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 Corn, Soybean and Wheat Quality Research: Wooster, OH
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ARS Home Midwest Area Wooster, Ohio Corn, Soybean and Wheat Quality Research Docs





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Corn & Soybean Virus Lab Personnelheadline bar /ARSUserFiles/50821000/Corn and Soybean Virus Lab/Lab Photo Nov 21.jpg /ARSUserFiles/50821000/Corn and Soybean Virus Lab/Erik Photo for Website.jpg
**Erik Ohlson****Research Geneticist (Plants)****Adjunct Assistant Professor,**Ohio State University
**Education**B.A. Biology, Franklin & Marshall UniversityPh.D. Genetics, The Pennsylvania State University
**Research Interests**My research focuses on the genetics of virus resistance in maize and soybean. I am particularly interested in quantitative genetics, functional genomics, host-virus-vector interactions, and the identification and development of virus resistant germplasm.  /ARSUserFiles/50821000/Corn and Soybean Virus Lab/Jenny Photo for Website.jpeg
**Jennifer R. Wilson****Research Molecular Biologist****Adjunct Assistant Professor,**Ohio State University
**Education**B.S. Plant & Environmental Sciences, Clemson UniversityPh.D. Plant Pathology, Cornell University
**Research Interests**I am broadly interested in how plant viruses are transmitted by their insect vectors and the interactions that occur among virus, vector, and host from the molecular to the ecological scale. My research goals are to leverage classical and cutting-edge molecular techniques to investigate and harness the biology of these interactions to inform and develop novel management strategies.  /ARSUserFiles/50821000/images/NacciChris.jpg
**Chris Nacci****Biological Science Technician**
**Education**B.S. Zoology, The Ohio State University
**Research Interests**My focus is testing germplasm for tolerance and resistance.  My interests include exploring different ways to inoculate plants with virus (e.g. vascular puncture inoculation), insect vector development and behavior, working with wild and exotic germplasm, and storage and preservation of viral tissue.  /ARSUserFiles/50821000/images/WillieKristen.jpg
**Kristen WillieBiological Science Lab Technician**
**Education**B.S. Biology, Indiana University
**Research Interests**I am interested in diagnostics and characterization of new maize viruses as well as studying plant-virus-vector interactions. I also enjoy training students and visiting scientists on lab techniques, new and classical, in which our group has expertise.  /ARSUserFiles/50821000/Corn and Soybean Virus Lab/Nitika Khatri photo for website.jpg
**Nitika Khatri****Biological Science Technician**
**Education**B.S. Maharshi Dayanand University, IndiaM.S. Guru Jambheshwar University, India
**Research Interests**I am interested in vector transmission of viruses, and behavioral changes in insect vectors when interacting with viruses.  /ARSUserFiles/50821000/Corn and Soybean Virus Lab/Courtney photo for website.jpg
**Courtney McCuskerBiological Science Technician**
**Education**B.S. Biology, University of Illinois M.S. Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois
**Research Interests**My research focuses on understanding seed transmission of High Plains wheat mosaic virus. I also assist with germplasm development in the field.  /ARSUserFiles/50821000/Corn and Soybean Virus Lab/Irene Gentzel photo for website.jpg
**Irene Gentzel****Postdoctoral Research Associate**
**Education**B.S. Plant Cellular and Molecular Biology, The Ohio State UniversityPh.D. Translational Plant Sciences, The Ohio State University
**Research Interests**I’m interested in characterizing maize physiological responses during pathogen interactions, as well as converting plant viruses into useful molecular biology tools.  **Previous Lab Members** /ARSUserFiles/50821000/images/RedinbaughPeg.jpg
**Peg Redinbaugh**(retired 2017)**Adjunct Professor,**Ohio State University
**Education**Ph.D. Biochemistry, State University of New YorkM.S. Biochemistry, State University of New YorkB.S. Biology, University of Albany-SUNY
**Research Goals**My primary research interests are identify and elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the genetic and biological bases of virus resistance and tolerance in maize.  /ARSUserFiles/50821000/images/StewartLucy.JPG
**Lucy R. Stewart**(moved 2020)**Research Molecular Biologist**
**Education**B.S. Brigham Young UniversityPh.D. University of California-Davis
**Research Interests**My work focuses on identification, management, and molecular biology of maize viruses.  Current objectives include identifying viruses present in field crops, understanding transmission and virus gene function for waikaviruses, and improving virus-induced gene silencing vectors for maize.  Jane Todd
**Jane Todd**(retired 2021)**Biological Science Lab Technician**
**Education**B.S. Entomology, University of IllinoisM.S. Entomology, Ohio State University
**Research Interests**Vector biology: interactions between plant viruses and their vectorsInsect feeding behavior (EPG)Host plant resistance to soybean pests  /ARSUserFiles/50821000/images/JonesMark.jpg
**Mark Jones**(retired 2023)**Agronomist**
**Education**B.S. University of New HampshireM.S. Ohio State University
**Research Interests**I am the agronomist in the Corn Virus unit and am responsible for developing germplasm and genetic stocks for use in experiments to understand the genetic and biochemical mechanisms of virus resistance in maize.


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