Eula Gems Mateo Oreiro

My research focuses on the evolution of Zymoseptoria tritici, the fungal pathogen responsible for septoria tritici blotch in wheat. Specifically, I investigate how pathogen populations adapt to two major selective pressures: fungicide application and temperature variation. My work aims to identify genetic mutations associated with fungicide resistance in long-term, pan-European Zymoseptoria populations. Using genomic analyses and experimental evolution approaches, I also investigate how temperature influences pathogen aggressiveness, fitness costs, and evolutionary trade-offs, with the broader goal of understanding the adaptive mechanisms shaping pathogen evolution under changing environmental conditions.

Prior to pursuing my PhD, I worked at the International Rice Research Institute, where I was involved in monitoring effective resistance genes against bacterial leaf blight in rice and worked on breeding for resistance to rice sheath blight.

I earned my Master of Science in Plant Pathology, with a minor in Plant Breeding, from the University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna.