Phone: (309) 681-6589
Fax: (309) 681-6672
Room 1131A

USDA ARS NCAUR
1815 N. University
PEORIA , IL 61604

Dr. William Hay – Research Plant Physiologist

Will received his B.S. in Molecular and Cellular Biology as well as his Ph.D. in Physiological and Molecular Plant Biology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He joined ARS in 2015 as a Post Doc in the Plant Polymer research unit, studying the production of novel amylose-inclusion complexes. In 2018, he joined the Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology research unit as a Post Doc, and later as a research scientist, studying wheat climate resilience and resistance to Fusarium head blight. His primary research focus is the impact of elevated CO₂ on plant primary metabolism, crop production, disease susceptibility, and grain end-use quality. He is currently developing biofumigant treatments from plant derived sources to control major pests of cereal crops.

 Click to Access my Publications

• Projects

  Improving Food Safety by Controlling Mycotoxin Contamination and Enhancing Climate Resilience of Wheat and Barley In-House Appropriated (D)   Accession Number:438642

• Publications

  • (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)
  • Structure and functionality of surface-active amylose-fatty amine salt inclusion complexes -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Selling, G.W., Hay, W.T., Peterson, S.C., Hojilla-Evangelista, M.P., Kenar, J.A., Utt, K.D. 2024. Structure and functionality of surface-active amylose-fatty amine salt inclusion complexes. Carbohydrate Polymers. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.122186.
    
  • Elevated CO2 can worsen Fusarium Head Blight disease severity in wheat, but the Fhb1 QTL provides reliable disease resistance -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Hay, W.T., Anderson, J.A., Garvin, D.F., McCormick, S.P., Busman, M., Vaughan, M.M. 2023. Elevated CO2 can worsen Fusarium Head Blight disease severity in wheat, but the Fhb1 QTL provides reliable disease resistance. Plants. 12(20). https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12203527.
    
  • Isothiocyanates: promising larvicides for mosquitoes-(Abstract Only)
    
    
  • Bioactivity of brassica seed meals and its compounds as ecofriendly larvicides against mosquitoes -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Flor-Weiler, L., Behle, R.W., Berhow, M.A., McCormick, S.P., Vaughn, S.F., Muturi, E.J., Hay, W.T. 2023. Bioactivity of brassica seed meals and its compounds as ecofriendly larvicides against mosquitoes. Scientific Reports. 13. Article 3936. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-30563-6.
    
  • Insights into the aggressiveness of the emerging North American population 3 (NA3) of Fusarium graminearum -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Laraba, I., Ward, T.J., Cuperlovic-Culf, M., Azimi, H., Xi, P., McCormick, S.P., Hay, W.T., Hao, G., Vaughan, M.M. 2023. Insights into the aggressiveness of the emerging North American population 3 (NA3) of Fusarium graminearum. Plant Disease. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-11-22-2698-RE.
    
  • Improved hydroxypropyl methylcellulose films through incorporation of amylose-N-1-hexadecylammonuium chloride inclusion complexes -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Selling, G.W., Hay, W.T., Evans, K.O., Peterson, S.C., Utt, K.D. 2023. Improved hydroxypropyl methylcellulose films through incorporation of amylose-N-1-hexadecylammonuium chloride inclusion complexes. Industrial Crops and Products. 194. Article 116352. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2023.116352.
    
  • Production of an odor-reducing, low-dust, clumping cat litter from soybean hulls and soybean hull biochar -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Vaughn, S.F., Liu, S.X., Berhow, M.A., Moser, J.K., Peterson, S.C., Selling, G.W., Hay, W.T., Jackson, M.A., Skory, C.D. 2023. Production of an odor-reducing, low-dust, clumping cat litter from soybean hulls and soybean hull biochar. Bioresource Technology Reports. 21. Article 101317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biteb.2022.101317.
    
  • New high value starch based anionic and cationic emulsifiers using amylose inclusion complexes-(Abstract Only)
    Selling, G.W., Hay, W.T. 2023. New high value starch based anionic and cationic emulsifiers using amylose inclusion complexes. American Oil Chemists' Society Meeting. [abstract].
    
  • Fhb1 disease resistance QTL does not exacerbate wheat grain protein loss at elevated CO2 -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Hay, W.T., Anderson, J.A., Garvin, D.F., McCormick, S.P., Vaughan, M.M. 2022. Fhb1 disease resistance QTL does not exacerbate wheat grain protein loss at elevated CO2. Frontiers in Plant Science. 13. Article 1034406. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.1034406.
    
  • Effectiveness of brassica seed meals as potential ecofriendly larvicides for mosquito control-(Abstract Only)
    
    
  • New high performance starch based emulsifers using amylose inclusion complexes-(Abstract Only)
    Selling, G.W., Hojillaevangelist, M.P., Hay, W.T. 2022. New high performance starch based emulsifers using amylose inclusion complexes. Annual Meeting and Expo of the American Oil Chemists' Society. [abstract].
    
