Research interests

Plants are constantly challenged by pathogens and pests. Billions of dollars are lost each year worldwide due to plant diseases. Understanding how plants defend themselves against invaders will not only advance our knowledge of plant innate immunity, but more importantly, will also help us to develop effective strategies to improve disease-resistance traits of economically important crop plants. We aim to better understand mechanisms of plant disease resistance and ultimately apply such knowledge to help crop plants to fight against their natural pathogens.

Education

  • Ph D, Biology — Texas A&M University (1999)
  • MS, Biology — Nanjing University, P. R. China (1993)
  • BS, Botany — Nanjing University, P. R. China (1990)

Presentations

  • Circadian regulation of the GRP7 gene by the master clock regulator CCA1 is important for plant innate immunity 2021 The 5th Asian Forum on Chronobiology · Oral Presentation

Courses Taught

  • Plant Molecular Biology BIOL 656 · Spring 2016
  • Plant Molecular Biology BIOL 456 · Spring 2016
  • Plant Biology BIOL 304 · Fall 2015
  • Plant Molecular Biology BIOL 656 · Spring 2015
  • Plant Molecular Biology BIOL 456 · Spring 2015