Person

Meg Staton

Associate Professor | Entomology and Plant Pathology

Specialization: Bioinformatics & Computational Genomics

Overview

I joined the Entomology and Plant Pathology Department in January of 2014. My research program is focused on solving the bioinformatic challenges of building and integrating large plant genomic datasets, especially those from hardwood trees. I also specialize in comparative genomics, particularly transferring and applying the in-depth knowledge base available for commodity crop plants to understand the evolution and genomic structure of woody tree species. My group builds and maintains the Hardwood Genomics Database, which provides tools for scientists to query, download and explore genomic datasets from forest trees. The website is built on Tripal, an open-source, custom, flexible, modular software package for genetic and genomic database construction, co-developed by the Staton lab and with a number of other plant genomic database groups.

My position also encompasses bioinformatics support for UTIA research programs. I am available to consult or participate on projects with faculty, staff and students with genomic or transcriptomic data sets. Please email if you are interested in learning more about these collaborative opportunities.

Research Focus

I analyze high-throughput plant DNA/RNA data, extracting genetic insights into phenotypes and stress responses. I also create public data portals, like the hardwood genomics web portal, for scientists to explore genomic data.

Outreach Focus

TreeSnap is a mobile app for citizens to report tree info to scientists. App users can identify trees, share photos, and answer health questions- available on iOS/Android. Training is provided through educational events and online platforms.

Teaching Focus

EPP 622: Bioinformatics Applications equips students with skills for processing large biological datasets and understanding large datasets. These skills will enhance research capabilities in tech-driven biomedical and agricultural industries.

Research Questions
  • What are the genomic and transcriptomic factors that control plant phenotype and response to stress?
  • How do plants interact with microbes in the soil?
  • How can we build cyberinfrastructure that connects biologists with databases of information and computational tools?
Courses
Below are courses taught during the current or past three academic years. Consult Timetable for the most current listing of courses and instructor(s).
EPP 531 - Special Problems in Entomology, Nematology and Plant Pathology
1 - 3 credit hours

Comprehensive individual study of current problems.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 9 hours.

Other Instructors: Gerhold Jr, Richard William | Nowicki, Marcin | Gwinn, Kimberly D | Kelly, Heather Marie

EPP 604 - Advanced Topics in Plant Pathology
1 - 3 credit hours

Biological control, disease diagnosis and management, epidemiology, fungal plant pathogens, integrated pest management, molecular plant-microbe interactions, plant pathogenesis, plant pathogenic bacteria, soil- and seed-borne pathogens, and virology.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 12 hours.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level - graduate.

Other Instructors: Nowicki, Marcin

EPP 622 - Bioinformatics Applications
3 credit hour(s)

Fundamental bioinformatics concepts, principles and techniques with a focus on the application of bioinformatics to problems in agriculture. Laboratory practical will be taught within a LINUX computational environment where students will gain basic skills in bash and python scripting and construction open source-software based workflows to analyze genomic data.

Contact Hour Distribution: 2 hours lecture and 2 hours lab-.
(DE) Prerequisite(s): Life Sciences 520 or introductory genetics course.
Registration Restriction(s): minimum student level – graduate.

Picture of Meg Staton
154 Plant Biotechnology Building
2505 E J Chapman Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-4560
Education and Training
  • Doctorate, Plant and Environmental Science, Clemson University, 2007
  • BS, Computer Science, Clemson University, 2003
Web Presence

Meg Staton

Associate Professor | Entomology and Plant Pathology
Picture of Meg Staton image
154 Plant Biotechnology Building
2505 E J Chapman Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-4560
Education and Training
  • Doctorate, Plant and Environmental Science, Clemson University, 2007
  • BS, Computer Science, Clemson University, 2003
Overview

I joined the Entomology and Plant Pathology Department in January of 2014. My research program is focused on solving the bioinformatic challenges of building and integrating large plant genomic datasets, especially those from hardwood trees. I also specialize in comparative genomics, particularly transferring and applying the in-depth knowledge base available for commodity crop plants to understand the evolution and genomic structure of woody tree species. My group builds and maintains the Hardwood Genomics Database, which provides tools for scientists to query, download and explore genomic datasets from forest trees. The website is built on Tripal, an open-source, custom, flexible, modular software package for genetic and genomic database construction, co-developed by the Staton lab and with a number of other plant genomic database groups.

My position also encompasses bioinformatics support for UTIA research programs. I am available to consult or participate on projects with faculty, staff and students with genomic or transcriptomic data sets. Please email if you are interested in learning more about these collaborative opportunities.

Research Focus

I analyze high-throughput plant DNA/RNA data, extracting genetic insights into phenotypes and stress responses. I also create public data portals, like the hardwood genomics web portal, for scientists to explore genomic data.

Outreach Focus

TreeSnap is a mobile app for citizens to report tree info to scientists. App users can identify trees, share photos, and answer health questions- available on iOS/Android. Training is provided through educational events and online platforms.

Teaching Focus

EPP 622: Bioinformatics Applications equips students with skills for processing large biological datasets and understanding large datasets. These skills will enhance research capabilities in tech-driven biomedical and agricultural industries.

Research Questions
  • What are the genomic and transcriptomic factors that control plant phenotype and response to stress?
  • How do plants interact with microbes in the soil?
  • How can we build cyberinfrastructure that connects biologists with databases of information and computational tools?
Courses
Below are courses taught during the current or past three academic years. Consult Timetable for the most current listing of courses and instructor(s).
EPP 531 - Special Problems in Entomology, Nematology and Plant Pathology
1 - 3 credit hours

Comprehensive individual study of current problems.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 9 hours.

Other Instructors: Gerhold Jr, Richard William | Nowicki, Marcin | Gwinn, Kimberly D | Kelly, Heather Marie

EPP 604 - Advanced Topics in Plant Pathology
1 - 3 credit hours

Biological control, disease diagnosis and management, epidemiology, fungal plant pathogens, integrated pest management, molecular plant-microbe interactions, plant pathogenesis, plant pathogenic bacteria, soil- and seed-borne pathogens, and virology.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 12 hours.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level - graduate.

Other Instructors: Nowicki, Marcin

EPP 622 - Bioinformatics Applications
3 credit hour(s)

Fundamental bioinformatics concepts, principles and techniques with a focus on the application of bioinformatics to problems in agriculture. Laboratory practical will be taught within a LINUX computational environment where students will gain basic skills in bash and python scripting and construction open source-software based workflows to analyze genomic data.

Contact Hour Distribution: 2 hours lecture and 2 hours lab-.
(DE) Prerequisite(s): Life Sciences 520 or introductory genetics course.
Registration Restriction(s): minimum student level – graduate.

Web Presence