Dr. Nian Wang

Professor - Microbiology and Cell Science

Program Emphasis

Plant-bacteria interactions, genetic improvement of citrus via CRISPR/Cas genome editing, and citrus bacterial diseases (Huanglongbing and Canker). Current research topics include:

1. Genetic determinants and the signaling pathway underlying a pathogen (Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus)-triggered immune disease-citrus Huanglongbing
2. Pathogen-triggered immune diseases
3. CRISPR/Cas genome editing of citrus
4. Transcriptional activator like effectors of Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri and canker susceptibility gene
5. Citrus Huanglongbing (greening) and canker management
6. Citrus microbiome

• Program Members
  • View Dr. Wang's program members
• Publications
  • View Dr. Wang's publications
• Education

  8/2001-8/2005: Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, Texas A&M University

  9/1998-7/2001: M.S. in Plant Pathology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China

  9/1991-7/1995: B.S. in Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Shandong, China

• Academic and Professional Experience

  8/2018-present: Professor, Citrus Research and Education Center/Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, USA

  7/2013-7/2018: Associate Professor, Citrus Research and Education Center/Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, USA

  1/2007-6/2013:  Assistant Professor, Citrus Research and Education Center/Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, USA

  9/2005-12/2006:  Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, USA

  7/1995-8/1998:  Research Assistant, Department of Plant Protection, Tobacco Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shandong, China

• Honors

  Ruth Allen Award, August 2020, American Phytopathological Society
  University of Florida Term Professorship Award September 2018
  University of Florida Research Foundation Professorship Award, May 2016
  William Boright Hewitt and Maybelle Ellen Ball Hewitt Award, August 2010, American Phytopathological Society.

• Teaching

  Microbial Defense/Host-Microbe Interactions.  This is a course for graduate students.  Principles of bacterial virulence, host defense to microbial invasion and host-microbe interactions will be examined in a context of molecular and cellular biology involving both plants and animals.  Current scientific research that incorporates these principles will also be discussed. 

• Service to Scientific Society

  Editor
  Editor-in-Chief Phytopathology 2021-2023
  Senior Editor Phytopathology 2018-2019
  Associate Editor PLOS Pathogens 2021-present
  Senior Editor Phytopathology Research 2018-2020
  Senior Editor Plant Disease 2014-2016
  Associate Editor Phytopathology 2014-2017
  Associate Editor Plant Disease 2013 to 2014
  Editor in Chief Virulence Mechanisms of Plant-Pathogenic Bacteria Publisher: APS PRESS

• Opportunities in the Wang Lab

  Post-doctoral associate and Ph.D. student positions are available in the Wang lab to work on the interactions between Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, citrus and psyllid.