Paul G. Ahlquist

Professor
Plant Pathology & Oncology
Ph.D.: University of Wisconsin-Madison in Biophysics
Office: (608) 263-5916

Our laboratory is studying the RNA-based pathways underlying the replication and evolution of positive-strand RNA viruses, which include the majority of plant viruses and many important human and animal pathogens. More..
Courses Taught:

640 General Virology-Multiplication of Viruses

PUBLICATIONS:
Dye, B.T., Miller, D.J., Ahlquist, P. 2005 In vivo self-interaction of nodavirus RNA replicase protein a revealed by fluorescence resonance energy transfer. J Virol. 2005 Jul;79(14):8909-19. Abstract or Full article.

Pyeon, D., Lambert, P.F., Ahlquist, P. Production of infectious human papillomavirus independently of viral replication and epithelial cell differentiation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2005 Jun 28;102(26):9311-6. Epub 2005 Jun 15. Abstract or Full article.

Ahlquist, P. Virus evolution: fitting lifestyles to a T. Curr Biol. 2005 Jun 21;15(12):R465-7. Abstract or Full article.

Caitlyn Allen

Professor
Plant Pathology & Women's Studies
Ph.D.: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Plant Pathology
Office: (608) 262-9578

My research group studies the interactions between the plant pathogenic bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum and its plant hosts, using both molecular and ecological tools to explore the biology of bacterial wilt disease. More..
Courses Taught:

123 Plants, Parasites, & People
505 Plant-Microbe Interactions
622 Plant-Bacterial Interactions

PUBLICATIONS::
Gabriel, D. W., C. Allen, et al. Identification of Open Reading Frames unique to a Select Agent:  Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 biovar 2. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions In press.

Swanson, J. J. Yao, J. Tans-Kersten, and C. Allen. 2005. Behavior of Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 biovar 2 during latent and active infection of geranium. Phytopathology 95:136-143. Full article.

Brown, D.G., and Allen, C. 2004. Ralstonia solanacearum genes induced during growth in tomato: an inside view of bacterial wilt. Molecular Microbiology: 53:1641-1660. Abstract or Full article.

John Andrews

Academic Program Director Professor
Plant Pathology
Ph.D.: University of California Davis in Plant Pathology
Office: (608) 262-9642

My research interests are in the area of microbial ecology and the biological and integrated control of plant pathogens. Most of our attention has been directed to the fungi. More..
Courses Taught:

525 Comparative Ecology of Micro & Macroorganisms
620 Plant Pathogenic Fungi
875 Special Topics - Biocontrol Concepts

PUBLICATIONS:
Ives, A.R., Woody, S.T., Nordheim, E.V., Nelson, C., and Andrews, J.H. 2004. The synergistic effects of stochasticity and dispersal on population densities. Am. Nat. 163: 375-387. Abstract or Full article.

Andrews, J.H. 2004. Biological control in the phyllosphere. Pages 130-133 in: Encyclopedia of Plant and Crop Science (R.M. Goodman, ed.). Marcel Dekker , New York.

Woody, S.T., Spear, R.N., Nordheim, E.V., Ives, A.R., Andrews, J.H. Single-leaf resolution of the temporal population dynamics of Aureobasidium pullulans on apple leaves.Appl Environ Microbiol. 2003 Aug;69(8):4892-900. Abstract or Full article.

Andrew Bent


Professor
Plant Pathology
Ph.D.: Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Biology
Office: (608) 265-3034

Our work examines the molecular basis of plant resistance to infection by microbial pathogens. More..
Courses Taught:

123 Plants, Parasites & People
505 Plant-Microbe Interactions
875 Special Topics - Connecting Molecular & Field

PUBLICATIONS:
Quirino, B.F., Genger, R., Ham, J.H., Zabala, G. and Bent, A.F. 2004. Identification and functional analysis of Arabidopsis proteins that interact with resistance gene product RPS2 in yeast. Physiol. Molec. Plant Pathol. 65:257-267. Full article.