  • Preparation and properties of solution cast films from pilot scale cottonseed protein isolate -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Selling, G.W., Hojilla-Evangelista, M.P., Hay, W.T., Utt, K.D., Grose, G.D. 2022. Preparation and properties of solution cast films from pilot scale cottonseed protein isolate. Industrial Crops and Products. 178. Article 114615. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2022.114615.
    
  • Fusarium head blight resistance exacerbates nutritional loss of wheat grain at elevated CO2 -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Hay, W.T., Anderson, J.A., McCormick, S.P., Hojilla-Evangelista, M.P., Selling, G.W., Utt, K.D., Bowman, M.J., Doll, K.M., Ascherl, K.L., Berhow, M.A., Vaughan, M.M. 2022. Fusarium head blight resistance exacerbates nutritional loss of wheat grain at elevated CO2. Scientific Reports. 12. Article 15. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-03890-9.
    
  • Effects of atmospheric CO2 and temperature on wheat and corn susceptibility to Fusarium graminearum and deoxynivalenol contamination -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Hay, W.T., McCormick, S.P., Vaughan, M.M. 2021. Effects of atmospheric CO2 and temperature on wheat and corn susceptibility to Fusarium graminearum and deoxynivalenol contamination. Plants. 10(12). Article 2582. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10122582.
    
  • Rising CO2 more severely impacts FHB moderately resistant HRSW compared to susceptible cultivars-(Abstract Only)
    Hay, W.T., Anderson, J.A., Mccormick, S.P., Berhow, M.A., Bowman, M.J., Hojillaevangelist, M.P., Dunn, R.O., Vaughan, M.M. 2021. Rising CO2 more severely impacts FHB moderately resistant HRSW compared to susceptible cultivars. Meeting Abstract. American Society of Plant Biologists: Plant Biology 2021 Worldwide Summit. July 17-19, 2021, Virtual.
    
  • Rising CO2 more severely impacts FHB moderately resistant HRSW compared to susceptible cultivars-(Abstract Only)
    Hay, W.T., Anderson, J.A., Mccormick, S.P., Berhow, M.A., Bowman, M.J., Hojillaevangelist, M.P., Dunn, R.O., Vaughan, M.M. 2020. Rising CO2 more severely impacts FHB moderately resistant HRSW compared to susceptible cultivars. Meeting Abstract. 2020 National Fusarium Head Blight Forum. December 7-11, 2020, Virtual.
    
  • Ensuring food safety and security: Evaluating and utilizing plant/pest/pathogen phytochemical interactions-(Abstract Only)
    Hay, W.T., Vaughan, M.M., McCormick, S.P., Behle, R.W., Berhow, M.A., Selling, G.W., Hojilla-Evangelista, M.P., Teresi, J.M., Bowman, M.J., Dunn, R.O. 2020. Ensuring food safety and security: Evaluating and utilizing plant/pest/pathogen phytochemical interactions [abstract].
    
  • Ensuring food safety and security by maintaining climate resilience of grain nutritional content in Fusarium head blight resistant wheat-(Abstract Only)
    Hay, W.T., Vaughan, M.M., McCormick, S.P., Berhow, M.A., Bowman, M.J., Hojillaevangelist, M.P., Dunn, R.O., Teresi, J.M. 2020. Ensuring food safety and security by maintaining climate resilience of grain nutritional content in Fusarium head blight resistant wheat. [Meeting Abstract].
    
  • Changes in wheat nutritional content at elevated [CO2] alter Fusarium graminearum growth and mycotoxin production on grain -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Hay, W.T., McCormick, S.P., Hojilla-Evangelista, M.P., Bowman, M.J., Dunn, R.O., Teresi, J.M., Berhow, M.A., Vaughan, M.M. 2020. Changes in wheat nutritional content at elevated [CO2] alter Fusarium graminearum growth and mycotoxin production on grain. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 68(23):6297-6307. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.0c01308.
    
  • Insecticidal activity of Commiphora erythraea essential oil and its emulsions against larvae of three mosquito species -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Muturi, E.J., Hay, W.T., Doll, K.M., Ramirez, J.L., Selling, G.W. 2020. Insecticidal activity of Commiphora erythraea essential oil and its emulsions against larvae of three mosquito species. Journal of Medical Entomology. 57(6):1835-1842. https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjaa097.
    
  • Biopesticide synergy when combining plant flavonoids and entomopathogenic baculovirus -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Hay, W.T., Behle, R.W., Berhow, M.A., Miller, A.C., Selling, G.W. 2020. Biopesticide synergy when combining plant flavonoids and entomopathogenic baculovirus. Nature. 10:6806. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-63746-6.
    
