Graduate Research Assistant
Cornell University
Department of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology
Ithaca, NY 14853
E-mail: jwg88@cornell.edu
Present M.S./Ph.D. candidate, Plant Pathology; Cornell University.
2008 B.S., Horticulture; Texas Tech University
Graduate advisor: Marc Fuchs
Research Focus
My interest is biotechnology for plant research. My graduate work focuses on Grapevine fanleaf virus and its potential to be a vector for grapevine. Viral vectors can specifically knock down mRNA or express proteins in plants, and these functions make viral vectors useful tools to understand plant biology. Specific areas of my research address the identity of the GFLV silencing suppressor, the properties of the GFLV satellite RNA, and ways of validating viral vectors for grapevine.
Professional Experience
2008-present Graduate Research Assistant and Extension Assistant, New York State Ag. Exp. Station, Geneva, NY. TA for Magical Mushrooms Mischievous Molds, performed extension work, and conducted independent research. Supervisor: Dr. Marc Fuchs.
2005-2008 Research Assistant, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX. Assisted in a wide variety of lab-based research projects. Supervisor: Dr. Robert Wright
Summer 2005Horticultural Intern, The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Ardmore, OK. Managed the Noble Foundation's first marketing campaign to sell fresh produce and flowers. Supervisor: Steven Upson
2001-2004 Nurseryman, T.G. Trees and Garden Center, Lubbock, TX. High school and college employment that spurred my horticulture career interest.
Professional Societies and Working Groups
Member, American Phytopathological Society
Elected and Appointed Offices
Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology Graduate Student Association, Vice President 2009-2010, Treasurer, 2011-2012
New Student Committee Member, 2008-2012
Colloquium Committee Chair, 2011-2012
Student Association of the Geneva Experiment Station garden coordinator, 2011-2012
Awards and Honors
American Phytopathological Society Robert Fulton Student Travel Award (2011)
Cornell Graduate School Travel Award (2011)
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Honorable Mention (2009)
Graduate Research Assistantships (2008-2011)
Publications
John Gottula, E. Vigne, C. Keichinger, C. Ritzenthaller, and M. Fuchs. (2011) Engineering Grapevine fanleaf virus into a plant expression vector. Phytopathology 101:S1.
John Gottula, K. Price, R.D. Allen, B. Mullinix and R.J. Wright. (2009). Efficacy of Antioxidant Overproduction on Fiber Growth and Maturation in Cotton. Crop Science 43:1733-1741.
John Gottula and M. Fuchs.(2009) Towards a quarter century of pathogen-derived resistance and practical approaches to plant virus disease control. Advances in Virus Research: Natural and Engineered Resistance to Plant viruses 76:161-183.
Gottula, J. Overexpression of antioxidants in cotton confers advantageous yield and lint traits. Honors Thesis. April 2008.
Gottula, J., R.D. Allen and R.J. Wright. Expression of antioxidants in cotton alters lint yield and quality. Beltwide Cotton Conference. Nashville, TN. January, 2008. (Poster Presentation) http://ncc.confex.com/ncc/2008/techprogram2/P8399.HTM
Gottula. J., R.D. Allen and R.J. Wright. Overexpression of antioxdants in cotton alters lint yield and quality. World Cotton Research Conference-4. Lubbock, TX. September 2007. (Poster Presentation) http://wcrc.confex.com/wcrc/2007/techprogram/P1930.HTM