Katarina Sweeney
Graduate Student
Office: 414 Stakman Hall
Mailing: 495 Borlaug Hall
1991 Upper Buford Circle
Saint Paul, MN 55108
+1 612 625 3612
Advisor
Education
B.S. Biology with a minor in Plant Biology, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, 2009
M.S. Botany and Plant Pathology focus Mycology, Oregon State University, 2013
Research
I am studying two new ascomycete pathogens (Genus Ceratocystis), which are associated with Rapid Ohia Death (ROD) on the Big Island of Hawai’i. ROD has decimated large stands of Ohia lehua trees (Metrosideros polymorpha), which are endemic to the Hawai’ian islands and are important for local ecosystems. Moreover, Ohia trees are a vital part of Hawai’ian culture. My work focuses on patterns of fungal colonization and tree host responses associated with ROD.
