RICHARD OLIVER MUSSER, Ph. D.
RO-Musser@wiu.edu
Department of Biological Sciences
Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL
EDUCATION/ RESEARCH POSITIONS
2003-current Assistant Professor Animal Physiology/Physiological Ecology/
Plant-Herbivore Interactions, Western
Illinois University, Macomb, IL
2001-2003 Research Associate Functional Genomics/ Insect-Herbivore Interactions,
Center for Insect
Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ (Sponsor: Judy
Brown)
2003 Spring Adjunct Biology Faculty Human Anatomy and Physiology Instructor,
Pima Community College (West Campus), Tucson,
AZ (Dept. Chair Brad Fiero)
2001 Visiting Scientist Gene Expression Laboratory, Ecology
Institute, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland (Sponsor: Edward
Farmer)
1997-2002 Ph.D. in Entomology (Insect Physiology & Chemical Ecological),
minor in Plant Biotechnology, enrichment in Scientific Communication, Dept.
of Entomology University of
Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR (Advisor: Gary
W. Felton, Pennsylvania State University)
1997-2002 Dissertation: Caterpillar salivary enzyme: Multi-functional
role in herbivore fitness.
1994-1997 M.S. in Biology, complementary area in Biochemistry,
Dept. Biology Southeast Missouri State University
Girardeau, MO. (Advisor: Steve Trautwein)
Thesis: Sensory pre-conditioning & second-order conditioning in predator
recognition by fat-head minnows.
1989-1992 Biology, Park University,
Parkville, MO (Advisor: Dorothy May)
PUBLICATIONS (Email Dr. Musser:
if you would like a copy of any these publications)
Musser, R. O., Don Cipollini, Sue M. Hum-Musser, Judith K. Brown, and Gary W. Felton. 2004. Evidence that the Caterpillar Salivary Enzyme Glucose Oxidase Provides Herbivore Offense in Solanaceous Plants. (in press Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology).
Musser, R. O., Hyeong S. Kwon*, Spencer Williams*, C. James White*, Mike Romano, Shay Bradbury*, Judith K. Brown, and Gary W. Felton. 2004. Evidence that the Caterpillar Labial Saliva Suppresses Pathogencity of Potential Bacterial Pathogens. (in press Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology).
Musser, R. O., Edward Farmer, Michelle Peiffer, and Gary W. Felton. 2004. Caterpillar Salivary Gland Ablation Technique for the Clarification of the Role of the Labial Enzyme Glucose Oxidase. (in press Journal of Chemical Ecology).
Musser, R. O., et al. 2003. Caterpillar Salivary Gland Ablation Technique for the Clarification of the Role of the Labial Enzyme Glucose Oxidase. (Accepted Journal of Chemical Ecology).
Musser, R. O., et al. 2003. Increased Larval Growth and Preference for Virus-Infected Leaves by the Mexican Bean Beetle, a Plant Virus Vector. J. of Insect Behavior 16: 247-256.
Musser, R. O., et al. 2002. Caterpillar Saliva Beats Plant Defences: A New Weapon Emerges in the Coevolutionary Arms Race Between Plants and Herbivores. Nature 416: 599-600.
Musser, R. O., et al. 2002. Evidence that Ribonuclease Activity Present in Beetle Regurgitant is Found to Stimulate Virus Resistance in Plants. J. Chemical Ecology 28: 1691-1696.
Ham, C. M., J. R. Brown, R. O. Musser, C. R. Rutledge, and M. V. Meisch. 1999. Comparison of Electrostatic Versus Non-electrostatic ULV sprays of Aqua Reslin Against Anopheles quadrimaculatus adults. J. Am. Mosq. Control Assoc. 15: 312-314.
In preparation
Musser, R.O. 2003. Simple and Inexpensive Experiment to Demonstrate a Plant’s Immune-like Response to Caterpillars. (Submitted The American Biology Teacher).
Bede, JC, De Moraes CM, Musser, RO, Felton, GW and Korth, KL. Caterpillar herbivory and salivary factors decrease transcript levels of Medicago truncatula genes encoding early enzymes in terpenoid biosynthesis. Plant physiology (in preparation).