  • Leptospermum scoparium essential oil is a promising source of mosquito larvicide and its toxicity is enhanced by a biobased emulsifier -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Muturi, E.J., Selling, G.W., Doll, K.M., Hay, W.T., Ramirez, J.L. 2020. Leptospermum scoparium essential oil is a promising source of mosquito larvicide and its toxicity is enhanced by a biobased emulsifier. PLoS One. 15(2):e0229076. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0229076.
    
  • Intrapopulation antagonism can reduce the growth and aggressiveness of the wheat head blight pathogen Fusarium graminearum -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Vaughan, M.M., Ward, T.J., McCormick, S.P., Orwig, N., Hay, W.T., Proctor, R., Palmquist, D. 2020. Intrapopulation antagonism can reduce the growth and aggressiveness of the wheat head blight pathogen Fusarium graminearum. Phytopathology. 110(4):916-926. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-09-19-0341-R.
    
  • Use of novel film forming starch complexes to directly and indirectly reduce insect damage to plants -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Hay, W.T., Behle, R.W., Ruiz-Vera, U.M., Fanta, G.F., Selling, G.W. 2020. Use of novel film forming starch complexes to directly and indirectly reduce insect damage to plants. Crop Protection. 130:105048. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2019.105048.
    
  • Moderately resistant wheat cultivars lose nutritional quality at elevated CO2 altering Fusarium graminearum growth and mycotoxin production-(Abstract Only)
    Hay, W.T., Vaughan, M.M., McCormick, S.P., Berhow, M.A., Bowman, M.J., Hojilla-Evangelista, M.P., Dunn, R.O., Teresi, J.M. 2019. Moderately resistant wheat cultivars lose nutritional quality at elevated CO2 altering Fusarium graminearum growth and mycotoxin production. Meeting Abstract. [abstract].
    
  • Effect of burgundy solid extracted from Eastern Red Cedar heartwood on subterranean termites and wood-decay fungi -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Eller, F.J., Kirker, G.T., Mankowski, M.E., Hay, W.T., Palmquist, D.E. 2020. Effect of burgundy solid extracted from Eastern Red Cedar heartwood on subterranean termites and wood-decay fungi. Industrial Crops and Products. 144:112023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2019.112023.
    
  • Amylose inclusion complexes as emulsifiers for garlic and asafoetida essential oils for mosquito control -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Muturi, E.J., Hay, W.T., Behle, R.W., Selling, G.W. 2019. Amylose inclusion complexes as emulsifiers for garlic and asafoetida essential oils for mosquito control. Insects. 10(10):337. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects10100337.
    
  • Changes in the composition of wheat grain at elevated CO2 can influence Fusarium graminearum disease and deoxynivalenol contamination-(Abstract Only)
    Hay, W.T., Vaughan, M.M., McCormick, S.P., Berhow, M.A., Bowman, M.J., Hojilla-Evangelista, M.P. 2019. Changes in the composition of wheat grain at elevated CO2 can influence Fusarium graminearum disease and deoxynivalenol contamination [abstract].
    
  • Use of amylose inclusion complexes to provide high value paper-(Proceedings)
    Selling, G.W., Hay, W.T., Fanta, G.F., Felker, F.C., Rich, J.O. 2019. Use of amylose inclusion complexes to provide high value paper. Proceedings of American Chemical Society National Meeting, March 31-April 4, 2019, Orlando, FL. p. 256.
    
  • Emulsification properties of amylose-fatty sodium salt inclusion complexes -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Hay, W.T., Fanta, G.F., Felker, F.C., Peterson, S.C., Skory, C.D., Hojilla-Evangelista, M.P., Biresaw, G., Selling, G.W. 2019. Emulsification properties of amylose-fatty sodium salt inclusion complexes. Food Hydrocolloids. 90:490-499. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2018.12.038.
    
  • Antifungal activity of a fatty ammonium chloride amylose inclusion complex against Fusarium sambucinum; control of dry rot on multiple potato varieties -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Hay, W.T., Fanta, G.F., Rich, J.O., Schisler, D.A., Selling, G.W. 2018. Antifungal activity of a fatty ammonium chloride amylose inclusion complex against Fusarium sambucinum; control of dry rot on multiple potato varieties. American Journal of Potato Research. 96(1):79-85. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-018-9683-8.
    
  • Teaching an old dog new tricks - high value products using amylose-(Abstract Only)
    Selling, G.W., Fanta, G.F., Hay, W.T. 2018. Teaching an old dog new tricks - high value products using amylose [abstract]. Corn Utilization and Technology Conference, June 4-6, 2018, St. Louis, MO.
    
  • Improved hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) films through incorporation of amylose-sodium palmitate inclusion complexes-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Hay, W.T., Fanta, G.F., Peterson, S.C., Thomas, A.J., Utt, K.D., Walsh, K.A., Boddu, V.M., Selling, G.W. 2018. Improved hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) films through incorporation of amylose-sodium palmitate inclusion complexes. Carbohydrate Polymers. 188:76-84.
    
