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

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 research 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.  My research will seek to examine these resistant grapes and their interaction with GFLV.

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 of 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.

2004-2005 Undergraduate Research Assistant, Floriculture Biotechnology Lab, University of Florida.  Worked under the advisement of Dr. David Clark.

American Phytopathological Society (Member 2006-present)

Cornell Graduate Fellowship (2006-2007)
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Honorable Mention (2006)
Cornell Presidential Genomics Fellowship (2005-2006)
Graduated with Highest Honors (2005)
The George Frederick Weber Memorial Award in Plant Pathology (2005)

2007-2008 Vice-President of SAGES (Student Association of the Geneva Experiment Station)

2007-2008 Prospecitive Student Coordinating Committee (Geneva Department of Plant Pathology)

2006-2007 Plant Pathology Graduate Student Association Colloquium Committee

2005-2006, 2006-2007 Secretary, Plant Pathology Graduate Student Association

2005-2006, 2006-2007, 2007-2008 Prospective Student Coordinating Committee (Ithaca Department of Plant Pathology)