Verónica Román-Reyna, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Global Change Pathology

205 Buckhout Lab (office)
409 Buckhout Lab (Lab)
University Park, PA 16802

Email roman-reyna@psu.edu
Office 814-865-6290
Pronouns She/Her

Areas of Expertise

Plant-Microbe interactions
Plant microbiome as a diagnostics tool
Metabolomics
Molecular epidemiology
Bacterial and fungal genetics

Websites

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Education

B.Sc - Biology, Universidad Nacional de Colombia
M.Sc - Microbiology, Universidad Nacional de Colombia
Ph.D. - Plant Pathology, Australian National University
PostDoc - International Rice Research Institute
Research Scientist - The Ohio State University

Research

Dr. Roman-Reyna is an Assistant Professor in the Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology Department. She wants to integrate several -omics tools ("Veromics") in her research program to understand, at different scales, the pathogen changes associated with the host and environment adaptation.

Her research training is truly global. She worked in four countries in collaborative, culturally diverse research teams. She did her BSc and MSc in Colombia, her Ph.D. in Australia, and her post-docs in The Philippines and the United States. She has always focused her research on staple crops such as cassava, potato, oil palm, rice, wheat, and barley.

Her program includes these research lines:

Microbial Dynamics in Agricultural Systems
Surveillance of Emerging and Ongoing Plant Pathogen
Genomic epidemiology of Plant pathogens

Some of her current projects focused on Potato soft rot and blackleg in Pennsylvania, Plant pathogens resistant to antimicrobials, Metagenomics for disease diagnostics, and Molecular Epidemiology of Bacterial rice diseases.

Graduate Students

Sadie M. Seaman (MS student)
Luis Fernando Flores (PhD Student)
Richard Gonzalez (PhD Student)

Courses

AGECO/METEO 122 - Atmospheric Environment: Growing in the Wind (Fall semester)
PPEM 440 - Introduction to Microbiome Analysis (Spring semester)
PPATH 600 - Thesis Research (all semesters)

Graduate Programs

Dual-Title Degree Programs

Publications

Q&A: Using a new approach to shine a light on hidden plant microbes, Roman-Reyna, Veronica, 2024

Allelic variations in the chpG effector gene within Clavibacter michiganensis populations determine pathogen host range
PLoS Pathogens, Verma, Raj Kumar, Roman-Reyna, Veronica, Raanan, Hagai, Coaker, Gitta, Jacobs, Jonathan M., Teper, Doron, 2024

The timing of bacterial mesophyll infection shapes the leaf chemical landscape
Microbiology spectrum, Roman-Reyna, Veronica, Heiden, Nathaniel, Butchacas, Jules, Toth, Hannah, Cooperstone, Jessica L., Jacobs, Jonathan M., 2024

Live tracking of a plant pathogen outbreak reveals rapid and successive, multidecade plasmid reduction
mSystems, Roman-Reyna, Veronica, Sharma, Anuj, Toth, Hannah, Konkel, Zachary, Omiotek, Nicolle, Murthy, Shashanka, Faith, Seth, Slot, Jason, Hand, Francesca Peduto, Goss, Erica M., Jacobs, Jonathan M., 2024

Seeing in the dark: a metagenomic approach can illuminate the drivers of plant disease
Frontiers in Plant Science, Roman-Reyna, Veronica, Crandall, Sharifa G., 2024

High genomic plasticity and unique features of Xanthomonas translucens pv. graminis revealed through comparative analysis of complete genome sequences
BMC Genomics, Goettelmann, Florian, Koebnik, Ralf, Roman-Reyna, Veronica, Studer, Bruno, Kölliker, Roland, 2023

Comparative Genomics of Xanthomonas translucens pv. Undulosa Strains Isolated fromWeedy Grasses and Cultivated Wild Rice
Phytopathology, Ledman, Kristi E., Roman-Reyna, Veronica, Curland, Rebecca D., Heiden, Nathaniel, Jacobs, Jonathan M., Dill-Macky, Ruth, 2023

Comparative Genomics of Barley-Infecting Xanthomonas translucens Shows Overall Genetic Similarity but Globally Distributed Virulence Factor Diversity
Phytopathology, Heiden, Nathaniel, Roman-Reyna, Veronica, Curland, Rebecca D., Dill-Macky, Ruth, Jacobs, Jonathan M., 2023

Development of Genome-Driven, Lifestyle-Informed Markers for Identification of the Cereal-Infecting Pathogens Xanthomonas translucens Pathovars undulosa and translucens
Phytopathology, Román-Reyna, Verónica, Curland, Rebecca D., Velez-Negron, Yesenia, Ledman, Kristi E., Gutierrez-Castillo, Diego E., Beutler, Jonathan, Butchacas, Jules, Brar, Gurcharn Singh, Roberts, Robyn, Dill-Macky, Ruth, Jacobs, Jonathan M., 2023