Jurkowski, G. I., Smith, R.K., Yu, I.C., Ham, J.H., Sharma, S.B., Klessig, D.F., Fengler, K.A. and Bent, A.F. 2004.  Arabidopsis DND2, a second cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channel gene for which mutation causes the "defense, no death" phenotype. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions 17:511-520. Abstract or Full article.

Pfund, C., Tans-Kersten, J., Dunning, F.M., Alonso, J.M., Ecker, J.R., Allen, C. and Bent, A.F. 2004. Flagellin is not a major defense elicitor in Ralstonia solanacearum cells or extracts applied to Arabidopsis thaliana. Mol. Plant-Microbe Interact. 17:696-706. Abstract of Full article.

Amy Charkowski

We are studying the soft rot Erwinia, with particular emphasis on virulence gene expression under field conditions and bacterial biofilm formation. We are also developing and adapting pathogen detection methods for more effiecient detection of bacterial plant pathogens. More..
Courses Taught:

875 Special Topics - Bacterial Adhesions
923 Seminar

PUBLICATIONS:
Yap, M.N., Yang, C.H., Barak, J.D., Jahn, C.E., Charkowski, A.O. The Erwinia chrysanthemi type III secretion system is required for multicellular behavior. J Bacteriol. 2005 Jan;187(2):639-48. Abstract of Full article.

Yap, M.N., Barak, J.D., Charkowski, A.O. Genomic diversity of Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora and its correlation with virulence. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2004 May;70(5):3013-23. Abstract of Full article.

Charkowski, A. O. 2004. Making sense of an alphabet soup: the use of a new bioinformatics tool for identification of novel gene islands. Physiological Genomics 16:180-181. Abstract or Full article.

Murray Clayton


Dept Chairperson, Professor Plant Pathology & Statistics
Ph.D.: University of Minnesota in Statistics
Office: (608) 262-0530

My research deals with the application of statistics to problems arising from the agricultural, biological, and environmental sciences, focusing especially on spatial statistics and epidemiology. More..

PUBLICATIONS:
Kritsch, K.R., Murali, S., Adamo, M.L., Clayton, M.K., Ney, D.M. Hypoenergetic high-carbohydrate or high-fat parenteral nutrition induces a similar metabolic response with differential effects on hepatic IGF-I mRNA in dexamethasone-treated rats. J Nutr. 2005 Mar;135(3):479-85. Abstract or Full article.

Bauer, S.M., Santschi, E.M., Fialkowski, J., Clayton, M.K., Proctor RA. Quantification of Staphylococcus aureus adhesion to equine bone surfaces passivated with Plasmalyte and hyperimmune plasma. Vet Surg. 2004 Jul-Aug;33(4):376-81. Abstract or Full article.

Aukema, B. H ., Clayton, M. K., and Raffa, K. F. 2004. Density-dependent effects of multiple predators sharing a common prey in an endophytic habitat. Oecologia. 139:418-426. Abstract or Full article.

Paul D. Esker

Assistant Professor
Plant Pathology and Extension
Field Crops Plant Pathology
Ph.D.: Iowa State University in
Plant Pathology and Statistics
Office: (608) 890-1999

Our research group is focused on increasing our understanding of how plant diseases affect field crops, including corn, soybean, wheat, and alfalfa. More..

Furthermore, I also am the Field Crops Extension Plant Pathologist. 

PUBLICATIONS:
Pethybridge, S. J., F. Hay, P. Esker, T. Groom, C. Wilson, and F. W. Nutter, Jr. Visual and radiometric assessments for yield losses caused by ray blight in pyrethrum. Crop Science  (Accepted for publication pending revision, Feb. 2007).

Xu, Z., M. L. Gleason, D. S. Mueller, C. A. Bradley, J. W. Buck, D. M. Benson, P. D. Esker, P. M. Dixon, and J. E. B. A. Monteiro.  Overwintering of Sclerotium rolfsii and Sclerotium rolfsii var. delphinii in North Dakota, Iowa, North Carolina, and Georgia. (Accepted pending revision Aug. 2007).

