Brian Crain

B. S. Botany. Humboldt Sate University, 1997.

M. A. Biology. Humboldt State University, 1999 (expected)

OBJECTIVE:

I am pursuing a M. A. degree in biology at Humboldt State University with the objective of entering a doctoral program in Plant Pathology. My primary goal is to be an educator with research interests in fungal ecology, systematics, plant - fungal pathogen interactions, and molecular plant pathology.

CURRENT RESEARCH:

Fungi living within symptomless, apparently healthy stems and leaves are categorized as endophytes. The biology of these 'endophytic' fungi varies greatly from genuine mutualism to latent pathogenic infection. Communities of endophytic fungi are usually dominated by one or a few distinct species. These dominant endophytes are usually restricted in distribution to the woody and/or leafy tissue of a single host species, genus, or family.

In order to delineate the patterns of endophytism present in two northern California vascular plants, I am currently investigating the endophyte distribution of Salix hookeriana (Hooker willow) and Baccharis pilularis (Coyote brush) in Northern California willow hollows. A total of 2400 pieces of stem material were collected and plated on both V - 8 and 2 % M.E.A. agar. The plated segments were incubated at room temperature and 4°C with the intentions of enhancing the diversity of isolated fungi. Multifactoral ANOVA and correspondence analysis will be used to interpret the observed data. Concurrently, I am generating a sterile water fungal herbarium of all isolated and identified fungi for the mycology department here at Humboldt State University.

FUTURE RESEARCH INTERESTS:

I would like to investigate the molecular biology of endophytic fungi in phylogenetically related hosts from discrete ecological habitats. I am extremely interested in all aspects of plant pathology and in particular the biology of plant - fungal and interfungal parasitic interactions. Endophytes are excellent candidates for studies concerning plant - fungal pathogen relationships because of their high degree of symbiotic plasticity. Therefore, the incorporation of plant tissue culture, biochemistry and molecular biology will become an integral part of my research.

INQUIRIES:

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me at: bpc3@axe.humboldt.edu