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Jonathan Oliver
Graduate Research Assistant
E-Mail:
jeo33@cornell.edu
2005-present Ph.D.
student, Plant Pathology; Department of Plant Pathology, Cornell
University.
2001-2005 BS,
Microbiology & Cell Science; BS, Plant Pathology; University
of Florida, Gainesville.
Graduate advisor: Marc Fuchs
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| Research
Focus |
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I first became interested in biotechnology in 8th grade, after
being asked to give a speech on the subject in Future Farmers of
America state competition. Since that time, I have become
increasingly aware of the important role that genetically modified
organisms could potentially play in the agricultural industry and
in providing for the increased demands on the world’s food
supply. After becoming interested in the field of Plant Pathology
during my time at the University of Florida, I became interested
in the application of biotechnology toward plant disease problems – including
the enhancement of resistance in otherwise susceptible crop plants.
Accordingly, at Cornell University, I am working with Dr. Marc
Fuchs on genetically engineered resistance to plant viral diseases. My
dissertation project focuses largely on grape rootstocks, which
have been genetically modified via the addition of viral sequences
from Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV), an important virus
of grapes worldwide. GFLV is transmitted by the ectoparasitic
nematode Xiphinema index. Early experimental evidence
with the genetically modified grapes currently in existence indicates
that some of them do show resistance to this virus. In my
research, I am examining these resistant grapes and their interaction
with GFLV, and I am also working on the development of improved
constructs for grapevine modification to confer resistance to this
pathogen. In addition to these research efforts, I am currently
studying the variability within the genome of GFLV.
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| Professional
Experience |
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2006-2007 Graduate
Teaching Assistant, Department of Plant Pathology-Cornell, under
the direction of Dr. George Hudler for Magical Mushrooms and Mischievous
Molds. Responsibilities included setting up a laboratory
demonstration section, preparing quizzes, grading student term
papers, and the administration of exams.
2005-2006 Performed
laboratory rotations as part of the Molecular Plant Pathology program
at Cornell University. Worked 6-8 weeks each in the laboratories
of Drs. Chris Smart, Greg Martin, and Rose Loria, conducting research
on the pathogens Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. Michiganensis, Pseudomonas
syringae pv. tomato, and Steptomyces scabies. Techniques
utilized included PCR, Yeast 2-hybrid, Southern blotting, and DNA
sequence analysis.
2004-2005 Undergraduate
Research Assistant, Floriculture Biotechnology
Lab, University of Florida. Worked under the advisement of
Dr.
David Clark. Conducted research on SAG:ipt transgenic
petunia and the pathogens Botrytis cinerea, Cercospora spp.,
and Pseudomonas syringae utilizing PCR, RNA extraction,
RT-PCR, as well as plant tissue and greenhouse experimental approaches.
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| Professional
Societies and Working Groups |
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American Phytopathological Society (Member 2006-present)
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| Grants, Awards
and Honors |
APS Foundation William J. Moller
Student Travel Award (2008)
Cornell University Graduate Student
Conference Grant (2008)
Cornell Graduate Fellowship (2006-2007)
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
Honorable Mention (2006)
Cornell Presidential Genomics Fellowship
(2005-2006)
Graduated from the University of Florida with Highest
Honors (2005)
The George Frederick Weber Memorial Award in Plant
Pathology (2005)
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| Elected
and Appointed Offices |
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2008-2009 President
of SAGES (Student Association of the Geneva Experiment Station)
2008-2009 Graduate
Student Seminar Exchange Program Student Coordinator (with North
Carolina State University, Ohio State University, and Penn State
University)
2007-2008 Vice-President
of SAGES
2007-2008 Prospective
Student Coordinating Committee (Geneva Department of Plant Pathology)
2006-2007, 2007-2008, 2008-2009 Cornell
Plant Pathology Graduate Student Association Colloquium Committee
2005-2006, 2006-2007 Secretary,
Plant Pathology Graduate Student Association
2005-2006, 2006-2007 Prospective
Student Coordinating Committee (Ithaca Department of Plant Pathology)
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| Publications |
Oliver, J.E., Tennant, P.F. and
Fuchs, M. 2009. Virus-resistant transgenic horticultural crops:
safety issues and risk assessment. In: Transgenic horticultural
crops: challenges and opportunities, B. Mou and R. Scorza (Eds.),
CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, (in press).
Oliver, J.E., Freer, J., Andersen, R.L., Cox, K., Robinson, T.L.,
and Fuchs, M. 2009. Genetic diversity of Prunus necrotic ringspot
virus isolates within a cherry orchard in New York. Plant
Disease. 93 (accepted for publication).
Oliver, J.E. and Fuchs, M. 2008. Genetic variability within Grapevine
fanleaf virus isolates in a naturally infected California
vineyard. Phytopathology. 98:S116.
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