Lawrence Kawchuk, Ph.D.

Current research and/or projects

Current research projects focus on advances in sustainable crop production involving disease diagnostics and resistance; microbial characterization for plant health and the safety of the food system; and innovation enhancing economic performance and benefits for all stakeholders.

 

 

Research and/or project statements

  • Development of disease prevention strategies for horticultural crops, such as potato, that improve food safety and quality.
  • Characterize endemic food-borne pathogens and produce diagnostics that help protect health and the environment. 
  • Introduce new plant germplasm and varieties with disease resistance for sustainable increase in production and market expansion.

Professional activities / interests

Scientific Advisory Board, Fraunhofer Institute, Santiago, Chile.

Review Editor, frontiers in Plant Science, Plant Biotechnology.

Gates Foundation, Review Committee, Washington DC, USA.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Biotechnology Congress.

Education and awards

B.Sc. (Hons.) Botany, University of Manitoba, 1985

M.Sc. Botany, University of Manitoba, 1987

Ph.D. Plant Science, University of British Columbia, 1990

NSERC Postgraduate Scholarship 1985-1990

OECD Research Fellow 1998

Gordon J. Green Award, Canadian Phytopathological Society, 2000

Endeavour Research Fellow 2009

 

International experience and/or work

Visiting Scientist, Max Planck Institute, DPMI, Cologne, Germany, 1998

Visiting Scientist, The University of Sydney, Department of Biological Sciences, Sydney, Australia, 2009

 

Key publications

  1. Harding, M.W., Daniels, G.D., Unruh, M.J., Lisowski, S.L.I., Pugh, C., Konschuh, M.N., Kawchuk, L.M., and Howard, R.J. (2013). "Fusarium disease surveillance and management in potato.", Potato Growers of Alberta (PGA) Annual Meeting, Calgary, AB, Canada, November 19-21, 2013.

    2013 - View publication details

  2. Lynn, J., Kalischuk, M.L., Howard, R.J., Harding, M.W., Konschuh, M.N., Spencer, R.C.J., Carter, J., Johnson, D.H., and Kawchuk, L.M. (2013). "An action plan for the prevention of late blight.", Potato Growers of Alberta (PGA) Annual Meeting, Calgary, AB, Canada, November 19-21, 2013.

    2013 - View publication details

  3. Kawchuk, L.M., Peters, R.D., Al-Mughrabi, K.I., Dobinson, K.F., Conn, K.L., and Daayf, F. (2013). "Population diversity and segregation analysis of genotype specific loci of the Irish Potato Famine pathogen.", 84rd Annual Meeting of the Canadian Phytopathological Society (CPS), Matrix Hotel, Edmonton, AB, Canada, June 16-19, 2013.

    2013 - View publication details

  4. Kalischuk, M.L., Fusaro, A.F., Waterhouse, P.M., Pappu, H., and Kawchuk, L.M. (2013). "Genomic sequence and small RNA analysis of pararetrovirus infecting raspberry.", Annual Meeting of the Plant Pathology Society of Alberta, Brooks, AB, Canada, November 4-6, 2013.

    2013 - View publication details

  5. Peters, R.D., MacPhail, A., Clark, M.M., Drake, K.A., Gregory, D., Macdonald, M.M., Beaton, B.W., Al-Mughrabi, K.I., and Kawchuk, L.M. (2013). "Variation in aggressiveness of genotypes of Phytophthora infestans found in eastern Canada.", 97th Annual Meeting of the Potato Association of America (PAA), Québec City, QC, Canada, July 28-August 2, 2013.

    2013 - View publication details

  6. Pageni, B.B., Lupwayi, N.Z., Akter, Z., Larney, F.J., and Kawchuk, L.M. (2013). "Characterization of bacterial endophytes from potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) reveals growth-promoting and antagonistic properties in vitro.", 50th Annual Alberta Soil Science Workshop, Lethbridge, AB, Canada, February 19-21, 2013.

    2013 - View publication details

  7. Hachey, J.E., Fletcher, L., Mitchell, S., Mitchell, P., Hochstein, T., and Kawchuk, L.M. (2013). "Fungicide efficiency for preventing early and late blight.", Potato Growers of Alberta (PGA) Annual Meeting, Calgary, AB, Canada, November 19-21, 2013.

    2013 - View publication details

  8. Kawchuk, L.M., Kalischuk, M.L., Harding, M.W., Spencer, R.C.J., and Howard, R.J. (2013). "Population dynamics of the Irish potato famine pathogen in Alberta.", Annual Meeting of the Plant Pathology Society of Alberta, Brooks, AB, Canada, November 4-6, 2013.

