is located further west in the Centeq

Building. This physical separation hampers the informal interactions required for normal

departmental functioning. Additionally, the other departments that faculty collaborate with on

campus (Biochemistry and Biophysics, Horticulture, Entomology, Soil and Crop Sciences, etc)

are all located on the west campus, further hindering collaborative efforts.


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D. Greenhouses.

The department has 5 greenhouses. These are in need of continual work to even keep functional.

Demand for greenhouse space varies over the year, but during peak seasons faculty are often

forced to reduce their experiments to fit the available space. None of the greenhouses on main

campus or the farm are BSL-2P compliant. The only BSL-2P compliant greenhouses are located

in the Borlaug Center. There are currently no BSL-3P greenhouses on campus or elsewhere in

Texas, severely limiting faculty’s abilities to compete for grants to study many current and

emerging plant pathogens of importance to Texas, the U.S. or the world.

E. Seminar space.

One of the core functions of a department is to host a weekly seminar series, often including

outside speakers. This seminar series is attended currently by 45-60 people. Recently, the only

seminar room available in Peterson (Rm 113) was assigned to central room scheduling. We have

lost access to this room, despite repeated efforts to negotiate its usage. Part of this issue is that

while departmental seminars are well attended, only 5-6 students sign up each semester, which

does not reflect the number of faculty, post-docs, graduate and undergraduate students and other

visitors who regularly attend.

F. Power issues.

The need for power throughout the building is an ongoing issue. As research becomes more

equipment intensive, some laboratories face occasional brownouts that often destroy

experimental procedures (qPCR, etc). Additionally, several groups have large-scale culture

collections that are used for bioenergy conversion studies, etc. The lack of a back-up power

system for freezers is a major concern, as these collections are irreplaceable.

Summary: The Peterson Building has served the department for many years. PLPM faculty have been very

successful at obtaining extramural funding for their research programs. However, without major

renovations and expanded space it is now hampering the ability of the department to expand its

research and teaching missions for the college and the university. Without improvements in

funding and infrastructure, the department will lose our competitiveness over time.

Possible short-term patches:

The Department Head is trying methods to shrink the distance across campus. Driving takes a

substantial amount of time due to traffic, pedestrians and parking issues. A 6-passenger golf cart

was purchased recently to facilitate movement of seminar speakers, visitors, faculty and students

across campus. We are currently locating a suitable secure parking space for the cart to promote

its usage. The possibility of linking video monitors at multiple sites to stimulate informational

exchanges is being considered, but current budget limitations make this problematic.

3. Extramural Funding: The department relies on extramural grants to support the majority of its research, extension and

personnel activities. Over the past 5 years, departmental grant support has averaged $2.44

million/yr. There have not been large increases in the level of support partially due to space and

facility limitations and the lack of new faculty members to the department. Grant sources


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include national scientific agencies, foundations, commodity groups, and various commercial

industries. Additional support for educational activities is also sought through training grants,

fellowships and internships. The decreasing success rate in securing extramural support for

programs due to reduced federal agricultural funding is generating faculty stress, as are the

recent changes in national funding priority areas (e.g. NIFA). Faculty in plant pathology continue

to walk a fine line maintaining programs of national and international interest while

simultaneously remaining relevant to specific regional Texas crop issues. Commodity support in

Texas is essential to our abilities to support Texas agriculture, but award sizes and length of

funding limits how we can respond to pressing current and emerging pathogen issues. Another

complicating factor is the slow turn-around of funding through the AgriLife Grants and

Contracts office. This time constraint means that often faculty do not have the funds necessary to

perform the work released until at least half the time period is over.

Possible Opportunities

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There are several areas which the department is currently discussing in order to improve its

undergraduate and graduate programs.

1. Bioenvironmental Sciences Chair

Several years ago, the Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology recognized the need for

an undergraduate major focused on developing and implementing solutions to environmental

problems. The Bioenvironmental Sciences (BESC) curriculum examines the interface between

living components of the ecosystem and the physical environment, with an emphasis on plants

and microorganisms. In some instances, technological advances that have increased our standard

of living have contributed to air and water pollution, global warming (greenhouse effect), and the

loss of biodiversity within ecosystems. Future technologies may lead to solutions of many of

these problems. For example, genetically engineered microorganisms have been developed

which may be used to detoxify hazardous wastes and to manage plant pests and pathogens

through biological control. The Bioenvironmental Sciences curriculum is designed to train

students in the development and/or application of these new technologies with a maximum of

program flexibility. Students may choose to be technically trained in research and development

or to study regulatory and ethical issues related to environmental stewardship. BESC students

have the unique opportunity to build their networking skills prior to graduation by participating

in our student chapter of the National Association of Environmental Professionals. Our graduates

understand the concepts and the technology essential for prevention, assessment, and abatement

of environmental problems.

