Department of Agriculture
Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, 2022
- Master of Science (Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, 2017
- Master of Science (Forest Biology), University of Guyana, 2010
- Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Science), University of Guyana, 2006
- Certificate in Marketing, University of Guyana – IDCE, 2003
- BSc. Degree (Agriculture), University of Guyana, 2003
- Diploma in Agriculture, Guyana School of Agriculture, 1998
Research Interests
My research interest centers around systematically documenting the hidden fungal diversity of tropical forest ecosystems; one of the planet’s most biodiverse hotspots. Despite their ecological importance, the fungal kingdom remains vastly understudied in these regions.
My research is concentrated primarily on fungi within the Xylariaceae and their allies, Fungal symbionts of leaf cutting ants and Lasiodiplodia spp integrating traditional morphology and DNA barcoding for documentation and identification down to species, as well as mapping their distribution and relation in their ecosystem.
This detailed fungal inventory provides the essential baseline data needed for early identification of forest pathogens, understanding the impact of climate change and deforestation, informing conservation strategies, and illuminating the hidden majority of tropical fungal biodiversity, and underscores the indispensable role of fungi in maintaining ecosystem resilience.