Peter Montgomery Henry

Research Plant Pathologist

 

Soilborne pathogen lab research foci:

• Evolutionary genomics & functional genetics. We use comparative, population, and functional genomics to investigate the evolutionary history of fungal pathogens. Our objectives are to fundamentally improve our understanding of the mechanisms leading to the evolution of pathogenicity. We leverage our genomic and transcriptomic resources to assess the breadth and durability of pathogen resistance in strawberry cultivars, improve molecular detection methods, and survey for the emergence of new pathogenic lineages.
• Pathogen ecology. Plant pathology research typically focuses on the interactions between a pathogen and its susceptible host. Plant pathogens also have myriad interactions with other plants, microbes, etc. that can be key to their persistence, virulence, or other important traits. Our research attempts to determine the niches occupied by plant pathogens that can lead to increased abundances in agricultural environments. By characterizing the contribution of these niches to pathogen survival, we identify key lifecycle stages that can be disrupted to reduce pathogen abundance with environmentally sustainable methods. 
• Fumigation alternatives. Soilborne pathogens of strawberries are typically managed with soilborne fumigants that can pose risks to human health and the environment. We are developing alternative methods for control of soilborne pathogens. We are working with the public and private breeding programs to evaluate cultivars and breeding material for disease resistance. In addition, we are refining techniques for anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD), evaluating new soil steam devices, and determining the effects of crop rotation and cover cropping on pathogen survival in soil.

 

Current lab members:

Peter Henry (2019-present). Peter started the Soilborne pathogen lab at the USDA-ARS in Salinas, CA in 2019 after receiving his Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from the University of California, Davis. His interest in agriculture began while studying for a B.A. in Environmental Science from Willamette University, where he managed a student farm for two years after graduation. He enjoys hiking and appreciating the diversity of wildflowers in Big Sur. 

Polly Goldman (2019-present). Polly started as a Biological Science Technician at the USDA-ARS in 2002 after receiving her B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of California, Davis, and M.S. in Agroecology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She is passionate about sustainable agriculture and runs variety trials for small grains and legumes for fun.

Anna Herrera (2024-present). Anna joined the lab as a Biological Science Technician in 2024. She received her B.S. in Molecular Biology from San Jose State University and her M.S. in Environmental Science from California State University, Monterey Bay. She is an outdoor enthusiast and recently ran the Big Sur Marathon.

Jade Dilla-Ermita (2021-present). Jade is a University of California, Davis post-doctoral researcher working in the Soilborne Pathogen Lab. She is co-advised by Dr. Henry and Dr. Feldmann from the UCD Strawberry Breeding Program. She brings experience working on host-pathogen interactions from her M.S. in Genetics at the University of the Philippines, Los Baños, and her Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from Washington State University. She is a culinary enthusiast and is always testing new recipes with the lab.

Kayla Pennerman (2022-present). Kayla is a post-doctoral researcher with the SCINet Fellowship program administered through ORISE. Her work focuses on characterizing the factors driving genomic diversity of Macrophomina spp. She received her Ph.D. in Plant Biology from Rutgers University and is an expert bioinformatician. She will start a new position as an Assistant Professor at Stockton University in New Jersey in September 2024.

Gabriel Sacher (2023-present). Gabriel is a post-doctoral researcher co-advised by Nicholas LeBlanc (USDA-ARS) and Sharifa Crandall (Pennsylvania State University). He is characterizing the epidemiological implications of airborne spore dispersal by Fusarium oxysporumf.sp. fragariae. Gabriel received his B.S. in Biology from Sonoma State University and Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from Oregon State University. [statement about interest] You can usually find him taking care of his plants or engaged in some wood working. He dreams of one day operating a small hobby farm or plant nursery. 

Jose Jaime (2022-present). Jose brought a wealth of experience in agricultural research from projects in Colombia and working with agriculture technology companies in the Salinas Valley. He joined as a student at California State University, Monterey Bay, and recently completed his B.S. in Plant Science.

Javier Lopez-Hernandez (2023-present). After completing his B.S. in Molecular Biology at California State University, Monterey Bay, Javier worked as an intern for Naturipe and became interested in agricultural research. He started working in the lab to gain experience in research and is also pursuing a career in medicine.

Erika Padilla-Huerta (2024-present). Erika received an A.S. in Agriculture Plant Science and an A.S. in Public Health Science from Hartnell College, and is currently working in the lab while pursuing her B.S. in Agricultural Plant and Soil Sciences from California State University Monterey Bay.

Samantha Kozlo (2024-present). Samantha has conducted research monitoring greenhouse gas emissions in agricultural settings and is currently working in the lab while pursuing her B.S. in Environmental Science, Technology, and Policy from California State University Monterey Bay.

Lacey Prescott (2024-present). Lacey joined the lab as a Hartnell Student Intern while pursuing her A.S. in Biology and will be transferring to California State University Monterey Bay to pursue her B.S. in Plant Science.

 

Former Lab Members:

Gerardo Ramos (2021-2023). Gerardo brought a wealth of expertise on Geographic Information Systems from his B.S. in Environmental Science at California State University, Monterey Bay, and led a project quantifying rates of crop rotation in the California strawberry industry with the lab. He moved on from the lab to pursue an M.S. in Landscape Ecology at San Francisco State University.  

Zoey Jimenez (2021-2023). Zoey worked in the lab during the summers while pursuing a B.S. at Chico State University in Animal Science. She now works in a Veterinary Clinic while preparing applications for Doctor in Veterinary Medicine programs.

Jacqueline Ramos (2023). Jacqueline Ramos brought multilingual and multi-talented abilities to the lab during a summer while pursuing a B.S. in Environmental Science with a minor in French at the University of California, Berkeley.

Sara Infante (2021-2022). Sara explored her interests in agriculture while working in the lab and studying for her B.S. in Plant Science at California State University, Monterey Bay.

Geovanny Espinosa (2021-2022). Geovanny joined the lab after finishing his B.S. in Environmental Science at California State University, Monterey Bay. He now works in the vegetable production industry in the Salinas Valley.

Olivia Gutierrez (2020-2022). Olivia joined the lab as a Hartnell College student before transferring to California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo. She continued working in the lab during summers between classes at Cal Poly and now has a career in plant pathogen diagnostics.

Shawn Melendy (2020-2021). Shawn joined the lab after receiving a B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Oregon. Shawn then received an M.S. in Applied Environmental Science at California State University Monterey Bay and is now an Academic Writer in Canada.