Ervin, G., J. Bede, R. O. Musser, K. Korth, and G. Felton. 2003. Systemin-independent anti-herbivore defense induction by insect herbivory of tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum. (Submitted Plant Physiology).
Musser, R.O. and Felton, G.W. 2003. A Suppression Mechanism of Induced Plant
Defenses by an
Insect Salivary Enzyme. (In Preparation Plant Physiology)
Musser, R.O. et al. 2003. Genomic response of maize to insect herbivory. (In
preparation Plant Physiology)
Musser, R.O. et al. 2003 Effect of Caterpillar Labial Salivary Proteases on
Tomato Direct Defenses.
(In preparation Journal of Chemical Ecology)
Wang, Q., Yang, Y., R.O. Musser, and G. Felton. 2003. Salivary gland-specific glucose oxidase gene from Helicoverpa zea: cloning, characterization and use for engineering insect resistant transgenic plants. (In preparation PNAS)
Musser, R.O. et al. 2003. Evidence that Helicoverpa zea Caterpillar Salivary Enzyme Glucose Oxidase Provides a Dual Protective Function Against Plant Defenses and Bacterial Pathogens (In preparation Journal of Chemical Ecology)
GRANTS/FELLOWSHIPS
Musser, R.O. and Hum-Musser, S. M. 2004. Maize Functional Genomic Response to Insect Herbivory. United States Department of Agriculture. Funded Amount- $100,000
Musser, R.O. and Hum-Musser, S.M. 2004. 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, R.O. 2004. Using Microarray to investigate insect and plant interactions. Western Illinois University Research Council. Funded Amount - $5000
Musser, R.O. 2002. Genomic response of Plants to Insect Herbivores. Entomological Foundation Henry and Sylvia Richardson Research Grant. Funded Amount - $1000
Musser, R.O. 2002. Center of Insect Science, two-year stipend and research/travel allowance. Post-Doctoral Research Associate Fellowship. Funded Amount- $75,000
Musser, R. O., et al. 2001 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.
Musser, R.O. 2000. Caterpillar Suppression of Host Plant Defenses. Entomological Foundation, The Plant Resistance to Insects Graduate Student Grant. Funded Amount - $500
INVITED RESEARCH SEMINAR PRESENTATIONS
2003 Department of Biological Sciences,
Western Illinois University, Illinois
2002 Department of Entomology, Clemson University,
Clemson, South Carolina
2002 Exotic and Invasive Diseases and Pest Research, USDA,
San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center, Parlier, California
2002 Plant Science, University of Arizona,
Tucson, Arizona
2001 Gene Expression Laboratory, Ecology Institute, University
of Lausanne, Switzerland
2001 Center for Insect Science, University
of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
2001 Biology Department, University of Arkansas,
Fayetteville, Arkansas
2001 Biology Department, Arkansas Tech University,
Russellville, Arkansas
2001 Biology Department, University of Central
Arkansas, Conway, Arkansas
2001 Biology Department Southern Utah University,
Cedar City, Utah
PROFESSIONAL ABSTRACTS AND PRESENTATIONS
Musser, R.O., et al. 2003. Multi-functional role of Caterpillar Saliva. Entomological Society of America, Cinncinnati, Ohio
Musser, R.O., et al. 2002. Molecular response of plants to herbivore salivary
components.
