Plant Pathology focuses on using the latest molecular biology tools combined with a basic disciplinary approach to drive cutting-edge research in host-pathogen relationships, taxonomy and genetic diversity of fungal plant pathogens and development of diagnostics for biosecurity.
The outputs are expected to be a better understanding of the complex interactions of plant pathogens associated with yield decline in cropping systems, integrated control measures with less reliance on fungicides, in-country preparedness for and protection from incursion of exotic diseases; and the molecular mechanisms that control flowering time and associated trade-offs in Brassicaceae. The research is underpinned by teaching in Plant Pathology.
News and events
Contact the team
The Plant Pathology group undertakes world-leading research in plant pathology.
The group operates a BC2 AQIS certified quarantine facility with fluorescent and Differential Interference Contrast microscopes and PC2 laboratories.
Academics
Prof Paul Taylor
Professor Taylor is an Honorary Professorial Fellow, with 26 years of dedicated service to the University, as a distinguished leader in Plant Pathology research and teaching. He conducts research in fungal Plant Pathology, Plant Soil Health, Biosecurity, Fungal Pathogen Genomics and Plant Biotechnology. Over 18 years, Professor Taylor coordinated the teaching of Plant Pathology in both the BAgr and BSc (Agr), and played a significant leadership in the Faculty and University in international collaboration and engagement.
paulwjt@unimelb.edu.au
Dr Niloofar Vaghefi
Niloofar Vaghefi joined the University of Melbourne as a Senior Lecturer in Plant Pathology in 2022. She is interested in the application of molecular biology, population genetics and genomics tools to improve knowledge of biology, epidemiology, and evolution of crop pathogens, with the aim of enhancing efficacy and sustainability of disease management strategies. She has worked on fungal and bacterial pathogens of horticultural and grain crops over the past 10 years.
vaghefin@unimelb.edu.au +61383444586Graduate researchers
Yuzhu Liu
Thesis: Integrated disease management of crown and root rot pathogens involved in yield decline of pyrethrum plants. Yuzhu graduated with a master’s degree in Agricultural sciences from the University of Melbourne in 2018. Her master’s research focused on host specialisation of Fusarium oxysporum, the cause of crown and root rot of pyrethrum, and the influence of waterlogging on infection and colonization of pyrethrum plants. Her current research is to investigate the role of Pythium spp. and F. oxysporum in yield decline of pyrethrum and to discover the basis of the complex interaction between soil-borne Pythium spp. and F. oxysporum causing pyrethrum yield decline in Australia.
Yuzhul2@student.unimelb.edu.au
Weixia Wang
Thesis: Biology and pathogenicity of Colletotrichum species associated with citrus anthracnose in Australia. Weixia studies Colletotrichum species associated with dieback and wither-tip of citrus plants in Australia. Her PhD project is focussed on molecular taxonomy of Colletotrichum species associated with citrus trees in Australia and overseas, with the aim of understanding the pathogenic capacity of Colletotrichum species in Australia, and to protect the Australian citrus industry from exotic threats.
weixiaw@student.unimelb.edu.au
Hanyue Feng
Thesis: Integrated Disease Management (IDM) of poor root growth of processing tomato plants. Hanyue is a PhD student studying soilborne crop pathogens. The research project she undertakes for her PhD builds on from her BAg (Hon) research project and is focussed on integrated disease management of poor root growth of processing tomato plants in Australia. Hanyue studies the impact of Fusarium oxysporum on tomato growth in different tomato cultivars and is currently working on detecting the potentially different formae speciales of F. oxysporum affecting processing tomatoes in Australia with the aim of identifying improved mitigation strategies.
hanyuef@student.unimelb.edu.au
Aindreeya Alcova
Thesis: Biodiversity of leaf spot pathogens of Australian native plants in natural populations. Aindreeya completed a Bachelor of Science (Hon), majoring in plant science, at the University of Melbourne. Her honours project explored foliar fungal pathogens of Australian native plants in Victoria. As a PhD student, Aindreeya is continuing her research on fungal pathogens of Australian native plants, focusing on the fungal genus Colletotrichum. This study aims to improve our understanding of the taxonomic diversity and pathogenicity of Colletotrichum spp. associated with Australian native plants and implications for both native and agricultural systems.
Violeta Carrillo Portillo
Thesis: Biology and infection process of Didymella tanaceti in pyrethrum. Violeta has a Bachelor of Science and a master’s degree in Agricultural Sciences. Her master’s project was focussed on the molecular identification of an opportunistic fungal pathogen infecting Hoya carnosa. Violeta also has internships and work experience in biotechnology and molecular biology fields. Violeta's PhD research seeks to better understand the infection process of Didymella tanaceti on pyrethrum plants in Australia.
Hayley Wilson
Thesis: Investigation into host mediated adaptation of Ascochyta rabiei in the Australian Northern chickpea growing region. Hayley is an exchange PhD student at the University of Melbourne, working on Ascochyta rabiei, a fungal pathogen of chickpea, and its evolution in Australia. At Griffith University, Hayley works under the supervision of Professor Rebecca Ford and Dr. Ido Bar. Her project aims to characterise the evolution of A. rabiei though population genomics and experimental evolution studies.
Alumni
Mee-Yung Shin
Dr. Mee-Yung Shin is currently a Senior Officer of Plant Pathology in the Chief Plant Health Officer Branch at Agriculture Victoria, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA). The team Mee-Yung works with aims to protect Victoria’s plant biosecurity by providing technical advice to the Chief Plant Health Officer and by contributing to plant biosecurity policy.
m.shin2@student.unimelb.edu.auPlant Pathology focuses on using the latest molecular biology tools combined with a basic disciplinary approach to drive cutting-edge research in host-pathogen relationships, taxonomy and genetic diversity of fungal plant pathogens and development of diagnostics for biosecurity.
We apply fundamental plant pathology techniques, multi-gene phylogenetics, fungal genome sequencing and population genetics to identify new species of fungal pathogens and to infer evolution of pathogenicity factors. Linkages with industry groups allow us to address issues around crop sustainability and yield decline.
Current projects
Completed projects
Find a supervisor
The following staff are available to supervise honours and masters research in the Plant Pathology research group.
Dr Niloofar Vaghefi
Niloofar conducts research on a variety of pathogens impacting grains, vegetables and horticultural crops. She is interested in the evolution of plant pathogens in agricultural ecosystems influenced by environmental changes, host resistances, and management practices. Areas of research include evolutionary mycology, genetics and phylogenomics of fungal and bacterial plant pathogens and mycoparasites.
Project topics:
- Comparative genomics of mycoparasitic Ampelomyces and Sphaerelopsis species.
- Diversity of Sphaerellopsis species in Australia and mechanisms underlying their mycoparasitism.
- Optimisation of molecular diagnostics assays for in planta quantification of Macrophomina spp.
- Molecular phylogeny and pathogenicity of fungi associated with agricultural crops and native plants.