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°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¼Ç¼ Home > CAS > Biological Sciences > Contact Directory

Richard O. Musser, Professor

Contact

Office: Waggoner Hall 358
Phone: (309) 298-2408
Email: RO-Musser@wiu.edu

Education

University of Arkansas, Ph.D. 2002
Southeast Missouri State, M.S. 1997
Park College, B.S. 1992

Areas of Specialization

Plant-Herbivore Interactions, Genomics, Molecular/Chemical Ecological, Insect Physiology

Theses

2002. Caterpillar salivary enzyme: Multi-functional role in herbivore fitness. Ph.D., University of Arkansas. Advisor: Gary W. Felton

1997. Sensory pre-conditioning & second-order conditioning in predator recognition by fathead minnows. M.S., Southeast Missouri State University.

Advisor: Steve Trautwein

Professional Experience

• Professor, °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¼Ç¼, IL 2012- Present
• Professor and Interim Department Chair (2016-2018)
• Associate Professor, °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¼Ç¼, IL 2007-2012
• Assistant Professor, °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¼Ç¼, IL 2003- 2007
• Research Associate, University of Arizona, AZ 2001-2003
• Instructor, Pima Community College, AZ 2003
• Visiting Scientist, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Germany, 2006
• Visiting Scientist, University of Lausanne, Switzerland, 2001

Summary of Standard Measures of Academic Productivity

• Grantsmanship: Obtained ~845k in competitive funding, including grants from both NSF and USDA.
• Publications: 21 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters and lab manuals, with half a dozen manuscripts that are in preparation. Publications have had a relatively high impact with over 1000 citations .
• First author on an article in the British JournalNature. Invited to develop and edit a special issue in the Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology.
• National and international recognition: >110 conference talks since 2000 including international invitations
• Teaching: Maintained teaching evaluations of greater average than 4.5 out of 5 over the last 15 years. Trained greater than >40 graduate students, 30 have successfully completed their Master’s degrees (22 Thesis, 8 Advanced projects); ~10 students are finishing up their theses currently. Trained >50 undergraduate students as research hours or through class supervised research projects that were then presented at Undergraduate Research Day. Mentored the completion of five Honors thesis students.
• Service highlights: Interim Chair of Department of Biological Sciences, DPC Chair
• Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences Faculty Council Member, chaired/co-chaired three department faculty search committees, organized two symposia for the Entomological Society of America, developed the seminar series for Biological Sciences for several years, chaired Biology Day committees, chaired several departmental committees, member of the steering committee for International Plant Resistance to Insects Workshop, Provost Awards of Excellence selection committee. Provided substantial youth community service such as the McDonough County YMCA Swim Team President and Official, YMCA Board Member, YMCA Archery Instructor, and 4H Archery Instructor.

Grants/Contracts Received ($845k in grant money awarded)

2018

• Soendergaard, M., Musser RO. Immunotherapeutic Soybean Compounds for Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer. Illinois Soybean Association. Funded amount- $10,000.
• Hum-Musser SM., Musser RO. How does Trichoderma Fungi Increase Soybean Growth? Illinois Soybean Association. Funded amount- $5,000.

2016

• Soendergaard, M., Musser RO. Soybean Secondary Compounds for Ovarian Cancer Prevention. Illinois Soybean Association. Funded amount- $5000.
• Hum-Musser SM., Musser RO. Can Bioinoculants Relieve Abiotic Stress? Illinois Soybean Association. Funded amount- $5000.

2015

• Musser RO., Hum-Musser SM. The Effect of Bioinoculants on Soybean Resistance to Abiotic Stress. Illinois Soybean Association. Funded amount- $5000.
• Porras-Alfaro, A. and Musser, RO. (PI in 2018) Collaborative Research: Parsing the host specificity and geography on plant-fungal symbiosis under climate change. Funded amount- $245,861.00

2014

Musser, ROand Hum-Musser, S. Investigating potential to increase soybean resistance to Bean Pod Mottle Virus (BPMV) and other Pest Organisms. Illinois Soybean Association. Funded Amount - $8,000

2013

• Porras-Alfaro, A., Hum-Musser, SM and Musser, RO. Effect of a Dominant Endophytic Fungus, Phialocephala fortinii, on Soybean Germination and Plant Growth and its Potential Applications. Illinois Soybean Association. Funded Amount- $5,000
• Porras-Alfaro, A., Hum-Musser, SM, and Musser, RO. NSF- RAHSS: Plant-Fungal Systems as a Model to Promote High School Student Participation in Research Activities in a Rural Area. Funded Amount- $15,000

2010

Musser RO, Hum-Musser SM. Defending soybean from insect pests and ozone pollution. Illinois Soybean Association. Funded Amount - $8,000

2009

Musser RO, Molecular Investigation into the Fungal Control of Pigweed in Soybean Fields. Funded Amount- $8,000

2008

• Musser RO, Hum-Musser SM. Deciphering Plant-Herbivore Interactions. National Science Foundation. Funded Amount- $350,000
• Musser RO, Soybean Plant Defenses Project. Illinois Soybean Association. Funded Amount- $8,000

2007

Musser RO, Effects of the Western Bean Cutworm feeding on maize gene expression and its relationship to Aspergillus flavas. University Research Council, °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¼Ç¼. Funded Amount- $6,250

2006

Musser RO, Perform research with mentor at Max Planck Institute of Chemical Ecology in Jena Germany. °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¼Ç¼. Faculty Mentoring Grant Funded Amount- $3,000

