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

Eric T Johnson

Research Molecular Biologist

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CONTACT

Phone: (309) 681-6177

Fax: 309-681-6693

Room: 3109B/3108

 

USDA ARS NCAUR

1815 N University

Peoria, IL 61604

EDUCATION

PhD, Horticulture, Washington State University, 1997

MS, Botany, Washington State University, 1990

BA, Genetics, UC Berkeley, 1988

AREA OF EXPERTISE
My laboratory works on identifying biological control strategies for mildew and fungal pathogens of US crops.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Our primary project focuses on understanding how secondary metabolite diversity and activity impact the biocontrol success of Bacillus strains.  This information will provide knowledge into how to select the best Bacillus strain for the needs of U.S. farmers.

Our secondary project involves the identification of novel biocontrol molecules that can inhibit the growth and vitality of fungal or mildew pathogens that cause disease on U.S. crops.

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PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS

Research Molecular Biologist, Crop Bioprotection Research, USDA-ARS, Peoria, Illinois, 2004 to present.
Research Associate in Plant Molecular Biology, Crop Bioprotection Research, USDA-ARS, Peoria, Illinois, 2002-2003.
Research Associate in Immunology, School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, 2000-2002.
Research Associate in Plant Molecular Biology, Kumho Life and Environmental Science Laboratory, Kwangju, South Korea, 1997-1999

LAB MEMBERS / SUPPORT STAFF / VISITING SCIENTISTS

Current:

            Mark Doehring, MS (Biological Science Laboratory Technician)

            

Alumni:

            Weibin Ma, PhD. (Visiting Scientist, 2019-2020)

            Rebecca Lyon, PhD. (Postdoctoral Research Scientist, 2022-2024)

COLLABORATION / COOPERATION:

National:

            Natalay Kouprina PhD. (National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland)

International:

            Mohamad Jairajpuri PhD. (Jamia Millia Islamia University, India)

 

Publications Indexed by Google Scholar

Click here to view Google Scholar entries for Eric Johnson

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

INVITED CONFERENCE LECTURES AND DEPARTMENTAL SEMINARS

2003    Invited presentation entitled “Plant anthocyanin insect feeding deterrents” at the Art Niesh Young Investigator Symposium,  Phytochemical Society of North America Annual Meeting, Peoria, Illinois. 

2007    Invited presentation entitled “Transgenic phenolic production in maize silks moderately enhances insect resistance” in a symposium on Functional Plant Phenolics, 233rd National Meeting and Exposition of the American Chemical Society, Chicago, Illinois.

2007    Invited to write book chapter “Genetically Modified Plants: New Research Trends” by Editor-in-Chief of Nova Science Publishers.

2009    Invited to present a seminar entitled "Can anthocyanins function as insect resistance molecules?" in the Biology Department, Western Illinois University.

2011    Invited to present a seminar entitled "Use of computer algorithms to discover novel regulatory elements of a plant biosynthetic pathway" in the Computer Science Department, Old Dominion University.

2012    Invited to present a seminar entitled "Discovery of novel insect resistance mechanisms for use in plants" in the Biological Sciences Department, Illinois State University.

2014    Invited to present a seminar entitled "Discovery of insect resistance mechanisms for use in plants" in the Biology Department, Bradley University.

2017    Invited to present a seminar entitled "Characterization of novel insect and fungal resistance proteins of maize and sorghum" in the Chemistry Department at Pukyong National University, South Korea and in the Biology Department at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.

2019 Invited presentation entitled “Gene silencing technology-double stranded RNA two control insects and diseases in crops” at the Corn Dry Milling Conference, Peoria, Illinois