Research Interests / Job description Understanding the basic processes underlying the interactions between fruits and pathogenic fungi. Studying biochemical and molecular mechanisms that are controlling postharvest fungal virulence and fruit resistance factors. Development of transformation-mediated gene disruption strains affected in pathogenicity and with enhanced ability to elicit defense responses. Studying the biochemical basis for modulation of pathogenicity of postharvest pathogens by affecting the alkalinization and acidification of the environment of infected tissue. Specifically: regulation of organic acid production and secretion; nitrogen metabolism and ammonia secretion. Effect of the secreted substances on the modulation of host local pH and program cell death. Etiology and control of postharvest losses in deciduous and subtropical fruits by integration of pre-and postharvest treatments.