2005

Musser RO, Testing the Effects Leucine Aminopeptidase a Novel Caterpillar Salivary Enzyme on Tomato Plant Defenses. Funded Amount- $6,250

2004

• Musser RO, Hum-Musser SM., Maize Functional Genomic Response to Insect Herbivory. United States Department of Agriculture. Funded Amount- $100,000
• Musser RO, Hum-Musser SM. Insect Salivary Enzymes Stimulate Plant Pathogen Defenses: Examination and Development of Novel Methods to Protect Plants from Pathogens and Insect Pest. Illinois Department of Agriculture. Funded Amount- $41,721
• Musser RO. Using Microarray to investigate insect and plant interactions. °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¼Ç¼, Research Council. Funded Amount- $6,250
• Musser RO. Technology in the Class Room. °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¼Ç¼ Faculty Development Office. Funded Amount- $1,000

2003

Musser RO. Genomic response of Plants to Insect Herbivores, Entomological Society of America Henry and Sylvia Richardson Research Grant. Funded Amount- $1,000

2002

Musser RO. Center of Insect Science, two-year stipend and research/travel allowance. Post-Doctoral Research Associate Fellowship. Funded Amount-$75,000

2001

Musser RO. Conflicting Defense Pathways in the Tri-Trophic Interactions of a Plant Virus, Its Vector and Their Host Plant. Research Incentive Grant, Arkansas Agriculture Experiment Station. Funded Amount-$10,000

2000

Musser RO. Caterpillar Suppression of Host Plant Defenses. Entomological Society of America, The Plant Resistance to Insects Graduate Student Grant. Funded Amount-$500

Professional Publications (21 publications)

Book Chapters

• Hanna M. Heidel-Fischer, Richard O. Musser, Heiko Vogel: Annual Plant Reviews volume 47: Insect-Plant Interactions. Annual Plant Reviews; Plant Insect Interactions., Edited by C. Voelckel, G. Jander, 04/2014: chapter 4: pages 506-520; John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Chichester, West Sussex, UK.., ISBN: 978-0-470-67036-1
• Heiko Vogel, Richard O. Musser, Maria de la Paz Celorio-Mancera: Annual Plant Reviews Volume 47: Insect-Plant Interactions. Insect-Plant Interactions, Annual Plant Reviews edited by C. Voelckel and G. Jander, 04/2014: chapter Transcriptome responses in herbivorous insects towards host plant and toxin feeding; Wiley-Blackwell, ISBN: 978-0-470-67036-1

Journal Publications

Richard O. Musser, Sue M. Hum-Musser, Matthew Gallucci, Brittany DesRochers, Judith K. Brown: Microarray Analysis of Tomato Plants Exposed to the Nonviruliferous or Viruliferous Whitefly Vector Harboring Pepper golden mosaic virus. Journal of Insect Science 12/2014; 14(1):10. DOI:10.1093/jisesa/ieu092

Linus Gog, Heiko Vogel, Sue M. Hum-Musser, Jason Tuter, Richard O. Musser: Larval Helicoverpa zea Transcriptional, Growth and Behavioral Responses to Nicotine and Nicotiana tabacum. Insects 09/2014; 5(3):668-688. DOI:10.3390/insects5030668

Jeff Noland, J.E. Breitenbach, H.J.R Popham, Sue Hum-Musser, Heiko Vogel, Richard O. Musser: Gut Transcription in Helicoverpa zea is Dynamically Altered in Response to Baculovirus Infection. Insects 2013, 4, 506-520

Hideaki Suzuki, Patrick F. Dowd, Eric T. Johnson, Sue M. Hum-Musser, Richard O Musser: Effects of Elevated Peroxidase Levels and Corn Earworm Feeding on Gene Expression in Tomato. Journal of Chemical Ecology 11/2012; 38(10). DOI:10.1007/s10886-012-0205-8

Richard O. Musser, Sue M. Hum-Musser, Henry K. Lee, Brittany L. Desrochers, Spencer A. Williams, Heiko Vogel: Caterpillar Labial Saliva Alters Tomato Plant Gene Expression. Journal of Chemical Ecology 10/2012; 38(11). DOI:10.1007/s10886-012-0198-3

Maria de la Paz Celorio-Mancera, Juliette Courtiade, Alexander Muck, David G. Heckel, Richard O Musser, Heiko Vogel: Sialome of a Generalist Lepidopteran Herbivore: Identification of Transcripts and Proteins from Helicoverpa armigera Labial Salivary Glands. PLoS ONE 10/2011; 6(10):e26676. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0026676

Eric T. Johnson, Patrick F. Dowd, Z. Lewis Liu, Richard O .Musser: Comparative transcription profiling analyses of maize reveals candidate defensive genes for seedling resistance against corn earworm. MGG Molecular & General Genetics 06/2011; 285(6):517-25. DOI:10.1007/s00438-011-0626-z

Cesar R. Rodriguez-Saona, Richard O. Musser, Heiko Vogel, Sue M. Hum-Musser, Jennifer S. Thaler: Molecular, Biochemical, and Organismal Analyses of Tomato Plants Simultaneously Attacked by Herbivores from Two Feeding Guilds. Journal of Chemical Ecology 10/2010; 36(10):1043-57. DOI:10.1007/s10886-010-9854-7

Patrick F. Dowd, Richard O. Musser, Eric T. Johnson: AGFD 152-Activity of plant phenolics functioning as sources of insect resistance in plants. ACS National Meeting Book of Abstracts 03/2007; 233:121-121.

