Kvitko Lab, Fall 2024
Principal Investigator
Brian Kvitko, Associate Professor
bkvitko@uga.edu
(706) 542-1282
Brian received his Ph.D. in Microbiology from Cornell University in 2009 where he studied the complex genetic-basis of Pseudomonas syringae-plant interactions in the lab of Alan Collmer. He conducted postdoctoral research in the lab of Herbert Schweizer at Colorado State University on acquisition of host-derived iron sources and development of new genetic tools for select-agent human pathogens and Postdoctoral research in the lab of Sheng-Yang He at Michigan State University on the effects of PTI on bacterial virulence and the role of the microbiome on plant immune development. He started in the Department of Plant Pathology in the summer of 2015. His appointment consists of 75% research and 25% teaching. He also co-host’s The Gaming with Science Podcast with Dr. Jason Wallace.
- Courses taught
- PATH 8400 Host Pathogen Interactions
- PATH 8290/8290L Phytobacteriology
Lab Manager
Amy Smith, Research Professional
amysmith@uga.edu (706) 542-3993
Amy started in the Department of Plant Pathology in the Fall of 2015. She has provided vital work in the organization and design of our extensive lab. Her extensive knowledge in microscopy and qRT PCR have been a big help in developing the lab’s research foundation
Graduate Students
Hsiao-Chun (Johnny) Chen, Ph.D. Student
Johnny started at the department in Fall 2020. He received the Master’s degree in Plant Pathology at National Chung Hsing University in Taiwan in April 2020. His research currently focuses on dissecting the regulation of the bacterial responses under PAMP trigger immunity, using Arabidopsis/Pseudomonas syringae pathosystem.
Hsiao-Hsuan Jan, Ph.D. Student
Hsiao-Hsuan started in the Department of Plant Pathology in Spring 2021. He received his Master’s degree in Plant Pathology and Microbiology at National Taiwan University in Taiwan in August 2016, where he previously studied virus induced gene silencing in plants. His current research focus on the functional analysis of the thiosulfinate tolerance genes in onion-associated bacteria, mainly using Pantoea ananatis as a system.
Simrandeep Kaur, Ph.D Student
Simran joined the lab in Fall 2024, having completed her M.S. in Plant Pathology at Auburn University in July 2024. She is currently exploring how the TTG gene cluster in Pantoea ananatis confers tolerance to plant-produced antimicrobial thiosulfinates.
Breanne Funk, PBIO B.S. / PATH M.S Double Dawg.
Breanne started doing research in the lab fall of 2023. Her current research involves the characterization of genes associated with resistance to the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato, with a focus on elucidating the underlying genetic mechanisms contributing to host defense.
Surakshya Bohora, Ph.D student
Surakshya joined the department of plant pathology in June 2024 after receiving her master’s degree in Plant Pathology from South China Agricultural University, China. Her Current Research Understanding the structure and function of Halophos toxin in Pantoea species in onions.
Previous Lab Members
Postdocs
Haibi Wang 
Gi Yoon (Gina) Shin 
Graduate Students
Sujan Paudel 
Philip Adepoju 
Anuj Lamichane 
Jovana Mijatović 
Shaun Stice 
Amelia Lovelace 
Donald Gillis 
Zach Mateen 
Spencer Stumpf 
Visiting Scholars
Stefanie De Armas 
Kathe Rivera-Zuluaga 
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Yaritza Franco 
Suyun Uhm
Kaityln Pulse 
Brianna Stone 
Zia Williamson 
Nathan Batra 
Katie Briner 
Sam Lee 
Pelumi Daomi 
Samantha Ayoub 
Linda Nwosu 
Sydney Wagner 
Maddie Grove 
Elizabeth Umanah 
Research Interns
Henry Vencill 
Jenna Mathwig 
Rae Morris 
Kasandra Velarde 
Nate Weinmeister 
Sandra Prickett 
Anaya Arnold 
Venya Gunjal 
Ryan Espinoza 
Kushi Ganjam 
Bethany Horton