Thiago Maia
Post-Doctoral Research Associate Plant Pathology University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Contact
- Address
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BEAD N315
Lincoln NE 68588-0722 - Phone
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402-472-2871 On-campus 2-2871
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tmaia2@unl.edu
- Website
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Google Scholar
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I have a genuine interest in understanding the mechanisms by which plants initiate immune responses upon detecting pathogens, as well as how these pathogens suppress plant immunity to induce disease. My Ph.D. research and preceding postdoctoral studies focused on using a heterologous system based on the Type Three Secretion System from Pseudomonas to express and deliver fungal candidate effectors into plant cells. Through this methodology, I discovered numerous effectors from the sugarcane smut fungus (Sporisorium scitamineum) as well as uncovering the first avirulence protein from the coffee rust fungus (Hemileia vastatrix). My current research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln aims to elucidate the molecular components and processes that underline the role of membrane trafficking pathways in plant defense response. Additionally, I am interested in exploring the interplay between biotic and abiotic plant stresses to deepen our understanding of the plant immune system.
Education
PhD, Plant Pathology, Federal University of Viçosa, 2013