Richard O. Musser, Edward Farmer, Michelle Peiffer, Spencer A. Williams, Gary W. Felton: Ablation of Caterpillar Labial Salivary Glands: Technique for Determining the Role of Saliva in Insect–Plant Interactions. Journal of Chemical Ecology 06/2006; 32(5):981-92. DOI:10.1007/s10886-006-9049-4

Jacqueline C. Bede, Richard O. Musser, Gary W. Felton, Kenneth L. Korth: Caterpillar Herbivory and Salivary Enzymes Decrease Transcript Levels of Medicago truncatula genes Encoding Early Enzymes in Terpenoid Biosynthesis. Plant Molecular Biology 04/2006; 60(4):519-31. DOI:10.1007/s11103-005-4923-y

Richard O. Musser, Don F. Cipollini, Sue M. Hum-Musser, Spencer A. Williams, Judith K. Brown, Gary W. Felton: Evidence that the caterpillar salivary enzyme glucose oxidase provides herbivore offense in Solanaceous plants. Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology 02/2005; 58(2):128-37. DOI:10.1002/arch.20039

Richard O. Musser, Hyeog S. Kwon, Spencer A. Williams, C. James White, Michael A. Romano, Scott M Holt, Shay Bradbury, Judith K Brown, Gary W Felton: Evidence that caterpillar labial saliva suppresses infectivity of potential bacterial pathogens. Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology 02/2005; 58(2):138-44. DOI:10.1002/arch.20031

Richard O. Musser: Insect saliva: An integrative approach. Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology 02/2005; 58(2):53. DOI:10.1002/arch.20038

Richard O. Musser, Sue M. Hum-Musser, Gary W. Felton, Rose C. Gergerich: Increased Larval Growth and Preference for Virus-Infected Leaves by the Mexican Bean Beetle, Epilachna varivestis Mulsant, a Plant Virus Vector. Journal of Insect Behavior 03/2003; 16(2). DOI:10.1023/A:1023919902976

Richard O. Musser, Sue M. Hum-Musser, Shannon E. Slaten-Bickford, Gary W. Felton, Rose C. Gergerich: Evidence that Ribonuclease Activity Present in Beetle Regurgitant is Found to Stimulate Virus Resistance in Plants. Journal of Chemical Ecology 09/2002; 28(8):1691-6. DOI:10.1023/A:1019985417720

Richard O. Musser, Sue M. Hum-Musser, Herb Eichenseer, Michelle Peiffer, Gary Ervin, J. Brad Murphy, Gary W. Felton: Herbivory: Caterpillar saliva beats plant defences. Nature 05/2002; 416(6881):599-600. DOI:10.1038/416599a

C. M. Ham, J. R. Brown, Richard O. Musser, C. R. Rutledge, M. V. Meisch: Comparison of electrostatic versus nonelectrostatic ULV sprays of Aqua Reslinâ„¢ against Anopheles quadrimaculatus adults. Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association 10/1999; 15(3): 312-4.

Published Lab Manuals

Engel, J. and Musser, R.O. 2014. Simulated Larval Bean Boring. Online Published Lab for Bean Beetles: Inquiry Based Labs.

Papers Presented at Professional Meetings and Abstracts (100 Conference presentations)

2017

• Musser R.O., Al-Furaiji A. and Hum-Musser S. Differential gene expression Helicoverpa zea in response to feeding on different types of plant tissues. 2017 Entomological Society of America, Denver, CO.
• Hum-Musser S., Ojha R., Osatuyi M., Vogel, H. and Musser R.O. Gene expression response of Helicoverpa zea to infection by Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis or Bt kurstaki. 2017 Entomological Society of America, Denver, CO.
• Alsubaie F., Al-Furaiji A., Diveley K. and Musser R.O. Gene expression corn earworm caterpillars and maize tissues. 2017 Entomological Society of America, Denver, CO.
• Al-Furaiji A., Bath D. and Musser R.O. Caterpillar gene expression on different host plants.2017 Entomological Society of America, Denver, CO.
• Diveley K., Musser R.O. Gene expression observed from the interaction between Helicoverpa zea caterpillars and Zea mays tissues.2017 Entomological Society of America, Denver, CO.
• Al-Furaiji A., Bath D., Hum-Musser S.M., Musser R.O. Differential gene expression of Helicoverpa zea (Tomato Fruitworm) in response to feeding on different types of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plant tissues. 2017 Illinois State Academy of Science, Palatine IL.
• Ajasa O., Musser R., Hum-Musser S., Liles J., Mainali K, Nickerson, R. Gene Expression of Corn Earworm in Response to Infection by Serratia marcescens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 2017 Illinois State Academy of Science, Palatine, IL.

