Dr. Shahid Siddique
Professor & PI, Entomology and Nematology
I am a Professor at the Department of Entomology and Nematology, UC Davis. My research focuses on enhancing the basic understanding of interactions between plants and nematodes. I am also interested in applied research to develop new tools and resources for management of plant parasitic nematodes. I love everything about nematodes!
Originally, I am from Pakistan, but spent a major part of my life in Europe. Outside of lab, I enjoy long drives, hiking, gardening, and meeting friends
Email: ssiddique@ucdavis.edu
Dr. Valerie Williamson
Professor Emeritus, Plant Pathology
I have worked with root-knot nematodes and other plant parasitic nematodes for over 30 years. My interests have included host resistance, molecular identification, genetics and genomics, and nematode behavior. I collaborate with the Siddique lab on several projects. When I am not in the lab, I like to spend time in nature especially on the beautiful California coast.
Email: vmwilliamson@ucdavis.edu
Technicians
Megann Tran
Lab Manager
I make sure everything in the lab runs smoothly and safely! I graduated from UC Davis in 2024, with my B.S. in Medical and Molecular Microbiology. I was involved in research studying the interactions between plants and bacterial pathogens, specifically on immune signaling and disease resistance of plants. Outside of the lab, I enjoy reading, playing video games, and spending time with friends and family!
Email: mctr@ucdavis.edu
Yali Zhang
Lab Assistant and support
I am a laboratory assistant fellow in the Department of Entomology and Nematology at the University of California, Davis,where I am engaged in research on plant parasitic nematodes including Meloidogyne javanica and Pratylenchus vulnus.
Originally from China, I earned my Master degrees from Hubei University. For 7 years, I have been engaged in the research of plant protection and genomic. For the research of plant protection, my research focuses on using plastid-mediated RNA interference (PM-RNAi) to control root-knot nematodes. For the research of genomics,my research concentrates on Aphelenchus avenae and Pseudomonas spp genome assembly, annotation and related functional analysis. I have a deep passion for the scientific research.
Email: sunzhang@ucdavis.edu
Lisa Nakano
Jr. Specialist
I am a Jr. Specialist interested in exploring different organism interactions through underlying biological or toxicological mechanisms that drive these interactions. I am originally from the Central Valley, Fresno, and outside academics, I enjoy playing video games, watching horror movies, and learning about frogs.
Email: lcnakano@ucdavis.edu
Jonathan Calzada
Jr. Specialist
I am a Junior Specialist conducting research on resistance genes in tomatoes against root-knot nematodes. I graduated from UC Davis in June 2025 with a B.S. in Global Disease Biology and a minor in Public Health, where I developed a strong interest in host–pathogen interactions. During my undergraduate research, I worked with plant bacterial pathogens, focusing on identifying resistance genes and investigating pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Outside of the lab, I enjoy reading, drawing and painting, and exploring my neighborhood and new places.
Email: jicalzada@ucdavis.edu
Postdocs
Bardo Castro
Postdoc, Entomology and Nematology
I am a Postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Entomology and Nematology, UC Davis. I am interested in plant-nematode interactions, and how we can apply this knowledge to enhance plant resistance. My project focuses on investigating plant genes important for nematode parasitic interactions. Our goal is to understand which plant pathways are utilize by nematodes during parasitism. Through identification of these susceptibility genes, we hope to utilize CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing tools to generate plants with enhanced resistance towards parasitic nematodes. I was born in Mexico but grew up in the San Francisco Bay area. Outside of the lab I enjoy spending time with my family, video games, movies, and watching basketball (Go Warriors!).
Email: barcastro@ucdavis.edu
Dadong Dai
Postdoc, Entomology and Nematology
I am a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Entomology and Nematology at the University of California, Davis, where I investigate the biology of parasitic nematodes through a combination of molecular biology and bioinformatics. My research primarily focuses on nematode genomics, specifically examining the relationship between polyploidization and host spectrum expansion, as well as the role of DNA methylation in nematode life cycles. Currently, my work is focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms through which root-knot nematodes (RKNs) breach the defenses of resistant tomato plants, with the aim of understanding patterns in the adaptive evolution of RKNs.
