MPS Students
Current MPS Students
| Austin J. Alt Email: austin.alt@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2021 Advisor: Mark Lange Department: Institute of Biological Chemistry Austin graduated from Arizona State University with a B.S. in the Biological Sciences (Genetics, Cell, & Developmental Biology) and has since joined the MPS program as a PhD student. While at ASU, his undergraduate research was focused primarily on plastid genome evolution in Cactaceae - specifically concerning patterns of ndh gene loss and chloroplast genome rearrangement in organisms such as Carnegiea gigantea (aka saguaro) and it’s phylogenetic neighbors. Current interests encompass improving society through deeper molecular understandings and genetic manipulation of plants, in order to harness natural biological processes for innovative functional applications. This includes objectives such as bioremediation and crop development, as well as metabolic engineering to enhance bioenergy and medicine. |
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| Adrienne Andrews Enrolled: Fall 2022 Advisor: Mark Lange Department: Institute of Biological Chemistry |
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| Chase Baerlocher Enrolled: Fall 2022 Advisor: David Crowder Department: Department of Entomology |
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| Jeremy Boutin Enrolled: Fall 2021 Advisor: Mark Lange Department: Institute of Biological Chemistry |
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| Corbin Chapman Enrolled: Fall 2023 |
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| Tyler Chapman Enrolled: Fall 2021 |
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| Agasthyababy Chennaprakash Enrolled: Fall 2022 Advisor: Philip Bates Department: Institute of Biological Chemistry |
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 | Kamryn Clements Kamryn Clements Email: kamryn.clements@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2023 Advisor: Cynthia Gleason Department: Plant Pathology Hello, my name is Kamryn Clements and I joined the MPS program in fall of 2023. Shortly after starting the program, I joined the Gleason lab where I am currently working on calcium-dependent protein kinases in potato to improve the crop's immune response to plant-parasitic root-knot nematodes. Along with that, I am working on altering the sterol composition of Arabidopsis thaliana to see how this affects the nematodes. I received my Bachelor's of Science in Integrated Plant Sciences from Washington State University with a major in Agricultural Biotechnology and a minor in Horticulture. I enjoy hiking and photographing the hikes with my camera, as well as fly fishing and swimming. I also enjoy growing houseplants, specifically carnivorous sundews. 2023 Stanton & Lana Multicultural Opportunity Scholarship Recipient 2021 Wittenbach Memorial Scholarship Recipient 2021 Cox Family Scholarship Recipient |
| Christopher Cote Enrolled: Fall 2021 |
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 | Daphne Crum Email: daphne.crum@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2023 Advisor: Jacob Blauer Department: Horticulture Hello! My name is Daphne, and I joined the Blauer Lab in the Fall of 2023. My research addresses potato starch profiling, wound-healing biochemical pathways, and genetics as they relate to post-harvest challenges in the potato industry. I received a Bachelor of Science in Genetics and Genomics from UC Davis. I conducted research in the Blanco Lab at UC Davis, where I worked on prolonging shelf-life and other quality attributes in fresh market tomatoes using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology to target pectin-degrading enzymes highly expressed in tomato pericarp tissue cell walls during ripening. Outside of lab and field work, I like to bake and swim, and I enjoy going to the Moscow Farmer’s Market on the weekends! |
| Abigail Eaker Email: abigail.eaker@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2019 Advisor: Maren Friesen Department: Plant Pathology |
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| Joel Essien Email: joel.essien@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2021 Advisor: Sanja Roje Department: Institute of Biological Chemistry |
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| Augusta Finzel Enrolled: Fall 2022 |
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| Isabella Gabriel Email: isabella.gabriel@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2020 |
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| Andrew Gonzalez Email: andrew.gonzalez1@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2020 Advisor: rotating Department: TBD |
