Graduate Research Assistant
Cornell University
Department of Plant Pathology & Plant-Microbe Biology
Ithaca, NY 14853

2006 to present, PhD student, Plant Pathology, Department of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, Cornell University

2003, MS, Plant, Soil, and Environmental Science, University of Maine

1998, BS, Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati

Graduate Advisor: Michael Milgroom

Research Focus    

I am interested in the ecological and evolutionary genetics of fungal plant pathogens, as well as mechanisms of speciation – an evolutionary process that leads to the formation of new species- in fungi.

My research focuses on the grape powdery mildew fungus, Erysiphe necator, which provides a unique opportunity for studying incipient speciation since two distinct genetic lineages of the fungus have been detected on cultivated wine grapes throughout Europe and Australia. Yet, the genetic structure of E. necator in eastern North America, the proposed origin and assumed center of diversity, is unknown. I am using a multilocus gene genealogy approach to understand the diversity and phylogenetic structure of populations from North America in relation to the genetic groups found in Europe and Australia. Knowledge of the genetic structure, as well as biological and epidemiological differences between groups of this fungus, is essential for sound management of grapevine powdery mildew.

Professional Experience    

2003-2006 Research Associate, Plant Molecular Genetics, Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, The Ohio State University, advisor: Dr. Esther van der Knaap.

1999-2003 Biological Science Technician, Plant Pathology and Soil Microbiology, US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, New England Plant, Soil, and Water Laboratory, Orono, Maine, advisor: Dr. Robert Larkin.

1997-1998 Undergraduate Research Assistant, Ecological Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, advisor: Dr. Jodi Shann.

Awards and Honors    

2008 Richard L. Gabrielson Award, APS Foundation

2008 Research Travel Grant, Cornell University Graduate School

2003 Graduate Student Presentation Award, Runner-up, Annual Meeting of the Northeast Division of the American Phytopathological Society.

2002 Graduate Student Research Exposition Award, Natural Sciences, University of Maine.

2002 Competitive Research Grant, Association of Graduate Students, University of Maine

Elected and Appointed Offices    

2007-2008 Vice President, Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology Graduate Student Association

2006-2008 Prospective Student Committee, Department of Plant Pathology, Cornell University.

2002-2003 Departmental Representative, Association of Graduate Students, University of Maine.

2002-2003 Judge, Maine State Science Fair

Professional Societies and Working Groups    

American Phytopathological Society

Publications    

Peer-reviewed:
M.G. Milgroom, K. Sotirovski, D. Spica, J.E. Davis, M.T. Brewer, and P. Cortesi. Clonal population structure of the chestnut blight fungus in expanding ranges in southeastern Europe and Turkey. Molecular Ecology, submitted.

M.J. Gonzalo, M. Talbot Brewer, C. Anderson, D. Sullivan, S. Gray, E. van der Knaap. Fruit shape analysis using morphometric and morphology attributes implemented in Tomato Analyzer Software Program. Journal of the American Society of Horticultural Science, submitted.

M. Talbot Brewer, J.B. Moyseenko, A.J. Monforte, and E. van der Knaap. 2007. Morphological variation in tomato: a comprehensive study of quantitative trait loci controlling fruit shape and development. Journal of Experimental Botany 58:1339-1349.

M. Talbot Brewer, K. Fujimura, L. Lang, N. Dujmovic, S. Gray, and E. van der Knaap. 2006. Development of a controlled vocabulary and software application to analyze fruit shape variation in tomato and other plant species. Plant Physiology 141: 15-25, cover.

M. Talbot Brewer and R.P. Larkin. 2005. Efficacy of several potential biocontrol organisms against Rhizoctonia solani on potato. Crop Protection 24: 939-950.

Select Abstracts:
R.P. Larkin and M.T. Brewer. 2005. Effects of biological amendments on soil microbiology and soilborne potato diseases in different cropping systems. Phytopathology 95: S56.

M.T. Brewer and R.P. Larkin. 2003. Effects of a ryegrass rotation and biological control on soil microbial communities and Rhizoctonia disease of potato. Phytopathology 93: S11.

M.M. Talbot and R P. Larkin. 2002. Suppression of Rhizoctonia disease of potato by biological control and a ryegrass rotation. Phytopathology 92: S80.

R.P. Larkin and M.M. Talbot. 2000. Characterization of soil microbial communities under different potato cropping systems in Maine. Phytopathology 90: S45