AG RESEARCH - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Accounting Specialist
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Field and Research Service Unit / Accounting Specialist
139 Agricultural Hall Stillwater, OK 74078 aaron.spiva@okstate.edu(405) 744-1452
Job Titles:
- Assistant Professor & Section Head - Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics
Job Titles:
- Communications Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Assistant Research Professor
After receiving his BS, Dr. Espindola moved to Oklahoma State University where he received a MS. and Ph.D. degrees. During his graduate studies (2011-2013), he worked on next generation sequencing (NGS) metagenome data analysis of plant-pathogen interaction systems to rapidly detect eukaryotic plant pathogens. Dr. Espindola and other students designed a bioinformatic tool termed EDNA (E-probe Diagnostic Nucleic acid Analysis) that effectively detects plant pathogens in sequenced metagenomes. Dr. Espindola's Ph.D. research (2013-2016) focused on the refinement of EDNA (termed EDNAtran) to detect actively infecting plant pathogens using transcriptomics and metatranscriptomic databases. Additional EDNAtran refinements included the detection of active metabolic pathways in plant-pathogen interaction systems, specifically the detection of metabolic transcripts involved in the production of aflatoxin in toxigenic Aspergillus flavus strains in corn. Currently, Dr. Espindola has joined NIMFFAB as a postdoctoral researcher to work on further refinements of EDNA which will ultimately add new statistical and bioinformatic approaches to make EDNA effectively available to the research, regulatory and law enforcement communities.
Education
B.S., Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas, Ecuador., Biotechnology Engineering
M.Sc., Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Entomology and Plant Pathology
Ph.D., Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Plant Pathology
Graduate certificate Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK. Bioinformatics
Job Titles:
- Station Superintendent
- Station Superintendent - Turf Research Center
Job Titles:
- Assistant Station Superintendent
- Southwest Research and Extension Center / Assistant Station Superintendent
Job Titles:
- Senior Superintendent
- Senior Superintendent - Kiamichi Forestry Research Station
Dr. Noden in an associate professor of Medical/Veterinary Entomology in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology. He has a PhD in Immunology & Infectious Diseases from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Dr. Noden works with Drs Wayadande, Espindola and Cardwell on human pathogen detection in insect vectors.
Education
B.S., Biology, Houghton College, 1989
Job Titles:
- Assistant Station Superintendent - Bixby
- Assistant Station Supervisor
Job Titles:
- Station Superintendent
- Superintendent - Eva & Goodwell
Dr. Garzon specializes in the population genetics of plant pathogens and their effect on disease development and epidemiology. Recent projects have focused on the population genetics of Puccinia emaculata, a serious fungal pathogen of the biofuels crop switchgrass, Sclerotinia minor, the causal agent of Sclerotinia blight of peanut in Oklahoma, Phymatotrichopsis omnivora, a pathogen of cotton in the southwest, Fusarium oxysporum in ornamental palm trees, Pythium spp., mainly P. irregulare and other members of the F group of Pythium, and Rhizoctonia solani from natural and agricultural soils.
Dr. Garzon also works to develop new tools and protocols for diagnostic and forensic applications using soil- and waterborne Oomycetes and fungi as model systems. For example, she is identifying sources of Pythium spp inoculum in ornamental nurseries and greenhouse operations, and is examining the effect of low doses of fungicides on soilborne oomycetes and fungi.
Education
B.S., Pontificia Universidad Catolica, Ecuador, Biological Sciences
Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University, Plant Pathology
Job Titles:
- Assistant Professor
- Assistant Professor, Bioinformatics Faculty
Dr. Chen is an assistant professor of genomics. His research focuses on understanding the dynamics and importance of the genetic, environmental and evolutionary forces that shape biological diversity. Chen works closely with Institute for Biosecurity and Microbial Forensics researchers on microbiome analysis of wheat.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Station Superintendent - Agronomy Research Station
- Assistant Station Supervisor
Job Titles:
- Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Project Manager, Construction and Facilities / Communications
Job Titles:
- Financial Assistant
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Field and Research Service Unit / Sr. Accounting Assistant
139 Agricultural Hall Stillwater, OK 74078 christina.kifer@okstate.edu(405) 744-1675
Job Titles:
- Station Staff Member
- Senior Agriculturist - Turf Research Center, Stillwater
Job Titles:
- Assistant Coordinator CERL
- Controlled Environment Research Lab / Assistant Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Station Staff Member
- Field Supervisor - Lahoma
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Director & Professor
Job Titles:
- Regents Professor Emeritus
Dr. Jacqueline Fletcher joined Oklahoma State University in 1984, and was appointed Sarkeys Distinguished Professor in 2001 and Regents Professor in 2008. She was named a Fellow of APS in 2005 and a Fellow of AAAS in 2007. Dr. Fletcher was the founding Director of the Institute for Biosecurity & Microbial Forensics (IBMF), a multidisciplinary OSU initiative that addresses high priority national issues in research, teaching/education and outreach with emphases in microbial forensics applications in plant pathology and produce safety.
