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RICHARD V. KESSELI
Curriculum Vitae
June 2007
EDUCATION
Ph. D., Genetics, University of California, Davis. 1985
Bachelor of Science, Botany, University of Massachusetts, Amherst. 1975
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Professor, Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, 9/02 - present
Associate Professor, Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, 7/97 – 9/02
Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, 1/92 - 6/97
Research Geneticist, Department of Vegetable Crops, U.C. Davis, 1/89 - 12/91
Post-doctoral research, Department of Vegetable Crops and Department of Agronomy and Range Science, U.C. Davis, 2/85 - 12/88
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Graduate level: Invasive Species: Ecology, Evolution and Management (Biol. 648), Population Genetics and Diversity (Biol. 635), Advanced Eukaryotic Genetics (Biol. 677) and Molecular Evolution (Biol. 697) Plant Molecular Biology [Specific lectures] (Biol. 602). Invasive Species: Ecology, Evolution and Management (Biol. 648). Undergraduate level: General Genetics (Biol.252/254), Biotechnology, [specific lectures] (Biol. 395), Evolution [occasional lectures] (Biol. 352), Natural History of New England (Biol. 653).
SCIENTIFIC AWARDS AND EXTRAMURAL GRANTS
Evolutionary Genomics of the Compositae (PIs L. Rieseberg, Indiana University, Richard Michelmore, Univ. of California, Davis, Steve Knapp Univ. of Georgia, Rick Kesseli, Univ. of Massachusetts, Boston, Kent Bradford, University of California, Davis, David Still, Calif. State Univ., San Luis Obispo. NSF Plant Genome (DBI 0421630), $5,000,000 (UMB $432,461). Oct. 2004 – Sept. 2008
Evolution of Dioecy from Distyly (PIs R. Kesseli and K. Bawa) NSF REU Supplement. $12,000. June 2004 – June 2005.
Evolution of Dioecy from Distyly and the Impact of Recent Landscape Changes on the Reproductive Systems of Cordia spp. In the Guanacaste Region of Costa Rica. (PIs K. Bawa and R. Kesseli) NSF Population Biology (DEB 0212742). $350,000. Sept. 2002-2006.
Anthropogenic Stresses on Natural Ecosystems. (PIs R. Wrubble, Rachel Skvirsky and R. Kesseli). NSF Undergraduate Mentoring in Environmental Biology. $274,873. Oct. 2000-Sept. 2004
Comparative Genomics of Domestication Traits in Lettuce and Sunflower. (PIs R. Michelmore (UCDavis), S. Knapp (Oregon State), L. Rieseberg (Univ. of Indiana), R. Kesseli (UMass), L. Jackson (UCDavis), K. Bradford (UCDavis). USDA Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems (IFAFS 2000-04292), $4,000,000 (UMB $ 364,516). Oct. 2000 – Sept. 2004.
Sex identification in the endangered Roseate Tern. Massachusetts Environmental Trust (PI Hatch and Kesseli). $12,500. Completed June 2000
Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Quercus rubra in Old-Growth and Secondary Forests in Southern New England (R. Kesseli and J Gerwein) National Science Foundation Dissertation Improvement Grant (2000) $6000.
Use of Sex-Specific Markers and Self-Incompatibility Genes for Enhanced Utilization and Conservation of Forest Genetic Resources (K. Bawa and R. Kesseli) International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (1999). $20,000.
Sex Identification in the Endangered Roseate Tern (J. Hatch and R. Kesseli) U.S. Biological Survey (1999-2000). $9,200
Environmental Biology: Conservation and Biodiversity (one of 18 Principal Faculty Participants). National Science Foundation, Graduate Research Training Grant (GER 9552836, awarded 9/95-9/99). $565,000
Acquisition of equipment for nucleic Acid and Protein Analysis (R. Kesseli and R. Skvirsky). National Science Foundation, Academic Research Infrastructure (BIR-9512341, awarded 8/95-8/97). $167,929
Conservation Genetics of Tropical Trees (K. Bawa and R. Kesseli) National Science Foundation, Conservation and Restoration Biology, (DEB 94-00147; awarded 7/94-7/97). $265,000
Evolution of sexuality in hermaphroditic and dioecious plants: Inferences form sex linked molecular markers in Silene. (R. Kesseli and D. Mulcahy) National Science Foundation, Population Biology (DEB-9307823, awarded 10/93-10/96). $222,000
Genome evolution and the organization of disease resistance genes in the Compositae. U. S. Department of Agriculture, Plant Genome (93-37300-8772, awarded 6/93-6/96). $200,000
Genetic structure and systematic relationships of the endangered plant species Liatris borealis. Massachusetts Division of Fish and Wildlife, Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (awarded 1995-1997) $4500
Distribution and status of Eupatorium leucolepis var. novae-angliae (Valerie Stone co-PI). Massachusetts Division of Fish and Wildlife, Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (awarded 1993-1994) $2000
Outstanding Achievement Award in Research, Scholarship and Service, University of Massachusetts 2000
Outstanding Achievement Award in Research, Creative and Professional Activity, University of Massachusetts 1997
Faculty Appreciation recognized by students, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2006
SOCIETIES, PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND SERVICE
·Member of Advisory Panel for National Science Foundation, Evolutionary Genetics (4/07);
·Member of Advisory Panel for National Science Foundation, Evolutionary Genetics (4/05);
·Member of Joint Executive Office of Environmental Affairs/UMass panel on Agriculture (2003).