Pethybridge, S. J., F. Hay, P. Esker, C. Wilson, and F. W. Nutter, Jr. 2007. Use of a multispectral radiometer for non-invasive assessments of foliar disease caused by ray blight in pyrethrum. Plant Disease (In Press).

Thomas German


Professor
Entomology & Plant Pathology
Ph.D.: University of Wisconsin-Madison in Plant Pathology
Office: (608) 262-2956

Research in my lab follows four major directions:

• Analysis of replication and expression strategies of tomato spotted wilt virus (family Bunyaviridae, genus Tospovirus)
• Study of tospovirus-insect vector relationships
• Development of in planta transient expression systems using negative-sense RNA viruses
• Detection of potato pathogens: viral, bacterial, and fungal. More..

PUBLICATIONS:
Whitfield, A.E., Ullman, D.E., German, T.L. Tomato spotted wilt virus glycoprotein G(C) is cleaved at acidic pH. Virus Res. 2005 Jun;110(1-2):183-6. Abstract of Full article.

Whitfield, A.E., Ullman, D.E., German, T.L. Tospovirus-Thrips Interactions. Annu Rev Phytopathol. 2005 May 19. Abstract of Full article. Abstract or Full article.

Ullman, D.E., Whitfield, A.E., German, T.L. Thrips and tospoviruses come of age: mapping determinants of insect transmission. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2005 Apr 5;102(14):4931-2. Abstract or Full article.

Craig Grau

Professor
Plant Pathology
Ph.D.: University of Minnesota in Plant Pathology
Office: (608) 262-6289

My research program concentrates on field crop diseases of immediate and long-term concern to growers in Wisconsin and neighboring states. I have focused on the development and implementation of methods for identification, assessment and management of disease problems of alfalfa, soybean, pea, snap bean, small grains and corn. More...
Courses Taught:

300 Introductory Plant Pathology
559 Diseases of Economic Plants
875 Special Topics - Pathology of Field Crops

PUBLICATIONS:
M. E. Lee Burrows, C. M. Boerboom, J. M., C. R. Grau 2005. The Relationship Between Aphis glycines and Soybean mosaic virus Incidence in Different Pest Management Systems. Plant Dis. 89:926-934. Abstract or Full article.

Patzoldt, M.E., Grau, C.R., Stephens, P.A., Kurtzweil, N.C., Carlson, S.R., and Diers, D.W. 2005. Localization of a quantitative trait locus providing brown stem rot resistance in the soybean cultivar Bell. Abstract or Full article.

Meng, X., Grau, C. R., and Chen, W. 2005. Two sympatric and genetically distinct populations of the fungal pathogen Phialophora gregata f. sp. sojae show differential cultivar preference. Abstract or Full article.

Dennis Halterman

Research Geneticist USDA/ARS
Assistant Professor
Plant Pathology
Ph.D.: Purdue University
Office: (608) 265-2144

The work in our lab revolves around the molecular mechanisms of disease resistance in potato. More..

PUBLICATIONS:
Bae, J., Halterman, D., Jansky, S. 2008. Development of a Molecular Marker Associated with Verticillium Wilt Resistance in Diploid Interspecific Potato Hybrids. Mol. Breeding doi: 10.1007/s11032-008-9156-8. Abstract or Full article.

Halterman, D., Kramer, L.C., Weilgus, S., and Jiang, J. 2008. Performance of Transgenic Potato Containing the Late Blight Resistance Gene RB. Plant Dis. 92:339-343. Abstract or Full article.

Liu, Z., and Halterman, D. 2006. Identification and Characterization of RB Orthologous Genes from the Late Blight Resistant Wild Potato Species Solanum verrucosum. Phys. Mol. Plant Pathol. 69:230-239. Abstract or Full article.

