Graduate Research Assistant
Cornell University
Department of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology
Ithaca, NY 14853
August 2010 - Present M.S./Ph.D. candidate, Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology; Cornell University.
May 2005, BS biology, botany concentration, chemistry minor, Millersville University. Millersville, Pennsylvania.
Graduate advisor: Eric Nelson
Research Focus
Compost and the microbiology of compost have been an increasing fascination and passion of mine in the last couple of years. My current research interests focus on using vermicomposted dairy manure to suppress plant diseases, particularly the oomycete plant pathogen Pythium aphanidermatum. P. aphanidermatum is a ubiquitous seed and seedling pathogen that causes seed rots and seedling damping-off in over 50 different economically important crop plants.
It has been well documented that vermicompost, or composts in general, are capable of suppressing plant diseases; however, little research is available that suggests or identifies the mechanism(s) of disease suppression. Furthermore, most literature places a large emphasis on illustrating suppression by focusing on the plant rather that the pathogen.
The goal of my graduate research is to identify the mechanism(s) of suppression of P. aphanidermatum using vermicompost by focusing on the pathogen and illustrating the disruption in pathogen development, which ultimately leads to the observed disease suppression.
Links to Recent and Current Projects
http://www.plantpath.cornell.edu/Labs/ENelson/index.html
Professional Experience
August 2010-Present. MS Thesis Research. Microbial interference of zoosporogenesis in the oomycete plant pathogen Pythium aphanidermatum using vermicomposted dairy manure. Department of Plant Pathology Plant-Microbe Biology. Cornell University. Ithaca, New York.
January 2009-August 2010. Research technician. Microbial interference of zoosporogenesis in the oomycete plant pathogen Pythium aphanidermatum using vermicomposted dairy manure. Department of Plant Pathology Plant-Microbe Biology. Cornell University. Ithaca, New York.
January 2007-March 2009 – Research technician. Identification, isolation, and development of pathogenicity tests for the onion pathogen Pantoea ananatis; Development of pathogenicity tests for Botrytis allii on onion seed. Department of Plant Pathology & Plant-Microbe Biology. Cornell University. Ithaca, New York
September 2005-December 2006 – Research technician. Cross-dating tree ring data for studies in dendropyroclimatology. Department of Geography. Penn State University, State College, Pennsylvania.
May 2005-August 2005 – Field technician. Bog turtle surveys. Department of Geography. Penn State University. State College, Pennsylvania.
May 2004-May2005 – Independent Undergraduate Research. Affects of Mycorrhizae on a Population of Corn Plants. Millersville University. Millersville, Pennsylvania.
Awards and Honors
August 2010 Certificate of Compost Operations Training.
July 2010 APS video competition (provided video and assisted editing).
June 2010 Second prize at a NYSTAR CAT poster presentation competition.
June 2008 Awarded Veteran Composter of Tompkins County.
May 2008 Master Composter of Tompkins County Training.
April 2005 Independent Undergraduate Research Award.
Elected and Appointed Offices
September 2008-Present. Steering Committee and Crew Chief of Ithaca’s Compost, Recycling, and Trash (CRT) Crew.
Professional Societies and Working Groups
International Society for Microbial Ecology – Member.
Publications
Peer reviewed:
Carr, E. A., Bonasera, J. M., Zaid, A. M., Lorbeer, J. W., and Beer, S. V. 2010. First Report of Bulb Disease Caused by Pantoea ananatis in New York. Plant Disease. 94(7): 916-916.
Carr, E. A., Zaid, A. M., Bonasera, J. M., Lorbeer, J. W., and Beer, S. V. 2010. Progression of the Center Rot Pathogen Pantoea ananatis from Onion Leaves to Bulb Infection and Enhanced Pathogenicity Assays – In Publication.
Non-peer reviewed:
Steven V. Beer, Ali M. Zaid, Jean M. Bonasera, Christine A. Hoepting, Eric A. Carr, and James, W. Lorbeer. 2010. Recent Studies of Bacterial Problems of Onions in New York. Annual New York Onion Industry Council Meeting.
J. W. Lorbeer, S. V. Beer, and E. A. Carr. 2009. Pathogenesis of Pantoea ananatis Causing Center Rot of Onion. 2009 Empire State Fruit& Vegetable Expo Proceedings.
Eric A. Carr, James W. Lorbeer, and Steven V. Beer. 2008. Detection of Pantoea ananatis in New York Grown Onions and Development of Pathogenicity Tests for P. ananatis on Onion. 2008 National Allium Research Conference.
J. W. Lorbeer, D. P. LoParco, and E. A. Carr. 2008 The Resourcefulness of Botrytis allii Causing Botrytis Neck Rot of Onions. 2008 Empire State Fruit & Vegetable Expo Proceedings.
J. W. Lorbeer, E. A. Carr, and S. V. Beer. 2008. Occurrence in New York of Pantoea ananatis, the Cause of Center Rot of Onion. 2008 Empire State Fruit& Vegetable Expo Proceedings.
Poster Presentations:
Eric A. Carr and Eric B. Nelson. 2010. Microbial Interference of Zoosporogenesis in the Oomycete Plant Pathogen Pythium aphanidermatum. 2010 International Society for Microbial Ecology Conference.
Eric A. Carr and Eric B. Nelson. 2010. Microbial Interference of Zoosporogenesis in the Oomycete Plant Pathogen Pythium aphanidermatum. Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases Conference.
Allison L. H. Jack, Eric A. Carr, and Eric B. Nelson. 2010. How Does Vermicomposted Dairy Manure Protect Plants from Diseases? 2009 NYSTAR Center for Advanced Technology Outreach Poster Presentation.
Allison L. H. Jack, Thomas Herlihy, Eric A. Carr, and Eric B. Nelson. Development of Biocontrol Products from Vermicomposted Cow Manure. 2009 NYSTAR Center for Advanced Technology Outreach Poster Presentation.