Division of Effort
Research - 50%, Tree fruit and berry crop pathology, Management and life history dynamics of fruit disease pathogens.
Extension – 50%, Management and educational outreach for tree fruit and berry diseases

Complete CV – html | pdf

Education

Ph.D. in Plant Pathology University of Georgia, Athens, Jan. 2001-Aug. 2004
Dissertation: Biology and Ecology of Armillaria Root Rot of Peach
Cumulative GPA: 4.0

Master of Science in Plant Pathology University of Georgia, Athens, Sept. 1998-Dec. 2000
Thesis: Dynamics of Primary Inoculum of Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi, the Causal Agent of Mummy Berry Disease of Blueberry
Cumulative GPA: 4.0

Bachelor of Science in Biology Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina, 1993-1998
Cumulative GPA: 3.8   Major GPA: 4.0 (Magna Cum Laude)

Professional Experience

Assistant Professor: Tree Furit and Berry Crop Pathology, Department of Plant Pathology, Cornell University, September 2006-present.

Division of effort:
Research - 50%, Management and life history dynamics of fruit disease pathogens.
Extension – 50%, Management and educational outreach for tree fruit and berry diseases.

Post Doctoral Research and Teaching Associate: Department of Entomology, Soils and Plant Science, Clemson University, 2004-2006. Research Advisor: Dr. Guido Schnabel: (864) 656-6705, schnabe@clemson.edu

Research projects:

• Investigating the potential of Gastrodianin Anti-Fungal Protein (GAFP) to confer resistance to soilborne pathogens in herbaceous and woody plant model systems.
• Characterized a summer fruit disease complex of ‘Babygold’ peach varieties in the Piedmont region of South Carolina
• Investigating the fitness of propiconazole sensitive and insensitive isolates of Monilinia fructicola from Georgia and South Carolina

Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistant: Department of Plant Pathology, University of Georgia, 2001-2004. Research Advisor: Dr. Harald Scherm: (706) 542-1258, scherm@uga.edu
Research projects:

• Characterized southeastern Armillaria species using fatty acid methyl ester profiling
• Assessed interactions between saprophytic wood-rotting fungi and Armillaria spp. as a basis for biological control
• Evaluated utility of ground-penetrating radar to detect the presence of residual inoculum and to characterize peach root systems in situ

M.S. Graduate Research Assistant: Department of Plant Pathology, University of Georgia, 1998-2000. Research Advisor: Dr. Harald Scherm: (706) 542-1258, scherm@uga.edu
Research projects:

• Investigated the oversummering success of pseudosclerotia of Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi in relation to maturity and soil surface environment
• Examined alternative soil-applied chemicals for inhibitory effects on carpogenic germination of Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi for management of mummy berry disease of blueberry
• Quantified primary and secondary disease gradients of Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi from inoculum point sources

Undergraduate Research: Internship (10 wks.) at Special Pathogens Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, 1997. Research Advisor: Dr. Tony Sanchez: ans1@cdc.gov

• Constructed Ebola gene expression plasmids for mammalian cell transformation
• Performed PCR, restriction enzyme reactions, plasmid transformation and preparation procedures, Western blot analysis, and DNA extraction and purification procedures

Current and Pending Publications

Research

Cox, K.D., Bryson, P. K., and Schnabel, G. 2007. Instability of propiconazole resistance and fitness in Monilinia fructicola, Phytopathology, In Proof

Cox, K.D., and Schnabel, G. 2006. Gastrodia anti-fungal protein from the orchid Gastrodia elata confers disease resistance to root pathogens in transgenic tobacco. Planta 224: 1373-1383

Cox, K.D., Scherm, H., and Riley, M.B. 2006. Characterization of Armillaria spp. from peach orchards in the southeastern United States using fatty acid methyl ester profiling, Mycological Research 110: 414-422

Cox, K.D., and Scherm, H. Interaction 2006.Dynamics between saprobic lignicolous fungi and Armillaria in controlled environments: Exploring the potential for competitive exclusion of Armillaria on peach, Biological Control 37: 291–300

Schnabel, G., Chai, W., and Cox, K.D. 2005. Identification and management of a summer disease complex on ‘Babygold’ peach. Plant Health Progress PHP-2006-0301-01-RS

Cox, K.D., Scherm, H., and Serman, N. 2005. Ground-penetrating radar to detect and quantify residual root fragments following peach orchard clearing. HortTechnology 15:600-607.

Cox, K. D., and Scherm, H. 2001. Effect of desiccants and herbicides on germination of pseudosclerotia and development of apothecia of Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi. Plant Disease 85: 436-441.