2016

• Alenezi M., Tobias T., Hum-Musser S.M., Musser R. The effect of entomophagous pathogens Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae on Helicoverpa zea larval gene expression. 2016 Ecological Genomics Symposium, Kansas City, MO.
• Al-Furaiji A., Bath D., Hum-Musser S., Musser R. Differential gene expression of Helicoverpa zea (tomato fruitworm) in response to feeding on different types of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plant tissues. 2016 Ecological Genomics Symposium, Kansas City, MO.
• Alsubaie F., Oluwabukola A., Khalil I., Hum-Musser S., Musser R. Effect of plant defense hormones jasmonate and salicylate on caterpillar gene expression 2016 Ecological Genomics Symposium, Kansas City, MO.
• Bath D., Diveley K., Al-Furaiji A., Hum-Musser S.M., Musser R.O. Comparative analysis of generalist Helicoverpa zea expression and growth on diverse array of host plants. 2016 Ecological Genomics Symposium, Kansas City, MO.
• Diveley K., Hum-Musser S., Musser R. Gene expression observed from the interaction between Corn Earworm (Helicoverpa zea) caterpillars and corn (Zea mays) tissues. 2016 Ecological Genomics Symposium, Kansas City, MO.
• Khalil I., Barber N., Al-Furaiji A., Hum-Musser S., Musser R. Transcriptomic expression in tomato plants in response to Arbuscular Mycorhizzal symbioses and caterpillar herbivory. 2016 Ecological Genomics Symposium, Kansas City, MO.
• Sairafi N., Musser R., Hum-Musser S., Al-Furaiji A. Gene expression of bacteria-inoculated soybean Glycine max in response to heat stress. 2016 Ecological Genomics Symposium, Kansas City, MO.
• Sharbagi S., Khalil I., Hum-Musser S., Barber N., Musser R. Transcriptomic expression in tobacco plants in response to arbuscular mycorhizzal symbioses and caterpillar herbivory. 2016 Ecological Genomics Symposium, Kansas City, MO.
• Diveley, K. and Musser, R.O. Gene Expression Observed from the interaction between Corn Earworm (Helicoverpa zea) caterpillars and Corn (Zea mays) tissues. Illinois State Academy of Sciences. 2016 Edwardsville, IL
• Bath, D., Musser, R.O., Hum-Musser, S.H. Comparative analysis of Helicoverpa zea gene expression and growth based on the host plant. Illinois State Academy of Sciences. 2016 Edwardsville, IL
• Al-Furaiji, A., Musser, R.O. Effects of elevated peroxidase levels and tomato earworm feeding of gene expression in tomato fruits. Illinois State Academy of Sciences. 2016 Edwardsville, IL

2015

Musser, R.O. 2015. Investigating the interactome of plant-tomato interactions. 2015 University of Kentucky, Department of Entomology (Invited Seminar)

2014

• Musser, R.O. 2014. Investigating the interactome of plant-tomato interactions. University of Illinois, Department of Entomology Sept. 2014 (Invited Seminar)
• Musser, R.O. 2014. Investigating the interactome of plant-tobacco interactions. University of Missouri, Division of Plant Science (Invited Seminar)
• Musser, R.O. 2014. Investigating the interactome of plant-tobacco interactions. °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¼Ç¼, Biological Sciences
• Englund, A.J., Dowd, P.F., Musser, R.O. Investigating the interactome of Helicoverpa zea(corn earworm) on Zea mays (maize). 2014 International Society of Chemical Ecology Meeting. Champaign, IL
• Musser, R.O., Gog, L., DesRochers, B.L., Ward, C.R., Hum-Musser, S.M. Investigating the interactome of plant-herbivore interactions. 2014 International Society of Chemical Ecology Meeting. Champaign, IL
• Pierre, M., Osborn, H., Hum-Musser, S.M., Musser, R.O. Investigating the interactome ofHelicoverpa zea (tomato fruit worm) on Solanum lycopersicum (tomato). 2014 International Society of Chemical Ecology Meeting. Champaign, IL

2013

Porras-Alfaro A, Hicks SL, Tuter J, Tobias T, Sandona KP, Natvig DO, Sinsabaugh RL, Musser R, Hum-Musser S. 2013 Root mycobiomes: Diversity and plant-host interactions in extreme environments. APS-MSA Meeting, Austin, TX

2012

• Noland, J., Noland, H., Hum-Musser, S., Musser, R.O. 2012. Gene expression profile of Helicoverpa zea in response to HzSNPV. Ecological Genomics Conference, Kansas City, MO.
• Tuter, J., Gossage, Z., Tobias, T., Porras-Alfaro, A., Hum-Musser, S., Musser, R.O. 2012. Transcriptome Analysis of the Endophyte Fungus (Phialocephala fortinii) on Corn (Zea maize). Ecological Genomics Conference, Kansas City, MO.
• Musser, R.O. Hum-Musser, S., et al. 2012. Larval Helicoverpa zea growth, behavioral and transcriptomic and responses to nicotine and Nicotiana tabacum. Ecological Genomics Conference, Kansas City, MO.
• Hum-Musser, S., Osborn, H., Musser, R. 2012 Helicoverpa zea genomic expression following herbivory on tomato plants. Ecological Genomics Conference, Kansas City, MO.
• Tuter, J.E., Gossage, Z., Tobias, T., Hum-Musser, S., Musser, R.O., Porras-Alfaro, A. 2013. Friend or Foe: Defense Response and Growth Regulation of Zea Mays in Response to Phialocephala fortinii, Mycological Society of America/American Phytopathology Society Joint Meeting, Austin, TX.
• Tobias, T., Gossage, Z., Tuter, J., Musser, R.O., Sinsabaugh, R., Suding, K., Porras-Alfaro, A. 2012, Plant Fungal Interactions: Niwot Endophytic Diversity and Function, Long Term Ecological Research Conference, Estes Park, CO.

