Jose Santa-Cruz

• Degree Program: Ph.D., Plant Pathology
• Previous Degrees: B.S., Agronomy, La Molina National Agriculture University, Lima, Peru; M.S. Plant Pathology, Pennsylvania State University
• Advisor: Dr. Peter Balint-Kurti
• Completion Date: December 2011

Research

The overall goal of my research project is to use the available tools to study loci accounting for quantitative resistance against southern corn leaf blight in maize. Specific objectives include fine-mapping introgression 6A, which confers major effect on this quantitative resistance, identification and cloning of the gene that accounts for this effect, and field yield studies for possible future use of this resistance.