Gray is a USDA, ARS Research Plant Pathologist.
My overall interest is to gain an understanding of the interactions between plant viruses and their insect vectors that regulate the efficient movement of viruses between plant hosts. Specific projects mix fundamental laboratory studies with field studies to investigate; the molecular and cellular interactions of plant viruses with their aphid vectors; the genetics of vector competence in aphid populations; and biological and cultural factors that influence virus epidemics in cereal and potato crops. The long-term goal is to develop sustainable virus disease control practices based on the interference of efficient transmission of viruses by their insect vectors.