Fungal pathogenicity

Identifying virulence factors in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Proteins secreted by _Sclerotinia sclerotiorum_ during infection of soybean play many different roles in helping establish disease. I am using forward and reverse genetics to identify and validate the roles of these proteins in disease development.

Revealing Mechanisms of Induction of Soybean Sudden Death Syndrome

Two proteins secreted by _Fusarium virguliforme_ have been shown to play a role in soybean sudden death syndrome symptom (SDS) development. This project is aimed at identifying the mechanisms by which these two proteins induce SDS.