Dr. Tapiwa Nyakauru
PostDoctoral researcher: Crop scienceResearch Interests
Interest in molecular plant pathology and fungal diseases of cereal crops. Skilled in microbiology, PCR, DNA sequencing, and molecular diagnostics for detecting fungicide resistance mutations. Research focuses on pathogens such as Zymoseptoria tritici, Pyrenophora teres, and Ramularia collo-cygni, with emphasis on resistance mechanisms, gene mutations, and molecular monitoring to support sustainable agriculture and effective crop disease management.
Current Projects
Project Title: Aerobiome based genomic surveillance of fungicide resistance to track the development and spread of AMR in plant pathogens and the wider environment (AEROBIOMICS-AER), Project Number: 2329 & Dept. Sanction: DAFM/15/2024/PDFP.
My project focuses on developing and optimizing molecular methods to detect fungicide resistance in Zymoseptoria tritici, Ramularia collo-cygni, and Pyrenophora teres. Over the past few decades, these pathogens have developed resistance to the main fungicide groups (DMIs, Qols, and SDHIs). In general, resistance develops through mutations in the SDH subunits and CYP51 genes, and through promoter inserts in both MFS1 and CYP51, which can lead to overexpression. To study these mechanisms, I’ll be using air sampling to capture spores from the environment, molecular tools such as nanopore sequencing to identify novel genetic changes, and RNA sequencing to investigate gene expression in isolates with CYP51 promoter inserts. By combining these approaches, the project aims to build better molecular tools for monitoring resistance and guiding fungicide use in crops.
Education
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Molecular Biology from South East Technological University, Waterford, Ireland (2025)
- MSc in Biotechnology from University of Zimbabwe (2019)
- BSc Honors in Biochemistry from University of Zimbabwe (2016)
Professional Membership
- Irish Fungal Society
- Society of Irish Plant Pathologists
- Association of applied biologists