School of Biology and Ecology

Degree: Ph.D. 1995 University of Guelph

Phone: 207.581.2551 (Director phone);  207.581.2621 (Faculty phone)

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Location: 100B Murray Hall (Director office);  13 Deering Hall (Faculty office)

My research focuses on fungi that are pathogens of plants. Research projects in my laboratory examine the genetic diversity, physiology and molecular biology of various fungal pathogens and applied aspects of control of fungi that attack lowbush blueberry. A major focus of my research is mummy berry disease caused by Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi and a disease identified in Maine for the first time in 2009, Valdensinia leaf spot, caused by Valdensinia heterodoxa. Current research interests include evaluating the genetic diversity of M. vaccinii-corymbosi in lowbush blueberry, determining the genetic relatedness of lowbush blueberry clones that differ in their levels of mummy berry disease severity, examining the mode of infection of M. vaccinii-corymbosi and V. heterodoxa, and determining the major methods of spread of Valdensinia leaf spot. Laboratory personnel are also involved in evaluating lower risk and organic materials and management techniques to control disease and providing information on the use of forecasting methods to improve effectiveness of disease control.

Smith MK, Annis SL, Kaplan JJ, Drummond F. 2012. Using peer discussion facilitated by clicker questions in an informal education setting: enhancing farmer learning of science. PLoS-ONE. 2102, 7(10): e47564. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0047564

McGovern, K., S. Annis and D. Yarborough, 2012.Efficacy of organically acceptable materials for control of mummy berry disease on wild blueberries in Maine. International Journal of Fruit Science. 12:188-204.

Drummond, F.A., J. Smagula, D. Yarborough, and S. Annis, 2012, Organic wild blueberry research and extension in Maine, International Journal of Fruit Science. 12:216-231.

Drummond, F., S. Annis, J. M. Smagula and D.E. Yarborough. 2009. Organic Production of Wild Blueberries. I. Insects and Disease. Acta Horticulturae 810: 275-286.

Smagula, J.M., D.E. Yarborough, F.A. Drummond, and S. Annis. 2009. Organic Production of Wild Blueberries II. Fertility and Weed Management. Acta Horticulturae 810: 673-684.

Yarborough, D.E., J.M. Smagula, F.A. Drummond, and S. Annis. 2009. Organic Production of Wild Blueberries III. Fruit Quality. Acta Horticulturae 810: 847-852.

Penman, L. N. and Annis, S. L. 2005. Variation of mummy berry blight in clones of lowbush blueberry: effects on yield and relationship to bud phenology. Phytopathology 95:1174-1182.

Annis, S.L. and C.S. Stubbs. 2004. Stem and leaf diseases and their effects on yield in Maine lowbush blueberry fields. Small Fruits Review 3(1/2):159-167.

Piotrowski, J.S., S.L. Annis, and J.E. Longcore. 2004. Physiology of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, a chytrid pathogen of amphibians. Mycologia 96:9-15.

Annis, S.L., Dastoor, F., Ziel, H., Daszak, P., Longcore, J.E. 2004. A DNA-based assay to identify Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in amphibians. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 40(3): 420-428.

H. Xu, S. Annis, J. Linz, and F. Trail. 2000. Infection and colonization of peanut pods by Aspergillus parasiticus and the expression of aflatoxin biosynthetic genes in infection hyphae. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology 56:185-196.

S. Annis, L. Velasquez, H. Xu, R. Hammerschmidt, J. Linz, and F. Trail. 2000. Novel procedure for identification of compounds inhibitory to transcription of genes involved in mycotoxin biosynthesis. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 48:4656-4660.