2011

• Musser, R.O. et al. 2011. Correlation of caterpillar and plant defense genes. 2nd International Conference on Biotic Plant Interactions, Kunming, China
• Musser, R.O. et al. 2011. Investigation of caterpillar and plant defense genes. 5 Invited Seminars:
  • Wright State University, Dayton, OH
  • Institute of Zoology, Chinese Science Academy, Beijing, China
  • Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
  • Institute of Insect Sciences Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China

2010

• Andrian, Tu, Musser, R.O. 2010. Helicoverpa zea caterpillar growth on tomato plants exposed to ozone and mechanical wounding. Entomological Society of America, San Diego, CA.
• Gog, Linus Musser, R.O. 2010. Helicoverpa zea genomic response to defense compounds encountered in Nicotiana tabacum. Entomological Society of America, San Diego, CA.
• Musser, R.O. 2010. The co-regulation of caterpillar and plant defense expression. Entomological Society of America, San Diego, CA.
• Boukari, Wardatou Musser, R.O. 2010. Differences in Nicotiana tabacum phytohormones signaling in response to oral secretion by Helicoverpa zea and Manduca sexta. Entomological Society of America, San Diego, CA.
• Rodriguez-Saona, C. Musser, R.O. 2010. From genes to organisms: Investigation of plant responses to multiple herbivores. Entomological Society of America, San Diego, CA.
• Hum-Musser, S.M. and Musser, R.O. 2010. The effect of ozone and Helicoverpa zea caterpillar herbivory on tomato plant defenses. Entomological Society of America, San Diego, CA.
• Musser, R.O. 2010. Deciphering plant-herbivore interactions. NSF awardee. Arlington. VA
• Musser, R.O. 2010. Update on Correlation of caterpillar gene expression to plant defenses. International Plant Resistance to Insects. Charleston, SC

2009

• DesRochers, B. and Musser, R.O. 2009. The co-regulation of caterpillar and plant defense genes. Entomological Society of America, Indianapolis, IN
• Juarez, C. and Musser, R.O. 2009 Relationship of wounding rates and oral secretions on tomato and tobacco plant defenses. Entomological Society of America, Indianapolis, IN
• DesRochers, B. and Musser, R.O. 2009 Cross genomic comparison of two caterpillars on tobacco plants. Entomological Society of America, Indianapolis, IN
• Lighton, J. and Musser, R.O. 2009 Genomic response of tomato fruits to herbivory. Entomological Society of America, Indianapolis, IN
• Thomas, V. and Musser, R.O. 2009 Agenomic scale comparison of Manduca sexta and Helicoverpa zea herbivory on tomato plants. Entomological Society of America, Indianapolis, IN
• Lewis, A. and Musser, R.O. Effects of caterpillar saliva on plant defense gene expression. Entomological Society of America, Indianapolis, IN
• Hum-Musser, S. and Musser, R.O. The effect of ozone and caterpillar herbivory on tomato plant defense genes. Entomological Society of America, Indianapolis, IN
• Bennett, B. and Musser, R.O. Effects of herbivory on maize defense gene expression. Entomological Society of America, Indianapolis, IN
• Moody, B., and Musser R.O. The effects of plant hormones on the genomic response of tomato plants. Entomological Society of America, Indianapolis, IN
• Hum-Musser, S. and Musser, R.O.The Impact of Ozone and Insect Herbivory on Tomato Plant Gene Expression Ecological Genomics Symposium in Kansas City, MO
• Musser, R.O. Investigating Plant Herbivore Interactions. Invited Seminar University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE
• DesRochers, Brittany L.*; Thomas, Vickie ; and Musser, Richard O. Study of gene expression in Nicotiania tabacum induced by Helicoverpa zea herbivory. 3^rd Annual Arthopod Genomics Symposium Kansas City, MO
• Musser, R.O. et al. RUI: Deciphering Plant-Herbivore Interactions. 3^rd Annual Arthopod Genomics Symposium Kansas City, MO
• Thomas, V., and Musser, R.O. Study of gene expression in Lycopersicon esculentuminduced by Helicoverpa zea and Manduca sexta Herbivory. 3^rd Annual Arthopod Genomics Symposium Kansas City, MO

2008

• Musser, R.O. 2008. Deciphering plant-herbivore interactions. Entomological Society of America, Reno, NV
• Thomas, V., Musser, R.O. 2008. Correlation of tomato and caterpillar interactions. Entomological Society of America, Reno, NV
• Bennett, B., and Musser, R.O. 2008. Correlation of maize plant defense hormones to insect herbivory. Entomological Society of America, Reno, NV
• Thompson, B., and Musser, R.O. 2008. Correlation of soybean and caterpillar interactions. Entomological Society of America, Reno, NV
• Musser, R.O. and Hum-Musser, S.M. 2008 RUI: Deciphering plant-herbivore interactions. 11^thAnnual Plant Genome Awardee Meeting, Washington, D.C.
• Musser, R.O. and Vogel, H. 2008. Tomato plant gene expression altered by caterpillar labial saliva revealed by microarray analysis. International Society of Chemical Ecology, State College, Pennsylvania
• Musser, R.O. and Rodriguez-Saona, C.. Molecular, biochemical, and biological analyses of tomato plants simultaneously attacked by herbivores from two different feeding guilds.18^th Biennial International Plant Resistance to Insects Workshop, Fort Collins, CO
• Musser, R.O. Tomato plant gene expression altered by caterpillar labial saliva revealed by microarray analysis. 18^th Biennial International Plant Resistance to Insects Workshop, Fort Collins, CO

