Romina Gazis

Romina Gazis is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida. She is based at the Tropical Research and Education Center (TREC) where she directs the Plant Diagnostic Clinic. During her PhD at the University of Maryland and two postdoctoral fellowships at Clark University and University of Tennessee, her research areas were quite diverse.

Her dissertation focus was on plant health-promoting fungal endophytes. At Clark University, she conducted research on fungal systematics and evolutionary biology. At the University of Tennessee, she used population genetics and genomic approaches to investigate the evolutionary dynamics and disease ecology of the pathogen/vector system involved in Thousand Cankers Disease of walnut trees. Current lines of research include etiology and epidemiology of emergent diseases, early detection and management of diseases, population genetics of pathogens, pesticide resistance acquisition, and beetle-fungus disease complexes. Work includes direct research on empirical disease biology topics as well as associated outreach and education programs to enhance awareness about pathogens, emergence and management of diseases, and potential use of locally adapted natural enemies in disease management.

In 2016, she was awarded the MSA Fungal Ecology Postdoctoral Award. She has served the Society as a judge in student competitions and is currently representing MSA in the organization of the International Year of Plant Health Conference.