Contact information

Melissa Carter

melissa.carter2@usda.gov

Foreign Disease/Weed Science Research
1301 Ditto Avenue, Fort Detrick, MD 21702
Phone: (301) 619-7211
Fax: (301) 619-2880

Melissa is a biological science technician (biochemistry) and has worked for USDA-ARS since January of 2001. She currently works in support of Dr. Douglas Luster’s lab in development of diagnostic assays for Phytophthora ramorum and Calonectria pseudonaviculata, as well as collaboration on the global wheat disease early warning advisory system (DEWAS). Her expertise includes protein expression in host-pathogen systems, development of diagnostic assays for emerging plant pathogens, and the recovery/processing of exotic cereal rust samples from foreign collaborators in the BSL-3P containment facility.

Previously, she worked as a biological science aid supporting the fungal and bacteriology projects at the FDWSRU while completing her junior and senior years of her undergraduate degree.

Education

M.S. Biotechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, 2010 
B.A. Chemistry, Hood College, 2002

Publications

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• Publications

  • (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)
  • Immunoreagents for development of a diagnostic assay specific for Rathayibacter toxicus -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Luster, D.G., Mcmahon, M.B., Carter, M.L., Sechler, A.J., Rogers, E.E., Schroeder, B.K., Murray, T.D. 2020. Immunoreagents for development of a diagnostic assay specific for Rathayibacter toxicus. Food and Agricultural Immunology. 31(1):231-242. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540105.2020.1714554.
    
  • Characterization of Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici isolates derived from an unusual wheat stem rust outbreak in Germany in 2013-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Olivera, O., Newcomb, M., Flath, K., Szabo, L.J., Rouse, M.N., Gale, S.W., Carter, M.L., Luster, D.G., Jin, Y. 2017. Characterization of Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici isolates derived from an unusual wheat stem rust outbreak in Germany in 2013. Plant Pathology. 66:1258-1266.
    
  • Proteomic analysis of germinating urediniospores of Phakopsora pachyrhizi, causal agent of Asian Soybean Rust-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Luster, D.G., Mcmahon, M.B., Carter, M.L., Fortis, L.L., Nunez, A. 2010. Proteomic analysis of germinating urediniospores of Phakopsora pachyrhizi, causal agent of Asian Soybean Rust. Proteomics. 7:3549-3557.
    
  • Best linear unbiased prediction of host range of the facultative parasite Colletotrichum gloeosporioides f. sp. salsolae, a potential biological control agent of Russian thistle -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Berner, D.K., Bruckart, W.L., Cavin, C.A., Michael, J.L., Carter, M.L., Luster, D.G. 2009. Best linear unbiased prediction of host range of the facultative parasite Colletotrichum gloeosporioides f. sp. salsolae, a potential biological control agent of Russian thistle. Biological Control. 158-168.
    
  • A small family of Phakopsora pachyrhizi proteins localized to the spore wall-(Abstract Only)
    Luster, D.G., Mcmahon, M.B., Carter, M.L. 2008. A small family of Phakopsora pachyrhizi proteins localized to the spore wall. Phytopathology. 98:S95
    
  • CHARACTERIZATION OF PROTEINS SECRETED BY PHAKOPSORA PACHYRHIZI DURING SPORE GERMINATION-(Abstract Only)
    Luster, D.G., Mcmahon, M.B., Carter, M.L. 2006. Characterization of proteins secreted by phakopsora pachyrhizi during spore germination. Phytopathology. 96:S71
    
  • IDENTIFICATION OF PROTEINS EXPRESSED IN GERMINATING PHAKOPSORA PACHYRHIZI UREDINIOSPORES-(Abstract Only)
    Luster, D.G., McMahon, M.B., Choi, J., Carter, M.L., Nunez, A., Frederick, R.D. 2005. Identification of proteins expressed in germinating Phakopsora pachyrhizi urediniospores [abstract]. Phytopathology. 95:S63.
    
  • IDENTIFICATION OF PROTEINS IN PHAKOPSORA PACHYRHIZI UREDINIOSPORES USING MALDI-TOF/TOF MASS SPECTROMETRY-(Abstract Only)
    Phytopathology 94:S69
    
  • IDENTIFICATION OF PROTEINS EXPRESSED DURING RESISTANT AND SUSCEPTIBLE SOYBEAN-RUST INTERACTIONS-(Abstract Only)
    Luster, D.G., McMahon, M.B., Choi, J.J., Carter, M.L., Nunez, A., Frederick, R.D. 2004. Identification of proteins expressed during resistant and susceptible soybean-rust interactions. Phytopathology. 94:S64.
    

Committee and Location Service

• FDWSRU Hazardous Waste Management Officer, 2021 - present
• FDWSRU Safety Committee
• FDWSRU Social Committee
• FDWSRU Special Emphasis Committee

Awards and Recognition

• 20 years of government service, 2021
• 1st Place, USDA-ARS FDWSRU Chili Cook-off, 2017 and 2019, Non-Traditional Category