Cox, K. D., and Scherm, H. 2001 Oversummer survival of Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi in relation to pseudosclerotial maturity and soil surface environment. Plant Disease 85: 723-730.

Cox, K. D., and Scherm, H. 2001. Gradients of primary and secondary infection by Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi from point sources of ascospores and conidia. Plant Disease 85: 955-959.

Extension

Heidenreich, C., Carroll, J., Pritts, M., Cox, K., and Cramer, C. 2007. NEW YORK BERRY NEWS : Your Comprehensive Monthly Berry Production e-Newsletter, New York Fruit Quarterly, In Press

Pritts, M.P., Heidenreich, M.C., Loeb, G., Cox, K.D., and Carroll, J. 2007Pest Management Guidelines for Berry Crops. Cornell University, Ithaca, In Press

Agnello, A.M., Landers, A.J., Reisig, H., Robinson, T.L., Cheng, L., Rosenberger, D.A., Cox, K.D., Carroll, J. 2007 Pest Management Guidelines for Tree Fruit. Cornell University, Ithaca, In Press

Schnabel, G., and Cox, K.D. 2005. Pathology Updates: A summer disease complex causes severe damage on ‘Babygold’ peach. Southeastern Regional Peach Newsletter 5: 3-4.

Cox, K.D., Scherm, H., and Beckman, T.G. 2004. Armillaria root and crown rot. Pages 162-166 in: Southeastern Peach Grower's Handbook (D. Horton and D. Johnson, eds.). University of Georgia, CAES, Athens.

• “Development of an IPM Program for Armillaria Root Rot Disease of Stone Fruit”, funded at $4,800 by the CUIPM Grants Program, October 2005. Written in collaboration with PI Dr. Guido Schnabel
• “Novel Approaches to Integrated Management of Armillaria Root Rot of Peach”, funded at $151,000 by the Southern Region IPM program (USDA-GRANTS-102704-002), February 2005. Written in collaboration with PI Dr. Guido Schnabel
• “Development of transgenic oak root rot resistant rootstocks”, funded at $7,000 by the South Carolina Peach Council, December 2004. Written in collaboration with PI Dr. Guido Schnabel
• “Preliminary Testing of Cord-Forming Basidomycetes for Potential Reduction of Armillaria Root Rot Inoculum in Peach Plantings”, funded at $2,500 by the South Carolina Peach Council, December 2002. Written in collaboration with PI Dr Harald Scherm
• “Evaluation of Potential Indicator Plants to Identify Hot Spots of Oak Root Rot Inoculum in Replant Sites”, funded at $1,500 by the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Peaches and the Georgia Peach Council, January 2001. Written in collaboration with PI Dr. Harald Scherm
  

Research Presentations

Schnabel, G., and Cox, K. D. 2006. Distribution and management of DMI fungicide resistant Monilinia fructicola populations in the Southeast. [Talk presented at the 82nd Annual Cumberland-Shenandoah Fruit Workers Conference, Winchester, VA, Nov. 16-17, 2006]

Schnabel, G., and Cox, K. D. 2006. Control and fitness of Monilinia fructicola isolates resistant to DMI fungicides. [Talk presented at the Southeastern Professional Fruit Workers Conference, Fletcher, NC, October 2006]

Cox, K.D., Layne, D. R., Scorza, R., and Schnabel, G. 2005. Evaluation of Gastrodianin Anti-Fungal Protein (GAFP) in Transgenic Tobacco – A First Step in the Development of a Root Disease Tolerant Rootstock for Prunus sp. [Abstract, presented at the International  Symposium on Biotechnology of Temperate Fruit Crops and Tropical Species, Daytona, FL, October 2005]

Cox, K, Schnabel, G., and Layne, D.R. 2005. A lectin gene from a Chinese orchid, Gastrodia elata, confers tolerance to root diseases in transgenic tobacco. Phytopathology 95 (Suppl.):S22 [Abstract, presented at the American Phytopathological Society annual meeting, Austin, TX, August 2005]

Layne, D.R., Schnabel, G., Cox, K.D., Scorza, R., and Bussey, K.E. 2005.  Armillaria root rot of peach: a multipronged management approach. HortScience 40(4):1026. [Abstract, presented at the 2005 American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, Las Vegas, NV, July 2005]

Cox, K.D., and Scherm, H. 2004. Interaction dynamics between saprophytic wood-inhabiting fungi and Armillaria spp. Phytopathology 94 (Suppl.):S22. [Abstract, presented at the American Phytopathological Society annual meeting, Anaheim, CA, August 2004]

