Graduate Research Assistant
Cornell University
Department of Plant Pathology & Plant-Microbe Biology
Ithaca, NY 14853
August 2010-present, PhD student, Concentration: Plant-Microbe Biology, Department of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, Cornell University
2009, Master of Science, Plant Sciences, University of Zurich, Switzerland
2007, Bachelor of Science, Biology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
Graduate Advisor: Gregory B. Martin
Research Focus
My project focuses on a tomato kinase, Pti1, that is thought to be involved in the defense response against Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato. We are using transgenic plants silenced for Pti1 to establish a role in disease resistance. Using molecular assays, we are trying to uncover the signaling pathways in which Pti1 is involved. Our goal is to better understand resistance mechanisms at the molecular level to promote breeding of more resistant tomato varieties.
Professional Experience
October 2009–August 2010 Research Assistant, Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research, Ithaca, NY
March 2009–September 2009 Research Assistant, The Sainsbury Laboratory, Norwich, UK
Publications
Cheng, W., Munkvold, K.R., Gao, H., Mathieu, J., Schwizer, S., Wang, S., Yan, Y.-B., Wang, J., Martin, G.B., and Chai, J. (2011). Structural Analysis of Pseudomonas syringae AvrPtoB Bound to Host BAK1 Reveals Two Similar Kinase-Interacting Domains in a Type III Effector. Cell Host Microbe 10, 616–626.
Jordan, T., Seeholzer, S., Schwizer, S., Töller, A., Somssich, I. E., and Keller, B. (2011). The wheat Mla homologue TmMla1 exhibits an evolutionarily conserved function against powdery mildew in both wheat and barley. Plant J 65, 610–621.
Schornack, S., Huitema, E., Cano, L. M., Bozkurt, T. O., Oliva, R., van Damme, M., Schwizer, S., Raffaele, S., Chaparro-Garcia, A., Farrer, R., et al. (2009). Ten things to know about oomycete effectors.Mol Plant Pathol 10, 795–803.