The Laboratory of Steve DiFazio
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Luke Evans, PhD, 2012, Northern Arizona University
Hari Chhetri, MS, 2009, Claremont Graduate School
Eli Rodgers-Melnick, B.S., 2008, West Virginia University
Rose Strickland-Constable, M.S., 2008, University College, London, England
Gancho Slavov, PhD 2004, Oregon State University
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Gancho is interested in several aspects of forest tree population genetics.His thesis research was on using SSR markers and parentage analysis to measure gene flow and assess within-population mating patterns in Douglas-fir. More recently, he has become interested in modeling landscape-level gene flow, studying interactions between gene flow and natural selection, and unraveling molecular bases for adaptation using phenotype-genotype association studies. Presently a Lecturer at Aberystwythe University.
Hao Ma, PhD 2003, University of Hawaii
Hao Ma has extensive experience in plant molecular biology, genomics, plant genetics, and plant breeding. He has worked on tree improvement projects for Paulownia, Populus tomentosa and other species, as well as a large project to determine the molecular basis of gender determination in papaya. He has most recently worked on genetic transformation and molecular characterization of pineapple, and bioassays of transgenic tomato and petunia lines. He is currently a research associate in the laboratory of Jianbo Yao at West Virginia University.
Danielle Ellis, Ph.D. 1998, University of Arizona
Danielle Ellis is interested in the molecular and physiological adaptations of plants to metal(oid) and nutrient stress. She hasw orked with several species of hyperaccumulators, plants that are tolerant to and accumulate high levels of metal(oid) in their natural environment, trying to understand their unique molecular and biochemical adaptations. These adaptations have potential applications in phytoremediation, reclimation, nutritional plant improvement and improved plant production. In the DiFazio lab she worked on mechanisms of salt and cadmium tolerance in Populus. She is currently a Research Associate at Pomona State University.
PhD Student Brahma Reddy Induri, MS 2005, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeth University
Brahma Reddy Induri comes from a strong plant breeding and plant genetics background. His PhD project involves application of quantitative genetics and functional genomics to study mechanisms of cadmium tolerance in Populus trees.
Research Associate Damian Christey, BS 2007, West Virginia University
Damian has a degree in computer science and with a focus on cluster computing. He is interested in bioinformatics, with a particular focus on developing pipelines for analyzing expression and metabolite data in the context of metabolic networks.
MS Student Adam Hnatkovich, MS 2007, Frostburg State University, Maryland
Adam has worked on genetics of rare tree species and the ecology of pitcher plants. He is now studying aspects of the population genetics of aspen populations in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and the Rocky Mountains.
I am actively seeking qualified graduate students to work on a variety of funded projects. Please contact me if you are interested!