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| Andrew Herr Email: andrew.herr@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2019 Advisor: Arron Carter Department: Crop and Soil Science |
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 | Kathleen Hickey Email: kathleen.hickey@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2018 Advisor: Andrei Smertenko Department: Institute of Biological Chemistry I joined the MPS program in the Fall of 2018. I worked in Dr. Smertenko’s Lab as an undergraduate, graduating from WSU. I am now a Ph.D. candidate in the Smertenko lab focusing on improving breeding of drought resistance wheat. My primary research interest is in how plants balance production and degradation of ROS produced during abiotic stresses. When I’m not in the lab, I enjoy reading, sewing and embroidery work, and cooking. I also enjoy backpacking and camping in the summer; skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. |
 | Vincent James Email: vincent.james@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2022 Advisor:Dr. Michael Knoblauch Department: School of Biological Sciences Vincent joined the Knoblauch lab in fall 2022, and is currently a Ph.D. student. He uses electron and confocal microscopy and microinjection techniques to better characterize the structure and function of plasmodesmata. He is a member of the MPS Graduate Student Organization and frequently participates in local educational outreach events. Vincent previously received his B.S. in Biochemistry from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, studying the interactions between alcohols and human estrogen receptor. When not in lab, he enjoys hiking, photography, and science fiction books. |
| Brandon Johnson Enrolled: Fall 2018 Advisor: Philip Bates Department: Institute of Biological Chemistry |
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 | Se Eun Jung Email: seeun.jung@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2022 Advisor: Andrei Smertenko Department: Institute of Biological Chemistry Publications First author “Overexpression of OsERF83, a Vascular Tissue-Specific Transcription Factor Gene, Confers Drought Tolerance in Rice.” Jung, S.E.; Bang, S.W.; Kim, S.H.; Seo, J.S.; Yoon, H.-B.; Kim, Y.S.; Kim, J.-K. International Journal of Molecular Science (2021) 22, 7656. [PDF] “OsNAC17, transcription factor, regulates lignin biosynthesis that confers drought tolerance.” Jung, S.E.; Kim, T. H.; Shim, J.S.; Bang, S.W.; Yoon, H.B.; Oh, S.H.; Seo, J.S.; Kim, J.-K. Plant Science (2022) Co-author “Efficiency of Recombinant CRISPR/rCas9-Mediated miRNA Gene Editing in Rice.” Chung, P.J.; Chung, H.; Oh, N.; Choi, J.; Bang, S.W.; Jung, S.E.; Jung, H.; Shim, J.S.; Kim, J.-K. International Journal of Molecular Science (2020) 21, 9606. [PDF] “Transcriptional activation of rice CINNAMOYL-CoA REDUCTASE 10 by OsNAC5, contributes to drought tolerance by modulating lignin accumulation in roots.” Bang, S.W.; Choi, S.; Jin, X.; Jung, S.E.; Choi, J.W.; Seo, J.S.; Kim, J.-K. Plant Biotechnology Journal. (2021) [PDF] “DROUGHT-INDUCED BRANCHED-CHAIN AMINO ACID AMINOTRANSFERASE enhances drought tolerance in rice.” Shim, J.S.; Jeong, H.I., Bang, S.W.; Jung, S.E.; Kim, Y.S.; Redillas, M.C.F.R.; Seo, J.S.; Kim, J.-k. Plant physiology. (2022) [PDF] “Rice microRNA171f /SCL6 module enhances drought tolerance by regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis genes.” Um, T.Y.; Choi, J.; Park, T.; Chung, P.J.; Jung, S.E.; Shim, J.S.; Kim, Y.S.; Choi, I.-Y.; Park, S.-C.; Oh, S.-J; Seo, J.S.; Kim, J.-K. Plant Direct. (2022) [PDF] |
| Itsuhiro Ko Email: itsuhiro.ko@wsu.edu Enrolled: Spring 2022 Advisor: Cynthia Gleason Department: Plant Pathology My name is Itsuhiro Ko, from Japan (feel free to call me “Ko”!). I love tennis and use to play bass guitar in a band. (Love playing Nintendo games as well!). I also play a Japanese traditional martial art called Kendo. I finished my B.S. degree in Plant Sciences at the Pennsylvania State University researching the horizontal gene transfer (HGT) event in parasitic plants in Dr. Claude W. dePamphilis’s lab. Since then, I have a keen interest in molecular interaction between plants and pathogens. After graduating, I received an offer from the University of Cambridge, UK, to start my MPhil research of plant-nematode interaction in Dr. Sebastian Eves van-den Akker’s group. I also hold a minor degree in Entrepreneurship at Penn State and want to start up a new venture involved in biotechnology, agriculture, and horticulture. Now, I’m joining Dr. Cynthia Gleason’s lab at WSU as a Ph.D. student, continuing to study plant nematode interaction and wanting to translate fundamental biology into real agriculture solutions. |
