About
Hello, I’m Matt! I’m a PhD student in Dr. Dufault’s lab in the Department of Plant Pathology. Before coming to UF, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry, with minors in Genetics and Plant Pathology, from Clemson University in 2019. I also completed research internships at Cornell AgriTech in Geneva, NY, and the Noble Research Institute in Ardmore, OK. My research focus is on the epidemiology and genetics of fungal plant pathogens.
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Education
Ph.D. Plant Pathology, University of Florida, August 2023 (Expected)
B.S. Biochemistry, Clemson University, May 2019
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Research
I study the epidemiology and genetics of fungal plant pathogens. The main focus of my PhD work is in Fusarium wilt of Watermelon, caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum. I study pathogen movement to understand dispersal and contamination. I also study pathogen genetics to understand virulence and relationships with host varieties.