Now is the opportune time for the establishment of an Endowed Chair in Bioenvironmental

Sciences! The BESC major has grown rapidly, with 229 majors (Fall 2010) enrolled, and this

number is projected to increase. Current and future environmental issues include climate change,

carbon trading, water and food availability and safety, microbial threats, toxic wastes, and other

damage to fragile ecosystems. The BESC major at Texas A&M ranked the 2nd most popular

environmental sciences program in the country (www.stateuniversity.com/program/03-

0104/environmental-science). The department has an outstanding Academic Advisor and a

group of dedicated faculty that teach all aspects of the major. Opportunities for international

experience in BESC have never been greater at Texas A&M. However, limits in space, teaching

resources and faculty, plus limitation in current internship/mentoring opportunities, are

hampering the full potential of the BESC program to be realized. Additionally, a large

percentage of BESC majors transfer to the BESC program from other majors at Texas A&M and

other universities and schools, putting them at a curriculum disadvantage. The Endowed Chair

in Bioenvironmental Sciences would direct and guide the tremendous energy of the BESC

program into the future and play a major role in enabling the major to reach its full potential.


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2. New Undergraduate Courses Described on the accompanying pages are two potential new courses: ‘Plants, Pathogens and

People’ and ‘Regulatory Issues in Laboratory Management.’

Plants, Pathogens and People

Rationale:

The majority of students at Texas A&M University are non-science, non-agriculture majors and

therefore lack an understanding of science and agriculture. And yet, these non-science, non-

agriculture oriented students will become the future members of the legislature, BOR, and

Congress that will decide budgets and priorities for agricultural science. Most of these non-

science, non-agriculture students take basic biology as a science breadth requirement. However,

none of these students are exposed to the importance of plants and their pathogens and how this

has and continues to have major influences on human society. The fact that only 1.8% of the

U.S. population still lives on farms, as compared to 33% of the world’s population, only adds to

the importance of the topic. The department teaches two well-received courses (BESC 204)

focused on the impact of fungi on society and (BESC 314/614) Pathogens, Environment and

Society. However, these course are geared for science majors.

The major goal of the new course is to increase the average non-science student’s

understanding of the importance of plant pathogens in the context of agricultural

production across the world.

Course organization:

The course will teach non-science non-agriculture students about major crop plants, their most

important diseases, and the effects of pathogens on these crops and hence on society and

civilization. Additionally, it will expose and educate them in regards to controversial issues in

agriculture. The course will consist of two major sections.

Section 1:

This section will focus on historical accounts of how plant pathogens have influenced human

society over time, including how pathogens have caused civilizations to move, changed societal

perspectives, changed food staples, provided the basis for crop rotation, etc.

Section 2:

This section will introduce students to issues in agriculture, such as monoculture and genetic

diversity, mycotoxins and food safety, pesticides and environmental quality, and genetic

engineering and regulation of food production.

Writing component:

1. During the semester, four controversial agriculture issues will be presented. The students will

write a position statement about each issue, including a justification for this position based on

facts they have researched. This will require them to learn sufficient factual material to support

their position and how to correctly cite sources. These position statements will be reviewed and

returned to the students with suggestions for improvement. Only the final version of each

document will be assigned a grade.

2. Additionally, students will be required to identify 2 press articles on aspects of plant

pathogens and write a 1-2 page commentary on each.


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The course will enable students who enroll to fulfill general education requirements in both

natural science and composition.

In analogous courses at other institutions, students who are firmly convinced in regards to issues

such as the use of pesticides or genetic engineering are forced to re-examine their initial

positions as they become better informed about the science behind these issues.