·Member of Review Panel for U. S. Department of Agriculture, Sunflower Research Station, Fargo ND (6/02);
·Member of Advisory Panel for National Science Foundation, Population Biology (5/02);
·Member of Advisory Panel for National Science Foundation, Population Biology (5/00);
·Member of Advisory Panel for U. S. Department of Agriculture, Plant Genome Research Program (4/00)
·Member of Advisory Panel for U. S. Department of Agriculture, Small Business and Innovative Research Program (3/94);
·Member of Advisory Panel for National Science Foundation, Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Program (4/95);
·Member of Advisory Panel for National Science Foundation Division of Environmental Biology, Systematics and Population Biology (10/96).
·Outside reviewer for proposals to NSF and USDA (1994-2000).
Reviewed articles for several journals including: Science, American Naturalist, Genetics, Evolution, Proceedings of the National Academy of Science; Theoretical and Applied Genetics, American Journal of Botany, Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions, Euphytica, Molecular Ecology, Biochemical Genetics, Genome, Economic Botany.
PUBLICATIONS
2007 Chapman, M., Jian Cheng Chang, David Weisman, Rick V. Kesseli and John M. Burke. Universal markers for comparative mapping and phylogenetic analysis in the Asteraceae (Compositae). Theoretical and Applied Genetics (DOI 10.1007/s00122-007-0605-2)
2007 Truco, Maria Jose, Antonise, R.; Lavelle, Dean, Ochoa, O., Kozik, A., Witsenboer, H., Fort, S., Jeuken, M., Kesseli, R., Lindhout, Pim, Michelmore, R., Peleman, J. A high-density integrated genetic linkage map of lettuce (Lactuca spp.). Theoretical and Applied Genetics (DOI 10.1007/s00122-007-0599-9).
2007 Gammon, M., J. Grimsby, D. Tsirelson, and R. Kesseli. Molecular and morphological evidence reveals introgression in swarms of the invasive taxa Fallopia japonica, Fallopia sachalinensis, and Fallopia X bohemica (Polygonaceae) in the United States. Amer. J. Bot. 94: 948-956.
2007 Lawrence, C., J. Ebersole, and R. Kesseli. Rapid growth and out-corssing promote female development in Zebrafish (Danio rerio). Environmental Biology of Fishes 10.1007/s10641-007-9195-8 Online First
2007 Grimsby, J., D. Tsirelson, M. Gammon, and R. Kesseli. Genetic diversity and clonal versus sexual reproduction in three Massachusetts populations of Fallopia spp. (Polygonaceae). Amer. J. Bot. 94: 959-966.
2006 Lee Timms, Rosmery Soris Jimenez, Mike Chase, Leah McHale, Dean Lavelle, Alexander Kozik, Zhao Lai, Adam Heesacker, Richard Michelmore, Steven Knapp, Loren Rieseberg, Rick Kesseli. Analyses of Synteny between Arabidopsis thaliana and Species in the Compositae Reveal a Complex Network of Small Syntenic Segments and Major Chromosomal Rearrangements. Genetics 173:2227-2235.
2006 Forman Orth, J., M. Gammon, F. Abdul Basir, D. Tsirelson, S. Stevenson, S. Speak, R. Kesseli. Natural history, distribution and management of Lepidium latifolium (Brassicaceae) in New England. Rhodora 108: 103-118.
2006 Gerwein, J., and R. Kesseli. 2006 Genetic diversity and population structure of Quercus rubra in the old-growth and secondary forests in southern New England. Rhodora 108: 1-18.
