Graduate Students

Current Graduate Students

Justin Luangkhot, M.S. Plant Pathology. Major Professor

Tentative Thesis Title: N/A
Started Spring 2014
Projected to graduate by Fall 2015
Key accomplishments: N/A

Caroline Land, M.S. Plant Pathology

Thesis Title: Optimize management decisions for Verticillium wilt in cotton
Started Summer 2013
Projected to graduate by Summer 2015
Key Accomplishments: Awarded the 2013 Cotton Disease Council Graduate Student Paper Competition, 1 st Place; Presented a conference paper and a conference poster in 2013.

Amber Smith, M.S. Plant Pathology

Thesis Title: Evaluation of Commercial Cotton Cultivars for Fusarium Wilt and Root-knot Nematode Resistance and the Identification of Fusarium Races Present in Alabama.
Started Spring 2013
Projected to graduate by Fall 2014
Key Accomplishments: Awarded the 2013 Cotton Disease Council Graduate Student Paper Competition, 2nd Place; Presented a conference paper and a conference poster in 2013.

Ni Xiang, Ph.D. Plant Pathology

Dissertation title: Biocontrol potential of Bacillus spp. on Heterodera glycines (Soybean cyst nematode) and Meloidogyne incognita (Root-knot nemaotde)
Started Fall 2012
Projected to graduate by Fall 2015
Key accomplishments: Has presented 1 conference paper and 1 conference poster.

Drew Schrimsher, M.S. Plant Pathology. Major Professor

Tentative Thesis Title: N/A
Started Spring 2011
Projected to graduate by Fall 2012
Key accomplishments: Has presented 3 conference papers; Awarded Outstanding M. S. Student, Auburn University Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology May 2012.

David Baily, Ph.D. Plant Pathology. Co-Major Professor with David Held

Tentative Thesis Title: N/A
Started Fall 2012
Projected to graduate by Fall 2015.
Key accomplishments: N/A

