Faculty
Primary Faculty
We study fungal ecology, evolution, and systematics, with a special focus on fungal endophytes. We focus on plant communities ranging from Arctic tundra to hot deserts, tropical forests, and agroecosystems. Our diverse projects are united by an...
The Baltrus lab is interested in understanding microbial evolution with a focus on the mechanisms and costs of adaptation and guided by expectations from genomics and population genetics.
The focus of my lab is functional evolution in the plant family Brassicaceae. Currently my group uses protein diversity from across land plants to decode the evolutionary history of plant signaling systems. We collaborate in these efforts with...
Research focus: (i) Dynamics of distribution, prevalence, and co-diversification driving emergent hemipteran-transmitted plants pathogens in cultivated and natural scapes, including the phytobiome (ii) Functional genomic-identification of...
Our research focuses on root phenomics ranging from the population level to the molecular level. In doing so, we develop computational imaging and simulation techniques that can be applied in the lab and the field.
Dr. Dias joined the School of Plant Sciences Department, at the University of Arizona, in January 2022. He is based at the Maricopa Agricultural Center where he serves as an Assistant Professor and Extension Weed Scientist. Dr. Dias statewide...
Taking biophysical, biochemical, genetic and evolutionary approaches, we endeavor to elucidate the molecular mechanism involved in viral DNA translocation and particle morphogenesis with single-stranded DNA Microviruses.
Our research aims to comprehend the mechanistic interactions between plants, microbiomes, and ecosystem processes. Understanding this interplay is necessary for advancing sustainable agriculture and addressing climate change.
His research centers around the development of new technologies and methods for the analysis of eukaryotes. Recognized as a pioneer in flow cytometry, his recent contributions have greatly improved our understanding of cell-specific gene expression.
My research program is directed at understanding the systems biology that controls seed composition and biotechnology to create seed traits including low allergen content, animal feed, and as a protein bio-factory.
We provide plant disease diagnostic services to Extension personnel, growers, pest control advisors, homeowners, landscape professionals, arborists, and the general public throughout and beyond Arizona. I collaborate efforts with state and federal...
Jenks' research seeks to elucidate whole plant and cellular mechanisms underlying plant adaptability to both biotic and abiotic environmental stress, with a main focus on the plant cuticle.
Understanding the structure, evolution, and dynamics of genomes.
Dr. McMahon researches phylogenetic and phylogenomic methods, systematics of the legume family (Fabaceae), and phylogenetic diversity of regional floras. She also directs the UA Herbarium.
In the Melandri Lab we investigate physiological and biochemical mechanisms able to confer heat and drought stress tolerance to crops and we try to identify their genetic control.
Eukaryotes contain an array of small RNAs capable of transcriptional and post-transcriptional gene regulation. These ubiquitous molecules are part of many biological processes, including development, response to the environment, and disease....
Previously worked as a scientist in the biotechnology industry and now facilitates student learning of biotechnology. Specialties are heterologous protein production and industrial use of microbes. [Dr. Orchard does not train graduate students.]
Develop new tomato varieties that are high yielding even under heat stress. Overcoming reproductive hybridization barriers in Brassicaceae model plants so that we can generate tools to break species barrier and generate novel hybrids.
I use a combination of high-throughput phenotyping, genomics, and data science to reveal the genetic architecture of stress adaptive traits that are critical for abiotic stress tolerance.
Research focused on the adaptation of turfgrass species/genotypes/cultivars to environmental (salinity, drought, & heat) stresses, screening various turfgrasses for stress tolerances in hydroponics culture as well as in the field, and studying...
Dr. Pryor's research interests include biological and cultural control of disease in field, tree, and vegetable crops, phylogenetic analysis and species concepts in fungi, secondary fungal metabolites, and environmental mycology. Additional...
Tanya Quist received a Ph.D. in Plant Physiology from Purdue University’s Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture where she studied in the Center for Plant Environmental Stress Physiology. Her thesis and post-doctoral work used whole...
Research interests include the genetics of plants and the domestication of new crops. Presently emphasizing the development of new/alternative crops suitable for cultivation in arid and semiarid environments.
Research focus is on biofortification of crops and the alteration of both lipid and protein composition
The Schomer lab studies bacterial behaviors involved in the formation and maintenance of soil microbiomes. We use -omics enabled approaches to understand bacterial adaptations that allow them to locate and colonize host plants.
Dr. Schuch's research addresses issues in plant production and landscape management with the goal to provide information on how to produce and maintain healthy, functional plants with minimum inputs.
Our research is focused on understanding how cellular energy transduction is regulated and the molecular evolution of genes that control plant adaptation. These two projects intersect in their importance for plant growth in saline environments.
Drawing from academic experience in Sri Lanka and industrial experience in New Zealand, Amritha seeks to facilitate students understand the principles and applications of microbiology and molecular biology towards a better tomorrow
Our lab is focused on structural and evolutionary genomics of crop plants, and is leading an international effort to generate reference genome sequences for all 24 species of the genus Oryza, which contains the world most important food crop – rice.
Plants use their energy-producing organelles (i.e. chloroplasts and mitochondria) to sense and adapt to changing environments and stresses. Our goal is to understand the mechanisms behind these signaling networks, allowing us to control crop growth.
Our lab conducts applied research on citrus, date palms and other tree fruit crops of importance to the desert. southwest. This includes investigations of rootstock and variety evaluation, pollination, fruit thinning, plant nutrition, irrigation,...
My research aims to understand the intricate interplays between viruses and their plant hosts during infection, mechanisms of plant resistance to viral infections, RNA virus evolution, and viral population genomics.
Transcriptional regulation of early plant development.
Joint Faculty
Pursuing greater efficiency of agronomic inputs into crop production systems of Arizona.
Our major goal is to understand the mechanisms used by plants to specify and maintain cell fates, from stem cells to differentiated cell types. We are also interested in manipulating the architecture of crop plants using genetic means.
