Postgraduate Research Associates

From Poonam

I’m from Punjab, an Indian state that is renowned for its agriculture. I have always been intrigued by viral infections that impact various crops. I, therefore, completed my doctoral work on indexing of viral diseases of tomato crop in North-western region of India as well as the contribution of weeds to the spread of viral infections. I joined IAREC to increase my expertise of grapevine diseases under the guidance of Dr. Naidu A. Rayapati. To promote Washington’s clean plant programs, certified nurseries must maintain healthy grapevines. In order to achieve this goal, the Prosser IAREC Grape Virology Program has been working with nursery managers and the Plant Services Program of the Washington State Department of Agriculture to maintain virus-tested mother vines in registered blocks.

From Ragunathan

Molecular Biologist by training. My research focuses on understanding the arms race between Plant and the Pathogen. My doctoral degree was from the Molecular Virology Laboratory at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in the area of plant-begomoviral interaction. I was a recipient of the Erasmus-Mundus fellowship. My research areas in the past engaged on abiotic stress on plants and begomoviruses infecting cucurbits and nightshade crops. Here at IAREC my research focuses on little cherry disease and X-disease. 

From Ricardo

My research experience is centered in the field of plant-pathogen interactions, with a particular focus on the fire blight pathogen Erwinia amylovora. With a PhD from Universitat de Valencia, I characterized the effects of starvation on the survival responses and virulence mechanisms of E. amylovora. I studied multiple aspects of E. amylovora’s life cycle, including physiological responses to nutrient depletion, the involvement of the sigma factor RpoS and catalases in these processes, and their roles during plant-pathogen interactions. I also investigated the bacterium’s potential for root colonization, induction of the viable but nonculturable response by stressing agents, recovery of cultivability through passage in susceptible hosts, and E. amylovora transmission by the medfly Ceratitis capitata. During my four years as a Postdoctoral Associate at Cornell University, I devoted my efforts to developing and optimizing a viability digital PCR protocol for selective quantification of viable E. amylovora cells. I employed this method to assess pathogen survival and population dynamics in fire blight cankers. I delved into the complexities of copper resistance in the fire blight pathogen through RNA-seq analysis, conducted fire blight and blister spot diagnostics, contributed to the development of a specific PCR for identifying the parasitic wasp Trissolcus japonicus (used for brown marmorated stink bug biocontrol), and evaluated the resistance of different apple cultivars to Colletotrichum species present in New York state. As a Research Associate at WSU-IAREC, my current objectives involve identifying and analyzing E. amylovora antibiotic resistance mechanisms. I have optimized a method for identifying potential biocontrol agents against E. amylovora. I also lead a two-year project funded by the WTFRC studying new compounds to control shoot blight. Since 2009, I have mentored over 15 students, engaged in teaching, reviewed scientific papers for various journals, presented at conferences, and contributed to grant writing.

From Anna

My name is Anna Kyslynska. I am from Ukraine, where I earned my Ph.D. in Microbiology while studying the formation and functioning of endophytic associations between beneficial fungi and agricultural plants.

I started my work at Washington State University in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, where I studied plant-growth-promoting microorganisms in the pennycress microbiome. The focus of this project was associative nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the rhizosphere, on root surfaces, and inside plant tissues, as well as their role in supporting and protecting plant growth.

I am currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center. My current research focuses on root-associated and endophytic microorganisms of legume crops, especially winter pea. I study plant growth-promoting bacteria and fungi, as well as microbial biocontrol agents against plant pathogens. My work includes isolation and functional screening of beneficial microorganisms, evaluation of their PGP traits and antagonistic activity, and studying their potential for sustainable crop production.

Outside of research, I enjoy STEM education for children. I have developed and taught science courses for children and authored interactive science books for these courses.

From Sridhar

My research focuses on several aspects of plant virology research including basic biology, epidemiology and diagnostics. Plant virus diseases I have worked on includes those that impact economically important horticultural, vegetable and food crops such as grape vines, beans, and wheat. My research interests include: virus characterization, virus-based vector systems, and plant-virus-vector interactions. I am particularly interested in utilizing scientific advances to develop and implement sustainable disease management strategies.

From Munashe

I was born and grew up in Masvingo, a province on the south-eastern part Zimbabwe. I have a B.Sc. in Horticultural Science and an M.S.c in Crop Science, both from the Midlands State University in Zimbabwe. I then proceeded to join the Department of Biological Science at the University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa in 2016 as a Ph.D. candidate. Prior to joining the labs of Drs. DeVetter and Peters at WSU in January 2023, I was a postdoctoral fellow in the Plant Stress Lab at UCT working on Molecular and Physiological approaches to drought tolerance in Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.). Currently I examine the physiological and genetic mechanisms that contribute to red raspberry’s heat tolerance across cultivars and advanced selections, as well as evaluating the impacts and cost-benefits of heat mitigation technologies across several cultivars and promising selections.