Graduate Students Whose Work Has Been Completed

Scott R. Moore, Ph.D. Plant Pathology. Major Professor
- Dissertation Title: Evaluation of the Interactions of Soil Edaphic Characteristics and nematicides with Rotylenchulus reniformis and Developing Models for Prescription Management in Cotton.
- Graduated Summer 2012.
- Key accomplishments: Presented 9 conference papers; Publishing 4 papers from dissertation; Published 42 Peer-reviewed papers; Awarded the 2012 Competitive Monetary Award for Excellence in Graduate Research, Alabama Cotton Commission; Awarded the 2012 Cotton Disease Council Graduate Student Paper Competition, 1st Place; Awarded the 2010 Society of Nematologists Student Paper Competition, 2nd Place.; Awarded the Outstanding PhD Student in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University 2010-2011.
- Current position: Research and Development Scientist I with Syngenta in Monroe, LA.
Juan David Castillo, Ph.D. Plant Pathology. Major Professor
- Dissertation Title: Biocontrol of the Reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis) with the fungi Paecilomyces lilacinus and the bacterium Bacillus firmus, and mix of PGPR strains on Cotton crops in Alabama.
- Graduated Summer 2012.
- Key accomplishments: Presented 5 conference papers; Published 1 book chapter; Publishing 4 papers from dissertation; Published 6 Peer-reviewed papers; Awarded the 2012 Nathan A. Cobb Nematology Foundation John M. Webster Outstanding Student Award
- Current position: Post – Doctorial position with Dr. Koon-Hui Wang, University of Hawaii.
Tamara Z. Scott, M.S. Plant Pathology. Major Professor
- Graduated Summer 2012.
- Thesis Title: Cultivar Susceptibility to the Fusarium Wilt Complex and Race Characterization of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum.
- Key accomplishments: Presented 2 conference papers; Publishing 1 papers from her thesis; Published 6 Peer-reviewed papers
- Current position: Histology Technician at MD Anderson Hospital, Houston TX.
Dustin M. Herring, M.S. Plant Pathology. Major Professor
- Graduated Summer 2011.
- M.S. Ag. Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology, Auburn University.
- Key accomplishments: Presented 2 conference papers; Published 5 Peer-reviewed papers; Awarded the 2010 Cotton Disease Council Graduate Student Paper Competition 1st Place; Awarded a 2010 Bayer Crop Science Summer internship; Awarded the Outstanding M. S. Student in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University 2009-2010; Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology Graduate Student Council representative 2009 – 2010.
- Current position: Farm Research Associate with Monsanto at the FTS Farm Winterville, MS.
Scott R. Moore, M. S. Plant Pathology. Major Professor
- Thesis Title: Dimensional Movement of Rotylenchulus reniformis.
- Graduated Fall 2009.
- Key accomplishments: Presented 6 conference papers; Published 2 papers from his thesis; Published 37 Peer-reviewed papers; Awarded the 2009 Dow Agro Sciences Travel Award, Society of Nematologists; Awarded the 2009 Cotton Disease Council Graduate Student Paper Competition Top 3; Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology Graduate Student Council representative 2008 – 2009. Awarded the 2008 – 2009 Outstanding Master's Student, Auburn University Dept. of Entomology and Plant Pathology
Juan David Castillo, M.S. Plant Pathology. Major Professor
- Thesis Title: Bio control Studies of Rotylenchulus reniformis in Cotton Crops in Alabama.
- Graduated Fall 2009.
- Key accomplishments: Presented 4 conference papers; Published 2 papers from his thesis; Awarded the 2007 First Place in Poster Competition in Auburn Graduate School Symposium; Awarded the 2009 Cotton Disease Council Graduate Student Paper Competition, 2nd Place.
Nicholas Sekora, M. S. Plant Pathology. Major Professor
- Thesis Title: Identification of Nematode Species by FAME Analysis.
- Graduated Summer 2009.
- Key accomplishments: Presented 10 conference papers; Published 2 papers from his thesis; Published 17 Peer-reviewed papers Awarded Second Place in the American Phytopathological Society Southern Division Graduate Student Competition, February 2009; Awarded First Place in the Cotton Disease Council Graduate Student Competition, January, 2009; Awarded the Outstanding Masters Graduate Student in Plant Pathology, May 2008; Awarded First Place in the Auburn University Graduate Student Forum, Science Category, March 2008.
- Current position: Ph.D. candidate at the University of Florida Gainesville, FL.
Taylor B. Hatchet, M. S. 2009. Plant Pathology. Major Professor
- Thesis Title: Survey of the biological activity of 7,10,12-trihydroxy-8-octadecenoic acid (TOD) from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its potential use to control Magnaporthe grisea and other plant pathogenic fungi.
- Graduated Spring 2009.
- Key accomplishments: Presented 3 conference papers; Published 4 Peer-reviewed papers; Awarded the Outstanding Masters Graduate Student in Plant Pathology, May 2007.
- Current position: Co-Owner of Hatchet Farms, Jamison, Alabama.
Amy Dismuckes, MS Ag. Plant Pathology. Major Professor
- Graduated Summer 2008.
- M.S. Ag. Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology, Auburn University.
Stan R. Usery, M. S. Plant Pathology. Major Professor
- Thesis Title: Rotylenchulus reniformis tolerant and/or resistant cotton varieties.
- Graduated Spring 2005.
- Key accomplishments: Presented 4 conference papers; Published 1 paper from his thesis; Published 17 Peer-reviewed papers; Awarded the Outstanding Masters Graduate Student in Plant Pathology, May 2005.
- Current position: Co-owner of Usery Farms, and owner of Usery Nematode services in Elkmont, Alabama.
Jarrod R. Jones, M. S. Plant Pathology. Major Professor
- Thesis Title: Cotton production utilizing winter cover crops for disease suppression and enhanced soil health.
- Graduated Summer 2004.
- Key accomplishments: Presented 2 conference papers; Published 2 paper from his thesis; Published 17 Peer-reviewed papers; Awarded the Outstanding Masters Graduate Student in Plant Pathology, May 2004.
- Current position: Assistant Director of the Gulf Coast Research Center, Auburn University.
Nicholas W. Greer, M. Ag. Plant Pathology. Co-Major with Dr. Joe Kloepper
- M.S. Ag. Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology, Auburn University.
- Graduated Summer 2004.
- Current position: Aphis, Shreveport, LA.
Aaron J. Palmateer, Ph.D. 2003. Plant Pathology. Co-Major with Dr. Morgan-Jones
- Dissertation Title: Mycoflora relations and interactions with Rotylenchulus reniformis on cotton.
- Graduated Summer 2003.
- Key accomplishments: Presented 4 conference papers; Published 4paper from his dissertation; Published 57 Peer-reviewed papers; Awarded the competitive Auburn University Harry Merriwether Fellowship (2000-2003) monetary award of $4000; Awarded the Auburn University Graduate Student Research Award May 2003; Awarded the Outstanding Ph.D. student in the Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology at Auburn University May 2003; Awarded the Southern Division American Phytopathological Society travel award of $1000.
- Current position: Associate Professor & Extension Specialist, Ornamental Plant Pathology, Tropical Research & Education Center of the University of Florida.

Graduate Students Advised as Committee Members

Jane Farr. M.S. of Ag. 2012. Major advisor, J. F. Kloepper, Dept. of Entomology and Plant Pathology. Current position: Director of the Plant Science Research Center, Auburn University.

Alexander Klapp. M. S. 2012. The use of Anaerobic Fermentation Acids and Aldehydes to Control Nematodes and Improve Soil Health. Major advisor, R. Rodriguez-Kabana, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology.

Santosh Shiwakoti, M.S. 2011. Management Effects on Yield and Flavonoid Content in American Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora). Major advisor, Dennis Shannon, Agronomy and Soils Department.

