About
My name is Yagyaraj Joshi, a Ph.D. student in Dr. Nabil Killiny's lab at the Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC), Lake Alfred. My research focuses on host-pathogen-vector interactions, with a particular emphasis on citrus greening disease. I am passionate about uncovering vulnerabilities in pathogen transmission systems through the intricate tritrophic interactions among the host plant, pathogen, and insect vector at a molecular level. I mainly focus on detailed study of whole disease cycle of citrus greening at molecular level. My ultimate goal is to disrupt transmission pathways using biotechnological approaches such as RNA interference (RNAi) to develop novel and sustainable solutions for managing vector-borne plant diseases.
I come from a rural village in Bajhang District, far western Nepal, and have always aimed high in my academic pursuits. I earned my undergraduate degree in Agricultural Science from Agriculture and Forestry University, Nepal. During my Master’s at Kentucky State University, I worked on honeybee disease management, which ultimately led me to transition into my true passion—vector-pathogen interactions in plant diseases.
Under Dr. Killiny’s mentorship, I am eager to make meaningful contributions to this field and establish a strong academic career dedicated to advancing plant disease management strategies.
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Education
Undergraduate: Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal (Agriculture Science)
MS: Kentucky State University (Major: Environmental Studies, GRA in honeybee lab)
PhD: University of Florida (Plant Pathology) - Publications