Ajjamada C. Kushalappa obtained his Ph. D. from University of Florida (USA), M.Sc (Plant Pathology) and B. Sc. (Agri) from University of Agricultural Sciences (Bengaluru, India). From 1977-1985 he was a Professor Titular Visitante, at Universidade Federal de Vicosa (Brazil). In 1985 he joined McGill University as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Plant Science, and in 1991 he became an Associate Professor. He is a recipient of CPS sponsored Dr. and Mrs D. L. Bailey award for an exception and distinguished contribution to plant pathology. He was an invited speaker on ‘Plant biotic stress resistance genes and genome editing’ at 16 national and international conferences in the past six years. As a Plant Pathologist, Dr. Kushalappa 's current research focus is the identification plant biotic stress resistance genes through forward and reverse genetics (systems biology), and the use these genes to replace the susceptible genes in commercial cultivars, based on cisgenetic engineering (gene transfer between sexually compatible plants), using CRISPR-Cas9 systems, to increase the genetic diversity of crop plants.

Dr. Kushalappa is a Plant Pathologist. His current research focus is to identify plant biotic stress resistance genes through forward and reverse genetics (systems biology), and use these genes to replace the susceptible genes in commercial cultivars, based on cis gene stacking (gene transfer between sexually compatible plants), using CRISPR-Cas9 systems, to increase the genetic diversity of crop plants. Plants defend against pathogen attack using metabolites and proteins that are constitutively produced or induced following pathogen invasion. Based on metabolomics and proteomics, using liquid chromatography and high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-LTQ-Orbitrap), we have detected thousands of metabolites and proteins in wheat/barley – Fusarium graminearum (fusarium head blight) and potato-Phytophthora infestans (late blight) interaction systems. The resistance related (RR) metabolites were linked in their metabolic pathways to explore their precursors and possible polymers and plant structural components that explained the mechanisms of resistance. Several of these metabolites are known phytoalexins, toxin inhibitors, and cell wall reinforcing compounds. The proteins identified were mainly regulatory and catalytic enzymes that biosynthesize these metabolites. The metabolites with high fold change in abundance in resistant genotypes than in susceptible (RR metabolites) were searched in metabolomics network and genomic databases to identify candidate genes. Resistance gene regulation by receptors, phytohormones, MAP kinases and transcription factors also have been identified based on RNA sequencing combined with metabolomics. The putative resistance genes were sequenced in both resistant genotypes and commercial cultivars to identify polymorphisms. The candidate genes were then silenced (VIGS) in resistant genotypes to validate gene functions. The biotic stress resistance is due to hierarchies of genes, regulatory and RR metabolite and protein biosynthetic genes, which eventually produce phytoalexins and cell wall reinforcing metabolites and proteins to resist the pathogen. The non-functional or mutated genes in commercial cultivars are being replaced with resistance R genes to improve resistance against biotic stress. The cisgenic commercial cultivars developed with high biotic stress resistance should not only increase income but also reduce environment impacts, through reduced application of fungicides.