2007

• Musser, R.O. et al. Measuring tomato plant gene expression stimulated by two different species of caterpillar. Entomological Society of America, San Diego, CA
• Musser, R.O. et al. Musser, R.O.Measurement of tomato plant gene expression on a genomic scale for tomato plants that over express peroxidase. Entomological Society of America, San Diego, CA
• Musser, R.O. et al. Effects of caterpillar herbivory on maize gene expression. Entomological Society of America, San Diego, CA
• Musser, R.O. et al. Deciphering the plant's response to factors of herbivory. Entomological Society of America, San Diego, CA

2006

• Musser, R.O. Effects of caterpillar salivary enzymes on plant defenses gene expression. Invited seminar University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• Musser, R.O. et al. Aphid feeding alters expression of resistant genes induced by caterpillars in tomato. Entomological Society of America, Indianapolis, Indiana
• Musser, R.O. et al. Tomato plant defense gene expression to caterpillar labial salivary glands. Entomological Society of America, Indianapolis, Indiana
• Williams, S. and R.O. Musser Caterpillar saliva on the genomic response of tomato plants. International Plant Resistance to Insects Work Shop. Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
• Williams, S. and R.O. MusserTesting the effects of caterpillar labial salivary enzymes on the genomic response of tomato plants. Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
• Musser, R.O. Testing the effects of multiple herbivores on the genomic response of tomato plants Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

2005

• Musser, R.O. Caterpillar saliva beats plant defenses. Asia Pacific Chemical Ecology Society, Jeju, South Korea
• Musser, R.O. Testing the effects of caterpillar saliva on tomato plant defenses. Asia Pacific Chemical Ecology Society, Jeju, South Korea
• Gerard, J., and Musser, R.O. Genomic response of Maize to Herbivory.
  • North Central Branch of Entomological Society of America, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN;
  • Entomological Society of America Meeting, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Musser, R.O. Evidence that caterpillar labial saliva suppresses infectivity of potential bacterial pathogens.
  • North Central Branch of Entomological Society of America, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
  • Illinois Academy of Sciences, Knox College, Galesburg, IL
  • Entomological Society of America Meeting, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• White, J. and Musser, R.O. Testing the effects of caterpillar salivary enzymes on tomato plant defenses.
  • North Central Branch of Entomological Society of America, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN;
  • Illinois Academy of Sciences, Knox College, Galesburg, IL;
  • Entomological Society of America Meeting, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Aanenson, M.H. and Richard O. Musser, Jasmonate increases pinto bean resistance to whitefly infestation. Illinois Academy of Sciences, Knox College, Galesburg, IL

2004

Musser, R.O. 2004. The Role of Caterpillar Saliva in Herbivore Offense. Invited Seminar, Northern Illinois University, IL

2003

• Musser, R.O. 2003. Plant response on a genomic scale to insect salivary compounds. Entomological Society of America, Cincinnati, OH
• Musser, R.O. et al. 2003. Ablation of caterpillar labial salivary glands: Technique for determining the role of saliva in insect-plant interactions. Entomological Society of America, Cincinnati, OH

2002

• Musser, R.O., et al. 2002. Molecular response of plants to herbivore salivary components.
  • Entomological Society of America, Fort Lauderdale, FL;
  • Pacific Branch of Entomological Society of America, Tucson, AZ
• Musser, R.O. et al. 2002. Caterpillar saliva reduces pathogenisis of insect pathogens. Entomological Society of America, Fort Lauderdale, FL
• Musser, R.O., et al. 2002. Evidence that ribonuclease activity present in beetle regurgitant is found to stimulate virus resistance in plants. Entomological Society of America, Fort Lauderdale, FL
• Musser, R.O. and G.W. Felton. 2002. A Suppression Mechanism of Induced Plant Defenses by an Insect Salivary Enzyme. Ecological society of America, Tucson, AZ
• Musser, R.O., et al. 2002. Saliva Influence in Conflicting Plant Defenses. Southeastern Branch of Entomological Society of America, Little Rock, AR
• Musser, R.O., et al. 2002. Conflicting Defense Pathways in the Tritrophic Relationship of a plant virus, its vector, and their plant host. Entomological Society of America, San Diego, CA

2001

• Musser, R.O. and E. Farmer. 2001. Alps, Fondue, Caterpillar Spit, Microarrays and Lots of Wine. Arkansas Entomological Society, Little Rock, AR
• Musser, R.O., et al. 2001. Effects of Caterpillar Salivary Enzyme Glucose Oxidase on Induced Plant Defenses. The Eleventh International Symposium on Insect-Plant Relationships HelsingØr, Denmark
• Musser, R.O., et al. 2001. The Potential Mutualistic Relationship of the Mexican Bean Beetle and Bean Pod Mottle Virus and Their Influence on Induced Plant Defenses. The Eleventh International Symposium on Insect-Plant Relationships HelsingØr, Denmark
• Musser, R.O., et al. 2001. Non-traditional Opportunities for Teaching Entomology Research Through Upward Bound. Southeastern Branch of Entomological Society of America, Augusta, GA
• Musser, R.O., et al. 2000 & 2001. Caterpillar Saliva Suppresses Inducible Plant Defenses.
  • Southeastern Branch of Entomological Society of America, Augusta, GA
  • Gordon Research Plant Herbivore Interactions, Ventura, CA
  • Gamma Sigma Delta. Arkansas chapter, Fayetteville, AR
  • Entomological Society of America, Montreal, Canada
• Musser, R.O., et al. 2000 & 2001. Caterpillar salivary enzyme: Multi-functional Role in Herbivore Fitness.
  • Entomological Society of America, Montreal, Canada
  • Southeastern Branch of Entomological Society of America, August, GA