First Report of Pseudomonas syringae Causing Bacterial Leaf Spot on Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata) in Ohio
Plant Disease, Yanez, Daniela, Emanuel, Isabelle, Roman-Reyna, Veronica, Jacobs, J., Hand, Francesca, 2023

First Report of Bacterial Leaf Streak of Barley (Hordeum vulgare) Caused by Xanthomonas translucens pv. translucens in British Columbia, Canada
Plant Disease, Beutler, Jonathan, Li, T., Roman-Reyna, Veronica, Fleitas, M., Bamrah, R., Jacobs, Jonathan, Kutcher, H., Tambong, J., Brar, G., 2023

Complete Genome Sequencing of Three Clade-1 Xanthomonads Reveals Genetic Determinants for a Lateral Flagellin and the Biosynthesis of Coronatine-Like Molecules in Xanthomonas
Phytopathology®, Peduzzi, Chloé, Sagia, Angeliki, Burokienė, Daiva, Nagy, Ildikó, Fischer-Le Saux, Marion, Portier, Perrine, Dereeper, Alexis, Cunnac, Sébastien, Roman-Reyna, Veronica, Jacobs, Jonathan, Bragard, Claude, Koebnik, Ralf, 2023

First Report of Bacterial Leaf Streak of Barley (Hordeum vulgare) Caused by Xanthomonas translucens pv. translucens in British Columbia, Canada
Plant Disease, Beutler, J., Li, T., Román-Reyna, V., Fleitas, M. C., Bamrah, R., Jacobs, J., Kutcher, H. R., Tambong, J. T., Brar, G. S., 2023

First Report of Pseudomonas syringae Causing Bacterial Leaf Spot on Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata) in Ohio
Plant Disease, Yanez, D. Gutierrez, Emanuel, I. B., Roman-Reyna, V., Jacobs, J. M., Hand, F. Peduto, 2023

Concept Note: Toward Metagenomic Sequencing for Rapid, Sensitive, and Accurate Detection of Bacterial Pathogens in Potato Seed Production
PhytoFrontiers™, Roman-Reyna, Veronica, Rioux, Renee, Babler, Brooke, Klass, Taylor, Jacobs, Jonathan, 2023

Comparative Genomics of Barley-Infecting Xanthomonas translucens Shows Overall Genetic Similarity but Globally Distributed Virulence Factor Diversity
Phytopathology®, Heiden, Nathaniel, Roman-Reyna, Veronica, Curland, Rebecca, Dill-Macky, Ruth, Jacobs, Jonathan, 2023

Allelic variations in the chpG effector gene within Clavibacter michiganensis populations determine pathogen host range
PLOS Pathogens, Verma, Raj, Roman-Reyna, Veronica, Coaker, Gitta, Jacobs, Jonathan, Teper, Doron, 2023

Complete Genome Sequencing of Three Clade-1 Xanthomonads Reveals Genetic Determinants for a Lateral Flagellin and the Biosynthesis of Coronatine-Like Molecules in Xanthomonas
Phytopathology, Peduzzi, Chloé, Sagia, Angeliki, Burokiene, Daiva, Nagy, Ildikó Katalin, Saux, Marion Fischer Le, Portier, Perrine, Dereeper, Alexis, Cunnac, Sébastien, Roman-Reyna, Veronica, Jacobs, Jonathan M., Bragard, Claude, Koebnik, Ralf, 2023

Bacterial Leaf Streak Diseases of Plants: Symptom Convergence in Monocot Plants by Distant Pathogenic Xanthomonas Species
Phytopathology, Heiden, Nathaniel, Broders, Kirk A., Hutin, Mathilde, Castro, Mary Ortiz, Roman-Reyna, Verónica, Toth, Hannah, Jacobs, Jonathan M., 2023

Comparative Genomics Identifies Conserved and Variable TAL Effectors in African Strains of the Cotton Pathogen Xanthomonas citri pv. malvacearum
Phytopathology, Pérez-Quintero, Alvaro L., Rodriguezr, Luis M., Cuesta-Morrondo, Sara, Hakalová, Eliška, Betancurt-Anzola, Daniela, Valera, Laura Carolina Camelo, Cardenas, Luis Alberto Chica, Matiz-Céron, Luisa, Jacobs, Jonathan M., Roman-Reyna, Veronica, Muñoz, Alejandro Reyes, Giraldo, Adriana Jimena Bernal, Koebnik, Ralf, 2023

