Welcome to The Mejia Lab.

LUIS C. MEJÍA
Principal Investigator
Education:
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2009. Ph.D. Plant Biology and Pathology. Rutgers University
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2002. B.Sc. Biology with orientation in Microbiology and Parasitology. University of Panama
Previous Appointments:
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2010-2014. Tupper Postdoctoral Fellow. Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.
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2009-2010. Postdoctoral Scholar. The Pennsylvania State University.
My scientific research have focused primarily on the ecology, genetics, and systematics of plant associated microfungi, particularly on endophytes and pathogens, and why some fungi are beneficial while their close relatives are pathogens.
My approaches includes the use of basic microbiology techniques and cultural methods, genomics (metagenomics, transcriptomics, whole genome sequencing) to gain a comprehensive understanding of, what species compose microbiomes of tropical organisms and ecosystems?, what the functional role of these microbial communities or individual species are?, and how can we use the knowledge generated to manage diseases that affects society?
LIBRADA ATENCIO
Project Realising the potential of native microbes in the agricultural sector, in accordance with the Nagoya Protocol


YALESKIA VALDES
Project Research Assistant
Realising the potential of native microbes in the agricultural sector, in accordance with the Nagoya Protocol
ARIEL RASCHELLA
Project Research Assistant
Realising the potential of native microbes in the agricultural sector, in accordance with the Nagoya Protocol


MASIEL BARRIOS
Project Research Assistant
Realising the potential of native microbes in the agricultural sector, in accordance with the Nagoya Protocol
STUDENTS




MARLON NUÑEZ
M. Sc. Student
Universidad de Panama
Brown Leaf Spot of Coffee
M. Sc. Student
Universidad de Panama
Bacterial communities in mangrove soils
Ph.D. student, Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá
Ph.D. student, Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá
Previous Lab. Members and Visitors:

Ms.C. Marjorie Cedeño
Ph.D. Candidate

Dr. Luis A. Ramirez
Postdoc 2015-2017

Dr. Esteban Ceriani Nakamurakare
Visiting Scientist May-Aug 2018

Ileana Quintero
Completed B.Sc. thesis from University of Panama in 2018

Lindsay Winkenbach
CREOi Intern Jul.-Dec. 2016.

Nathalia Rincón
Completed B.Sc. thesis from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in 2015.

Gloribel Vergara
Project Research Assistant 2014-2015.