2000

• Musser, R.O., et al. 2000. A Mutualistic Relationship between the Mexican Bean Beetle and Bean Pod Mottle Virus. Entomological Society of America, Montreal, Canada
• Felton, G.W., Q. Wang, R.O. Musser, and G.N. Ervin. 2000. The Specificity of Herbivore Elicitation of Plant responses. Entomological Society of America, Montreal, Canada
• Musser, R.O., et al. 2000. Helicoverpa zea Salivary Enzymes in Manipulation of Host Plant Defenses.
  • (Invited) to Southeastern Branch of Entomological Society of America, Mobile, AL
  • Gamma Sigma Delta, Arkansas Chapter, Fayetteville, AR

1999

Musser, R.O. 1999. Caterpillar Salivary Enzymes: Role in the Manipulation of Host Plant Defenses.

• Entomological Society of America, Atlanta, GA;
• Arkansas Crop Protection Association, Fayetteville, AR;
• Arkansas Entomological Society, Hot Springs, AR

1998

Musser, R.O., et al. 1998. Salivary Proteases of larval Helicoverpa zea.

• Arkansas Entomological Society, Hot Springs, AR
• Entomological Society of America, Las Vegas, NV

1997

• Musser, R.O., et al. 1997. The effects of methylbromide on three Riceland mosquito species. 1) Louisiana Mosquito Control Association, Baton Rouge, LA
• Musser, R.O. 1997. Sensory pre-conditioning & second-order conditioning in predator recognition by fat-head minnows. 1) Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, MO

Completed Master Thesis Students (26 students)

• Mohammed Zobair Alam 2018. Comparative analysis of transcriptomic analysis of the salivary glands, midgut, and body tissues of Helicoverpa zea caterpillars after herbivory on soybeans leaves. Master Thesis
• Hawra Almubarak 2018. Gene expression of the corn earworm Helicoverpa zea in response to Helicoverpa armigeranucleopolyhedrovirus (HearNPV). Master Thesis
• Faisal Alsubaie 2018. Gene expression of Helicoverpa zea corn earworm. Master Thesis
• Kayleigh Diveley 2017. Gene expression observed from the interaction between the corn earworm and maize tissues. Master Thesis
• Md Imtiaz Khalil 2017. Caterpillar herbivory and arbuscular mycorrhizal symbioses on tomato plants gene expression. Master Thesis
• Munirah Alenezi 2017. Effectiveness and gene expression of entomopathogenic fungi Beaveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae on Helicoverpa zea. Master Thesis
• Ammar Al-Furaiji 2017. Differential Gene expression of Tomato Fruitworm in Response to feeding on different types of tomato plant tissue. Master Thesis
• Jason Tuter 2016. Zea mays gene expression in the presence of Phialocephala fortinii. Master Thesis
• Myrtha Pierre2015. Transcriptome profile of tomato fruits fed on by Helicoverpa zea (Tomato fruitworm). Master Thesis
• Kenneth Glassman 2013. Fungal pathogens Microsphaeropsis amranthi and Phomopsis amaranthicola as bioherbicides for pigweeds and waterhemp in pumpkin and soybean. Master Thesis
• Jeffery Noland 2013. Transcriptome profiling of Helicoverpa zea in response to HzSNPV. Master Thesis
• Linus Gog 2012. Larval Helicoverpa zea (Boddy) growth, behavioral, and transcriptomic responses to nicotine and Nicotiana tabacum. Master Thesis
• Vickie Thomas 2012. Comparison of tomato plant gene expression to two caterpillar herbivores. Masters Thesis
• Wardatou Boukari 2011. Conserved defense in Nicotiana tabacum in response to Helicoverpa zea and Manduca sexta feeding. Masters Thesis.
• Heather Osborn 2011. Helicoverpa zea genomic expression following herbivory on tomato plants. Masters Thesis.
• Bridgette F. Moody 2011. Tomato Oligo Microarray investigation of exogenous jasmonic acid induced changes in gene expression. Master Thesis.
• Brittany Louise Des Rochers 2010. Study of gene expression in Nicotiana tabacum induced by Helicoverpa zea herbivory. Masters Thesis.
• Hideaki Suzuki 2009. Tomato plants overexpressing peroxidase and it’s genomic response to caterpillar herbivory. Masters Thesis.
• Brad Bennett 2009. Effects of caterpillar herbivory on genes of maize plants. Master Thesis.
• Joseph Sherman 2009. Study of gene expression in Zea maize induced by Helicoverpa zea. Masters Thesis
• Marrian H. Aaneneson 2006. Effects of jasmonate and salicylate on plants and insects in a home garden. Masters Thesis
• Henry K. Lee 2006. Plant defense gene expression is conserved in tomato plants treated with caterpillar labial salivary gland extract. Masters Thesis
• Charles James White 2006. Testing the effects of caterpillar labial salivary gland extracts on tomato plant defenses. Masters Thesis
• Yaa Noel Owusu 2006. Effects of caterpillar salivary gland extract on Zea mays gene expression on a genomic scale. Masters Thesis
• Jacque Renee Gerard 2005. Maize genomic response to Heliocoverpa zea herbivory. Masters Thesis
• Hyeog Sun Kwon 2004. Evidence that a caterpillar salivary enzyme, glucose oxidase, suppresses infectivity of potential bacterial pathogens Serratia marcesens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Masters Thesis

Masters Project Graduate Students completed (9 students)

