PSM PhD Candidate Lexi Heger awarded USDA NIFA-AFRI Predoctoral Fellowship

Dept of Plant Soil and Microbial Sciences -

With new funding, graduate student Lexi Heger’s research takes an unexpected turn

With new funding, graduate student Lexi Heger’s research takes an unexpected turn

PSM PhD Candidate Lexi Heger (Tim Miles Small Fruit and Hop Pathology Lab) was recently awarded USDA NIFA-AFRI Predoctoral Fellowship. One of only 68 awards nationally, Lexi will use this funding to start a new project investigating the cryptic species of grapevine downy mildew using RNA seq. 

“Of course I am excited but also nervous as this adds a new dimension to my PhD,” Lexi said. “I will start working on this project as I finish up my other chapters.”

With only “a year and change” remaining in her PhD, the award will cover salary as well as research supplies, publications, travel and conferences. “I will be able to attend the AFRI Meeting in Washington, D.C.,” Lexi said. “I am hoping it will be a good mix of experiences.”

As well as new areas of study, Lexi says she learned just how much effort goes into grant applications from this process. ”It is very involved, with tiny details and includes many other people,” Lexi said.

Read more about NIFA award process here 

USDA NIFA has announced an investment of $10.6 million for 68 awards to help develop new scientists and professionals to enter research, education and/or Extension fields within the food and agricultural sciences in the private sector, government, or academia. The aim of these fellowships is to cultivate future leaders who can solve emerging agricultural challenges of the 21st century.

Read more about Lexi Hegel’s new project here:

INVESTIGATING CRYPTIC SPECIES DYNAMICS WITHIN PLASMOPARA VITICOLA

Destructive vineyard pathogens wreak havoc on wine, juice, and table grape industries world-wide as the pathogens and the cultivated grape host (V. vinifera, V. labrusca, and hybrids) continue in an evolutionary-arms race. Researchers across the globe have investigated the critical pathogens in their agricultural regions to best protect this specialty crop but are challenged with changes in fungicide resistance, improved pathogen virulence, and speciation. This proposal focuses on better understanding the dynamics of the Plasmopara viticola (grapevine downy mildew) cryptic species complex to aid and improvedowny mildew management.The goals of this study are to identify genetic and environmental differences in the three economically relevant cryptic species to set the foundation for management research involving these cryptic species.The two research objectives of this NIFA Predoctoral research proposal are to 1) determine differences in gene expression among P. viticola cryptic species by performing an infection time-course comparison using RNAseq analysis and 2) compare the effector repertoire of P. viticola clades vinifera and riparia to clade aestivalis to increase understanding of host-pathogen interactions and how these interactions may play a role in informing disease management among the recently identified cryptic species. Objective 1 aims to find the differences between the cryptic species while Objective 2 aims to compare to discuss how these differences impact pathogen infection and success.

 

Goals / Objectives
The major goals of this project include two (2) research objectives and three (3) training/career goals to improve genetic and infectivity knowledge involving the recently identified cryptic species of the grapevine pathogenPlasmopara viticola as well as refine the scientific, interpersonal and communication, and written skills of the Project Director. The project targets theAFRI Farm Bill Program Priority Area of "Plant Health and Production and Plant Products".Further characterization of the grapevine downy mildew crypticspecies (cl. riparia, aestivalis, and vinifera)will provide insight into infection and how it can be mitigated. Identification of effectors secreted from these organisms opensthe door to future analysis for use in breeding of resistance genes within commercial grape species that can reduce levels of infection in wine, juice, table, and raisin grapes worldwide--thus improving crop production.Research ObjectivesObjective 1:Perform an infection time-course comparison between P. viticola cryptic species using RNAseq analysis to determine differences in gene expression.Objective 2:Compare the effector repertoire of P. viticola clades vinifera and riparia to clade aestivalisTraining/Career goalsT&C Goal 1:Further develop molecular biology and computational skills.T&C Goal 2:Develop as a scientific leader and mentor.T&C Goal 3:Build upon collaborative efforts and science communication.

Search for (Alexa Heger) https://portal.nifa.usda.gov/enterprise-search/ss/1919

 

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