2005 Szczys, P., C. R. Hughes, and R. V. Kesseli, Novel microsatellite markers used to determine the population genetic structure of the endangered Roseate Tern, Sterna dougallii, in North America and Western Australia. Conservation Genetics 6: 461-466.
2004 Plocik, A., J. Layden and R. Kesseli. Comparative analysis of NBS domain sequences of NBS-LRR disease resistance genes in sunflower, lettuce and chicory. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 31:153-163.
2003 Michelmore R, Kozik A, Truco MJ, Matviencho M, Ochoa O, van Damme M, Lavelle D,
Lin H, Pande B, McHale L, Sudarshana P, Argyris J, Ellison P, Bradford K,
Jackson L, Kesseli R. ESTs and candidate gene approaches in the
Compositae Genome Project. Eucarpia Leafy Vegetables pgs. 131-136.
2003 Moreno-Vazquez, S., O. Ochoa, N. Faber, S. Chao, B. Maisonneuve, R. Kesseli, R. Michelmore. SNP-based co-dominant markers for a recessive gene conferring resistance to corky root rot (Rhizomonas suberifaciens) in lettuce (Lactuca sativa). Genome 46: 1059-1069.
2003 Pritham, E., Y. Zhang, C. Feschotte and R. Kesseli. An Ac-like transposable family with transcriptionally active Y-linked copies in the white campion, Silene latifolia. Genetics 165: 799-807
2003 Forman, J and R. Kesseli. Sexual reproduction in the invasive species Fallopia japonica (Polygonaceae). American Journal of Botany 90: 586-592.
2001 Chin, D., R. Arroya-Garcia, O. Ochoa, R. Kesseli, D. Lavelle, and R. Michelmore. Recombination and spontaneous mutation at the major cluster of resistance genes in lettuce (Lactuca sativa). Genetics 157:831-849.
2001 Szczys, P., I. C. T. Nisbet, J. Hatch and R. Kesseli. Sex ratio bias at hatching and fledging in the Roseate Tern. The Condor 103: 385-389.
1999 Irwin, S., R. Kesseli, W. Waycott, E. Ryder and R. Michelmore, Identification of PCR-based markers flanking the recessive LMV resistance gene mo1 in an intraspecific cross in lettuce. Genome 42: 982-986
1999 Dayanandan, S., J. Dole, K. Bawa and R. Kesseli, 1999 Population structure delineated with microsatellite markers in fragmented populations of a tropical tree, Carapa guianensis (Meliaceae). Molecular Ecology 8: 1585-1592
1999 Franceschinelli, E. and R. Kesseli, 1999 Population structure and gene flow of the Brazilian shrub, Helicteres brevispira. Heredity 82: 355-363.
1998 Kesseli, R., S. Hawthorne and E. Pritham. Genetic diversity within and among populations of New England Blazing Star, Liatris scariosa var. novae-angliae. Report to Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program
1998 Zhang, Y. H., V. DiStilio, F. Rehman, A. Tucker, D. Mulcahy and R. Kesseli. Y-chromosome specific markers and the evolution of dioecy in the genus Silene. Genome 41: 141-147
1998 DiStilio, V., R. Kesseli and D. Mulcahy. A pseudoautosomal random amplified polymorphic DNA markers for the sex chromosomes of Silene latifolia. Genetics 149: 2057-2062.
1997 Dayanandan, S., K. Bawa and R. Kesseli. Conservation of microsatellites among tropical legume trees. American Journal of Botany : 84: 1658-1663.
1997 Dole, J. and R. Kesseli. Morphological marker loci to detect selfing in experimental Mimulus guttatus x Mimulus platycalyx crosses. Journal of Heredity 88: 330-332.
1997 Dole, J. and R. Kesseli. Inheritance of pale flower, calyx spotting and glandular pubescence in Mimulus guttatus x M. platycalyx progenies. Journal of Heredity 88: 42-46.
1996 Kesseli, R. and R. Michelmore. The Compositae: Systematically fascinating but specifically neglected, pp. 181-194 in Genome Mapping in Plants, edited by A. Paterson. Landes Press, Georgetown, TX.
1996 Chase, M., C. Moller, R. Kesseli and K. Bawa. Long distance gene flow patterns precisely characterized by simple sequence repeats in a fragmented tropical tree population. Nature 383: 398-399.
1996 Hill, M., H. Witsenboer, M. Zabeau, P. Vos, R. Kesseli and R. Michelmore. Amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) as a tool for assessing the genetic relationships in Lactuca spp. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 93: 1202-1210.