Cigdem Surmelioglu, M. S. 2011. Genetic Resistance to Reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis) in Upland Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). Major advisor, David Weaver, Agronomy and Soils Department.

Marleny Cadena-Burkett, Ph.D. 2010. Studies on re-colonization of microbial populations in the rhizosphere of Chrysanthemum after soil steaming. Major advisor, J. F. Kloepper, Dept. of Entomology and Plant Pathology. Current position: Research Scientist with Pathway Biologicals, Tampa, FL.

Carmilo Ramirez. 2010. Mechanisms of action in Bacilli PGPR for Plant Growth Promotion and Biocontrol. Major advisor, J. F. Kloepper, Dept. of Entomology and Plant Pathology. Current position: Professor University of Columbia.

Vijay Kotamraju. 2010. Commercial Potential of Microbial Inoculants for Sheath Blight Management and Yield Enhancement of Rice. Major advisor, R.Muagala, Dept. of Entomology and Plant Pathology. Current position: Extension Scientist India.

George Matusick, Ph.D. 2010. Pathogenicity and virulence of root-inhabiting Ophiostomatoid fungi to PINUS species of the southeastern United States. School of Forestry, Major advisor, Dr. Lori Eckhart Integrated Forest Pathology/Entomology, Auburn University. Current position: Postdoctoral Researcher, Australia.

Natosha Simpson, M. S. 2010. Functional Genomics of Reniform Nematode Interactions with the Cotton Species, Gossypium arboreum and Gossypium longicalyx. Major advisor: Dr. Ramesh Kantety Department of Plant and Soil Science Alabama A&M University.

Geraldine Nicole Moss, M. S. 2010. Genomics of the Reniform Nematode Interactions with Cotton Species: Gossypium hirsutum and Gossypium barbadense. Major advisor: Dr. Ramesh Kantety Department of Plant and Soil Science Alabama A&M University.

Robert McEwan, M. S. 2010. Rapid Detection of Rotylenchulus reniformis DNA in a Soil Metagenomic Pool and Evaluation of Tomato Germplasm for Resistance. Major advisor: Dr. Ramesh Kantety Department of Plant and Soil Science Alabama A&M University. Current position: Research Assistant Dow AgroSciences in Indianapolis

Yonathan Tilahun, Ph. D. 2009. Gene expression during early infection to reniform nematode in Gossypium species. Major advisor: Dr. Ramesh Kantety Department of Plant and Soil Science Alabama A&M University.

Tatu Nyaku, M. S. 2009. Tomato gene expression during reniform nematode infections. Major advisor: Dr. Ramesh Kantety Department of Plant and Soil Science Alabama A&M University.

Anthony Adesemoye, Ph. D. 2009. Major advisor: Dr. Joe Kloepper, Dept. of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University.

Jessica Cofield, M. S. 2009. Identification of genes involved in the production of a novel antifungal agent (7, 10, 12-trihydroxy-8(E)-octadecenoic acid) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Major advisor: Sang-Jin Suh, Microbiology Department, Auburn University.

Billy Hatcher, MS Ag. 2009. Major advisor: Dr. John Murphy, Dept. of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University.

Sandeep Ready Marla, M. S. 2008. Evaluation of Crotalaria juncea populations as a summer covercrop to manage Meloidogyne incognita and Rotylenchulus reniformis. Major advisor: Dr. Robin Huettle, Dept. of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University.

Marleny Cadena-Burkett, M.S. 2008. Suppressiveness of root-knot nematodes mediated by rhizobacteria. Major advisor: Dr. Joe Kloepper, Dept. of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University.

Maria E. Rivas-Davila, Ph.D. 2005. Her research focuses on PGPR inoculation as alternative to nitrogen fertilization in turf grasses. Her major advisor is Dr. Joe Kloepper, Dept. of Entomology and Plant Pathology.

Chris da Paz, Ph.D. 2004. Her research focuses on induced systemic resistance elicited by PGPR on soybean infected by Rhizoctonia solani: anatomical and biochemical features. Major advisor: Dr. Joe Kloepper, Dept. of Entomology and Plant Pathology.

Chris Partridge, Ph.D. 2002. His research is a revisionary study of the Haplotrichum-complex (Hyphomycetes) with a consideration of morphologically similar Cladosporium-like taxa. Major advisor: Dr. Gareth Morgan-Jones, Dept. of Entomology and Plant Pathology.

William Baker, Ph.D. 2002. His research is a revisionary study of several genera of lignicolous Hyphomycetes. Major advisor: Dr. Gareth Morgan-Jones, Dept. of Entomology and Plant Pathology.

Hernan Garcia-Ruiz, M. S., 2000. Mature plant resistance of pepper to Cucumber mosaic virus. Major advisor: Dr. John F. Murphy, Dept. of Entomology and Plant Pathology.

Last Updated: January 16, 2014