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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Crop Bioprotection Research » People » Patrick Dowd

Patrick F Dowd

Research Entomologist

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CONTACT

Phone: (309) 681-6242

Fax: (309) 681-6686

Room: 2300

 

USDA ARS NCAUR

1815 N University

Peoria, IL 61604

EDUCATION

PhD, Insecticide Toxicology and Biochemistry, LSU

MS, Entomology, Virginia Tech

BS, Agronomy, Virginia Tech

AREA OF EXPERTISE

Molecular targets and mechanisms for insect control.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Insects cause billions of dollars of losses to crops each year. They also facilitate the introduction of toxin-producing molds into several crops, including corn. Discovery of plant-derived pest resistance genes and mechanisms can lead to the more desirable use of native genes to promote resistance to insects and fungi. However, we have shown that plant genes that code for proteins that affect plant pathogenic fungi can also inhibit growth of fungi used to control insects.

My research interests currently include determining which varieties of corn can positively or negatively influence the effectiveness of fungi used to control insects. I’m also interested in determining and understanding the genes involved in compatible and incompatible interactions, both on the part of the plant and the strains of fungi used to control insects, and determining additives for formulations of the fungi used to control insects that will counteract the plant factors that interfere with their effectiveness. Field corn and sweet corn, especially varieties of sweet corn used in organic production, are the major crops I'm interested in.

The compatible integration of more pest resistant plants, and strains or formulations of fungi that control insects, can lead to better yields and profits for growers, an adequate supply of crop materials for end users, and a safer product for humans and animals.

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LAB MEMBERS / SUPPORT STAFF / VISITING SCIENTISTS

Current:

            David Lee (Biological Science Laboratory Technician)

Alumni:

      Postdocs:

           Samuel Shen,   Scientist with USDA, Agricultural Research Service

           Fernando Vega,     Scientist with USDA, Agricultural Research Service

           Eric Johnson,       Scientist with USDA, Agricultural Research Service

           Scott Pinkerton,       Professor, Bellevue University

     Students/interns:

           Some examples (based on most recent information known):

           Doug Hanson, M.D.

           Cynthia Meeker, R.N.

           Emily Bell, graduate student

           David de la Cruz, M.D.

           Ben Ade, graduate student

           Yewande Taiwo, graduate student

COLLABORATION / COOPERATION:

National:

              Several at NCAUR

              Jeff Cary, USDA-ARS, Southern Regional Research Center

              Richard and Sue Musser, Dept. Biology, Western Illinois University

              Marilyn Warburton, USDA- ARS, Mississippi State

Foreign:

              Heiko Vogel (through Richard Mussser) Max Planck Institute.

 

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:

 American Association for the Advancement of Science

American Chemical Society

Entomological Society of America

International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (affiliate through ACS)

Board Certified Entomologist in General Entomology, and Pesticide Development, Analysis and Toxicology.

Publications Indexed by Google Scholar

Click here to view Google Scholar entries for Pat Dowd

(The Google Scholar results may not reflect a complete or accurate listing for this scientist).