Dr. Fletcher served on the American Phytopathological Society (APS) Governing Council for ten years, including the four-year APS Presidential sequence. Following September 11, 2001, Dr. Fletcher led APS responses and input to new National biosecurity initiatives. She served 9 years on the APS Public Policy Board (4 years as Chair), and currently chairs the APS Microbial Forensics Interest Group and the APS Food Safety Interest Group. She is a member of the APS Threatening Pathogens Advisory Committee. She serves on several Federal biosecurity advisory panels and is a member of the National Academy of Sciences' Forum on Microbial Threats.
Dr. Fletcher's research focuses on the emerging disciplines of microbial forensics and agricultural biosecurity and the relationships between human pathogens, such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli, and plants.
Education
B.S., Emory University, Biology
M.S., University of Montana, Botany
Ph.D., Texas A&M University, Plant Pathology
Postdoc, University of Illinois, Plant Pathology
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Division of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources / Vice President and Dean
- Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Vice President and Dean
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Assistant Vice President, Facilities and Ag Research Assistant Director
Job Titles:
- Associate Vice President
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Division of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources / Associate Vice President
- Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Associate Vice President
Dr. Ochoa Corona received his Ph.D. from the University of Florida and is a forensic plant pathologist, specializing in developing and delivering reference diagnostics for exotic, naturalized, and indigenous plant viruses and other phytopathogens of relevance to agricultural biosecurity and microbial forensics. He then served as Principle Advisor, Virology, of the Investigation and Diagnostic Centre (IDC) at Biosecurity New Zealand (BNZ), Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), in Auckland, NZ. His work is applicable to plant pathogens that can be intercepted at borders or detected by general surveillance of field settings or within transitional facilities.
Dr. Ochoa Corona moved to IBMF, at OSU, in 2008. His current research includes adaptation and development of novel tools for sampling, pathogen detection and discrimination and diagnostics. Also targeted are the identification of molecular landmarks and signatures, and the implications of such genetic data for elucidating taxonomic relationships, host-pathogen associations and pathogen detection (including select agents and other high consequence microorganisms). Of particular interest are the prediction of biosecurity threats, monitoring of the disease dynamics of relevant plant pathogens, tracking of their global dispersal routes and delimiting their bio-geographic distribution.
Education
Ag. Eng., University of Zulia State, Venezuela
M.S., University of Central Venezuela, Plant Protection
Ph.D., University of Florida, Plant Pathology
Postdoc, University of Florida, Plant Virology
Job Titles:
- Station Staff Member
- Senior Administrative Assistant - Idabel
Job Titles:
- Station Staff Member
- Field Assistant & Equipment Operator - Altus
Job Titles:
- Station Staff Member
- Field Assistant & Equipment Operator - Ft. Cobb
Job Titles:
- Station Staff Member
- Station Mechanic - Agronomy Research Station, Stillwater
Job Titles:
- Station Superintendent
- Station Superintendent - Lane
Job Titles:
- Station Staff Member
- Field Supervisor - Agronomy Research Station, Stillwater
Job Titles:
- Station Staff Member
- Administrative Support Specialist II - Eva & Goodwell
Job Titles:
- Administrative Associate
- Member of the Administrative Team
Job Titles:
- Station Staff Member
- Ag Technician III - Perkins
Job Titles:
- Professor & Department Head
Job Titles:
- Station Staff Member
- Staff Research Specialist - Idabel
Job Titles:
- Station Superintendent
- Station Superintendent - Cimarron Valley Research Station
Job Titles:
- Station Staff Member
- Senior Field Foreman - Chickasha
Job Titles:
- Member of the Administrative Team
- Field and Research Service Unit / Senior Staff Assistant
- Field and Research Service Unit Sr. Administrative Support Specialist
139 Agricultural Hall Stillwater, OK 74078 lisa.stejskal@okstate.edu(405) 744-9607
Job Titles:
- Field Supervisor - Range Research Station, Stillwater
Job Titles:
- Station Superintendent
- Station Superintendent - Altus & Mangum
Job Titles:
- Director of the Bioinformatics Core Facility for OSU
- Director, Bioinformatics Graduate Certificate Program & Genomics Core Facility
Dr. Hoyt is the director of the bioinformatics core facility for OSU. His knowledge of genomics, supercomputing and bioinformatics makes him the ‘go-to' person for sequencing and bioinformatic management of big Next-Generation Sequencing data. He is a valuable resource person for Institute for Biosecurity and Microbial Forensics.