1) Entomological Society of America, Fort
Lauderdale, FL; 2) Pacific Branch of Entomological Society of America, Tucson,
AZ
Musser, R.O., et al. 2002. Caterpillar saliva reduces pathogenesis 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 Felton, G.W. 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
Musser, R.O., and Farmer, E. 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. 1) Southeastern Branch of Entomological Society of America, Augusta, GA; 2) Gordon Research Plant Herbivore Interactions, Ventura, CA; 3) Gamma Sigma Delta. Arkansas Chapter, Fayetteville, AR; and 4) Entomological Society of America, Montreal, Canada
Musser, R. O., et al. 2000 & 2001. Caterpillar salivary enzyme: Multi-functional Role in Herbivore Fitness. 1) Entomological Society of America, Montreal, Canada; 2) Southeastern Branch of Entomological Society of America, Augusta, GA
Musser, R. O., et al. 2000. A Mutualistic Relationship Between the Mexican Bean Beetle & Bean Pod Mottle Virus. Entomological Society of America, Montreal, Canada
Felton, G. W., Wang, Q, Musser, R. O., and Ervin, G. N. 2000. The Specificity of Herbivore Elicitation of Plant responses. Entomological Society of America, Montreal, Canada
Musser, R. O., et al. 1999 & 2000. Helicoverpa zea Salivary Enzymes in Manipulation of Host Plant Defenses. 1) (Invited) to Southeastern Branch of Entomological Society of America, Mobile, Alabama; and 2) Gamma Sigma Delta, Arkansas Chapter, Fayetteville, AR
Musser, R. O., et al. 1999. Caterpillar Salivary Enzymes: Role in the Manipulation of Host Plant Defenses. 1) Entomological Society of America, Atlanta, GA; 2) Arkansas Crop Protection Association, Fayetteville, AR; and 3) Arkansas Entomological Society, Hot Springs, AR
Musser, R. O., et al. 1998. Salivary Proteases of larval Helicoverpa zea. 1) Arkansas Entomological Society, Hot Springs, AR; and 2) Entomological Society of America, Las Vegas, NV
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
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2003-current Assistant Biology Professor, Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL. Teaching Duties: Animal Physiology, Physiological and Molecular Ecology, Plant-Animal Interactions, Biological Diversity, Biology for Non-science Majors, Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II
2003 Adjunct Biology Faculty, Pima Community College West Campus, Tucson, AZ. Taught 12 credit hours 2 classes of Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology (Bio160); 1 class of Biology for Science Majors (Bio 180)
2000-2001 Lead Research Instructor, Pre-Collegiate Math & Science Academy (Upward Bound), University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR. Developed & taught principles of research and analysis, directed insect physiology and insect/plant interaction projects, taught principles of scientific writing.
2000-2001 Distance Education Science Instructor, Pre-Collegiate Math & Science Academy (Upward Bound), University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR. Developed and taught course via the Internet.
2000 Insect Physiology Teaching Assistant, Dept of Entomology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR. Lectured Insect Physiology class, developed & taught insect physiology laboratory, directed insect physiology research projects.
1998-2000 Entomology Instructor, University Natural History
Museum, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR. Developed & taught entomology
summer workshops for youth, planned & conducted entomological field trips.
1998 Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Entomology,
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR. Lectured for Insects & People
class, developed and taught entomology laboratory, evaluated and counseled students
on their progress, and assisted teaching Introduction to Pest Management class.
1995-1996 Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Biology,
Southeast Missouri State University, Cape
Girardeau, MO. Developed & taught lectures and recitations for Biology of
Living class, developed & graded quizzes, homework assignments, and tests.
1994-1995 Laboratory Coordinator & Biological Learning Resource
Center Facilitator, Cape
Girardeau, MO. Assisted students in preparation and planning of experiments,
tutored biology students
RESEARCH ADVISOR FOR MENTORED STUDENTS
2003-2005 Henry Lee*, Hyeog Sun* and Kim Lecompte§. *Master’s
Thesis advisor Western Illinois University;
§Honor’s Thesis Advisor Western Illinois University
2002-2003 Matthew Gallucci and Michael Robinson. Given the responsibility of Post-doc advisor for Mr. Gallucci, I am closely advising him on designing experiments for his Master’s thesis. I am mentoring Mike Robinson, who is a Native American High School Student.
2001 John Goff§, Spencer Williams2 ,John Smith§
and Shaun Steele*. §Students from Arkansas School for Mathematics and Sciences,
Hot Springs, AR and an *Upward Bound. Advised students on a summer
research project dealing with the Tri-trophic relationship between the Mexican
Bean Beetle, Bean Pod
Mottle Virus, and soybeans. §1st place overall team science fair competition,
and competed in International Science Fair Competition in May 2002. 21st place
Regional Science Fair in Botany and 1st place Regional Jr. Academy in Botany.
