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Jeannie M Klein-Gordon

Research Plant Pathologist

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CONTACT

Phone: (309)681-6159

Fax: (309) 681-6693

Room: 3101A

 

USDA ARS NCAUR

1815 N University

Peoria, IL 61604

EDUCATION

PhD, Plant Pathology, University of Florida, 2021

BS with Honors, Botany, Oregon State University, 2016

BS with Honors, Microbiology, Oregon State University, 2016

AREA OF EXPERTISE

Plant pathology.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Dr. Klein-Gordon joined CBP in December 2023. Her expertise is with beneficial and pathogenic bacteria, and she has experience with fungal and oomycete plant pathogens. She has research experience with a wide variety of cropping systems, including apples, pears, tomatoes, peppers, blueberries, and cucurbit vegetable crops. Dr. Klein-Gordon’s research integrates conventional microbiological methods and advanced molecular and bioinformatics techniques to develop a better understanding of microbial diversity, population changes, and antimicrobial modes of action. Her passion is to help farmers sustainably grow nutritious foods to feed our planet through effective plant pathogen management. She is excited to develop a biological control-based research program that interacts with a variety of stakeholders, including growers, institutions, and industries, to mitigate critical plant diseases.

LAB MEMBERS / SUPPORT STAFF / VISITING SCIENTISTS

Current:

            

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:

American Phytopathological Society

American Society for Microbiology

 

Publications Indexed by Google Scholar

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HONORS and AWARDS:

(2023) Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, USDA National institute of Food and Agriculture, Agriculture and Food Research Initiative

(2021) June 2021 issue Editor’s Pick article, Phytopathology

(2020) October 2020 issue Editor’s Choice article, Letters in Applied Microbiology

(2019) FL Phytopathological Society Graduate Student Presentation competition- 3rd place

(2018–2021) Graduate Research Fellowship, National Science Foundation

(2018–2019) Florida Tomato Committee grant: "Tracking Xanthomonas perforans strains linked to a seasonal outbreak of bacterial spot using whole genome sequencing."

(2019) Larry Wallace Moore and Harold “Sande” McNabb, Jr. Joint Travel Award, American Phytopathological Society Foundation

(2017–2019) University of Florida Plant Pathology Graduate Student Organization and Plant Pathology Department travel awards

(2017) Dennis H. Hall and Larry Wallace Moore Joint Travel Award, American Phytopathological Society Foundation

(2015, 2016) Outstanding Senior Award, Bill & LaRea Johnston, Oregon State University Botany and Plant Pathology Department

(2012–2016) Presidential Scholar, Oregon State University

(2015) ‘Best Presentation’ Award, Undergraduate Colloquium, Oregon State University Microbiology Department

(2015) Experiential Award, Oregon State University Honors College, for travel to American Phytopathological Society National Conference

(2015) Travel award, Oregon State University Microbiology Department., for travel to American Society Annual Meeting

(2015) Kathryn Tinnesand Memorial Scholarship, Oregon State University Microbiology Department

(2014–2015) Merrill Family Foundation Scholarship, Oregon State University College of Science

(2013–2015) Helen Alfred Hays Women in Microbiology Scholarship, Oregon State University Microbiology Department

(2013, 2015) Thomas C. Moore Memorial Scholarship, Oregon State University Botany and Plant Pathology Department

(2012–2015) Scholarship recipient, Oregon Association of Nurseries

(2012–2015) Scholarship recipient, Yamhill County Master Gardeners Association

(2013–2014) Wayne & Joann Chambers Agriculture Scholarship, Oregon State University College of Agricultural Sciences

(2013–2014) Scholarship recipient, Pioneer District Garden Clubs

(2012–2014) Scholarship recipient, McMinnville Garden Club

(2014) Charles & Helen Fulton Memorial Scholarship, Oregon State University Botany and Plant Pathology Department

(2013) Middlekauf Scholarship, Oregon State University Microbiology Department

(2013) Scholarship recipient, Benton County Master Gardeners

(2013) Scholarship recipient, Yamhill County Women for Agriculture

 

INVITED CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS

Oral presentations:

