Cornell University
Department of Plant Pathology & Plant-Microbe Biology
Ithaca, NY 14853
August 2006-present PhD student, Plant-Microbe Biology;Plant Pathology; Department of Plant Pathology & Plant-Microbe Biology, Cornell University
1999-2003, BS, Botany, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
2003-2006, MS, Plant Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia
Graduate Advisor: Donna Gibson
Research Focus
My research is focused on enzymes produced by fungal plant pathogens that hydrolyze the major polysaccharides in the plant secondary cell wall. Cellulases and xylanases will play a critical role in the conversion of plant biomass to sustainable biofuels such as lignocellulosic ethanol.
The first goal of my research is to screen fungal culture collections for isolates showing hydrolytic activity comparable to, or greater than, the industrial cellulase producing fungus, Trichoderma reesei. Following identification of promising isolates using high-throughput screening, their hydrolytic systems will be analyzed in greater detail.
The second goal of my research is the biochemical engineering of selected hydrolases. This will be accomplished using in-vitro evolution and gene shuffling techniques.
2008 Teaching Assistant, Plant Pathology; Cornell University
2004-2006 Teaching Assistant, Agricultural Sciences; University of British Columbia
2003-2004 Research Assistant, Forestry; Genome BC / University of British Columbia
2001-2003 Greenhouse Assistant; Miami University
1999-2001 Laboratory Assistant, Zoology; Miami University
Awards and Honors
2010 Barbara McClintock Award; Cornell University
2009 Fellow to the Lindau Meeting of Nobel Laureates; Department of Energy
2008-2010 Chemistry Biology Interface Training Grant; National Institute of Health
2004-2005 University Graduate Fellowship; University of British Columbia
2003 Graduation with Honors, Magna Cum Laude Phi Beta Kappa; Miami University
2003 Young Botanist Award; Botanical Society of America
2002 Summer Scholars Award; Miami University
Elected and Appointed Offices
2008-2009 Representative, Council of Representatives, Graduate and Professional Student Assembly; Cornell University
2007-2008 President, Plant Pathology Graduate Student Association; Cornell University
2006-2007 Representative, Council of Representatives, Graduate and Professional Student Assembly; Cornell University
2001-2003 Treasurer, Peffer-Western Environmental Education Program; Miami University
2002-2003 President, Miami University Disc Golf Association; Miami University
Professional Societies and Working Groups
Society for Economic Botany
Pacific Northwest Key Council
Botanical Society of America
National Society of Collegiate Scholars
Golden Key International Honour Society
Publications
Spanu, PD et al. Genome expansion and gene loss in powdery mildew fungi reveal functional tradeoffs in extreme parasitism. Science. In press.
King BC, Donnelly MK, Bergstrom GC, Walker LP, Gibson DM. (2009) An optimized microplate assay system for quantitative evaluation of plant cell wall-degrading enzyme activity of fungal culture extracts. Biotechnology and Bioengineering. 102:1033-1044.
King B, Jovel E, and Isman M. (2005) Screening Several Pacific Northwest Entomogenous Fungi (Ascomycota: Clavicipitaceae) for Potential Pharmaceutical Lead Compounds. Abstract. Conference Proceedings of the Third International Medicinal Mushroom Conference. Port Townsend, WA.
King B. (2005) Baldwin D et. al. (Editors). The Ethnobotany of the Miami Indian Tribe: A Field Guide to Commonly Used Plants. 75 pages. Miami Indian Nation. (In Press).