Grading:

4 position statements (100 pts. each) 400 pts

2 popular press commentaries (100 pts. each) 200 pts

Midterm exam 100 pts

Final exam 100 pts

Total 800 pts

Potential Lecture Schedule

Week Topic

1 The Irish potato famine

2 Introduction to the fungi, the major plant pathogens

3 Pathogens and quarantines

4 Bacterial pathogens and beneficial

5 Coliform contamination of produce

6 Plant disease epidemics, Robigalia

7 Pesticides, Plant Pathogens as herbicides

8 Soil borne pathogens

9 Fungi in foods, mycotoxins

10 Rusts requiring more than one host

11 Viruses, phytoplasmas

12 Plant disease management

13 Effects of global warming on plant pathogens

14 Summary and Integration

Recommended Reading:

Plant Diseases: Their Biology and Social Impact, Gail L. Schumann, American

Phytopathological Society Press, 1991, 397 pp.

Power Unseen: How Microbes Rule the World, Bernard Dixon, New

York, W.H. Freeman & Co., 1994. 237 pp.

Small Wonders: How Microbes Rule Our World, Idan Ben-Barak, Scribe Publications, 2008,

240 pp.


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Regulatory Issues in Laboratory Management

BESC 4XX (3 units)

Fall Semester 2011

Scheduled Meeting times/Locations

Lecture: Tuesdays/Thursdays, 2:00 – 3:15 PM

Instructor and Coordinator: Leland S. Pierson III

Office: Peterson 120A


Course Objectives:

To expose students to the concepts and procedures used by regulatory oversight committees to

ensure the safety and compliance of university research involving human subjects, animals,

plants and microorganisms. This course is intended for students interested in lab management as

a career, current lab managers and researchers, and students who plan on academic, government,

or industry careers in the sciences.

The course will discuss the use of risk assessment and experts in regulatory compliance will

provide background and information on current rules and regulations and approaches they use to

ensure compliance in a large, complex university setting. Discussions on current regulatory

oversight issues will be included to enable students to explore complex issues. This course will

allow students to improve their written communication skills as well as team building and oral

presentation.

Instructors: Affiliation email address

XXXXXXXXXX Quality Assurance Officer

XXXXXXXXXX Director, Vet Diagnostic Laboratory

XXXXXXXXXX Director, TPDDL

XXXXXXXXXX Research Integrity Officer

XXXXXXXXXX Research Professor, Cancer Center

XXXXXXXXXX Director, Human Subjects Program

XXXXXXXXXX Director, Research Compliance Privacy officer

XXXXXXXXXX Director, University Animal Care

XXXXXXXXXX Director, Radiation Safety

XXXXXXXXXX Director, Risk Management

XXXXXXXXXX Biosafety officer, IBC

XXXXXXXXXX Director, Human Resources

XXXXXXXXXX Invited Private Company Manager

XXXXXXXXXX Invited Private Company Manager

Schedule of Lectures:

See end of syllabus.

Point Distribution:

The course has a total of 1,200 points distributed as follows:



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Mid-term Exam 300

3 Homework Assignments 300

Written Final Exam 300

Group Oral Presentation 300

Total Points 1,200

Exams:

One Mid-term (30 points) and one Final Examination (40 points). The exams will be based on

concepts covered in the lectures plus outside reading assignments. Class notes will be sent via

eLearning. Additional materials will be presented during class lectures or sent as a class email.

These additional materials may be incorporated into the exams. You are responsible for any

material presented in the lectures that go beyond the class notes. Therefore, attendance at lectures

will be extremely beneficial to you.

Homework:

There will be three homework assignments (10 points each). In each of these, a scenario will be

presented. It may be a real life situation, or may be hypothetical. You will need to think about the

various viewpoints and render a decision with a succinct justification for your decision.

Team Building:

For the last part of the course, student teams (assigned by the Instructor) will research a topic and

present the topic and an analysis of the relevant issues to the class using a combination of oral

and PowerPoint slides. This presentation must include a summation of the issue, a history of this

area, possible strategies to overcome problems, and a recommendation. Correct citation of

sources of information is required. The class will act as a board with the authority to ask

additional questions of the presenters. Credit will be assigned per effort of each team member as

judged by the others and performance during the oral and PowerPoint presentation.


