I am a Molecular Biologist and Curator of the ARS Entomopathogenic Fungi Collection (ARSEF) at the Emerging Pests and Pathogens Unit (EPPRU) of the USDA-ARS on the Cornell Campus in Ithaca, NY.
My research program investigates fungal pathogens of invertebrates and their metabolites for use in biocontrol and sustainable management of invertebrate pests and pathogens in agriculture and the role of invertebrate pathogens in vectoring plant pathogens.
Harnessing fungi for biological control necessitates an understanding of their ecology in natural ecosystems and the co-evolution and chemical communication of fungi with their hosts. My lab aims to contribute to fundamental knowledge on the biology and ecology of fungal pathogens of invertebrates and to use cutting edge tools to develop novel approaches for using fungi in sustainable agriculture, medicine, and natural resource management.
Find more information at my USDA profile page.
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Interests
Microbial ecology of emerald ash borer and other invasive woodboring insects
Nematophagous fungi for biocontrol of cyst nematodes
Host-Microbe interactions, endophytic fungi, and secondary metabolism and chemical ecology of fungi