Jennifer Han

Assistant Professor of Biology

Bio

Dr. Jennifer Han is an Assistant Professor of Biology. Her background is in plant biology, molecular biology and genetics, mycology, and landscape architecture. Prior to joining the Marist family, she was faculty at Washington State University where she developed bee-safe pesticides based on fungi and taught undergraduate and graduate level classes. Her current research studies the interactions between plants, their pests, and beneficial organisms like fungi with the goal of improving agriculture, horticulture, and the environment.


Education

Ph.D., University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL, Plant Biology, May 2014
B.L.A., University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL, Landscape Architecture, May 2003


Research Interests / Areas of Focus

All things plant and fungi, with an emphasis on beneficial fungi and their interactions with other organisms


Selected Publications

Han, J. et al. (2021) Directed evolution of Metarhizium fungus improves its biocontrol efficacy against Varroa mites in honey bee colonies. Scientific Reports 11:10582

Liu, J., Han, J., Sharma, A. et al. (2021) Transcriptional regulation of dosage compensation in Carica papaya. Scientific Reports 11:5854

Stamets, P. E., Naeger, N. L., Evans, J. D., Han, J.O., Hopkins, B. K., et al. (2018) Extracts of Polypore Mushroom Mycelia Reduce Viruses in Honey Bees. Scientific Reports. 8(1): 13936

Zhang, J., Zhang, X., Tang, H., Zhang, Q., Hua, X., Ma, X., et al. (2018) Publisher Correction: Allele-defined genome of the autopolyploid sugarcane Saccharum spontaneum L. Nature Genetics. 50(12): 1754

VanBuren, R., Wai, CM., Zhang J., Han J.O., Arro, J., et al. (2016) Extremely low nucleotide diversity in the X-linked region of papaya caused by a strong selective sweep. Genome Biology. 17:230

VanBuren, R., Zeng F., Chen C., Zhang J., Wai, CM., Han J.O., et al. (2015) Origin and domestication of papaya Yh Chromosome. Genome Research. 25:524-533

Han, J.O., Murray, J. E., Yu, Q., Moore, P. H., & Ming, R. (2014) The Effects of Gibberellic Acid on Sex Expression and Secondary Sexual Characteristics in Papaya. HortScience, 49(3): 378-383

Han, J.O., & Ming, R. (2014) Molecular Genetic Mapping of Papaya. In Genetics and Genomics of Papaya. pp. 143-155. Springer New York.

Heath K.D., Bagley E., Berkey AJM., Birlenbach D., Carr-Markell MK., et al., (2014) Amplify the Signal: Graduate Training in Broader Impacts of Scientific Research. BioScience, 54(5): 517-523

Ming, R., VanBuren, R., Liu, Y., Yang, M., Han, et al., (2013) Genome of the long-living sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.). Genome Biology, 14(5), R41

Han, J.O. (8 November 2012) Men鈥 They just won鈥檛 go away. Smilepolitely.com Web.

Gschwend, A.R., Yu, Q., Tong, E.J., Zeng, F., Han, J.O., VanBuren, R., Aryal, R., Charlesworth, D., Moore, P.H., Paterson, A.H., Ming, R. (2012) Rapid divergence and expansion of the X chromosome in papaya. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 109:13716-13721

Wang, J., Na, J.-K., Yu, Q., Gschwend A.R., Han, J.O., et al. (2012) Sequencing papaya X and Yh chromosomes reveals molecular basis of incipient sex chromosome evolution. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 109(34): 13710-13715

Wai, C.M., Han, J.O., Sing, R., Aryal, R., Ming, R. (2012). Analyzing the Papaya Genome, in Nelson, K.E., and Jones-Nelson B., Ed., Genomics Applications for the Developing World, Advances in Microbial Ecology (Springer Science+Business Media, LLC) DOI 10.1007/978-1-4614-2182-5_18


Selected Press and Documentary Interviews

IREO (Innovtion and Research Engagement Office) Podcast, Luke Walker, (2022) "Using Fungi to Save Bees"

Natur & Wissen, Dr. Agnes Przewozny, "Pilze gegen Varroa?" (2022)

The Daily Evergreen, Isabelle Busch, (2021) "Make a buzz to save the bees" 

Weather or Not, Vivian Gonzalez, (2021)"Bees and Mosquitos" 

AAAS, Erik Stokstad, (2021) "Scientists evolve a fungus to battle deadly honey bee parasite" 

Two Bees in a Podcast, University of Florida, (2021) "Evolution of Metarhizium Fungus & Making Honey" 

Market to Market, Josh Buettner, Iowa Public Television. (2020) "Fungal extracts help honey bees."

Mushroom Revival Podcast, Alex Dorr and Lera Niemackl, (2020) "Saving the Bees with Jennifer Han & Nick Naeger"

Market to Market, Josh Buettner, Iowa Public Television. (2019) "The Bee Beat."

Good Fruit Grower, Kate Prengaman, (2019) "Researchers look to fungi to help keep honeybees healthy: New research explores two very different fungi that could knock out the varroa mite and boost bees鈥 immunity." 


Grants

2022-2025

Specialty Crop Block Grant ($250,000)
Washington State Department of Agriculture    
"Comprehensive Honey Bee Health Tech Transfer Outreach Program: Education, Breeding, Nutrition, and Management"

2022

FIRE grant ($11,000)
EARTH Executive Advising & ICE Internship Consultants for Entrepreneurs
鈥淢ycoEvo鈥 鈥 to create commercialization models for fungi/bee technology

2020-2022

Altman Foundation ($1,600,000)
Jonathan and Kathleen Altman Foundation路         
Awarded for salary, staff and research

2019

California Beekeepers Association ($19,400)
California Beekeepers Association    
"Evaluation of fungal extracts for colony health parameters in commercial colonies" 

2018-2020

Specialty Crop Block Grant ($249,751)                                                  
Washington State Department of Agriculture    
"Ensuring the sustainability of pollination services to Washington specialty crops" 

 2018-2020

WWW Foundation ($570,000)
Whittier Trust Co.    
"Development of novel strains of the fungus Metarhizium for Varroa mite control," 

2018-2019

Barrett foundation ($50,000)
The Richard W. & Elaine E. Barrett Foundation路         
Awarded to set up qPCR capable space at WSU


Selected Presentations

Queen rearing workshop: (invited) 2022
"Varroa control and effects on queen breeding"

Gonzaga University: (invited) 2021
"Fungal pharmacy: Can fungi save the honey bee?"

New Mexico State Beekeepers Association: (invited) 2021
"Is Varroa control possible without chemical miticides?"

Washington State Beekeepers Association: (invited) 2020
"Spore, what is it good for? Killing Varroa with fungi"

Portland Urban Beekeepers: (invited) 2019
"Fungal pharmacy: Using fungi to control Varroa mites and honey bee viruses"

Centralia College: Rising Tide Science Seminar Series: (invited) 2018
"Using fungi to control parasitic mites and honey bee viruses"

Mycological Society of America Annual Meeting: 2017
"Fungal Pharmacy: Using Metarhizium and fungal extracts for honey bee health"

Image of Jennifer Han.

Contact Information

Academic School

School of Science

Office

Allied Health 223

Email

Jennifer.Han@marist.edu

Phone

(845) 575- 2496