LAB MEMBERS
Dr. Jane Marian Luis
Assistant Professor / Assistant Specialist
Dr. Luis earned a B.S. degree in Agriculture, major in Plant Pathology, from the University of the Philippines Los Baños, followed by M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Plant Pathology from the University of Georgia and North Carolina State University. Her experience spans both basic and applied research in roles as research and field technician at Virginia Tech, postdoctoral scholar at The Ohio State University, and postdoctoral research associate at Purdue University. She joined the Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences at the University of University of Hawaii at Manoa as an assistant specialist in July 2024. Her current work integrates research and extension efforts to characterize fungal pathogens and to develop sustainable strategies for managing fungal diseases impacting tropical crops.
Email: luisjm@hawaii.edu, CTAHR Faculty Profile
Olatubosun Fisayo Ojo
M.S. Student, Tropical Plant Pathology
Olatubosun is a graduate research assistant in the Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He earned his B.S. in Biology from the National Open University of Nigeria and previously worked as a research supervisor at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Nigeria. At IITA, he focused on germplasm health, plant pathogen detection, and integrated pest management, giving him an edge in safeguarding plant health and biodiversity. His current research in Hawaii involves screening koa families for resistance to koa wilt and characterizing fungal pathogens affecting tropical crops. Olatubosun has a strong background in both field and laboratory diagnostics, and his work supports the broader goal of improving plant health and biosecurity in tropical agriculture. He is passionate about food security, disease surveillance, and innovative approaches to plant protection.
Email: oojo@hawaii.edu
Saimon Errel Caligayahan
M.S. Student, Tropical Plant Pathology
Saimon is a plant pathologist from Quezon Province, Philippines. He graduated with a degree of B.S. in Agriculture, major in Plant Pathology, from the University of the Philippines Los Baños in 2019 and became a licensed agriculturist the same year. He began his career as a seed analyst at the Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) National Seed Quality Control Services, where he worked in the Seed Health Unit ensuring the quality and health of seed samples by identifying the seedborne fungal pathogens present. Currently a graduate research assistant at the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR), Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences (PEPS), he contributes to plant disease diagnosis and research, including a survey of fungal diseases affecting tomato.
Email: sescali@hawaii.edu
Noah Birn
Undergraduate Research Assistant (Spring 2026 - current)
Undergraduate student, Molecular Biosciences and Biotechnology, University of Hawaii at Manoa
Role: Conducts fungal isolation, culturing, and molecular assays; assists with disease management projects
Sophia Van Wagoner
Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (Fall 2025)
Undergraduate student, Marine Biology, University of Hawaii at Manoa
Project: Identification of fungal populations associated with macadamia nuts in Hawaii
Tani-Lei Nishikawa
Mentee, Science Fair Project (Fall 2024 - Spring 2025)
Senior student, Kailua High School
Project: Spore-trapping and detection of windborne fungal plant pathogens on Oahu