Weiran Li

Weiran Li is a Ph.D. graduate student in the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology at Purdue University. He obtained a bachelor's degree in plant protection (2012) from China Agriculture University. Weiran’s research is focused on the project Objective 3.1 Establish biomarkers in corn that predict predisposition to mycotoxin contamination. He has greenhouse experiments that will allow him to measure the phenotypic, biochemical and molecular effects on corn exposed to drought and heat when applied four weeks prior to silking.  His goal is to correlate data on photosynthesis parameters, CO₂ fixation, transpiration, leaf temperature,soluble sugar and free amino acids levels, and gene expression with ear rot severity and aflatoxin and fumonisin levels at ear maturity. Weiran’s academic advisor is Dr. Charles Woloshuk.