Jo Handelsman

Professor
Bacterial Diversity, Metagenomics,
Community Robustness
PhD: Molecular Biology, University of Wisconsin
Office: (608) 263-8783

Research in the Handelsman lab focuses on understanding the structure and function of microbial communities, addressing questions that have challenged plant pathologists and microbiologists since the inception of our discipline. More..
Courses Taught:

800 Plant Pathology - Inquiry Based Teaching Biology
801 Teaching Biology, Mentoring & IMD
875 Microbial Communities

PUBLICATIONS:
Delalibera, I., Raffa, K., and Handelsman, J. 2005. Contrasts in cellulolytic activities of gut microorganisms between the wood borer, Saperda vestita (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) and the bark beetles, Ips pini and Dendroctonus frontalis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Environ Entomol. 34: 541-547. Full article.

Schloss, P.D. and Handelsman, J. 2005. Introducing DOTUR, a computer program for defining operational taxonomic units and species richness. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 71: 1501-1506. Abstract or Full article.

Schloss, P.D. and Handelsman, J. 2004. Status of the Microbial Census. Microbiol. Molec. Biol. Rev. 68: 686-691. Abstract or Full article.

Nancy Keller

Professor
Fungal Molecular Biology, Mycotoxins, Fungal Genomics
Ph.D.: Plant Pathology, Cornell University
Office: (608) 262-9795

Our lab investigates the mechanisms involved in toxin formation in fungi and host/parasite signaling. More..
Courses Taught:

300 Introductory Plant Pathology
655 Biology & Genetics of Filamentous Fungi

PUBLICATIONS:
Bok J.-W., Balajee, S. A., Marr, K. A., Andes, D., Fog Nielsen K., Frisvad, J. C., Keller, N. P. (2005) LaeA, a regulator of virulence determinants in Aspergillus fumigatus. Euk Cell:in press.

Tsitsigiannis, D.I., Bok, J.W., Andes, D., Nielsen, K.F., Frisvad, J.C., Keller, N.P. Aspergillus cyclooxygenase-like enzymes are associated with prostaglandin production and virulence. Infect Immun. 2005 Aug;73(8):4548-59. Abstract or Full article.

Tsitsigiannis, D.I., Koweiski, T., Zarnowski, R., Keller, N.P. (2005) Three putative oxylipin biosynthetic genes integrate sexual and asexual development in Aspergillus nidulans. Microbiology 151:1809-21. Abstract or Full article.

Sally Leong


Professsor
Molecular Biology of Host-Parasite Interactions/Plant Genomics USDA/ARS
Ph.D.: University of California-Berkeley in Biochemistry
Office: (608) 262-5309

Our laboratory studies the molecular bases of host specificity in the grass-Magnaporthe grisea pathosystem. We study the interaction of AVR1-CO39 specificity gene and its corresponding resistance locus Pi-CO39 in rice, barley, perennial rye and finger millet. We are also developing molecular markers for identification and marker-assisted breeding of blast and sheath blight resistance using oligonucleotide arrays and cDNA –AFLP technologies. More..
Courses Taught:

675 Oncology - Responsible Conduct of Science

PUBLICATIONS:
Leong, S. A. 2004. Biotechnological approaches in plant protection: achievements, new initiatives and prospects. Pages 1-17 in: Fungal Biotechnology in Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Applications, Volume 21, (D. Aurora, ed.) Marcel Dekker , New York .

Curley, J., Sim, S.C., Warnke, S., Leong, S., Barker, R., Jung, G. QTL mapping of resistance to gray leaf spot in ryegrass.Theor Appl Genet. 2005 Aug 17;:1-11. Abstract or Full article.

Leong, S. A., Allen, C., and E. W. Triplett, eds. 2002. Biology of Plant-Microbe Interactions, Vol. 3. APS Press, St. Paul.

