Poonam Chaudhary, Ph.D.
About Dr. Chaudhary
Dr. Chaudhary received her Ph.D. in Botany from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India.
Poonam’s research focuses on Plant Virology.
To contact Poonam, email poonam.chaudhary@wsu.edu.
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.
Ragunathan Devendran, Ph.D.
About Dr. Devendran
Dr. Devendran received his Ph.D. in Plant-Begomoviral interaction from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Dehli, Dehli, India.
Ragunathan research focuses on Plant Pathogen Interaction.
To contact Ragunathan, email r.devendran@wsu.edu
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.
Ricardo Delgado Santander, Ph.D.
About Dr. Delgado Santander
Dr. Delgado Santander received his Ph.D. in the Biomedicine and Biotechnology Progamme at the Universitat de València in Spain.
His research focuses on antibiotic resistance in Erwinia amylovora (fire blight).
To contact Ricardo, email r.delgadosantander@wsu.edu.
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.
Anna Kyslynska, Ph.D.
About Dr. Kyslynska
Dr. Kyslynska received her Ph.D. in Microbiology from the Institute of Agricultural Microbiology and Agro-industrial Production, NAAS of Ukraine.
Her research focus is Agricultural Microbiology, including beneficial plant–microbe interactions, root-associated endophytes, and soilborne plant pathogens.
To contact Anna, email anna.kyslynska@wsu.edu
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.
Sridhar Jarugula, Ph.D.
About Dr. Jarugula
Dr. Sridhar Jarugula received his Ph.D. in the Plant Pathology.
His research focuses on Biology and Epidemiology of Plant Viral Diseases.
To contact Sridhar, email sjarugula@wsu.edu.
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.
Makonya Givemore Munashe, Ph.D.
About Dr. Makonya
Munashe received his Ph.D. from University of Cape Town, South Africa in Biological Science (Plant Ecophysiology).
His research focuses on physiology and genetic mechanisms contributing to red raspberry’s heat tolerance.
To contact Munashe, email givemore.makonya@wsu.edu
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.
Alvaro Soler-Garzón, M.Sc.
About Mr. Soler-Garzón, M.Sc.
Alvaro received his master’s degree from the National University of Colombia in Agricultural Sciences.
His research focuses on molecular markers and gene identification.
To contact Alvaro, email alvaro.solergarzon@wsu.edu.
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.