2000 & 2001 Michelle Shreve. Student from Arkansas School for Mathematics and Sciences, Hot Springs, AR and Upward Bound. Advised Michelle on a summer research project dealing with the suppression of the virulence of the insect pathogen HzNPV by caterpillar saliva. Her results from our research project resulted in her winning three science fair awards: 1st place Regional Science Fair in Zoology and 1st place Regional Jr. Academy for Zoology, Honorable Mention Overall Regional Science Fair, 3rd place State Jr. Academy in Zoology and State Science Fair in Zoology, Special Award from the U.S. Army ($50 savings bond).
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
1996 Vector Control Assistant, Dept of Health, St. Louis County,
MO. Planned and managed mosquito
surveillance for disease examination, carried out mosquito control efforts,
developed educational seminars
for citizens.
1995 Medical Entomological Assistant, CDC grant Missouri Dept
of Health. Contracted employee of
Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, MO. Responsible for mosquito
surveillance of St.
Charles & Jefferson County, coordinated mosquito collecting efforts.
1992-1995 Director of Personnel & Operations, B Company
110th Combat Engineers of Missouri Army
National Guard, Kansas City, MO. Scheduled and conducted training sessions,
supervised construction of school in Las LaHas, Panama, developed Nuclear, Biological,
Chemical lane training for the Battalion.
1993 US Army Engineer Officer Basic Course, Ft Leonardwood,
MO
1992 US Army Reserve Officer Training Corp Advance Course,
Ft Lewis, WA
1990 Missouri Army National Guard Sapper Course, Ft Leonardwood,
MO
1989 US Army Engineer Advance Individual Training Course, Ft
Leonardwood, MO
1989 U.S. Army Basic Training Course, Ft Leonardwood, MO
AWARDS
2002 Henry and Sylvia Richardson Post-Doctoral Award, Entomological
Society of America
2002 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
2001 Lillian and Alex Feir Graduate Student Travel Award in
Insect Physiology, Biochemistry or
Molecular Biology, Entomological Society of America
2001 Outstanding Ph. D. Display Presentation Award - 1st place,
Southeast Branch of
Entomological Society of America
2001 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
2000 Baerg-Isely Travel Award, Department of Entomology, University
of Arkansas
2000 Warren Scholarship, Department of Entomology, University
of Arkansas
2000 TRIO Champion, Upward Bound Math & Science Academy
Teaching Award, University of Arkansas
2000 Isley Outstanding Ph.D. Student, Dept of Entomology, University
of Arkansas
2000 Best Ph.D. Presentation - 1st place winner, Gamma Sigma
Delta, Arkansas Chapter, Fayetteville, AR
2000 Linnaean Team - 1st place winner, Southeast Branch of
Entomological Society of America
2000 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
1999 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
SERVICES
2004 Guest Editor Special Edition: Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiologynsect Saliva: An Integrative ApproachBiography:
Richard Musser completed his Ph.D. in Entomology (Insect Physiology/Chemical
Ecology/Plant-Herbivore Interactions) from the University of Arkansas. His Ph.D.
dissertation involved caterpillar saliva suppressing the defense mechanisms
that plants have in response to insect pests. In 2000 and 2001, Musser was selected
as the lead research instructor for the UArk’s Upward Bound Math and Science
Academy, a college preparation program for high school students excelling in
math and science. The program serves 40 students who generally come from economically
disadvantaged backgrounds and will be the first in their family to attend college.
Musser received the 2000 ESA Plant Resistance to Insects Graduate Student Research
Award, and used the monetary award to pay the stipend of two Upward Bound students
he mentored that summer. In 2001, Musser spent six weeks at the University of
Lausanne in Switzerland, where he worked on the study of the induction of defense
genes in plants. Later that year he received the Lillian and Alex Feir Insect
Physiology and Molecular Biology Graduate Student Travel Award and in 2002 he
received the Billings awards for Best Physiological Ecology Presentation from
the Ecological Society of America. And this work was published in the journal
Nature. In 2001-2003, he was Post-Doctoral Research Associate for the Center
of Insect Science, in the Department of Plant Science, at the University of
Arizona, in Tucson, Arizona and in addition was an Adjunct Biology Faculty member
for Pima Community College (West Campus) and taught Human Anatomy and Physiology
and Biology for Science Majors. Fall 2003 he started a position as Assistant
Professor of Biology at Western Illinois University. His research focus is on
functional genomics of plant-herbivore inte