Recognizing Plant Physiology authors: Gayani Ekanayake

Gayani Ekanayake, first author of DYNAMIN-RELATED PROTEIN DRP1A functions with DRP2B in plant growth, immune responses and FLS2 endocytosis

Current Position: Postdoctoral Scholar at The Ohio State University

Education:

Ph.D. in Biochemistry from University of Missouri-Columbia (2014 – 2020)

BS in Biochemistry from New Mexico State University (2012 – 2014)

BS in Botany, Chemistry, and Zoology from University of Peradeniya Sri Lanka (2008 – 2011)

Non-scientific Interests: collecting stamps, gardening, baking, and cooking

Brief bio: I am interested in understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms of plant-pathogen interactions with the goal of sustainable production of crops. During my Ph.D. at the University of Missouri-Columbia, under Dr. Antje Heese’s guidance, I investigated the roles of the plant Dynamin-Related Protein network in immunity against bacterial pathogens as well as plant growth and development. Recently, I have joined Dr. David Mackey’s lab at the Ohio State University as a postdoctoral fellow. My current project focuses on delineating effects on host genomics and proteomics by bacterial effectors, which function in modulating apoplast metabolite composition in Maize.