Email: dddai@ucdavis.edu
Vera Putker
Postdoc, Entomology and Nematology
I’m a plant scientist by training, fascinated by the intricate molecular dialogue between plant-parasitic nematodes and their hosts. My current work identifies and characterizes resistance genes in tomato that can help fend off root-knot nematodes, with the goal of developing more resilient crops. This builds on my PhD research at Wageningen University in the Netherlands, where I studied how the potato cyst nematode effector RBP-1 interacts with plant immunity components. While my current research has a strong applied focus, I’m equally intrigued by the fundamental biology of nematode-host interactions—especially how these parasites manipulate plant cells to form complex feeding sites. Now based in California, I’m not only enjoying the opportunity to deepen my research and grow as an academic, but also to fully enjoy my passion for the outdoors, whether it is hiking, camping, or staying active through sports in California’s incredible national parks.
Email: vputker@ucdavis.edu
Dr. Jin CY Liao
Postdoc, Entomology and Nematology
I am currently a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Department of Entomology and Nematology, UC Davis, in the Siddique Lab. I am interested in precise genome editing and host-microbe interactions, particularly how peptide hormone signaling pathways regulate growth-defense trade-offs. My project builds on the plant peptide hormone signaling system I studied during my prior work in the Prof. Pamela Ronald Lab at the Department of Plant Pathology, and I continue to collaborate on related peptide projects. In the Siddique Lab, I am using biophysical and structural approaches, including in silico simulation, to investigate how the root-knot nematode effector MigPSY is recognized by plant PSY receptors, a recognition event linked to feeding site development. Our goal is to understand how peptide-receptor recognition systems operate across different pathogen interactions, to inform future strategies for enhancing plant resistance to parasitic nematodes. Outside of the lab, I enjoy science communication and illustration through my website, Jin’s LifeRχiv (https://jinsliferxiv.com/), travel, and mentoring students in plant science.
Email: jcyliao@ucdavis.edu
Dr. Itsuhiro Ko
Postdoc, Entomology and Nematology
I’m a plant immunologist and nematologist by training, having worked across Japan, China, the UK, and the US. My research focuses on plant–parasite interactions at the cellular level using multi-omics.
Currently, my research is focused on a simple but important question: what nutrients do nematodes need to feed from plants? My goal is to use this knowledge to develop new strategies to control nematodes by targeting their diet.
Beside my primary work, I have an ultimate research subject — Understanding the Mechanisms of Horizontal Gene Transfer — studying how it shapes the evolution of plants and parasites.
Outside the lab, I love sports, especially tennis and kendo. I also love to travel and hike to see natural beauty, though I always miss my cat waiting for me at home.
Email: imko@ucdavis.edu
Graduate Students
Ching-Jung Lin
Plant Pathology
I am a PhD student in Plant Pathology with a designated emphasis in Biotechnology, and I am fascinated by plant-microbe interaction! Currently I am interested in the development of functional genetic tools in plant-parasitic nematodes and the characterization of nematode-induced plant immunity. I am originally from Taiwan. My previous scientific journey in accumulating my passion for my research includes B.S. in Agronomy (National Chung-Hsing University), M.S. in Plant Biology (National Taiwan University), and technician training in Plant and Microbial Biology (Academia Sinica).
Outside of the lab I enjoy reading, jogging, playing badminton, and going to the gym. I am a coffee and dog person.
Email: chjlin@ucdavis.edu
Veronica Casey
Entomology
I am a fifth year graduate student in the Department of Entomology and Nematology. My research explores the interactions between plant-parasitic nematodes and microbes in the soil. I am working on sustainable nematode management through biological control and I am investigating the disease complex between root-knot nematodes and bacterial wilt disease. I grew up in the Chicago suburbs and I have a B.S. in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. My hobbies include boxing, reading novels, and playing video games.
Email: vicasey@ucdavis.edu
Romnick Latina
Plant Pathology
I am a fourth year PhD student at the Siddique Lab. I am interested in studying molecular plant-nematode interactions. Prior to embarking on my PhD journey, I served as an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Weed Science, Entomology and Plant Pathology at the University of the Philippines Los Baños. There, I also obtained my Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, specializing in Plant Pathology, and later secured a Master of Science in Nematology with distinction at Ghent University in Belgium, thanks to the VLIR-UOS Scholarship grant.
I’m currently gearing up to pursue a PhD in Plant Pathology at the University of California Davis, with a focus on molecular plant-nematode interactions. Beyond academia, those close to me, referring to me as Nick or Kulas, know my penchant for music, anime, mobile gaming like Genshin Impact, cooking, and travel.