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| Sean McGuire Email: sean.mcguire@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2020 Advisor: rotating Department: TBD |
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 | Kaone Mookodi Email: kaone.mookodi@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2023 Advisor: Tarah Sullivan Department: Crop and Soil Sciences Hi! My name is Kaone Mookodi, Ph.D student in Dr. Tarah Sullivan Lab. I joined the Sullivan lab in fall of 2023, where I focus on both the biological and physical soil health at Vetter farm, Eastern Washington. I have pursued my master’s degree in plant science (soils) at the University of Idaho, where I studied several lime materials as lime amendments for Idaho Soils. My bachelor’s degree was obtained in soil and water conservation engineering from Botswana University of Agricultural and Natural Resources (BUAN), in my home country, Botswana. On my spare time, I enjoy cooking and learning new recipes. Otherwise, I will be sleeping, just to take a break from school! Presentations Oral (2022). “Urea Ammonium Nitrate as the carrier for pre-plant burndown herbicides”. ASA, CSSA, SSSA, 2022. Baltimore, Maryland. Poster (2022). “Comparison of Hybrid Rye to other small grains in Southern Idaho”. ASA, CSSA, SSSA, 2022. Baltimore, Maryland. Poster (2023). “Precipitated Calcium Carbonate as Lime Amendment in Southern Idaho”. Western Nutrient Management Conference 2023. Reno, Nevada. Scholarships & Awards 2023: Corteva DELTA Recruitment Symposium participant, Johnston, Iowa. 2023: Western Crop Science Society of Agronomy Travel Award. 2023: University of Idaho Graduate and Professional Student Association Travel Award. 2023: member of the SSSA Soil Chemistry and Minerology Award. 2022: Oral presentation (2nd position, Weedy and Invasive Plant Species Student Presentation Oral II. ASA, CSSA, SSSA, 2022. Baltimore, Maryland. Publications Mookodi KL, Adjesiwor AT (2022). “Urea Ammonium Nitrate as the carrier for pre-plant burndown herbicides”. (2022) Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment Journal. https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/agg2.20404 |
| Chun-Yeung Ng Email: chun-yeung.ng@wsu.edu Enrolled: Spring 17 Advisor: Thomas Okita Department: Institute of Biological Chemistry |
| Niharika Nonavinakere Chandrakanth Email: n.nonavinakerechand@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2020 Advisor: Laura Bartley Department: Institute of Biological Chemistry |
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| Dylan Oates Email: dylan.oates@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2019 Advisor: Karen Sanguinet Department: Crop and Soil Sciences Dylan joined the MPS program as a PhD student in August of 2019 under the advisory of Dr. Karen Sanguinet. He received his undergraduate in biology with a minor in chemistry at Nebraska Wesleyan University. During his time as an undergraduate he was employed by the USDA-ARS under the supervision of Dr. Scott Sattler, where he researched alternative bioenergy by targeting monolignol biosynthesis in sorghum. Dylan continued in the field of plant science by obtaining a MSc in Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. His graduate research was on understanding the systematic, functional, and molecular genetics underlying organ development in maize. He is passionate about studying the physiological and molecular genetic processes that regulate cold response in wheat. By researching vernalization and photoperiod mechanisms involved in cold response, Dylan and the Sanguinet’s lab hope to reveal how these complex networks work. These discoveries may lead to new and innovative approaches in crop bioengineering to help lessen the impact of climate change on agriculture. |
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| Jessica Ortiz-Eriamiatoe Email: jessica.ortiz@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2015 Advisor: Michael Neff Department: Crop and Soil Sciences I earned my B.S. in Biochemistry at University of California, Riverside in 2011 while doing Systematics research on parasitic chalcid wasps of the genus Orasema. I then moved on to earning a M.S. in Chemistry at California State University, Los Angeles in 2016. During my master’s degree I did molecular genetics research to elucidate the functional role of lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) on senescence in Arabidopsis. I am currently interested in using molecular, genetic, biochemical, bioinformatic and biotechnological approaches to understand the role of AT-HOOK MOTIF NUCLEAR LOCALIZED (AHL) genes in plant growth and developments in Arabidopsis and Brachypodium. I aim to investigate the structure-function relationships of AHLs in Arabidopsis via physical and genetic interaction analyses. I am also interested in exploring the potential role of AHLs in the model monocot Brachypodium and their effect on seedling and root development and flowering time. Lastly, I work to testing whether the development of brassinosteroid receptor mutants in tetraploid wheat is suitable for conferring a dwarf variety with improved yield and lodging. |
