Kathie Hodge

Research in my lab focuses on fungi that cause diseases of plants and insects. In 2018 we characterized Paecilomyces Rot of apples, a previously unknown disease of apples caused by a mycotoxin-producing mold, Paecilomyces niveus. This fungus was long known to spoil processed fruit products; our studies highlight a unique pathway into our food system. We have since demonstrated its heat resistance and ability to infect apple, citrus and other fruits, sequenced its genome, and examined its ability to make a federally regulated mycotoxin, Patulin, in fermented and poorly pasteurized fruit products.

My research program focuses generally on the biodiversity and ecology of fungi. I have worked extensively on fungi that are associated with insects. I use molecular biology and microscopic methods to investigate fungal relationships. I develop basic knowledge on the biodiversity of fungi, describing new species and genera, and construct resources to aid in their identification. I seek to understand the ecological roles of fungi, which inform ways in which we might either use or avoid them.

Outreach and Extension Focus

My outreach focuses on fungi, their diversity, and their impacts on us. It includes consultations in mushroom poisoning emergencies of people and animals, questions about fungal roles and identification, and public lectures and forays. I coordinate the New York State "Peck" mushroom foray and edit the Cornell Mushroom Blog and an Instagram account, @cornellfungi.

I aim to demystify fungi, including molds and mushrooms, and promote public appreciation of their key roles in the environment. I founded the successful Cornell Mushroom Blog to answer public demand for information about fungi, while also involving my students in outreach through writing about science for a general audience.

The Cornell Plant Pathology Herbarium serves science internationally as a physical store of data on biodiversity, taxonomy, and nomenclature of fungi and other plant pathogens. We hold over 300,000 specimens and over 60,000 historical images of fungi and agriculture. In 2000 we began digitizing specimen records and images, an effort that's been federally funded since 2010. We moved from substandard facilities that were actively damaging to the collections into a newly renovated facility in 2007. We collaborate with other collections to make our data accessible, and loan specimens internationally to qualified scientists in support of fungal science.

Selected Journal Publications

View profile and publications on Google Scholar.