Lee, Kwangwon
Assistant Professor
My research program explores two basic biological processes, light-regulation and circadian clock regulation, in microorganisms. Understanding these intriguing biological processes in plant pathogens will help us to develop environmentally friendly disease control methods. Currently, we are studying the role of light in the disease development in Magnaporthe oryzae (the pathogen causing rice blast disease), Penicillium expansum (a pathogen causing postharvest disease on apple), and Pseudomonas syringae (the pacterial plant pathogen). We are also studying the molecular mechanism of the circadian clock in the fungal model organism, Neurospora crassa. I have developed an undergraduate course, "Circadian Rhythms"(PLPA394, ENT394, BIOBM394, BIOGD394).
research
research and scholarship focus
We study on three research themes; light regulation, circadian clock regulation, and disease development. These three main research themes are closely inter-related. Using model fungal systems, Neurspora crassa and Magnaporthe oryzae, we explore the roles of light (as a major environmental factor) and circadian clock (as a major endogenous signal) in complex fungal developments and behaviors including pathogenic interaction with plants.
research areas
- genetics | collaborative research area (CALS)
- genomics | collaborative research area (CALS)
- microbiology | collaborative research area (CALS)
- molecular biology | collaborative research area (CALS)
- molecular genetics | collaborative research area (CALS)
- plant pathology | collaborative research area (CALS)
submitted impact statement
- Improving quality of life by understanding biological rhythms | 2007 Impact statement
- Controlling post-harvest toxin contamination in apples by use of ambient lighting conditions | 2007 Impact statement
- Developing a potato storage method that will reduce post-harvest diseases. | 2006 Impact statement
- Improving quality of life by understanding biological rhythms | 2006 Impact statement
- Developing a potato storage method that will reduce post-harvest diseases. | 2005 Impact statement
- Improving quality of life by understanding circadian rhythms | 2004 Impact statement
affiliations
faculty appointment in
- Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology (PPPMB) | Cornell department
member of graduate field
- Genomics | minor graduate field
- Plant Pathology & Plant-Microbe Biology | graduate field
teaching
teaching focus
Circadian Rhythms (PLPA394, ENT394, BIOGD394, BIONB394). This course explores a fundamental feature of living organisms from all kingdoms: how the cellular 24 hr biological clock operates and influences biological activities. The students will read and discuss about 40-50 primary journal articles. The class is designed for students developing critical thinking, synthesizing new ideas and communicating with others.
teaches
- BIOG 2990 - Introduction to Research Methods in Biology (TBA -) | fall 2009 class
- BIOG 4990 - Independent Undergraduate Research in Biology (TBA -) | fall 2009 class
- PLPA 4970 - Independent Study in Plant Pathology & Plant-Microbe Biology (TBA -) | fall 2009 class
- PLPA 4980 - Undergraduate Teaching Experience (TBA -) | fall 2009 class
- PLPA 4990 - Undergraduate Research (TBA -) | fall 2009 class
- PLPA 7980 - Graduate Teaching Experience (TBA -) | fall 2009 class
- PLPA 7990 - Graduate-Level Thesis Research (TBA -) | fall 2009 class
- PLPA 8900 - Master's-Level Thesis Research (TBA -) | fall 2009 class
- PLPA 9900 - Doctoral-Level Thesis Research (TBA -) | fall 2009 class
- BIOG 2990 - Introduction to Research Methods in Biology (TBA -) | spring 2009 class
- PLPA 7980 - Graduate Teaching Experience (TBA -) | spring 2009 class
- PLPA 7990 - Graduate-Level Thesis Research (TBA -) | spring 2009 class
- PLPA 8900 - Master's-Level Thesis Research (TBA -) | spring 2009 class
- PLPA 9900 - Doctoral-Level Thesis Research (TBA -) | spring 2009 class
- BIOGD 3940 - Circadian Rhythms (TR 10:10:AM-11:00:AM) | fall 2008 class
- BIOGD 3940 - Circadian Rhythms (TR 10:10:AM-11:00:AM) | fall 2008 class
- BIONB 3940 - Circadian Rhythms (TR 10:10:AM-11:00:AM) | fall 2008 class
- BIONB 3940 - Circadian Rhythms (TR 10:10:AM-11:00:AM) | fall 2008 class
- PLPA 3940 - Circadian Rhythms (TR 10:10:AM-11:00:AM) | fall 2008 class
background
educational background
- Ph.D. Texas A&M University, 1997
- M.S. Chicago State University, 1991
- B. Eng. University of Suwon,1989
professional background
- 2003- present: Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, Cornell University
- 1997-2003: Research Associate, Department of Genetics Dartmouth Medical School
- 1992-1997: Research Assistant, Department of Plant Pathology, Texas A&M University
publications
speaker at Cornell event
Keywords: apple, circadian, circadian rhythms, fungal plant pathogens, fungi, genomics, light, light/clock regulation in fungal systems., light regulation, plant-microbe interactions, postharvest disease, QTL analysis, rice