| Alyssa Parish Email: a.parish@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2017 Advisor: Andrei Smertenko Department: Institute of Biological Chemistry Publications: Zwack, P.J., De Clercq, I., Howton, T.C., Hallmark, H.T., Hurny, A., Keshishian, E.A., Parish, A.M., Benkova, E., Mukhtar, M.S., Van Breusegem, F., Rashotte, A.M. (2016) Cytokinin Reponse Factor 6 Represses Cytokinin-Associated Genes during Oxidative Stress. Plant Physiology. Doi:10.1104/pp.16.00415. |
| Janice Parks Email: janice.parks@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2020 Advisor: Maren Friesen Department: Plant Pathology Janice graduated from Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Spanish in May 2020. During her time as an undergraduate she published a paper in IJURCA, was the first author of a report for a biodynamic winery, and a coauthor on a report for Clean Water Services. She is interested in studying beneficial plant-microbe interactions in order to determine how they can be utilized to improve agricultural sustainability and efficiency, and soil health. Publications and Reports: Madsen I, Parks J, Friesen M, Clark R. Increasing biodiversity and land use efficiency through pea-canola intercropping (peaola). 2022. Frontiers in Soil Science. Parks, J.M., Morford, I., Anderson, V., Schnorr, J., and Sardinia, L.M. 2020. Identification of yeast species throughout fermentation in samples from a biodynamic winery. Report to Montinore Estate Winery. Parks, J.M., Askew, N., Creagh-Grave, J.W. and Nyerges, G. 2020. Presence and abundance of antibiotic resistance genes at an organic goat dairy farm. International Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities. 12(1):1–12. doi: http://doi.org/10.7710/2168-0620.0309. Andrews, A., AnDyke, K., Askew, N., Baclay, C., Bailey, G., Beadell, B., Castro, M., Fujiuchi, A., Galang, B., Hoiland, J., Jones, A., Lacaden, N., Knecht, K., Lee, A., Mayer, M., Morford, I., Osbrink-McInroy, A., Parks, J., Phan, D., Riehlman, E., Rivera, K., Rosebrook, C., Shankar, R., Sutton, C., Tanaka, L., Tran, H., Tran, K., Uehara, T., Wagner, K., Yavuz, E., and Sardinia, L.M. 2019. Comparison of microbial metabolic diversity at four locations through the flowpath at Fernhill Treatment Wetlands: A report to Clean Water Services. Report to Clean Water Services in Forest Grove, OR. Grants and Awards: WA Oilseed Commission Grant -Awarded $19,570.80 for research (2023) Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Graduate Student Grant - Awarded $29.982.00 for research (2021). |
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| Luigi Peracchi Email: luigi.peracchi@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2018 Advisor: Karen Sanguinet Department: Crop and Soil Sciences |
| Janel Poisson Enrolled: Fall 2023 |
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| Kristopher Rapeta Enrolled: Fall 2023 |
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| Tana Rayburn Email: montana.rayburn@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2021 Advisor: Sanja Roje Department: Institute of Biological Chemistry Hi! My name is Tana Rayburn, and I joined the Roje lab in spring of 2022. My research focuses on long noncoding RNAs and their connection to flavin metabolism (Riboflavin, FMN, and FAD) in Arabidopsis thaliana. I received my Bachelors of Science from the University of Idaho in plant genomics and biotechnology, where I studied a putative nematode resistance gene in Solanum sisymbriifolium. When not doing research I am active in the MPS DEI committee, the MPS speaker committee, the MPS visibility committee, and the IBC DEI committee, along with volunteering at science outreach events. I enjoy rock climbing, reading, and spending time with my husband and cat. Awards, posters, and publications: 2023 Greek national conference in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology poster “melinoe mutant uncovers the role of AtFMN/FHy enzyme as a biochemical hub for flavin synthesis in plants”, Gerasimos Daras, Dikran Tsitsekian, Dimitris Templalexis, Montana Rayburn, Fengoula Avgeri, Sanja Roje, Polydefkis Hatzopoulos, and Stamatis Rigas 2023 national ASPB conference poster “the predicted role of two long noncoding RNAs in flavin homeostasis of Arabidopsis thaliana”, Tana Rayburn, Clay Bailies, Sanja Roje 2023 Graduate Student Travel Seed Grant recipient 2023 ASPB Science Outreach Hackathon winner 2023 NSF GRFP honorable mention 2022 Clarence “Bud” Ryan scholarship recipient |