    2013 - View publication details

  9. Wijekoon, C.P., Wijekoon, C.P., Kalischuk, M.L., Spencer, R.C.J., Howard, R.J., and Kawchuk, L.M. (2013). "Characterization of Apioplagiostoma populi causing bronze leaf disease in poplar.", Annual Meeting of the Plant Pathology Society of Alberta, Brooks, AB, Canada, November 4-6, 2013.

    2013 - View publication details

  10. Bizimungu, B., Kawchuk, L.M., Wahab, J., Waterer, D.R., Konschuh, M.N., and Lynch, D.R. (2013). "AAC Alta Strong potato variety- A new option for French fry processing and fresh market uses.", 97th Annual Meeting of the Potato Association of America (PAA), Québec City, QC, Canada, July 28-August 2, 2013.

    2013 - View publication details

  11. Kalischuk, M.L., Fusaro, A.F., Waterhouse, P.M., Pappu, H.R., Kawchuk, L.M. (2013). Complete genomic sequence of a Rubus yellow net virus isolate and detection of genome-wide pararetrovirus-derived small RNAs, 178(2), 306-313. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.virusres.2013.09.026

    2013 - View publication details

  12. Pageni, B.B., Lupwayi, N.Z., Larney, F.J., Kawchuk, L.M., Gan, Y. (2013). Populations, diversity and identities of bacterial endophytes in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cropping systems. Canadian Journal of Plant Science, [online] 93(6), 1125-1142. http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/CJPS2013-166

    2013 - View publication details

  13. Hwang, Y.T., Kalischuk, M., Fusaro, A.F., Waterhouse, P.M., Kawchuk, L. (2013). Small RNA sequencing of Potato leafroll virus-infected plants reveals an additional subgenomic RNA encoding a sequence-specific RNA-binding protein, 438(2), 61-69. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.virol.2012.12.012

    2013 - View publication details

  14. Kawchuk, L.M. (2012). "Advances in potato pest management.", 54th Annual Horticulture Growers’ Short Course, Abbotsford, BC, Canada, January 26-28, 2012, pp. 2.

    2012 - View publication details

  15. Dobinson, K.F., Conn, K.L., Kawchuk, L.M., Peters, R.D., Al-Mughrabi, K.I., and Daayf, F. (2012). "Characterization of Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary from tomato in southwestern Ontario.", Canadian Phytopathological Society (CPS) 83rd Annual Meeting and International PPV Meeting, Marriott Gateway On The Falls, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada, June 24-27, 2012.

    2012 - View publication details

  16. Pageni, B.B., Lupwayi, N.Z., Larney, F.J., Kawchuk, L.M., Pearson, D.C., Blackshaw, R.E., and Gan, Y.T. (2012). "Characterization of bacterial endophytes associated with Solanum tuberosum in irrigated cropping systems.", 112th General Meeting of American Society for Microbiology, San Francisco, CA, USA, June 15-19, 2012. (Abstract)

    2012 - View publication details

  17. Pageni, B.B., Lupwayi, N.Z., Larney, F.J., Kawchuk, L.M., Pearson, D.C., Blackshaw, R.E., and Gan, Y.T. (2012). "Preceding crop, rotation length and soil management effects on bacterial endophytes.", 49th Annual Alberta Soil Science Workshop, Ramada Inn, Edmonton, AB, Canada, February 14-16, 2012. (Abstract)

    2012 - View publication details

  18. Lynn, J., Kalischuk, M.L., Howard, R.J., Konschuh, M.N., Harding, M.W., Spencer, R.C.J., and Kawchuk, L.M. (2012). "Genetic composition of Phytophthora infestans in Alberta and Canada.", 2012 Annual Meeting of Potato Growers of Alberta, Red Deer, AB, Canada, November 13-15, 2012 (Poster).

    2012 - View publication details

  19. Daniels, G.D., Kawchuk, L.M., Unruh, M.J., Harding, M.W., and Howard, R.J. (2012). "Characterization and management of Fusarium species from Alberta potato storages.", 2012 Annual Meeting of Potato Growers of Alberta, Red Deer, AB, Canada, November 13-15, 2012 (Poster).

    2012 - View publication details

  20. Kawchuk, L.M., Peters, R.D., Al-Mughrabi, K.I., Conn, G., Dobinson, K.F., and Daayf, F. (2012). "Distribution of genotypes of Phytopthora infestans isolated from potato and tomato in Canada in 2011.", American Phytopathological Society (APS) 2012 Annual Meeting, Westin Providence, Providence, RI, USA, August 4-8, 2012.

    2012 - View publication details

Research facility

5403 1st Avenue South
Lethbridge, AB T1J 4B1
Canada

Affiliations

Adjunct Professor, Department of Geography, University of Lethbridge, 2019-2022

Honorary Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Universtity of Sydney, Sydney, Australia, 2009

Adjunct Professor, Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science, University of Alberta,1997-2000

Adjunct Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge,1992-2015

Language

English