  • Hexadecyl ammonium chloride amylose inclusion complex to emulsify cedarwood oil and treat wood against termites and wood-decay fungi-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Eller, F.J., Hay, W.T., Kirker, G.T., Mankowski, M.E., Selling, G.W. 2018. Hexadecyl ammonium chloride amylose inclusion complex to emulsify cedarwood oil and treat wood against termites and wood-decay fungi. International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation. 129:95-101.
    
  • Preparation and properties of solution cast films from pennycress protein isolate -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Selling, G.W., Hojilla-Evangelista, M.P., Hay, W.T., Utt, K.D., Grose, G.D. 2018. Preparation and properties of solution cast films from pennycress protein isolate. Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society. 95:1091-1103. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/aocs.12034.
    
  • Cornstarch complexed with a soybean oil component imparts water resistance to paper-(Abstract Only)
    Felker, F.C., Fanta, G.F., Hay, W.T., Selling, G.W. 2017. Cornstarch complexed with a soybean oil component imparts water resistance to paper [abstract]. American Association of Cereal Chemists International.
    
  • Physical, rheological, functional and film properties of a novel emulsifier: Frost grape polysaccharide (FGP) from Vitis riparia Michx -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Hay, W.T., Vaughn, S.F., Byars, J.A., Selling, G.W., Holthaus, D.M., Price, N.P. 2017. Physical, rheological, functional and film properties of a novel emulsifier: Frost grape polysaccharide (FGP) from Vitis riparia Michx. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 65(39):8754-8762. https://doi.org/10.1002/aocs.12034.
    
  • Amylose inclusion complexes utilized for improved film properties: Production and rheological characterization-(Abstract Only)
    Hay, W.T., Fanta, G.F., Selling, G.W. 2017. Amylose inclusion complexes utilized for improved film properties: Production and rheological characterization [abstract]. American Chemical Society National Meeting & Exhibition, August 20-24,2017, Washington, D.C.
    
  • Starch inclusion complex to emulsify cedarwood oil and pressure treat wood-(Abstract Only)
    Eller, F.J., Hay, W.T., Kirker, G.T., Mankowski, M.E. 2017. Starch inclusion complex to emulsify cedarwood oil and pressure treat wood [abstract]. American Oil Chemists Society.
    
  • Increased water resistance of paper treated with amylose-fatty ammonium salt inclusion complexes -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Fanta, G.F., Felker, F.C., Hay, W.T., Selling, G.W. 2017. Increased water resistance of paper treated with amylose-fatty ammonium salt inclusion complexes. Industrial Crops and Products. 105:231-237.
    
  • Higher value films prepared from poly(vinyl alcohol) and amylose-fatty acid derivatives inclusion complexes-(Abstract Only)
    Fanta, G.F., Felker, F.C., Hay, W.T., Selling, G.W. 2017. Higher value films prepared from poly(vinyl alcohol) and amylose-fatty acid derivatives inclusion complexes [abstract]. American Chemical Society.
    
  • Enhancing soybean photosynthetic CO2 assimilation using a cyanobacterial membrane protein, ictB -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Hay, W.T., Bihmidine, S., Mutlu, N., Weeks, D.P., Clemente, T.E., Long, S.P., Hoang, K.L., Awada, T. 2017. Enhancing soybean photosynthetic CO2 assimilation using a cyanobacterial membrane protein, ictB. Journal of Plant Physiology. 212: 58-68.
    
  • Rheological characterization of solutions and thin films made from amylose-hexadecylammonium chloride inclusion complexes and polyvinyl alcohol -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Hay, W.T., Fanta, G.F., Byars, J.A., Selling, G.W. 2017. Rheological characterization of solutions and thin films made from amylose-hexadecylammonium chloride inclusion complexes and polyvinyl alcohol. Carbohydrate Polymers. 161:140-148.
    
  • Effect of spray drying on the properties of amylose-hexadecylammonium chloride inclusion complexes -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Hay, W.T., Behle, R.W., Fanta, G.F., Felker, F.C., Peterson, S.C., Selling, G.W. 2016. Effect of spray drying on the properties of amylose-hexadecylammonium chloride inclusion complexes. Carbohydrate Polymers. 157:1050-1056. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2016.10.068.
    
  • Poly(vinyl alcohol) composite films with high percent elongation prepared from amylose-fatty ammonium salt inclusion complexes-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Fanta, G.F., Felker, F.C., Selling, G.W., Hay, W.T., Biswas, A. 2016. Poly(vinyl alcohol) composite films with high percent elongation prepared from amylose-fatty ammonium salt inclusion complexes. Journal of Applied Polymer Science. 133(42).