Complete Genome Sequence Resource for Xanthomonas translucens pv. undulosa MAI5034, a Wheat Pathogen from Uruguay
Phytopathology®, Clavijo, Felipe, Barrera, Claudia, Benčič, Aleksander, Croce, Valentina, Jacobs, Jonathan, Bernal, Adriana, Koebnik, Ralf, Roman-Reyna, Veronica, 2022

Complete Genome Sequence Resource for Xanthomonas translucens pv. undulosa MAI5034, a Wheat Pathogen from Uruguay
Phytopathology, Clavijo, Felipe, Barrera, Claudia, Benčič, Aleksander, Croce, Valentina, Jacobs, Jonathan M., Bernal, Adriana J., Koebnik, Ralf, Roman-Reyna, Veronica, 2022

Migration Drives the Replacement of Xanthomonas perforans Races in the Absence of Widely Deployed Resistance
Frontiers in Microbiology, Bernal, Eduardo, Rotondo, Francesca, Roman-Reyna, Veronica, Klass, Taylor, Timilsina, Sujan, Minsavage, Gerald V., Iruegas-Bocardo, Fernanda, Goss, Erica M., Jones, Jeffrey B., Jacobs, Jonathan M., Miller, Sally A., Francis, David M., 2022

Complete Genome Assemblies of All Xanthomonas translucens Pathotype Strains Reveal Three Genetically Distinct Clades
Frontiers in Microbiology, Goettelmann, Florian, Roman-Reyna, Veronica, Cunnac, Sébastien, Jacobs, Jonathan M., Bragard, Claude, Studer, Bruno, Koebnik, Ralf, Kölliker, Roland, 2022

Development of genome-driven, lifestyle-informed markers for identification of the cereal-infecting pathogens Xanthomonas translucens pathovars undulosa and translucens
Phytopathology, Roman-Reyna, Veronica, Curland, Rebecca, Velez-Negron, Yesenia, Ledman, Kristi, Gutierrez, Diego, Beutler, Jonathan, Butchacas, Jules, Brar, Gurcharn, Roberts, Robyn, Dill-Macky, Ruth, Jacobs, Jonathan, 2022

Draft Genome Sequences of Four Streptomycin-Sensitive Erwinia amylovora Strains Isolated from Commercial Apple Orchards in Ohio
Microbiology Resource Announcements, Jimenez Madrid, Alejandra, Klass, T., Roman-Reyna, Veronica, Jacobs, J., Lewis Ivey, M., 2021

Draft Genome Sequences of Four Streptomycin-Sensitive Erwinia amylovora Strains Isolated from Commercial Apple Orchards in Ohio
Genome Announcements, Jimenez Madrid, A. M., Klass, T., Roman-Reyna, V., Jacobs, J., Lewis Ivey, M. L., 2021

Metagenomic Sequencing for Identification of Xylella fastidiosa from Leaf Samples
mSystems, Roman-Reyna, Veronica, Dupas, Enora, Cesbron, Sophie, Marchi, Guido, Campigli, Sara, Hansen, Mary, Bush, Elizabeth, Prarat, Melanie, Shiplett, Katherine, Ivey, Melanie, Pierzynski, Joy, Miller, Sally, Peduto Hand, Francesca, Jacques, Marie-Agnes, Jacobs, Jonathan, 2021

Metagenomic Sequencing for Identification of Xylella fastidiosa from Leaf Samples
mSystems, Román-Reyna, Verónica, Dupas, Enora, Cesbron, Sophie, Marchi, Guido, Campigli, Sara, Hansen, Mary Ann, Bush, Elizabeth, Prarat, Melanie, Shiplett, Katherine, Lewis Ivey, Melanie L., Pierzynski, Joy, Miller, Sally A., Hand, Francesca Peduto, Jacques, Marie Agnes, Jacobs, Jonathan M., 2021

First Report of Xanthomonas hortorum Causing Bacterial Leaf Spot of Lavender (Lavandula × intermedia) in Ohio
Plant Disease, Rotondo, Francesca, Testen, A., Horvat, M., Roman-Reyna, Veronica, Klass, T., Jacobs, J., Miller, S., 2021

First report of Xanthomonas hortorum causing bacterial leaf spot of lavender (Lavandula 3 intermedia) in Ohio
Plant Disease, Rotondo, F., Testen, A. L., Horvat, M. M., Roman-Reyna, V., Klass, T. L., Jacobs, J. M., Miller, S. A., 2021

Comparative Genomic Understanding of Gram-Positive Plant Growth-Promoting Leifsonia
Phytobiomes Journal, Nordstedt, Nathan, Roman-Reyna, Veronica, Jacobs, Jonathan, Jones, Michelle, 2021