1996 Chase, M., R. Kesseli and K. Bawa. Microsatellite Markers for population and conservation genetics of tropical trees. American Journal of Botany 83: 51-57.
1996 Kesseli, R., H. Witsenboer, M. Hill, Y.-H. Zhang, M. Chase and R. Michelmore. Genome organization and the evolution of disease resistance genes in Lactuca spp. and the prospects for comparative mapping in the Compositae, In Compositae: Systematics, Biology and Utilization. Vol. 2. pp. 1-8. P. Caligari and N. Hind (eds.) Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, GB.
1995 Witsenboer, H., R. Kesseli, M. Fortin, M. Stanghellini and R. Michelmore. Sources and genetic structure of a cluster of genes for resistance to three pathogens in lettuce. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 91:178-188.
1995 Brush S., Kesseli R., Ortega R., Cisneros P., Zimmer K. & Quiros C. . Potato diversity in the Andean center of crop diversity. Conservation Biology 9: 1189-1198.
1995 Sabo, T., R. Kesseli, J. Halverson, I, Nesbit and J. Hatch. PCR-Based method for sexing Roseate Terns (Sterna dougalli) Auk 111: 1023-1027
1995. Kesseli, R. and J. Dole. The status of Pycnanthemum clinopodioides in Massachusetts. Report to Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife: Natural Heritage Endangered Species Program,
1995. Kesseli, R. and V. Stone. Systematic Relationships and Genetic Diversities of Rare or Endangered Plant Species in Massachusetts: Preliminary Data on Viola pectinata. Report to Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife: Natural Heritage Endangered Species Program.
1994. Stone, V. and R. Kesseli. The distribution and status of Eupatorium leucolepis var. novae-angliae. Report to Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.
1994 Kesseli, R. V., I. Paran and R. W. Michelmore. Analysis of the detailed genetic linkage map of Lactuca sativa. Genetics 136: 1435 - 1446.
1994 Michelmore, R. W., R. V. Kesseli and E. J. Ryder. Genetic mapping in lettuce, Lactuca spp., L., in DNA-Based Markers in Plants, A. L. Phillips and I. K. Vasil (eds.). Kluwer Academic Publishers, Netherlands. p 223 - 239.
1993 Michelmore, R., P. Anderson, H. Witsenboer, R. Kesseli, I. Paran, D. Francis and O. Ochoa. Molecular markers and genome analysis in the manipulation of lettuce downy mildew, pp. 517-523. In E. Nester and D. Verma (eds.), Advances in Molecular Genetics of Plant-Microbe Interactions. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Amsterdam, NL.
1993 Kesseli, R., H. Witsenboer, M. Stanghellini, G. Vandermark and R. Michelmore. Recessive Resistance to Plasmopara lactucae-radicis Is Mapped by Bulked Segregant Analysis to a Cluster of Dominant Disease Resistance Genes in Lettuce. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions 6: 722-728.
1993 Jain, S. K., R. V. Kesseli and A. Olivieri. Biosystematic status of the serpentine sunflower, Helianthus exilis, in The vegetation of ultramafic (serpentine) soils, J. Proctor, A. J. M. Baker and R. D. Reeves (eds.). Intercept Ltd., Andover, UK.
1993 McGuire, P., E. Ryder, R. Michelmore, R. Clark, R. Antle, G. Emery, R. Hannan, R. Kesseli, E. Kurtz, O. Ochoa, V. Rubatzky, W. Waycott. Genetic Resources of Lettuce and Lactuca Species in California. An Assessment of the USDA and UC Collections and Recommendations for Long Term Security. Report No. 12. University of California Genetic Conservation Resources Program, Davis, CA. 40 pages
1993 Mulcahy, D. L., S. B. Carroll, N. F. Weeden and R. V. Kesseli. Markers for the Y chromosome of Silene latifolia and their use in studying pollen tube growth rates. p. 28-31. In Angiosperm Pollen and Ovules, Ottaviano, D. Mulcahy, M. Sari Gorla and G. Mulcahy. Springer-Verlag, New York.
1992 Kesseli, R. V., I. Paran and R. W. Michelmore. Efficient mapping of specifically targeted genomic regions and the tagging of these regions with reliable PCR-based genetic markers, in Applications of RAPDs Technology to Plant Breeding, J. Nienhuis (ed.). American Society of Horticultural Science, Alexandria.
1992 Paran, I., R. V. Kesseli, L. Westphal and R. W. Michelmore. Recent amplification of triose phosphate isomerase related sequences in lettuce. Genome 35: 627-635.
