Dr George Matusick (Post Doctoral Research Fellow)

Research:

My research career started at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry as an undergraduate student (2002-2006) working on the Beach Bark Disease insect-pathogen complex affecting areas of the Eastern United States.  My post-graduate work (2006-2010) focused on the pathogenicity and deleterious effects of root-inhabiting bark beetle-associated ophiostomatoid fungi found in Pinus species throughout the South-Eastern U.S.  In addition to researching host-pathogen interactions, I was involved in insect population research, root disease surveys (USDA) and tree disease diagnostics.  During my post-graduate research I worked as a forest manager (U.S. Army), responsible for formulation of timber management prescriptions, application of prescribed fire, and other land management techniques.

Qulaifications:

• Ph.D. Forestry (Forest Pathology/Entomology), Auburn University, Alabama, USA (2010)
• B.Sc.  Environmental Biology, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, New York, USA (2006)

Research Interests:

• Tree-Pathogen Interactions
• Tree-Insect Interactions
• Forest/Woodland Disturbance Ecology
• Tree Decline Ecology

Publications:

Matusick, G., Somers, GL., Eckhardt, L.G.  Accepted.  Root lesions in large loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) following inoculation with four root-inhabiting ophiostomatoid fungi.  For. Path.

Matusick, G., Somers, G.L., Eckhardt, L.G.  2010.  Susceptibility of longleaf pine roots to infection and damage by four root-inhabiting ophiostomatoid fungi.  For. Ecol. Manag. 260(12): 2189-2195.

Zanzot, J.W., Matusick, G., Eckhardt, L.G.  2010.  Ecology of root-feeding beetles and their associated fungi on longleaf pine in Georgia.  Environ. Ent.  39(2): 415-423.

Matusick, G., Eckhardt, L.G.  2010.  Variation in virulence among four root-inhabiting ophiostomatoid fungi on Pinus taeda L., P. palustris, Mill., and P. elliottii Engelm. seedlings.  Can. J. Plant Path. 32(3): 361-367.

Matusick, G., Eckhardt, L.G.  2010.  The pathogenicity and virulence of four ophiostomatoid fungi on young longleaf pine trees.  Can. J. Plant Path.  32(2): 170-176.

Teale, S.A., Letkowski, S., Matusick, G., Stehman, S.V., Castello, J.D.  2009.  Quantitative, non-destructive assessment of beech scale (Hemiptera: Cryptococcidae) density using digital image analysis of wax masses.  Environ. Ent. 38)4): 1235-1240.

Centre of Excellence for Climate Change Woodland and Forest Health
School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology,
Murdoch University
Western Australia 6150
Australia

Ph: +61 (8) 9360 2928
Fax: +61 8 9360 6303
Email: [ Email Barbara ]

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