Hi, I’m Ray 👋🏽
I’m a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Georgia. My interest in host-pathogen interactions led me to work as a graduate research assistant in the Smith Lab. Together with my advisors, Dr. Shavannor Smith and Dr. James Buck, we study the genetic diversity of Cercospora sojina, the causal fungus of frogeye leaf spot disease in soybeans, and its implications for host resistance.
- Host-Pathogen Interaction
- Plant Disease Resistance
- Molecular Genetics and Genomics
Ph.D. in Plant Pathology
University of Georgia
M.Sc. in Microbiology
University of the Philippines Diliman
B.Sc. in Biology
Adamson University
Having previously worked on developing biological control agents as an alternative to synthetic fungicides, I became fascinated with how microorganisms interact with their hosts, community, and surroundings to equip themselves with molecular tools for survival.
I develop bioinformatics pipeline for SNP discovery from large genomic data sets, analyze genetic diversity using various R packages and software, and apply qualitative and quantitative tools to define races of C. sojina.
My research aims to uncover new strategies to enhance plant health and promote sustainable farming practices. By understanding more about host-pathogen interactions and their implications for plant disease resistance, I aim to contribute valuable insights that support more resilient agricultural systems.