1992 Michelmore, R. W., R. V. Kesseli, D. M. Francis, I. Paran, M. G. Fortin and C.-H. Yang. Strategies for cloning plant disease resistance genes. Molecular Plant Pathology 2,S. J. Gurr, M. J. McPherson and D. J. Bowles (eds). IRL Press, Oxford.
1992 Kesseli, R. V., I. Paran, O. Ochoa, W.-C. Wang and R. W. Michelmore. Linkage map of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) 2N = 18, in Genetic Maps: Locus Maps of Complex Genomes, Vol. 7, S. J. O'Brien (ed). Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor.
1992 Kesseli, R. V. Population biology and conservation of rare plants, pp. 69-90 in Applied Population Biology, S. K. Jain and L. W. Botsford (eds.). Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht Netherlands.
1992 Mulcahy, D. L., N. F. Weeden, R. V. Kesseli and S. B. Carroll. DNA probes for the Y-chromosome of Silene latifolia a dioecious angiosperm. Sex. Plt. Reprod. 3: 1 - 3.
1991 Kesseli, R. V., O. Ochoa and R. W. Michelmore. Variation at RFLP loci in Lactuca spp. and the origin of cultivated lettuce (L. sativa). Genome 34: 430 - 436.
1991 Michelmore R. W., I. Paran and R. V. Kesseli. Identification of markers linked to disease resistance genes by bulked segregant analysis: A rapid method to detect markers in specific genomic regions using segregating populations. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 88: 9828 - 9832.
1991 Paran, I., R. V. Kesseli and R. W. Michelmore. Identification of RFLP and RAPD markers to downy mildew resistance genes in lettuce with near isogenic lines. Genome 35: 1021 - 1027.
1990 Westphal, L., R. V. Kesseli, O. Ochoa and R.W. Michelmore. Divergence among Lactuca sativa and L. saligna species; a comparison of genetic maps. (in German) Vortrage fur Pflantentuchtang. Hannover Marker und Genidentifizierung - Methoden und Ergebmisse.
1990 Kesseli, R.V., R.W. Michelmore and I. Paran. Genetic Map of Lactuca spp. In Stephen J. O`Brien (ed) Genetic Maps. pp. 6.100 - 6.102. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, N.Y.
1988 Michelmore, R.W., R.V. Kesseli, S. Hulbert, I. Paran, E. Legg. Analysis of Lettuce Downy Mildew using molecular markers. Development and Application of Molecular Markers to Problems in Plant Genetics. pp. 45 - 50. Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.
1987 Landry, B., R.V. Kesseli, H. Leung and R.W. Michelmore. Comparison of restriction endonucleases and probe source for their efficiency in detecting restriction fragment length polymorphisms in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Theor. Appl. Genet. 74: 646-653.
1987 Landry, B., R.V. Kesseli, B. Farrara and R.W. Michelmore. A genetic map of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) with restriction fragment length polymorphism, isozyme, disease resistance and morphological markers. Genetics 116: 331-337.
1987 Kesseli, R.V. and S.K. Jain. Origin of gynodioecy in Limnanthes. Theor. Appl. Genet. 74: 379-386.
1986 Kesseli, R.V. and R.W. Michelmore. Genetic variation and phylogenies detected from isozyme markers in species of Lactuca. J. Heredity 77:324-331.
1985 Kesseli, R.V. and S.K. Jain. Breeding systems and population structure in Limnanthes. Theor. Appl. Genet. 71:292-299.
1984 Kesseli, R.V. and S.K. Jain. An ecological genetic study of gynodioecy in Limnanthes douglasii (Limnanthaceae). Amer. J. Bot. 71:775-786.
1984 Kesseli, R.V. and S.K. Jain. New variation and biosystematic patterns detected by allozyme and morphological comparisons in Limnanthes sect. Reflexae (Limnanthaceae). Pl. Syst. Evol. 147:133-165.
1981 Mulcahy, D.L., R.W. Robinson, M. Ihara and R. Kesseli. Gametophytic transcription for acid phosphatases in pollen of Cucurbita species hybrids. J. Heredity 72:353-354.
Recent Collaborators:
Kamal Bawa University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA
Ray Calloway University of Montana
Doris Chin University of California, Davis, CA
Veronica Di Stilo University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
Jeff Dole University of California, Berkeley, CA.
