Vahidehalsadat Rafieebanadaki

I am a researcher at the Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, SLU. My research explores the biology of plant-pathogenic fungi, from fungal population diversity and molecular plant–pathogen interactions to interactions among co-infecting fungal species. A major focus of my current research is Fusarium head blight in cereal crops, where I investigate how interactions among Fusarium species influence fungal colonization, disease development, secondary metabolism and mycotoxin production. 

My research focuses on the biology of plant-pathogenic fungi and the mechanisms underlying their interactions with plants and other fungi. My current research primarily focuses on FHB-associated Fusarium species, investigating fungal–fungal and fungal–plant interactions, fungal molecular biology, secondary metabolism, mycotoxin production, population biology and molecular responses during infection.

My earlier research focused extensively on Verticillium dahliae and Verticillium longisporum. During my PhD, I investigated the population genetics, genomics and epidemiology of V. dahliae across different cropping systems and hosts, including cotton and pistachio. During my postdoctoral research, I moved towards the molecular biology of fungal pathogenicity, investigating effector proteins, virulence factors and molecular interactions between V. longisporum and its Brassicaceae hosts, particularly oilseed crops.

Together, my research spans fungal population genetics and genomics, molecular plant pathology, fungal molecular biology, secondary metabolism and multispecies interactions, with the broader goal of understanding how fungal pathogens adapt, interact and cause disease in crop plants.

I contribute to teaching and research training at Bachelor's, Master's and doctoral levels, particularly in plant pathology, plant–microbe interactions, fungal biology and population genetics of plant pathogens. I also supervise Master's students and co-supervise doctoral and postdoctoral researchers. At SLU, I serve as Study Director for PhD courses at Organism Biology Research School at the Faculty of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences and contribute to doctoral training activities and workshops.

PhD in Plant Pathology, Shiraz University, Iran, 2018
Visiting PhD student, Cornell University, USA, 2015–2016
MSc in Plant Pathology, Shiraz University, Iran, 2012
BSc in Plant Protection, Tehran University, Iran, 2009

Awards and Recognition

• FORMAS Early Career grant (2022-2026)
• King Carl XVI Gustaf's 50-year Fund for Science, Technology and the Environment Awarded for research on biological control of Fusarium diseases in cereals (2024)
• Honorary member of the Jeanie Borlaug Laube Women in Triticum award by the Borlaug Global Rust Initiative for contributions to wheat research and dedication to improving food security