Ann MacGuidwin












Professor
Nematology & Plant Pathology
Ph.D.: Michigan State University in Entomology (Nematology)
Office: (608) 263-6131

As the department's only nematologist, my research projects often include a wide variety of nematode species, crops, and approaches. Members of our group often work in collaboration with other scientists in the Department. I have two primary research interests - the role of nematodes in the early dying disease of potato and the overwinter survival strategies of nematodes. More..
Courses Taught:

123 Plants, Parasites & People
323 Soil Biology
375 Special Topics - Advanced Plant Pathology

PUBLICATIONS:
MacGuidwin, A. E., M. E. Rosemeyer, and T.-S. Lim. The diversity of nematode communities of four established low and high input midwestern cropping systems over three years. In preparation--to be submitted to Applied Soil Ecology.

Rotenberg, D. , MacGuidwin, A.E., Saeed, I.A.M., and Rouse, D.I. 2004. Interaction of spatially separated Pratylenchus penetrans and Verticillium dahlia on potato measured by impaired photosynthesis. Plant Pathology 53:294-302.

MacGuidwin, A. E., M. E. Rosemeyer, and T. S. Lim. 2000. The diversity of nematode communities of four established low and high input midwestern cropping systems over three years. In preparation for Applied Soil Ecology.

Patricia McManus


Professor
Plant Pathology
Ph.D.: Michigan State University
Office: (608) 265-2047

My research and extension programs focus on the management of diseases of fruit crops and pathogen resistance to fungicides and bactericides. More..
Courses Taught:

PUBLICATIONS:
Vasanthakumar, A. and McManus, P.S. 2004. Indole-3-acetic acid-producing bacteria are associated with cranberry stem gall. Phytopathology 94:1164-1171. Abstract or Full article. Abstract or Full article.

Babadoost, M., Helland, S., McManus, P.S., and Gleason, M.L. 2004. Evaluating a wetness-based warning system and reduced-risk fungicides to manage sooty blotch and flyspeck of apple. HortTechnology 14:51-57. Abstract or Full article.

Best, V.M, Vasanthakumar, A., and McManus, P.S. 2004. Anatomy of cranberry stem gall and localization of bacteria in galls. Phytopathology 94:1172-1177. Abstract or Full article.

Douglas Rouse

Professor
Plant Pathology
Ph.D.: Pennsylvania State University in Plant Pathology
Office: (608)265-1395

My research program is focused on two areas of epidemiological/ecological research. More..
Courses Taught:

300 Introductory Plant Pathology (Lab)
602 Ecology, Epidemiology & Control of Plant Diseases

PUBLICATIONS:
Jansky, S.H., Rouse, D.I., and Kauth, P.J. 2004. Inheritance of resistance to Verticillium dahlia in diploid interspecific potato hybrids. Plant Disease 88:1075-1078. Abstract or Full article.

Rotenberg, D. , MacGuidwin, A.E., Saeed, I.A.M., and Rouse, D.I. 2004. Interaction of spatially separated Pratylenchus penetrans and Verticillium dahlia on potato measured by impaired photosynthesis. Plant Pathology 53:294-302.

Muck, R. E., Weinberg, Z. G., Rouse, D. I. and Igl, B. R. 1999. Ensiling of potato vines. Am. Assoc. Agric. Engineer. Transactions 42:565-572. Full article.

Glen Stanosz


Professor, Plant Pathology & Acedemic Programs
Ph.D.: University of Wisconsin-Madison in Plant Pathology
Office: (608) 265-2863

We are particularly interested in how changes in tree condition (induced by climate, competition, insect pests, or forest management practices) and diversity within populations of fungal pathogens influence the incidence and severity of diseases of trees. More..
Courses Taught:

309 Disease of Landscape Trees & Shrubs
500 Insects & Disease in Forest Resource Mgmt

PUBLICATIONS:
Feau, N., Hamelin, R., van de Casteele, C., Stanosz, G. R., and Bernier, L. 2005. Genetic structure of Mycosphaerellapopulorum (anamorph Septoria musiva) populations in north central and northeastern North America . Phytopathology (in press). Abstract or Full article.