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 | Miguel Rosas Email: miguel.rosas2@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2018 Advisor: Karen Sanguinet Department: Crop and Soil Sciences Miguel Rosas is a first year rotating PhD student in the Plant Molecular Sciences Program. Miguel earned his Bachelors of Science in Biology from California State University San Marcos. He is currently studying brassinosteroid inactivation genes. In his spare time Miguel likes to go backpacking with friends, have bonfires at the beach, go on hikes with his dog, read science-fiction novels, and enjoy pizza with his family. |
| Rachel Snyder Email: rachel.snyder@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2016 Advisor: Mechthild Tegeder Department: School of Biological Sciences Publications: Lu MZ, Snyder R, Grant J, Tegeder M. (2020) Manipulation of sucrose phloem and embryo loading affects pea leaf metabolism, carbon and nitrogen partitioning to sinks as well as seed storage pools. The Plant Journal 101: 217-236. doi: 10.1111/tpj.14533 The SV, Snyder R, Tegeder M. (2021) Targeting nitrogen metabolism and transport processes to improve plant nitrogen use efficiency. Frontiers in Plant Science 11: 628366. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2020.628366 |
| Andrew Spishakoff Enrolled: Fall 2023 |
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| Vaclav Svoboda Email: vaclav.svoboda@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2017 Advisor: Helmut Kirchhoff Department: School of Biological Sciences |
| Jorgen Tacetta Enrolled: Fall 2023 |
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| Ameneh Tarakemeh Enrolled: Fall 2023 |
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| Shelby Tisinai Email: shelby.tisinai@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2019 Advisor: Jeremiah Busch Department: School of Biological Sciences |
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| Ruth Uwugiaren Email: ruth.uwugiaren@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2021 Advisor: Michael Pumphrey Department: Crop and Soil Sciences Ruth Uwugiaren joined the MPS program as a Ph.D. student in 2021. She is interested in plant molecular genetics and her Ph.D. research will be focused on Spring wheat improvement via genetics and breeding. She did both her BSc and MSc in Biochemistry. Before moving to the US, she worked with the cassava breeding team at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Nigeria which focuses on using molecular tools to improve disease resistance thereby increasing yield as well as enhanced dry matter, pro-vitamin A, and low cyanide content. Publications: Esperance CODIJA, Bunmi Olasanmi, Paterne Agre, Ruth Uwugiaren, Adenike D. Ige, Ismail Yusuf Rabbi. (Accepted). Selection of resistance to cassava mosaic disease in Africa cassava germplasm using Single Nucleotide Polymorphism markers. South African Journal of Science. Rabbi Ismail Yusuf, Kayondo Siraj Ismail, Bauchet Guillaume, Yusuf Muyideen, Aghogho Cynthia Idhigu, Ogunpaimo Kayode, Uwugiaren Ruth, Smith Ikpan Andrew, Peteti Prasad, Agbona Afolabi, Parkes Elizabeth, Lydia Ezenwaka, Wolfe Marnin, Jannink Jean-Luc, Egesi Chiedozie, Kulakow Peter. (2020) Genome-wide association analysis reveals new insights into the genetic architecture of defensive, agro-morphological and quality-related traits in cassava. Plant Molecular Biology. |
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| Liam Vance Enrolled: Fall 2021 |
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| Joel Velasco Email: joel.velasco@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2017 Advisor: Bernd (Mark) Lange Department: Institute of Biological Chemistry |
 | Camille Wagstaff Email: camille.wagstaff@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2021 Advisor: David Crowder Department: Entomology Grants and Awards: Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Fellowship recipient of Floyd Rogers Memorial Scholarship 2021-2023 Publications: Jarugula S, Wagstaff C, Mitra A, Crowder D, Gang D, Rayapati N. First reports of Beet curly top virus, Citrus yellow vein-associated virus, and Hop latent viroid in industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa) in Washington State. Plant Dis. 2023 Feb 21. doi: 10.1094/PDIS-12-22-2981-PDN. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36802299. Additional Information: Here |
| Marita White Enrolled: Fall 2022 Advisor: Kimberly Garland-Campbell Department: Crop and Soil Sciences |
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| Xin Xin Email: xin.xin@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2018 Advisor: Michael Neff Department: Crop and Soil Sciences |