Don Cipollini

Biography

Education Pennsylvania State University, 1997, Ph.D. Ecology, Advisor: Jack C. Schultz Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 1990, B.S., 1993, M.S. Biology, Advisor: Sandra J. Newell Postgraduate Research University of Chicago, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Mentor, Joy M. Bergelson Academic Appointments Director (2007-present) Wright State University, Environmental Sciences Ph.D. program Professor, (2008-present) Wright State University, Department of Biological Sciences Associate Professor (2004-2008) Assistant Professor (1999-2004)

Research Interest

Work in his laboratory generally focuses on the chemical ecology of plant responses to the environment, with a focus on induced plant responses to herbivores and pathogens and the chemical ecology of invasive plants, insects, and microbes. One important theme is the influence of environmental and genetic factors on the expression, costs, and benefits of plant resistance traits, and on subsequent outcomes of the interaction of plants with their biotic and abiotic environment. Within this context, their interests range from highly mechanistic descriptions of constitutive and inducible plant defenses and their impacts on other species and plant fitness, to evolution of plant defenses, to community level impacts.  They have extended our understanding of plant resistance mechanisms to understand invasiveness and impacts of garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), an important invasive mustard that has allelopathic effects on other plants, insects, and soil microbes, like mycorrhizae. Recent efforts have focused on the lethal effects of this plant on native herbivores, like West Virginia White (Pieris virginiensis) and Falcate Orangetip (Anthocharis midea) butterflies. His interests have extended to the expression and role of plant defenses in woody plant ecology, including that of the invasive shrub, Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) and interactions between the invasive beetle, the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis), and its susceptible and resistant ash (Fraxinus) tree hosts. In 2014, he identified white fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus) as a novel host of this beetle in North America, and are currently exploring the causes and consequences of this apparent host range expansion. Other collaborative projects involve the chemical ecology of a midge galling system in goldenrod (Solidago) species, the chemical ecology of fungal and insect resistance in Austrian pine (Pinus nigra), and the conservation biology and genetics of the endangered wetland plant, Northeastern Bulrush (Scirpus ancistrochaetus). We have worked experimentally with bacteria, fungi, insects, and plants, and use a variety of techniques including basic experimental greenhouse and field ecology techniques, microscopy, molecular analyses, and analytical chemistry techniques such as HPLC.