Delineating Interactions Between Enterics Plant Pathogens and Plant Immunity

Major Goal(s):Project Plan:The long-term goal of this research project is to identify the genetic factors from both the plant host and human enteric pathogen contributing to the achievement of high endophytic enteric populations during plant disease or infection of a plant pathogen.Specifically, we will study E. coli O157:H7 endophytic colonization using the Brassica oleracea var. acephala (syn var. viridis var. sabelica) crops such as kale and collards during plant disease caused by the bacterial plant pathogen P. syringae pv. tomato DC3000.Training/Career Development Plan:Obtain theleadership roleofproject leader at the USDA-ARS as acareer goal.Objectives:Project Plan:Thisgoalwill be accomplished by addressing the following specific objectives:Screening of natural variation in host resistance to opportunistic colonization of E. coli O157:H7 in B. oleracea var. acephala cultivars.Screening of natural variation of opportunistic colonization by food-borneE.coliO157:H7 isolates in a resistantB. oleraceavar.acephalacultivar.Training/Career Development Plan:Thisgoalwill be accomplished by addressing the following specific objectives:Develop leadership skills by participating in University of Georgia Graduate School Emerging Leaders ProgramDevelop mentorship skills by mentoring undergraduate student in labratory skills during research projectDevelop collaboration/netowrking skills by organizing a multidisciplinary skills workshop across various departments in the College of Agriculture and Envirnmental Science