Cesar S. Herrera

Advisor:

Education:

M.S. Student., Plant Sciences (2009-Present). University of Maryland, College Park
B.S., Conservation Biology (2004-2008). State University of New York: College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF), Syracuse

Research:

My research deals with the systematics of Cosmospora sensu lato. Anamorphs of Cosmospora sensu lato include Fusarium sect. Eupionnotes, acremonium-like, Chaetopsina, Stilbella, and Volutella. Cosmospora species are common in tropical and temperate regions, and occur on other fungi, scale-insects, and rarely on wood and herbaceous substrata. The range of anamorphs and substrata suggest that the genus might be polyphyletic. I am using morphological and molecular tools to test taxonomic and evolutionary hypothesis. My research is funded by a National Science Foundation (NSF) Partnerships for Enhancing Expertise in Taxonomy (PEET) grant.

Past Research Experience:

Project Title: Assessment of Wood-Inhabiting Fungi in Old-growth and Maturing Stands at the Adirondack Park, New York

Independent research project as an undergraduate student (2007-2008)
Funded by a National Science Foundation (NSF) Undergraduate Mentoring in Environmental Biology (UMEB) Grant
Mentor: Dr. Alexander Weir, SUNY ESF

Project Title: Wood-Inhabiting Microfungi (Molds) of New York

Research analyst/assistant (2008)
Principal Investigator: Dr. Chun J. Wang, SUNY ESF

Project Title: Application and Demonstration of Macroarray Analytical Techniques for the Detection of Fungal Bioaerosols in Buildings

Research analyst/assistant (2008-2009)
Principal Investigators: Matthew DaRin, Bluepoint Environmental, LLC; Susan Anagnost, SUNY ESF; Andrew Newhouse, SUNY ESF

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