S. Dayanandan Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
John Ebersole University of Massachusetts, Boston
Jeremy Hatch University of Massachusetts, Boston
C. C. Jan USDA Sunflower Research Facility, Fargo, ND
Steve Knapp University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Richard Michelmore University of California, Davis, CA
David Mulcahy University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
Ellen Pritham University of Texas, Arlington, TX.
Alex Plocik University of California, San Francisco, CA
Loren Rieseberg University of Indiana, Bloomington, ID
Robert Stevenson University of Massachusetts, Boston
Patricia Szczys Wayne State University, NE
Jorge Vivanco Colorado State University
Present and Former Post-doctoral fellows
Dr. Tracy Spoon University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA
Dr. Jeff Dole University of California, Berkeley, CA
Dr. Y. H. Zhang Cereon Biotch, Boston, MA
Dr. S. Dayanandan Professor, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
Dr. Mike Chase VariaGenetics Biotech, Cambridge, MA
Graduate Students (past): Current Position
Tom Sabo MS High School teacher in Vermont
Dr. Mark Hill MS Ph. D. at MIT;
Post-doctoral Fellow, University of California, Davis
Dr. Mike Chase PhD VariaGenetics Biotech, Cambridge, MA
Farah Rehman MS Research Technician, Boston, MA
Mikiko Matsui MS Ph. D. 2005, University of California, Riverside, CA
Dr. Edivani Franceschinelli+ PhD Professor, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais,
Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Amy Tucker Avery MS Research Scientist, Povonis Biotech, MA
Angelica Cibrian+ MS Ph.D. program, Columbia University, NY
Dr. Ellen Pritham PhD Research Scientist, Univ. of Texas, Arlington, TX
Alex Plocik MS Ph.D. program Univ. of Calif. San Francisco
Dr. Joel Gerwein PhD Environmental Consultant, Berkeley, CA
Dr. Jennifer Forman PhD Post-doctoral fellow University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA
Dr. Patty Szczys PhD Assistant Professor, Wayne State College, Nebraska
Prasson Keiriwal MS Computer Science, Computer Consultant, Boston, MA
Dr. Paige Miller+ PhD Post-doctoral fellow, University of CA, Santa Cruz, CA
Lee Timms MS Research technician, Sick Children’s Hospital, Toronto
Cameron Moller MS Systems Analyst
Christian Lawrence MS Brigham & Women's Hospital, Karp Family Research, Boston
Graduate Students (current):
Melinda Gammon PhD Env. Biol. Program
Granda Kopytko PhD Env. Biol. Program
Jonna Grimbsy PhD MCOB Program
Marco Lopez+ PhD Env. Biol. Program
Sara Espowood MS Biology
Jan Chang PhD BMEBT Program
Elizabeth Munoz + PhD Env. Biol. Program, (co-advise with K. Bawa)
Alice Loth+ PhD BMEBT Program, (co-advise with R. Jensen)
Renee Eriksen MS (co-advise with R. Stevenson, J. Ebersole and T. Spoon)
Tomas Zavada MS Biology
Graduate and Post-Doctoral Advisors:
Subodh Jain University of California, Davis, CA
Richard Michelmore University of California, Davis, CA
Undergraduates: Current Status
Alexander Bitzer Independent Study 2007
Iesha Rue+ Bridges 2007-
Mike Williams Work Study 2006-
Slater Bartlett Independent Study 2006-7
Venus Swearingen+ Independent Study 2006-7 Applying for Med
Selamawit Yohannes+ Independent Study 2006
Julio Diaz+ Honors, Independent Study 2006-7 Broad Institute, MIT
Greg Loftus Work Study 2006
Theodora Desronvil*+ Honors, REU 2006-
Kieran Ryan* Honors, BHH Award, REU 2006-7 Partners AIDS Research
Mass General Hospital
Jill Taylor Independent Study 2006
Tam Huynh McNair 2005-6 Graduated Dec. 2006
Bonnie White Washington+ Honors, UMEB 2005-6 Teacher, M.Ed. program
Jason Chou Independent Study 2005-6
Rony Barbara Honors, Independent Study 2005-7
Sara Zaghlul+ Independent Study 2005 UMB
Tim Menz* REU, Honors 2004-5 Fulbright Fellowship, Tufts Medical School
Jon Marino REU 2004-5 UMB
Emily Macy REU 2004 Graduated Tufts 2006
Cindy Kalkwaf Independent Study 2004 Environmental Police
Dina Tsirlsen* Honors & Independent Study 2003-5 Research Tech. UMB
Rosemery Soris*+ Honors & UMEB 2003-5 Nursing Program
Karl Saba Lab Technician 2003 Medical School
Lotte Schlegel REU 2003 Wellesley College
Safiya Hamit+ REU 2003 Howard University
Andrea Bernal*+ Honors & Independent Study 2003 Medical School
Trevor Morin Lab Technician 2003 PhD Program UMW
Maria Hofbauer+ Independent Study 2002 Lab technician
Deidre Morgan*+ Honors, UMEB 2002-3 Biotech/ Med School
Voula Christopolas Independent Study 2002 Technician Biotech
Jennifer Layden* Honors & REU 2001- MS Program, Duke Univ.
