Mitchell Roth

Publications are under the Works tab
Link to personal website on github > rothmi12.github.io

*************************

I am broadly interested in when, where, and how organisms interact. When it comes to plants and pathogens interacting, a myriad of factors affect the outcome of that interaction.

The annual economic impact of filamentous pathogens like fungi and oomycetes are consistently in the millions of dollars in U.S. field crops. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms deployed by these filamentous pathogens, and the molecular responses to pathogens by plants, are where my primary research interests lie.

We focus on the genetic components that influence the outcome of plant-microbe interactions by using a combination of “-omics”, forward, and reverse genetic approaches. We investigate the role of pathogen genes in virulence, and the role of plant genes in resistance or susceptibility, and aim to use this knowledge to genetically engineer crops with durable resistance to pathogens. While genetic resistance is strongly desired by farmers and is a powerful tool to manage crop diseases, it cannot be the only tool that we rely on for disease management.

Additional research projects in my lab include understanding the effects of management practices, environmental factors, chemical control, and other microorganisms on the development of plant diseases. I look forward to building a team of talented researchers that are motivated by a curiosity of molecular biology and fueled by a desire to have a positive impact on agriculture.

Fun fact

I was voted “most likely to become a pro athlete” in high school, and I was okay with that. In fact, I was determined that if I couldn’t be a pro hockey player, I’d at least become the Zamboni driver for a professional team. Good thing my parents encouraged me to come up with a “Plan C”.

Hobbies and interests

I love spending time with my wife and two dogs playing outside, camping, hiking, and mushroom hunting. I also enjoy playing recreational hockey, basketball, and walleye fishing. I am a loyal Detroit Lions fan, despite their lack of success.

Memorable Professional Recognition

When I first started graduate school, I had a strong interest in going into the agricultural biotech industry to work for a major company. Therefore, when I applied to and received the National Award for the Syngenta Agricultural Scholarship, I was tremendously proud. As I progressed through graduate school, my desire for a career in academia grew stronger and I pursued more teaching and leadership experiences to help prepare me for a career as head of a research group. I am proud that my efforts were appreciated and recognized by my PhD program, and I received the inaugural Student Leadership Award from the MSU Genetics Program just prior to graduation.