Email: rlatina@ucdavis.edu
Alison Snyder
Plant Sciences
I am a first-year PhD student in the Siddique Lab in the Plant Biology Department at UC Davis. My research focuses on understanding the molecular interactions between parasitic nematodes and their broad range of host species. I aim to investigate these interactions from a metabolomic perspective to understand how nematodes feed off of their hosts, while also studying resistance genes in the common bean using population genetic approaches.
Prior to joining the Siddique lab, I completed my B.S in Biology with a minor in Soil Science from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. I then completed a post-bacc program at the San Diego Botanic Garden, where I worked on crop-wild-relative salt-tolerance genomics, followed by a research assistant role in Dr. Lena Mueller’s lab at the Salk Institute, studying arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis.
Beyond the lab, I spend time gardening and caring for my plants, and love to spend time outdoors running, hiking, and camping in California’s great outdoors.
Email: almsnyder@ucdavis.edu
Visiting Scholars
Undergraduates
Katelin Halstead
Biotechnology
I am a third- year undergraduate student majoring in Biotechnology. I am interested in exploring genetics within plant life in order to make goods such as produce more easily accessible in non-ideal environmental conditions. I am currently interning under Bardo whose research focuses on investigating plant genes important for nematode parasitic interactions and generating plants with enhanced resistance to those parasites. Originally from Santa Cruz in the Central Coast Area (highly recommend visiting for the beautiful scenery),I enjoy crocheting, dancing (GO DAVIS BALLET COMPANY!!), going to the beach, building legos, arranging flowers, and playing with my wonderful, beautiful cat named Anchovie!
Email: krhalstead@ucdavis.edu
Deana Martinez
Animal Biology
I am a third-year undergraduate majoring in Entomology with a minor in Soil Science. The relationships between insects, soils, and plants have always interested me and has led me to what I study now. I work under Romnick, who is looking into molecular plant and nematode interactions. I’m originally from a small ag town named Arbuckle, which is only a 40 minute drive from Davis! In my free time I like hiking, concerts, and going to my siblings’ sports events.
Email: nnmartinez@ucdavis.edu
Deana Martinez
Animal Biology
I am a third-year undergraduate majoring in Entomology with a minor in Soil Science. The relationships between insects, soils, and plants have always interested me and has led me to what I study now. I work under Romnick, who is looking into molecular plant and nematode interactions. I’m originally from a small ag town named Arbuckle, which is only a 40 minute drive from Davis! In my free time I like hiking, concerts, and going to my siblings’ sports events.
Email: nnmartinez@ucdavis.edu
Giovanni Lopez
Biological Sciences
I am a third year undergraduate student majoring in Biological Science here at UC Davis. A first-generation, Spanish speaking, student that is in the pursuit of higher education. I am passionate about learning as much as I can regarding biology, and I’m currently interested in plant biology and biochemistry. In my free time I love cooking/baking, watching true crime, reading, and playing video games. Currently, I work under Veronica who is focusing on sustainable nematode management through biological control. 🙂
Email: gxlopez@ucdavis.edu
Past Members
Dr. Henok Zemene Yimer
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Ado Sales
Undergraduate (Research Scholars Program)
Shelly Szumski
Lab Manager
Deeksha Shakya
Undergraduate Researcher (Global Disease Biology)
Chia-Hui (Joyce) Lin
Undergraduate Researcher (Biological Sciences)
Jordan Wilson
Undergraduate Researcher
Marine and Coastal Science
Cherry Liu
Undergraduate Researcher
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Dr. Tushar Dutta
Visiting Professor
Kaycee Lee
Undergraduate Researcher
Environmental Science & Management
Vedas Sreepada
Undergraduate Researcher
Dr. Shinsaku Ito
Visiting Professor
Tokyo University of Agriculture
Hunter Soriano
Undergraduate Researcher
Animal Biology
Aarish Ali
Undergraduate Biotechnology
Emma Shigekane Kraft
Undergraduate Global Disease Biology
Aleeza Khan
Undergraduate Global Disease Biology
Yasumasa Saeki
Tokyo University of Agriculture
Santhosh Gopalakrishnan
Undergraduate Animal Biology
Dr. Syed Jehangir Shah
Visiting Professor
Dr. Alison Blundell
PhD Recipient
Dr. Pallavi Shakya
PhD Recipient
Matthew Kramer, Undergraduate Researcher
Junette Sarah Balmoja, Undergraduate Researcher
Manvir Sambhi, Undergraduate Researcher
Clarissa HilTl, Visiting PhD scholar
Kyle Lee, Undergraduate Researcher
Moanam Khalid, Undergraduate Researcher