• Dalton Wisnefski 2018. Tomato plant defense-related gene expression for leaves and fruit
• Mona Alanazi 2017. Gene expression in ground cherry plants in response to arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization and caterpillar herbivory
• Samiyah Alanazi 2017. A meta-analysis of defense gene expression in Nictiana tabacum in response to herbivory from two caterpillar species
• Shereen Sharbagi 2016. Transcriptomic expression in tobacco plants in response to arbuscular mycorrhizal symbioses and caterpillar herbivory. Masters project
• Maha Alzaben 2016. Tomato defense gene expression in peroxidase overexpressed transgenic tomato fruits in relation to caterpillar herbivory. Masters project
• Benjamin J. Boda 2012. Reanalyzed study of gene expression in tomato plants induced by the Pepper Golden Mosaic Virus and Whiteflies. Masters Project
• Swathi Chinarangari 2010. Cross-talk between the jasmonate and salicylate plant defense pathways in tomato plants. Masters project
• Srilatha Komatireddy 2010. Tomato plant defense gene expression in response to topical application of jasmonic acid and salicylic acid. Masters project
• Yejide A. Awolola 2009. Tomato plant gene expression in response to exogenous application of jasmonic acid. Masters project

Honors Students Completed (5 Honors students)

• Wardatou Boukari 2009. Tomato Plant Gene Expression Profiling in Response to Jamonic Acid. Honors Thesis
• Beverly J. Thompson 2009. Correlation of Tomato and Caterpillar Interactions. Honor Thesis
• Kara M. Priewe 2006. Herbivory stimulated genomic expression of tomato plants in responses to the labial saliva of Helicoverpa zea. Honor Thesis
• Joseph Allen Sherman 2005. Analysis of tomato plant defense genes in response to Beet Army Worm Caterpillar and Potato Aphid Herbivory. Honors Thesis
• Kimberly G. LeCompte 2004. Evidence that insect saliva mediates cross-resistance in bean plants. Honors Thesis

Courses Taught

• Biology 100 (Non-majors Biology)
• Biology 170 (Intro To Health Careers)
• Zoology 200 (Animal Diversity)
• Zoology 430(G) (Animal Physiology)
• Biology 458(G) (Plant-Animal Interactions)
• Biology 470/570 (Genomics Seminar)
• Zoology 320 (Comparative Anatomy)
• Zoology 461 (Pathophysiology)

Awards & Honors

• 2018 °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¼Ç¼ Professional Achievement Award
• 2017 Inducted in °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¼Ç¼ Phi Kappa Phi
• 2016 °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¼Ç¼ Professional Achievement Award
• 2015 °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¼Ç¼ Professional Achievement Award
• 2014 °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¼Ç¼ Professional Achievement Award
• 2013 °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¼Ç¼ Professional Achievement Award
• 2012 Outstanding Research, College of Arts and Sciences, °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¼Ç¼
• 2012 °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¼Ç¼ Professional Achievement Award
• 2011 °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¼Ç¼ Professional Achievement Award
• 2010 °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¼Ç¼ Professional Achievement Award
• 2002 Henry & Sylvia Richardson Post-Doctoral Award, Entomological Society of America
• Billings Award for Best Physiological Ecology Oral presentation, Ecological Society of America
• 2001 President’s Prize – 1st place for Section Cc/Ce/Cf Paper Competition, Entomological Society of America
• Lillian and Alex Feir Graduate Student Travel Award in Insect Physiology, Biochemistry or Molecular Biology, Entomological Society of America
• Outstanding Ph.D. Display Presentation Award – 1st place, Southeast Branch of Entomological Society of America
• Best Ph.D. Poster Presentation – 1st Place, Gamma Sigma Delta, Arkansas Chapter, Fayetteville, AR
• 2000 The Plant Resistance to Insect Graduate Student Award, Entomological Society of America
• Baerg-Isely Travel Award, Department of Entomology, University of Arkansas
• Warren Scholarship, Department of Entomology, University of Arkansas
• TRIO Champion, Upward Bound Math & Science Academy Teaching Award, University of Arkansas
• Isley Outstanding Ph.D. Student, Dept of Entomology, University of Arkansas
• Best Ph.D. Presentation – 1st place winner, Gamma Sigma Delta, Arkansas Chapter, Fayetteville, AR
• Linnaean Team – 1st place winner, Southeast Branch of Entomological Society of America
• 1st Place Graduate Presentation, Arkansas Entomological Society meeting, Little Rock, AR
• 1999 President’s Prize – 1st place for Section B Paper Competition, Entomological Society of America
• Linnaean Team – 1st place winner, Southeast Branch of Entomological Society of America
• 1995 Polished Apple Teaching Award, Southeast Missouri State University
• 1989 Army Achievement Medal, Ft Leonardwood, MO

Service and Leadership Highlights

• Interim Department Chair, °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¼Ç¼ Biological Sciences
• Chair of Personal Committee, °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¼Ç¼ Biological Sciences
• Faculty Council, Secretary College of Arts and Sciences
• Chair of the Youth, Education, Outreach Committee Entomological Society of America
• Steering Committee, International Plant Resistance to Insects Workshop
• Provost Awards of Excellence Committee for Excellence in Scholarly/Creative/Performative/Professional Activities
• College of Arts and Sciences Dean Search Committee Member
• Committee Chair General Biology Committee
• Chair of Three Biological Sciences Faculty Searches
• Chair Biology Day Committee
• Seminar Committee Chair

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