Melanie Kalischuk
Assistant Professor
Email:
Phone:
519-824-4120 x52645
Education:
B.Sc., Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge;
M.Sc., Forest Biology, University of Alberta;
Ph.D., Biomolecular Science, University of Lethbridge
Location:
Edmund C. Bovey Building
Simcoe Station
Room:
1237 ECB
Research Interests:
My interests include biotic, abiotic, and environmental interactions that are conducive to improving germplasm performance in specialty crops that can be grown in Ontario including wine grapes, berries, hazelnuts, ginseng, hops, and high value vegetables. Innovative methods for early detection of biotic and abiotic interactions help identify and develop strategies that improve plant performance even in challenging environments, thereby increasing yield and quality. Our work is designed to address research needs and provide knowledge, innovative solutions, and new technologies to the specialty crop industry through multidisciplinary collaborative research.
Courses:
AGR*4450 Research Project I
AGR*4460 Research Project II
HORT*1130 Science of Gardening
PLNT*6800 Special Topics in Plant Science
Relevant Links:
Selected Publications:
McNally, J., Prapagar, K., Goldenhar, K., Pate, E., Shan, S., Kalischuk, M. (2023). First report of an aggressive species of Neopestalotiopsis affecting strawberry in Canada. New Disease Report. 48(1): e12210. http://doi.org/10.1002/ndr2.12210
Koeppe, S., Kawchuk, L., Kalischuk, M. (2023). RNA Interference past and future applications in plants. International Journal of Molecular Science. 24 (11), 9755. http://https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24119755
Kalischuk, M., Mueller, B., Fusaro, A.F., Wijekoon, C.P., Waterhouse, P.M., Pruefer, D., Kawchuk, L. (2022). Amplification of cell signaling and disease resistance by an immunity receptor Ve1Ve2 heterocomplex in plants. Communications Biology. 5 (497). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-022-03439-0(link is external)
Kalischuk, M.L., Hendricks, K., Hochmuth, R., Freeman, J., Roberts, P.D., Paret, M. (2021). A portable recombinase polymerase amplification assay for the rapid detection of cucurbit leaf crumple virus in watermelon leaves and fruits. Journal of Plant Pathology. 104(1): 215-224.
Kalischuk, M.L., P.D. Roberts, and M. Paret. (2020). A rapid fluorescence-based real-time isothermal assay for the detection of Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus in squash and watermelon plants. Molecular and Cellular Probes. 53: Article 101613. DOI: 10.1016/j.mcp.2020.101613.
Kalischuk, M.L., M. Paret, J.H. Freeman, D. Raj, S. Da Silva, S. Eubanks, D.J. Wiggins, M. Lollar, J.J. Marois, H.C. Mellinger, and J. Das. (2019). An improved crop scouting technique incorporating UAV-assisted multispectral crop imaging into conventional scouting for gummy stem blight in watermelon. Plant Disease. 103: 1642-1650. DOI: 10.1094/PDIS-08-18-1373-RE.
Fusaro A.F., D.A. Barton, K. Nakasugi, C. Jackson, M.L. Kalischuk, L. Kawchuk , M.F.S. Vaslin, R.L. Correa, and P.M. Waterhouse. (2017). The luteovirus P4 movement protein is a suppressor of systemic RNA silencing. Viruses. 9 (10): 297. DOI: 10.3390/v9100294
Kalischuk M.L., D. Johnson, and L.M. Kawchuk. (2015). Priming with a double-stranded DNA virus alters Brassica rapa seed architecture and facilitates a defense response. Gene. 557 (2): 130-137.
Kalischuk M.L., A.F. Fusaro, P.M. Waterhouse, H.R. Pappu, and L.M. Kawchuk. (2013). Complete genomic sequence of Rubus yellow net virus and detection of genome-wide pararetrovirus-derived small RNAs. Virus Research. 178 (2): 306-313.
Kalischuk M., K.I. Al-Mughrabi, R.D. Peters, R.J. Howard, H.W. Platt, and L.M. Kawchuk. (2012). Genetic composition of Phytophthora infestans in Canada reveals migration and increased diversity. Plant Disease. 96 (12): 1729-1735.
Hill B.D., M. Kalischuk, D.R. Waterer, B. Bizimungu, R. Howard, and L.M. Kawchuk. (2011). An environmental model predicting bacterial ring rot symptom expression. American Journal of Potato Research. 88: 294-301.
Kathiria P., C. Sidler, A. Golubov, M. Kalischuk, L.M. Kawchuk, and I. Kovalchuk. (2010). Tobacco mosaic virus infection results in an increase in recombination frequency and resistance to viral, bacterial and fungal pathogens in the progeny of infected tobacco plants. Plant Physiology. 153: 1859-1870.
