Ningxiao Li

I came to Penn State to pursue a Ph.D degree in plant biology and quickly found my passion in studying plant-microbe interactions. I joined Dr. Seogchan Kang's lab and conducted my thesis research on exploring the mostly overlooked roles and mechanisms that underpin volatile compound-mediated fungal interactions with plants and other microbes mainly using Verticillium species and Fusarium oxysporum, two soilborne fungal pathogens that impact agriculture and the environment around the world. After graduation, I continued working in Kang's lab as a postdoctoral researcher. Currently, I am focusing on studying how Trichoderma biocontrol agents interact with Fusarium oxysporum, tomato, and microbial communities through the secretion of diverse molecules and how such interactions affect plant growth and health.