Entomology And Nematology Department

Dr. Deepak Haarith (Rajendran)

Assistant Professor
Molecular Nematology

I am a bioprocess and biochemical engineer turned plant nematologist who is interested in how nematodes interact with plants, soil microbes and other nematodes, especially other plant parasitic nematodes.

My molecular nematology program at UF is interested in understanding the bases of plant host resistance and biological control to better integrate them into effective nematode management in agriculture. We rely on molecular biology methods, plant biotechnology tools, greenhouse and growth chamber studies as well as on collaborators for field trials to study these relationships.

Research
My program is interested in asking:
1. How do the phytobiomes of different plant-nematode pathosystems vary and how can we use them?
2. How do cultural practices, including chemical nematode control, impact phytobiomes?
3. How do biotic and abiotic interactions impact durability of deployed host resistance against nematodes?

Teaching

Principles of Nematology - NEM 3002 / Graduate Survey in Nematology NEM 5004c

Course Description: Nematodes are the most numerous multi-cellular animals on earth. They are present everywhere ranging from the coldest deserts in Antarctica to the tallest mountains and deepest ocean sediments. They are incredibly diverse. For instance, a handful of soil can contain hundreds of species of nematodes. Some nematodes play a role in ecosystem processes like decomposition, nutrient mineralization, or plant parasitism. Many are parasites of most species of invertebrate and vertebrate animals, including humans. In other words, nematodes are everywhere! Find out more about the worms that you tread upon every day. This class hopes to peak your curiosity about nematodes and prepare you for advanced nematology courses or classes in allied fields such as entomology, plant pathology, parasitology, or zoology.

This course is offered every Spring semester.

a photo of Dr. Rajendran

Contact

Room: 3108
Steinmetz Hall (Bldg #970)
1881 Natural Area Drive
Gainesville, FL 32611-0620
(352) 229-46935
deepakrajendran@ufl.edu

Haarith Lab

Education
- Ph.D. in Plant Pathology (Fungal-nematode interactions), University of Minnesota, 2020
- M. Tech in Industrial Biotechnology (Bioprocess and biochemical engineering), SASTRA University, 2013

Google Scholar Publications
- Google Scholar Publications

Awards

Awards:

Schroth Faces of the Future in Nematology Award - 2021
American Phytopathological Society (APS)

Anne Caton Service and Peer Mentorship Award - 2019
The Aurora Center for Advocacy and Education, University of Minnesota

University of Minnesota President's Student Leadership and Service Award - 2019
For exceptional leadership and service to the University and the surrounding community.

Drs. Charles and Dorothy Andrew Bird Prize for Science 2017
Sigma Xi Scientific and Professional Society, Minnesota Chapter

Service to the Society of Nematologists:

Board member and newsletter editor - 2021-2023
Social media coordinator - 2020-2021
Chair - Biological control committee - 2019

Other Service:

Minnesota state-certified sexual assault crisis counsellor - 2018-2020
The Aurora Centre for advocacy and education (Sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking), University of Minnesota and Augsburg University