Welcome to the Research Lab of Dr. Jennifer Duringer!
Dr. Duringer's research program focuses on the impacts of natural plant components on food safety and agricultural productivity by:
- Examining the biochemical effects, mechanisms of toxicity and ultimate biotransformation of plant and fungal toxicants in humans and animals;
- Investigating the potential of naturally produced fungal compounds in plant hosts to act as pest deterrents;
- Delineating the molecular and chemical characterization of ecotypes of pathogenic fungi which has implications for disease management and safety; and
- Determining the chemical profile and toxicological/therapeutic indices of essential oil extracts from native plants, with an emphasis on those consumed by indigenous populations throughout the world.
Dr. Duringer also leads the testing program of the Endophyte Service Laboratory for detection and quantification of endophyte mycotoxins in forages and other feed materials grown in the Pacific Northwest, United States that are destined for global distribution.