Louis Bengyella, Ph.D.

Current Focus

My laboratory offers advanced commercial testing services for turfgrass pathogens via classical cultural, microscopic, and molecular methods (PCR, RT-PCR, qPCR, ELISA, etc.,), and pesticide resistance and susceptibility testing of invasive pathogens. Our services support homeowners, golf course superintendents, and all turfgrass stakeholders. My research interests include (1) molecular epidemiology, plant-microbe interactions of fungi and viruses, (2) fungi secretome effector proteins and diagnostic tool development, and (3) characterization of newly reported plant pathogens of turfgrass and industrial hemp production.

Professional Background

• Assistant Research Professor, The Pennsylvania State University, 2021-present
• Senior Field Research and Development Manager, American Farms Consulting, 2019–2020.
• Post-doctoral Research Associate, Washington State University, WA, 2018–2019.
• Post-doctoral Fellow, Vaal University of Technology, South Africa, 2017–2018.
• Senior Lecturer, University of Health and Allied Sciences, 2015–2016.
• Post-doctoral Scholar, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, 2014–2015.
• PH.D. Research Scholar, The Burdwan University, West Bengal, India, 2010 – 2014.
• MSc. Graduate Research Assistant, The University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon 2001–2007.

Honors and Awards

• African-German Network of Excellence, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH)-TWAS, 2016
• The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) and DBT, Government of India, 2010 – 2014.
• Roger Pelle Fellowship Grant, 2007 and 2009.