Ph.D. Student

mtran201@ucr.edu

Education

2023 B.S. Plant Biology – University of California, Riverside

Research Interests

Mona first joined the Mauck lab as an undergraduate research assistant in 2022. She quickly became fascinated by the world of psyllids and their associated bacteria, and wanted to continue exploring them for her graduate studies. 

Psyllids are tiny, sap-sucking insects that can vector plant pathogenic bacteria in the genus 'Candidatus' Liberibacter. However, most of the knowledge on ‘Ca.’ Liberibacter species, their associated plants, and psyllid vectors stem from agricultural systems. We also know very little about the microbiota of the vast majority of psyllid species. Thus, more information is needed to understand the history and roles of psyllids, host plants, and ‘Ca.’ Liberibacter in native environments. Mona’s research will investigate these relationships between psyllids, their host plants, and bacterial associates–such as 'Candidatus' Liberibacter species–that are found in native habitats in order to better understand the emergence of virulent, psyllid-transmitted plant pathogens.

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TOP LEFT: Mona executing a DNA extraction. TOP RIGHT: Herbarium specimen dating 1925 to be tested for historic ‘Ca.’ Liberibacter infection. BOTTOM LEFT: Up close view of a bindweed psyllid face. BOTTOM RIGHT: Different nymphal stages of bindweed psyllids

Check out Mona’s publication on the work she began as an undergraduate:
https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvae090 

Mona’s Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=YeuqFY8AAAAJ&hl=en 

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