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Tentative Course Schedule

Class Session Topic and Event Instructor

Aug 31 Introduction to Regulatory Compliance/Risk Assessment

Sep 2 Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) Regulations FDA

Sep7 Standard Operating Procedures/ Data Integrity

Sep 9 EPA/ISO/OECD

Sep 14 Case Study-Warning letter

Sep 16 GLPs in the molecular laboratory/Quality Assurance/

Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)

Sep 21 Ethical Considerations Underlying Regulations

Sep 23 Good Clinical Practices

Sep 28 Human Subjects: Internal Review Board (IRB)

Sep 30 Clinical trials and Regulations

Oct 5 Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)

Oct 7 Case study- VIOXX

Oct 12 Research Integrity

Oct 14 Contracts and Regulations

Oct 19 HIPPA

Oct 21 Written Mid-term Exam

Oct 26 Introduction to Animal Research

Nov 2 Regulations and Theory in Radiation Safety

Nov 4 Regulations and Theory in Laboratory Safety

Nov 9 Regulations and Theory in Biosafety

Nov 11 Project Management

Nov 16 Designing for Biosafety Systems

Nov 18 Computer Based Laboratory Management

Nov 23 LIMS and data Validation (21 CFR Part 11)

Nov 25 Thanksgiving

Nov 30 Personnel Mgt: Regulations for the Workplace Environment

Dec 2 Oral Presentations

Dec 7 Oral Presentations/Last Day of Classes

Dec 8 Reading Day

Dec X Final Exam

Dec 16 Grades Due

Need to find space for team presentations.

Useful Links to get you started:

Federal Drug Administration (FDA): www.fda.gov

Centers for Disease Control (CDC): www.cdc.gov

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): www.epa/gov

International Organization for Standardization: www.iso.org

Organization for Economic & Development: www.oecd.org

United States Department of Health & Human Services: www.hhs.gov/ohrp

HIPAA: www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa

http://www.fda.gov/

http://www.epa/gov

http://www.iso.org/

http://www.oecd.org/

http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp

http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa


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Texas A&M University Biosafety Committee: http://biosafety.tamu.edu/

American Biological Safety Association (ABSA): http://www.absa.org/index.html

World Health Organization Biosafety Manual:

www.who.int/csr/delibepidemics/WHO_CDS_LYO_2004_11/en/

2nd Edition Primary Containment for Biohazards: Selection, Installation and Use of Biological

Safety Cabinets: www.cdc.gov/od/ohs/biosfty/bsc/bsc.htm

Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) 5th Edition:

http://www.cdc.gov/biosafety/publications/bmbl5/index.htm

3. Certificate of Compliance Oversight Training. One possible approach is to award a certificate of oversight compliance training to students who

successfully complete the regulatory oversight course. This departmental certificate would

distinguish those interested in a career in regulatory compliance and potentially be a draw to the

course. Alternatively, a PMS program could be envisioned in which students would take courses

related to regulatory compliance and do an internship in one of the regulatory compliance units

on campus, followed by a thesis on a current issue.

http://biosafety.tamu.edu/

http://www.absa.org/index.html

http://www.who.int/csr/delibepidemics/WHO_CDS_LYO_2004_11/en/

http://www.cdc.gov/od/ohs/biosfty/bsc/bsc.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/biosafety/publications/bmbl5/index.htm


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4. Competitive Graduate Student Travel Awards.

1st Annual Plant Pathology and Microbiology Graduate

Student Travel Award Competition

Purpose:

To enable Plant Pathology and Microbiology graduate students to travel to

and present their research at national/international scientific meetings.

Prizes:

1st place: $1,000.00

2nd place: $750.00

3rd place: $500.00

Format:

Each student competitor must make a 20 minute oral presentation based on

their thesis or dissertation research.

The student presentations will be judged by a panel of faculty from Plant

Pathology and Microbiology, Horticulture and Soil and Crop Sciences.

Presentations are open to all graduate students, not just those nearing the end

of their studies. Presentations will be judged on the basis of visual and oral

presentation, mannerism, timing, and clarity of information conveyed.

The top three presenters will receive:

A framed certificate.

Funding by the department for the corresponding amount to

help cover registration, travel and lodging costs associated with

attendance of the scientific meeting of their choice.

Entry Requirements:

To enter, please submit name, year in program, major advisor’s name, and a

short paragraph on the subject by September 20, 2010.

Submit to:

Leland S. (Sandy) Pierson III

Professor and Head

Plant pathology and Microbiology

[email protected]

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