Victoria Jenny REU 2000 MS program WPI
Suzanna Barnett REU, Independent Study 2000-1 Unknown
Michelle De la Vega+ Honors & McNair 1999-01 Veterinarian School
Fatima Abdul Basir*+ Honors & REU, UMEB 1998-02 Teacher/Env. Consultant
Scott Barr REU, Independent Study 1998-1999 Grad program
Allison Williams+ McNair 1998 Grad program
Iyore Otabor+ McNair, REU 1998 Medical Program
Sally Sepharin+ (with Hatch) Honors & McNair 1997-1998 PhD Program
Vitaliy Poylin* Honors & REU 1996-1997 Medical School
Sabrina Hawthorne Honors & REU 1996-1997 Ph.D. Program
Ugo Owungu+ Honors & REU, McNair 1996-1997 Medical School
Kenol Etienne+ Work-study 1996 Unknown
Hong-Yen Nguyen Work-study 1995-1996 Biotechnology position
Caroline Sexton Work-study 1996 Unknown
Susan Johnson Honors & REU 1995-1996 Veterinarian School
Amy Tucker Avery* Honors & REU 1995-1996 M.S., Biotech Industry
Meaghan Connors Independent study 1995-1996 Medical School
Mark Bulger Honors & REU 1995-1996 PhD program
Hermik Babakhanlou Honors & REU 1995-1996 M.S., Research Position
Paige Dennis*+ REU 1995 PhD program
Tom Guggina Independent Study 1994 Medical School, U. Mass.
Liz Rodriguez+ McNair, REU 1994-1995 Medical program
Yvonne Troya+ (with Bawa) REU 1994 Unknown
Nick Richon REU, Independent study 1993-1994 Unknown
Emily Weissblum REU 1993 Graduate Program
Quang Le Work study 1993-1994 Pharmacologist
Valerie Stone* Honors & REU 1993-1994 MS, Whitehead Inst.
Cambridge
* undergraduate students with publications or abstracts and presentations
+ Students from ethnic backgrounds under-represented in the sciences
Recent Posters and Presentations:
J. Grimsby, M. Gammon, D. Tsirelson and R. Kesseli. Genetic Analysis of Reproduction of invasive Japanese Knotweed. Botany and Plant Biology Joint Congress, Chicago, Il, July 2007
D. Tsirelson and R. Kesseli. Genetic diversity and origin of invasive populations of Centaurea maculosa (Compositae). Botany and Plant Biology Joint Congress, Chicago, Il. July 2007
M. Gammon, D. Tsirelson, J. Grimsby and R. Kesseli. Morphological and genetic evidence for introgression, intraspecific reproduction and multiple introductions within populations of Fallopia spp. in the United States. Botany and Plant Biology Joint Congress, Chicago, Il July 2007
R. Kesseli, M. Gammon, and J. Grimsby. Population dynamics of invasive Japanese Knotweed in the U.S. Invited seminar. Commonwealth Institute of Biological Control (CABI), Delemont, Switzerland, June 7, 2007.
R. Kesseli. Rapid evolutionary change in invasive and domesticated species: What’s the difference? Invited seminar, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland. June 5, 2007.
R. Kesseli. Composite Genome Project: Research conducted at the Environmental Genome Center. . Science Advisory Board, College of Science and Mathematics, University of Massachusetts Boston, Friday, May 4, 2007.
Rick Kesseli, Jan Chang, Theodora Desronvil, Kieran Ryan, Jose Hierro, Urs Treier, Heinz Mueller-Schaerer and Kathy Reitsma. Universal markers for the Compositae and genetic diversity in invasive and wild populations. Plant and Animal Genome XV. San Diego, CA. January, 13-17, 2007.
M. J. Truco, D. Lavelle, L. McHale, J. Argyris, D. Caldwell, M. Matvienko, A. Kozik, O. Ochoa, S. Mathrakott, K. Bradford, L. Rieseberg, S. Knapp, R. Kesseli, D. Still, R. Michelmore. The Composite Genome Project. Plant and Animal Genome XV. San Diego, CA. January, 13-17, 2007.
