Person

Reza Hajimorad

Associate Professor | Entomology and Plant Pathology

Specialization: Plant Virology & Nematode Virology

Overview

I joined the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology in January 2004. I came to UTIA from Iowa State University (ISU) where I spent 7 years studying interactions between soybean mosaic virus and soybean at the Department of Plant Pathology. Prior to ISU, I worked on various aspects of plant viruses in a number of research and academic institutions. 

In 1996 and 1997, I worked as a research scholar at the Department of Plant Pathology, University of Kentucky where I studied molecular biological aspects of two cucumoviruses infecting annual crops. During 1994-1996, I worked as a postdoctoral scientist at the Molecular Plant Virology and Plant Transformation Section of The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation in Ardmore, Oklahoma where I studied molecular biological aspects of a potyvirus infecting peanut. In 1991-1994 I was a research assistant scientist and subsequently a research associate scientist at the Department of Plant Virology, Plant Pests and Diseases Research Institute, Tehran, Iran. In this period, I worked on applied aspects of a geminivirus infecting tomato and a cucmovirus affecting alfalfa. During the time between 1989-1991, I was a postdoctoral research associate at the Department of Plant Pathology, Adelaide University, Australia, where I studied interactions between alfalfa mosaic virus and lucerne.

Research Focus

My research encompasses three key areas: understanding plant virus-host interactions, assessing grapevine viruses in Tennessee vineyards, and studying viruses associated with soybean cyst nematode (SCN).

Teaching Focus

My teaching philosophy emphasizes self-instruction and motivation. I believe a student armed with fundamental knowledge in a scientific field can grasp future advancements and make progress with a strong desire to learn.

Research Questions
  • How plant viruses overcome naturally occurring resistance genes?
  • What are plant viral elicitors of resistance
  • What viruses are present in Tennessee vineyards?
  • What pathogenic viruses are present in laboratory and field populations of soybean cyst nematodes?
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 521 - Plant Virology
3 credit hour(s)

Symptomatology, epidemiology, and management of virus infection; structure, morphology, replications, transmission, purification, characterization, and classification of plant viruses; serology; plant pathogenic viroids, mycoplasmas and spiroplasmas.

Recommended Background: 313.

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: Grant, Jerome F | Bernard, Ernest C | Shirsekar, Gautam | Gerhold Jr, Richard William

Picture of Reza Hajimorad
418 Plant Biotechnology Building
2505 E J Chapman Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-4560
Education and Training
  • Doctorate, Plant Sciences, General, Other, 1990

Reza Hajimorad

Associate Professor | Entomology and Plant Pathology
Picture of Reza Hajimorad image
418 Plant Biotechnology Building
2505 E J Chapman Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-4560
Education and Training
  • Doctorate, Plant Sciences, General, Other, 1990
Overview

I joined the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology in January 2004. I came to UTIA from Iowa State University (ISU) where I spent 7 years studying interactions between soybean mosaic virus and soybean at the Department of Plant Pathology. Prior to ISU, I worked on various aspects of plant viruses in a number of research and academic institutions. 

In 1996 and 1997, I worked as a research scholar at the Department of Plant Pathology, University of Kentucky where I studied molecular biological aspects of two cucumoviruses infecting annual crops. During 1994-1996, I worked as a postdoctoral scientist at the Molecular Plant Virology and Plant Transformation Section of The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation in Ardmore, Oklahoma where I studied molecular biological aspects of a potyvirus infecting peanut. In 1991-1994 I was a research assistant scientist and subsequently a research associate scientist at the Department of Plant Virology, Plant Pests and Diseases Research Institute, Tehran, Iran. In this period, I worked on applied aspects of a geminivirus infecting tomato and a cucmovirus affecting alfalfa. During the time between 1989-1991, I was a postdoctoral research associate at the Department of Plant Pathology, Adelaide University, Australia, where I studied interactions between alfalfa mosaic virus and lucerne.

Research Focus

My research encompasses three key areas: understanding plant virus-host interactions, assessing grapevine viruses in Tennessee vineyards, and studying viruses associated with soybean cyst nematode (SCN).

Teaching Focus

My teaching philosophy emphasizes self-instruction and motivation. I believe a student armed with fundamental knowledge in a scientific field can grasp future advancements and make progress with a strong desire to learn.

Research Questions
  • How plant viruses overcome naturally occurring resistance genes?
  • What are plant viral elicitors of resistance
  • What viruses are present in Tennessee vineyards?
  • What pathogenic viruses are present in laboratory and field populations of soybean cyst nematodes?
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 521 - Plant Virology
3 credit hour(s)

Symptomatology, epidemiology, and management of virus infection; structure, morphology, replications, transmission, purification, characterization, and classification of plant viruses; serology; plant pathogenic viroids, mycoplasmas and spiroplasmas.

Recommended Background: 313.

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: Grant, Jerome F | Bernard, Ernest C | Shirsekar, Gautam | Gerhold Jr, Richard William