Job Titles:
- Research Assistant Professor
Job Titles:
- Station Staff Member
- Staff Research Specialist - Idabel
Job Titles:
- Assistant Station Superintendent
- Assistant Station Superintendent - Ft Cobb
Job Titles:
- Senior Station Superintendent
- Station Superintendent
Job Titles:
- Station Staff Member
- Senior Administrative Support Assistant - Altus
Dr. Carter is an associate professor in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences. He teaches principles of nutrition, swine science, special problems in advance swine nutrition, and protein nutrition. He was the associate editor of American Society of Animal Science from 2008-2010. Dr. Carter is an Ex- Officio board member of the Oklahoma Pork Council. He is the major professor of Ishtar Silva Lara in a shared GRA appointment with IBMF.
Job Titles:
- Station Staff Member
- Field Supervisor - Goodwell
Job Titles:
- Research Assistant Professor
Job Titles:
- Assistant Station Superintendent
- Assistant Station Superintendent - Eva & Goodwell
Rural Route 1, Box 86M Goodwell, Oklahoma 73939 skeate.beck@okstate.edu(580) 349-5440
Job Titles:
- Assistant Station Superintendent - Bixby
- Field and Research Service Unit / Assistant Station Support
Job Titles:
- Assistant Station Superintendent - Entomology & Plant Pathology Farm and Stored Products Research and Education Center
- Assistant Station Supervisor
139 Agriculture Hall Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078 tyler.pierson10@okstate.edu(405) 624-6244
Job Titles:
- Regents Professor & RJ Sirny Professor of Agricultural Biochemistry
Before joining OSU in 1975, Dr. Melcher was a NATO postdoctoral fellow in molecular microbiology at the University of Aarhus, Denmark and in immunology at New York University and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Schools. As a Fulbright sabbatical scholar, he studied molecular virology at the Institute of Molecular Biology of Plants in Strasbourg, France. He was appointed Robert J. Sirny Professor in Agricultural Biochemistry in 1999 and Regents Professor in 2008. He was named a Fellow of the American Phytopathological Society in 2006.
From 1992-2000, Dr. Melcher served as Director of OSU's Recombinant DNA/Protein Resource Facility. He has coordinated two statewide scientific themes (Functional Genomics and Plant Virus Biodiversity and Ecology) for Oklahoma EPSCoR and currently coordinates the NSF-supported Plant Virus Ecology Network. He has been associated with NIMFFAB since its inception, consulting and advising in matters related to molecular biology.
Dr. Melcher's research, which focuses on the biodiversity and evolution of plant associated microbes, particularly viruses and bacteria, include activities supportive of multiple NIMFFAB goals including the use of sequence and phylogenetic analyses in the attribution of agricultural bioterrorism or biocriminal events, the documentation of background levels and patterns of biodiversity against which outbreaks must be compared and methods of detection of agricultural pathogens. Methods used include nucleotide sequencing, phylogenetics, single nucleotide polymorphism analysis, microarray hybridization, t-RFLP characterization of bacterial communities, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, multilocus sequence typing, multilocus variable number of tandem repeat analysis, AFLP, RFLP and other methods.
Education
B.S., University of Chicago, Biochemistry
Ph.D., Michigan State University, Biochemistry
Postdoc, University of Aarhus, Denmark, Molecular Biology
Postdoc, N.Y.U. & U. of Texas SW Medical School, Immunology
Job Titles:
- Coordinator
- Coordinator - Controlled Environmental Research Lab
139 Agriculture Hall Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078 val.joe.gladden@okstate.edu(405) 744-7072