Genome resource: Ralstonia solanacearum phylotype II sequevar 1 (Race 3 Biovar 2) strain UW848 from the 2020 U.S. geranium introduction
Plant Disease, Roman-Reyna, Veronica, Truchon, Alicia, Sharma, Parul, Hand, Francesca, Mazloom, Reza, Vinatzer, Boris, Jacobs, Jonathan, Allen, Caitilyn, 2021

Comparative Genomic Understanding of Gram-Positive Plant Growth-Promoting Leifsonia
Phytobiomes Journal, Nordstedt, Nathan P., Roman-Reyna, Veronica, Jacobs, Jonathan M., Jones, Michelle L., 2021

Characterization of the Leaf Microbiome from Whole-Genome Sequencing Data of the 3000 Rice Genomes Project
Rice, Roman-Reyna, Veronica, Pinili, Dale, Borja, Frances N., Quibod, Ian L., Groen, Simon C., Alexandrov, Nickolai, Mauleon, Ramil, Oliva, Ricardo, 2020

Repeated gain and loss of a single gene modulates the evolution of vascular plant pathogen lifestyles
Science advances, Gluck-Thaler, Emile, Cerutti, Aude, Perez-Quintero, Alvaro, Butchacas, Jules, Roman-Reyna, Verónica, Madhavan, Vishnu, Shantharaj, Deepak, Merfa, Marcus, Pesce, Céline, Jauneau, Alain, Vancheva, Taca, Lang, Jillian, Allen, Caitilyn, Verdier, Valerie, Gagnevin, Lionel, Szurek, Boris, Beckham, Gregg, De La Fuente, Leonardo, Patel, Hitendra, Sonti, Ramesh, Bragard, Claude, Leach, Jan, Noël, Laurent, Slot, Jason, Koebnik, Ralf, Jacobs, Jonathan, 2020

The Green Revolution shaped the population structure of the rice pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae
ISME Journal, Quibod, Ian Lorenzo, Atieza-Grande, Genelou, Oreiro, Eula Gems, Palmos, Denice, Nguyen, Marian Hanna, Coronejo, Sapphire Thea, Aung, Ei Ei, Nugroho, Cipto, Roman-Reyna, Veronica, Burgos, Maria Ruby, Capistrano, Pauline, Dossa, Sylvestre G., Onaga, Geoffrey, Saloma, Cynthia, Cruz, Casiana Vera, Oliva, Ricardo, 2020

Genome Resource of Barley Bacterial Blight and Leaf Streak Pathogen Xanthomonas translucens pv. translucens strain UPB886
Plant Disease, Roman-Reyna, Veronica, Luna, Emily, Pesce, Céline, Vancheva, Taca, Chang, Christine, Ziegle, Janet, Bragard, Claude, Koebnik, Ralf, Lang, Jillian, Leach, Jan, Jacobs, Jonathan, 2020

Genome resource of barley bacterial blight and leaf streak pathogen xanthomonas translucens pv. Translucens strain UPB886
Plant Disease, Roman-Reyna, Verónica, Luna, Emily K., Pesce, Céline, Vancheva, Taca, Chang, Christine, Ziegle, Janet, Bragard, Claude, Koebnik, Ralf, Lang, Jillian M., Leach, Jan E., Jacobs, Jonathan M., 2020

Genome-wide associations and transcriptional profiling reveal ROS regulation as one underlying mechanism of sheath blight resistance in rice
Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions, Oreiro, Eula Gems, Grimares, Earlyn Kate, Atienza-Grande, Genelou, Quibod, Ian Lorenzo, Roman-Reyna, Veronica, Oliva, Ricardo, 2020

First Report of Bacterial Blight of Peony Caused by Xanthomonas hortorum in Ohio
Plant Disease, Klass, T., Long, J., Summers, J., Roman-Reyna, Veronica, Koebnik, R., Jacobs, J., Peduto Hand, F., 2019

First report of bacterial blight of peony caused by xanthomonas hortorum in Ohio
Plant Disease, Klass, T. L., Long, J. J., Summers, J. A., Roman-Reyna, V., Koebnik, R., Jacobs, J. M., Hand, F. Peduto, 2019

Apoplastic sugar extraction and quantification from wheat leaves infected with biotrophic fungi, Roman-Reyna, Veronica, Rathjen, John P., 2017

Construction of a cassava PR protein-interacting network duringXanthomonas axonopodispv.manihotisinfection
Plant Pathology, Roman-Reyna, Veronica, Bossa-Castro, A., Vásquez, A., Bernal, V., Schuster, M., Bernal, N., López, C., 2014