Plant Pathology Faculty Profile

Deanna L. Funnell Research Plant Pathologist, USDA-ARS Adjunct Assistant Professor (Ph.D., University of Arizona, 1996) 406M Plant Sciences Hall (402) 472-9099 Deanna.Funnell@ars.usda.gov

Appointment:

USDA/ARS Research Plant Pathologist

Education:

B.S. Biology of Natural Resources, University of California, Berkeley, 1978

Ph.D. Plant Pathology, University of Arizona, 1996

Professional Responsibilities and Activities:

Research:

Improvement of quality and traits of sorghum.

Role of lignin and pathway precursors in resistance

Role of sorghum plant and grain pigments in resistance

Plant-microorganism genotype specific interactions

Selected Publication Examples:

Funnell, D. and Pedersen, J. 2006. Association of plant color and pericarp color with colonization of grain by members of Fusarium and Alternaria in near isogenic sorghum lines. Plant Disease 90: 411-418.

Funnell, D. and Pedersen, J. 2006. Reaction of sorghum lines genetically modified for reduced lignin content to infection by Fusarium and Alternaria spp. Plant Disease 90: 331-338.

Pedersen, J., Vogel, K. and Funnell, D. 2005. Impact of reduced lignin on plant fitness. Crop Science 45: 812-819.

Funnell, D., Lawrence, C., Pedersen, J. and Schardl, C. 2004. Expression of the tobacco acidic ß-1,3-glucanase gene, PR-2d, following induction of SAR with Peronospora tabacina. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology 65: 285-296.

Mazzola, M., Funnell, D. and Raaijmakers, J. 2004. Wheat-specific selection of 2,4-diacetylphlorogulcinol-producing fluorescent Pseudomonas species from resident soil populations. Microbial Ecology 48: 338-348.

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