University of Nebraska-Lincoln
The Fungal Ecology Lab
Principal Investigator
Teddy Garcia-Aroca
Assistant Professor
I am a quantitative fungal ecologist specializing in the evolution and diversity of soil-borne fungal pathogens across various ecosystems. In the Fungal Ecology Lab, we employ cutting-edge tools and methodologies to unravel the complexities of fungal pathogen evolution over time, with a particular focus on soil-borne pathogens. Our research spans multiple dimensions, including the evolution of pathogen populations, host range, ecological niche adaptation, and human-driven factors such as pathogen resistance to agricultural chemicals. We also explore the diversity of pathogens across ecosystems, the variety of secondary metabolites they produce, lifestyle transitions, survival strategies, pathogen-pathogen interactions, and their roles in community ecology.
Education
Postdoctoral Research, Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany (SUNY), 2022
Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, Louisiana State University, 2021
M.S. in in Plant Pathology, Louisiana State University, 2016
B.Sc. in Agronomy, Universidad Nacional de Agricultura, 2012
Phone: (402) 472-2858
Cell: (225) 226-8022
Email: teddy.garcia@unl.edu
Address: 406 Plant Sciences Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583
Graduate Students
Kelvin Muchiri
Kelvin joined our lab in June of 2024. His current research focuses on describing the diversity and pathogenicity of Fusarium spp. associated with Nebraska soybeans. Kelvin is also interested in documenting fungicide resistance among species complexes.
Email: kmuchiri2@huskers.unl.edu
Address: 406 Plant Sciences Hall, Lincoln, Nebraska USA 68583
Research Technicians
Riley Eisenbraun
Riley joined our lab as undergraduate student in the Fall of 2024. Riley obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Cellular Biochemistry as a Chancellor's Scholar at UNL in the Spring of 2025. Riley graduated with the highest distinction in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR). She is currently working on fungicide resistance among genetically distinct populations of the Potato Black Dot pathogen, Colletotrichum coccodes.
Tessa Fiore
Tessa joined our lab in the Fall of 2023 as an undergraduate student. Tessa obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Environmental and Sustainability Studies, with minors in Mathematics, Spanish, and Communication at UNL in the Spring of 2025. Tessa graduated with the highest distinction in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). She is currently working on improving our understanding of the role of secondary metabolites produced by Clonostachys spp. on plant fitness.
Undergraduate Students
Interns and Visiting Scientists/Scholars
Preangka Briste
Preangka Briste joined our lab in the Summer of 2025. Preangka worked at The Ohio State University for over 9 months before joining our lab. She is interested in soil-borne pathogens of soybean and her current research is exploring the efficacy of seed-treatments against seedling pathogens to develop better management strategies
Email: pbriste2@unl.edu
Current Address: 406 Plant Sciences Hall, Lincoln, Nebraska USA 68583
Alumni
Xin Zhi Khoo
Xin Zhi received her B.Sc. degree in Agronomy from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2021 with High Honors. Her research in our lab focused on describing the diversity and host range of Rhizoctonia spp. found in Nebraska and host transitions at the global scale. Xin Zhi completed her MS in Plant Pathology in December of 2024 and has moved on with her professional career.
Email: xkhoo@uci.edu
Previous Address: 406 Plant Sciences Hall, Lincoln, Nebraska USA 68583
Former Lab Members/Staff
Sofia Martinez
Sofia was an undergraduate researcher from Zamorano (Honduras), who worked in our lab and contributed to research with C. coccodes and other Colletotrichum spp.-related projects in our lab during her time with us.
Carlos Valladares
Carlos was an undergraduate researcher from Universidad Nacional de Agricultura (UNAG) (Honduras), who worked in our lab and contributed to research with Rhizoctonia host range, and fungicide resistance in Fusarium and Sclerotinia during his time with us.
Ellie Greisen
Ellie was an undergraduate researcher in our lab who contributed to research with C. coccodes and other projects in our lab during her time with us.
Daniella Norah
Norah served as lab technician from the Summer of 2023 to the Summer of 2024, but then she moved on to work on something else. She contributed to different projects in our lab during that period of time.
Elizabeth Chhoeung
Elizabeth worked in our lab during her first year as an undergraduate student at UNL. She contributed to different project during her time with us.
Karissa Rieck
Karissa worked in our lab during her second year as an undergraduate student in the MBIO program at UNL. She contributed to our research in Rhizoctonia lifestyles.
Marie Gisele Shimwa
Marie Gisele is a former undergraduate student in our lab, who obtained her B.Sc. degree in December 2022.