Stanosz, G. R., Smith, D. R., and Albers, J. S. 2005. Surveys for asymptomatic persistence of Sphaeropsis sapineaon or in stems of red pine seedlings from seven Great Lakes region nurseries. Forest Pathology (in press).

Stanosz, G. R., Trobaugh, J., Guthmiller, M. A., Stanosz, J. C. 2004. Sphaeropsis shoot blight and altered nutrition in red pine plantations treated with paper mill waste sludge. Forest Pathology 34:245-253. Abstract or Full article.

Walter Stevenson

Vaughan-Bascom Professor of Plant Pathology
Ph.D.: University of Wisconsin-Madison in Plant Pathology
Office: (608) 262-6291

My program focuses on the development and implementation of tools and strategies for the improved management of diseases affecting vegetable crops. More..

PUBLICATIONS:
Groza, H. I., Bowen, B. D., Kichefski, D., Peloquin, S. J., Stevenson, W. R., Bussan, A. J. and Jiang, J. 2005. Millennium Russet – A dual purpose russet potato variety. American Journal of Potato Research 81 (in press).

James, R. V., and Stevenson, W. R. 2004. Evaluation of potato cultivars and breeding selections to identify resistance to early blight and late blight, 2003. Biological and Cultural Tests for Control of Plant Diseases (online.) Report 19:PT009. DOI: 10.1094/BC19. Full article.

James, R. V., Stevenson, W. R., Rand, R. E., Helgeson, J. P., and Haberlach, G. T. 2004. Evaluation of tubers of potato cultivars and breeding selections to identify resistance to early blight, late blight and pink rot, 2003. Biological and Cultural Tests for Control of Plant Diseases (online.) Report 19:PY008. DOI: 10.1094/BC19. Full article.

D. Kyle Willis

Associate Professor
Plant Pathology USDA/ARS
Ph.D.: University of California, Berkeley in Molecular Biology
Office: (608) 262-5063

The research in my lab focuses on the molecular genetics of the plant-pathogen interaction using phytopathogenic bacteria as a model system. More..

PUBLICATIONS:
T. M. Barta and D. K. Willis. Biological and molecular evidence that Pseudomonas syringae pathovars coronafaciens, striafaciens, and garcae are likely the same pathovar. Abstract or Full article.

German, T.L., Thompson, A. and Willis, D.K., 2004. Statewide distribution of virus problems on processing beans. 2004 Wisconsin Fertilizer, Aglime, & Pest Management Conference, Vol. 43, 291-293. Abstract or Full article.

Hirano, S.S., Charowski, A.O., Collmer, A., Willis, D.K. and Upper, C.D., 1999a. Role of Hrp type III protein secretion in growth of Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae B728a on host plants in the field. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 96, 9851-9856. Abstract or Full article. Abstract or Full article.

Deane Arny

Professor Emeritus
Plant Pathology
Office: (608) 262-1393

Harold Burdsall, Jr.

Adjunct Professor Emeritus USDA Forest Svc Forest Products Laboratory & Plant Pathology
Ph.D.: Cornell University in Mycology
Office: (608) 261-9234

Richard Durbin

Professor Emeritus
Plant Pathology
Office: (608) 262-1410

John Helgeson

Professor Emeritus
Plant Pathology
Plant Pathology & Research Leader, USDA-ARS Plant Disease Resistance Research Unit
Ph.D.: University of Wisconsin-Madison in Botany Office: (608) 262-0649

Douglas Maxwell

Professor Emeritus
Plant Pathology
Office: (608) 262-1995

Christen Upper

Professor Emeritus
Plant Pathology & USDA-ARS Plant Disease Resistance Research Unit
Office: (608) 263-2092

Paul Williams

Emeritis Professor
Plant Pathology
Office: (608) 274-0267