Cox, K.D., Scherm, H., and Riley, M. B. 2003. Characterization of Armillaria spp. from southeastern peach orchards using fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiling. Phytopathology 93 (Suppl.):S18. [Abstract, presented at the American Phytopathological Society annual meeting, Charlotte, NC, August 2003]

Cox, K.D. 2003. New approaches to Georgia’s honey mushroom problem [Georgia Association of Plant Pathologists annual meeting, Augusta, GA, April 2003]

Cox, K.D., and Scherm, H. 2000. Primary and secondary disease gradients of Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi from point sources of inoculum Phytopathology 90 (Suppl.):S125. [Abstract, presented at the Southern Division American Phytopathological Society annual meeting, Gainesville, FL, March 2000]

Cox, K.D., and Scherm, H. 2000. Oversummering success of pseudosclerotia of Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi in relation to maturity and soil surface environment Phytopathology 90 (Suppl.):S17.[Abstract, presented at the American Phytopathological Society annual meeting, New Orleans, LA, August 2000]

Extension Presentations

Cox, K. D. 2006. Basics of Insect & Disease Management & Blueberry Disease Management [Two Talks presented at the Highbush Blueberry Workforce Training School, Hamden, NY, Sept. 20, 2006]

Cox, K. D. 2007. Your New Tree Fruit and Berry Pathologist [Talk presented at the Lake Ontario Winter Fruit School, Albion & Newark, NY, Jan. 23&24, 2007]

Teaching Experience

Instructor of Record

• Fun with Fungi, BIOSC 730, 3 credit hours, Clemson University Summer 2006
• University Success Skills, CU101-032, 2 credit hours, Clemson University Fall 2005
• Introductory Mycology, BIOSC 425/625, 3 credit hours, Clemson University Spring 2005
• Applied Mycology, BIOSC 426/626, 2 credit hours, Clemson University, Spring 2005
• Introductory Biology, BIOL 1103L, 2 credit hours, University of Georgia, Spring 2004

Education proposals

• “Fun with Fungi”, Summer 2006: SC LIFE course for K-12 instructors, approved and funded at $9,400 by the SC LIFE Program, September 2005, Written in collaboration with co-instructor Stephanie Stocks (Education Specialist)

Professional teaching experiences

• Online Teaching and Learning Training Course, Office of Instructional Support and Development, University of Georgia, Spring 2003
• Teaching Student Learning Training Course, Division of Academic Enhancement, University of Georgia, Spring 2003
• TA Mentor Program: University of Georgia, 2002-2003: Activities include assisting with university-wide graduate TA orientation, participating in exercises designed to facilitate the development of discipline-specific teaching strategies, and departmental mentoring in teaching-related topics.

Teaching Assistant

• Introductory Mycology BTNY/PATH 4200/6200, University of Georgia, Fall 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002
• Fungi Friends and Foes BTNY/PATH 3010, University of Georgia, Spring 2000, 2001, 2002
• Plant Nematology PATH 6250, University of Georgia, Spring 2003
• Introductory Plant Pathology PATH 3530, University of Georgia, Spring 1998
• Introductory Biology BGY 16, Furman University, Fall 1996

• Joseph M. Ogawa Travel Award, American Phytopathological Society, July 2004
• Roger C. Pearson Award, American Phytopathological Society, July 2004
• Kenneth E. Pappa Outstanding Graduate Student Award, Georgia Association of Plant Pathologists, April 2003
• TA Mentor: University-wide honor awarded to 15 outstanding teaching assistants on a competitive basis, July 2002-May 2003
• Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, April 2002
• E. Broadus Brown Award for the best M.S. student in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia, April 2001
• Georgia Association of Plant Pathologists, 1st place, Student Paper Competition, March 2000
• Southern Division American Phytopathological Society, 2nd place, Student Paper Competition, March 2000

• Ad hoc manuscript reviewer for Plant Disease 2004-present
• President of the Mycology Discussion Group, University of Georgia, 2003-04
• Ad hoc manuscript reviewer for Phytopathology 2004
• Founder and President of the Society of Aspiring Plant Pathologists, University of Georgia, 2002-2004
• Georgia Association of Plant Pathologists (GAPP) Officers Committee, 2002
• Departmental Committee for Student Participation in Outreach, September 2002
• Departmental Name Change Committee, August 2002
• Departmental Staff Award Committee, September 2002 (Chair Oct. 2003)
• American Phytopathological Society (APS), 1999-present
• Georgia Association of Plant Pathologists (GAPP), 1999-present