  • (November 2022) Survey reveals Diaporthe is no longer the primary causal agent of "Phomopsis twig blight" symptoms on Michigan blueberries. Great Lakes Fruit Workers Conference. East Lansing, MI, USA.
  • (September 2021) The power of a large-scale in-depth pathogen survey: an example from bacterial spot on tomato. Michigan State University 2021 Fall Semester Plant Pathology Seminar Series. East Lansing, MI, USA.
  • (August 2021) Exploration of a novel density-dependent volatile-induced antimicrobial compound produced by Xanthomonas perforans. Plant Health 2021. Virtual.
  • (November 2020) Whole genome sequences reveal high diversity in the Xanthomonas perforans population across Florida. 35th Annual Tomato Disease Workshop. Virtual.
  • (August 2020) Whole genome sequences of 281 Xanthomonas perforans strains reveal structure of population in relation to tomato production chain variables. Plant Health 2020. Virtual.
  • (November 2019) Diversity and relatedness of Xanthomonas perforans strains across the Florida tomato production chain. Joint Meeting of the 48th Tomato Breeders Roundtable and 34th Tomato Disease Workshop. Tampa, FL, USA.
  • (August 2019) It’s complicated: The Xanthomonas perforans population across Florida commercial tomato fields. Plant Health 2019. Cleveland, OH, USA.
  • (May 2019) More strains, more insights: Understanding the Xanthomonas perforans population across Florida commercial tomato fields via a recent state-wide survey. Florida Phytopathological Society meeting. Lake Alfred, FL, USA.
  • (October 2018) Assessing changes in Xanthomonas perforans populations in Florida based on a recent state-wide survey of commercial tomato fields: a work in progress. 33rd Annual Tomato Disease Workshop. Chincoteague Island, VA, USA.
  • (July 2016) (prepared by Klein; presented by V.O. Stockwell) Contribution of native plasmids to fitness and biocontrol efficacy of Pantoea vagans strain C9-1 in apple and pear orchard trials. 2nd International Symposium on Fire Blight of Rosaceous Plants. Catalonia, Spain.
  • (December 2015) Contribution of native plasmids to the fitness of Pantoea vagans C9-1 on flowers. Oregon State University Microbiology Department Colloquium. Corvallis, OR, USA.
  • (August 2014) Contribution of native plasmids to the fitness of Pantoea vagans C9-1 on flowers. Oregon State University Undergraduate Research Symposium. Corvallis, OR, USA.

Poster presentations:

  • (December 2022) Statewide survey reveals “Phomopsis twig blight” symptoms are caused by multiple pathogens in Michigan blueberries. Great Lakes EXPO. Grand Rapids, MI, USA.
  • (August 2022) Survey reveals fungal pathogen shift for twig blight of blueberry in Michigan. Plant Health 2022. Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
  • (February 2019) Recent state-wide survey reveals continued shifts in Xanthomonas populations in Florida commercial tomato fields. University of Florida Emerging Pathogens Institute Research Day. Gainesville, FL, USA.
  • (August 2018) Contribution of native plasmids to fitness and fire blight biocontrol efficacy of Pantoea vagans strain C9-1. International Congress of Plant Pathology. Cleveland, OH, USA.
  • (August 2017) Whole genome sequences reveal polymorphisms in bacteriocin genes of Xanthomonas perforans in Florida. Plant Health 2017. San Antonio, TX, USA.
  • (August 2016) Amino acids influence antibiotic production by Pantoea vagans strain C9-1. Plant Health 2016. Tampa, FL, USA.
  • (July 2016) (prepared by Klein; presented by V.O. Stockwell) Influence of Pantoea vagans strain C9-1 plasmids on phenotypes associated with epiphytic fitness. 2nd International Symposium on Fire Blight of Rosaceous Plants. Catalonia, Spain.
  • (July 2016) (prepared by Klein; presented by V.O. Stockwell) Nutritional environment influences transcription of the Pantocin A promotor in Pantoea vagans strain C9-1. 2nd International Symposium on Fire Blight of Rosaceous Plants. Catalonia, Spain.
  • (August 2015) Influence of native plasmids to fitness of Pantoea vagans strain C9-1. Plant Health 2015. Selected for ‘Poster Huddle’ presentation. Pasadena, CA, USA.