J. Chang, D. Weisman, and R. Kesseli. Development and characterization of comparative anchor tagged sequences (CATS) for comparative genome analysis in the Asteraceae. Plant and Animal Genome XV. San Diego, CA. January, 13-17, 2007.
Jennifer Forman Orth and Rick Kesseli. Flower power: an introduction to sexual reproduction in Fallopia japonica and related Species. Japanese Knotweed Workshop, Cornell University, October 11-12, 2006
Melinda Gammon, Jonna Grimsby, Theodora Desronvil, Rick Kesseli. Morphological, and genetic evidence for introgression, intra-specific reproduction, and multiple introductions within populations of Fallopia japonica, Fallopia X bohemica and Fallopia sachalinensis in the United States. Japanese Knotweed Workshop, Cornell University, October 11-12, 2006
Jonna Grimsby, Melinda Gammon, Rick Kesseli. Genetic diversity and clonal versus sexual reproduction in three Massachusetts populations of Fallopia spp. (Polygonaceae). Japanese Knotweed Workshop, Cornell University, October 11-12, 2006
Kesseli, R. Moderator and presenter for Genetics and Diversity session, Compositae White Paper Meeting, August 17, 2006, University of California, Davis.
Kesseli, R., J, Chang and D. Weisman. Comparative Anchor Tagged Sequences (CATS) as Universal Markers for the Compositae. August 17, 2006, University of California, Davis.
Kesseli, R., J. Chang and L. Timms. Phenotypic analysis of weeds in the Compositae. Center for Applied Genetic Technologies. University of Georgia, Athens, GA. November 4, 2005
Szczys, P. C., Hughes, and R. Kesseli. Novel microsatellite loci used to determine the population genetic structure of the endangered Roseate Tern, Sterna dougallii, in the Norwest Atlantic and Western Australia. Waterbird Society meeting, Portland, Oregon, January 20, 2005 (Seminar and Abstract by PS).
Timms, L., M. Chase, R. Soris, and R. Kesseli. Comparative genome analyses between lettuce and Arabidopsis reveal ancestral chromosome segments. 10th Congress of European Society for Evolutionary Biology. Krakow, Poland. August 15-20, 2005. (Abstract and Poster).
Gammon, M., R. Kesseli and D. Tsirelson. Genetic diversity and sources of introduction of invasive Fallopia spp. (Polygonaceae) in eastern United States. 10th Congress of European Society for Evolutionary Biology. Krakow, Poland. August 15-20, 2005. (Abstract and Poster).
Timms, L., L. McHale, A. Kozik, D. Lavelle, R. Soris, M. Chase, P. Szczys and R. Kesseli. Identifying and characterizing regions of synteny between lettuce, sunflower and Arabidopsis. Plant and Animal Genome XIII. San Diego, CA. January 15-19 2005. (Seminar and Abstract by RK).
Timms, L., R. Soris, D. Lavelle and R. Kesseli. Syntenic relationships between Arabidopsis and members of the Composite family. Plant and Animal Genome XIII. San Diego, CA. January 15-19 2005. (Abstract and Poster).
Szczys, P., Nisbet, I.C.T., and R. Kesseli, Sex Ratio Bias in Roseate Terns at Falkner Island, CT contrasts with Bird Island, MA. Waterbird Society meeting, Cuiaba, Brazil, September 27, 2003.
Forman, J. and Kesseli, R.V. Not just cloning around- Sexual reproduction in Fallopia japonica (Japanese knotweed). New England Invasive Plant Summit. Framingham, MA. September 14, 2003 (poster and abstract)
Kesseli, R.V., Forman, J., Gammon, M., Abruzzi, S., Abdul Basir, F., and Stevenson, R. Life History, Distribution and Control of Perennial Pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium) in New England Saltmarshes. New England Invasive Plant Summit. Framingham, MA. September 14, 2003 (poster and abstract)
Timms, L. and R. Kesseli. SNP discovery and mapping of candidate S-locus genes in members of the Composite Family. Northeast Ecology and Evolution Conference, University of Connecticut, Storrs CT. March 26-28, 2004 (poster and abstract).
Gammon, M., A. Bernal and R. Kesseli. Phylogenetic investigation into the shift from distylous to dioecious breeding systems in the genus Cordia. Northeast Ecology and Evolution Conference, University of Connecticut, Storrs CT. March 26-28, 2004 (poster and abstract).