Cornell University
Department of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology
Ithaca, NY 14853

August 2007-present, MS/PhD Student, Fungal Biology; Department of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, Cornell University

2007 BA, Biology (with honors) Hood College, Frederick, MD

Graduate Advisor: Gary Bergstrom

Research Focus

My research focuses on the biology and management of Tilletia maclaganii, an emerging fungal smut pathogen of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum). Switchgrass is a native, perennial prairie grass which has received considerable interest in the United States for the production of biofuels (cellulosic ethanol and grass pellets for combustion.) Tilletia maclaganii is a systemic pathogen that can perennially reduce the yield of biomass from an established field and can cause almost total loss of seed production in a heavily infected field. Because of the devastating effects on its host, T. maclaganii is seen as a threat to the establishment of switchgrass as a productive biofeedstock crop. Through the use of perennial field trials and seasonal greenhouse trials, I hope to understand the biology of this smut fungus within its host and develop effective management strategies in order to mitigate the impact of this smut on the establishment of the switchgrass feedstock industry in New York state.

Professional Experience

Fall 2008 Graduate Teaching Assistant

Department of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, Cornell University

2007-present Graduate Research Assistant

Department of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, Cornell University

2005-2007 Student Biological Science Aid

USDA-NAA-ARS Foreign Disease-Weed Science Research Unit, Ft. Detrick, MD
Work included research on: optimum disease conditions and infection thresholds of quarantine pathogen Karnal wheat bunt (Tilletia indica), the host range of sugar cane downy mildew (Peronosclerospora philippinensis), and the use of ethanedinitrile as a grain and soil fumigant against various species of plant pathogenic fungi.

 

Awards and Honors

2008 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award

Cornell University, for teaching PLPA 3010 Fall 2008

2007 United States Department of Agriculture Certificate of Appreciation

Awarded to C. Layton for valued work in the joint USDA/Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization’s (CSIRO) studies on the efficacy of ethanedinitrile as a grain and soil fumigant.

2007 Graduated Cum laude

Hood College, Frederick, MD

2007 Rouse Graduate Scholarship for Excellence in Biological Studies

Department of Biology, Hood College

2003 Henry P. and Page D. Laughlin Fellowship

Hood College

Elected and Appointed Offices

2007-2008 Secretary, Dept. of Plant Pathology Graduate Student Assembly (GSA)

2008-2009 President, Dept. of Plant Pathology & Plant-Microbe Biology GSA

2009-present Graduate and Professional Student Assembly Representative, Dept. of Plant Pathology & Plant-Microbe Biology GSA

Professional Societies and Working Groups

2008-present American Phytopathological Society