From Alvaro

I am from Colombia, with a Master in Agricultural Sciences from the National University of Colombia, and a BSc in Biology from the University of Tolima. A significant part of my professional career includes my tenure as a Research Assistant at the International Center of Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) in Palmira, Colombia. My time at CIAT laid a strong foundation for my expertise in molecular breeding technologies and provided valuable insights into the complexities of improving common beans.

In my current position as a Research Associate at the Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center (IAREC) at Washington State University (WSU), I have made substantial contributions to the development of molecular markers and gene identification related to resistance/tolerance for both abiotic and biotic stresses. These efforts are part of projects collaborated on with the Grain Legume Research Unit – USDA-ARS.

From Amit

I was born in the capital of India, Delhi. I completed my Doctorate in Biotechnology on “Characterization and functional analysis of avr gene(s) of Indian isolates of Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris causing black rot disease in cauliflower” with collaboration of Division of Plant Pathology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, India and Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida, India. I have experience with various Molecular and Microbial techniques, Plant-microbe interaction (biotic stress), mutagenesis in bacteria, RNA silencing in model plants, plant abiotic stresses, antimicrobial activity of drugs and nano-particles on bacterial growth, transgenics plant development, pathogenicity analysis on vegetable crops i.e., Brassica species and, tomato, and functional validation of Type-III effectors in Xanthomonas. Apart from research, I am a recipient of the ‘DST-Young Scientist’ International Travel grant from the Science and Engineering Research Board, Govt. of India and University of Florida, USA to attend the 7th Xanthomonas Genomics conference at Clearwater, Florida, USA held on June 2022. Besides, I am contributing with my research expertise and skills to serve in prestigious academic journals and play a role in the Editorial Board as a Review Editor (Frontiers in Virology) and Reviewer (BMC Microbiology, Scientific Reports).

I joined the Department of Plant Pathology, Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center, Washington State University (IAREC-WSU), Prosser as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in July 2023 with Dr. Youfu “Frank” Zhao. My research focuses on Phytopathological diseases such as Fire blight and X-diseases of orchards like Apple, cherry, and Pear caused by Gram-negative Erwinia and phytoplasma, antimicrobial resistance in phytopathogens, CRISPR/CAS-based diagnosis of X-disease phytoplasma.

From Charles

I am from Kenya and am currently a postdoc with Markus Keller at Washington State University investigating water stress physiology in winegrapes. Before that, I explored the impact of episodes of high temperatures on potato physiology and how biofuel cropping systems altered food crop production in corn and dry beans. My research goal is to find practical agronomic solutions to abiotic stresses and cropping practice challenges. Therefore, I hope findings from my current work will help the Washington State Winegrape Growers and the Wine Industry make necessary adjustments (if any) now and for future winegrape production. I love landscape photography, watching birds, and taking evening walks under beautiful sunsets.

From Tanmoy

I received my PhD from the University of Tennessee Knoxville, TN. During my PhD, I worked on understanding chemotaxis in plant growth promoting bacteria Azospirillum brasilense. In my previous postdoc position, I was working on understanding the mechanism of resistance to various antimicrobial compounds related to human innate immunity defense in Streptococcus using high throughput genomic screen called transposon sequencing (TnSeq).

I like travelling, listening to music and trying out new food or cuisine during my off time.

From Nataliya

Currently, I am a postdoctoral researcher in the lab of Dr. Markus Keller. My primary focus revolves around the optimization of sampling protocols to facilitate efficient nutrient management within vineyards. My work centers on the re-evaluation of existing sampling procedures for the analysis of grapevine tissue nutrients. Furthermore, I am particularly drawn to the topic of nutrient recycling, with a specific emphasis on potassium. In addition to my primary role, I also serve as project manager for High-Resolution Vineyard Nutrient Management. In this capacity, I collaborate closely with the project director to ensure the team’s adherence to grant-related obligations and timelines. I am involved in outreach efforts, as well as the coordination of project team meetings. My professional background is rooted in viticulture research, and I hold a keen interest in Outreach and Extension activities.

I am very passionate about plants overall as well as a plant-based lifestyle, which you can learn more about at www.plantsforbodyandsoul.com.