Professor Ana Calvo
Presidential Research Professor
Molecular Studies of Agriculturally and Medically Important Fungi
Our research group is investigating genetic regulatory mechanisms that control the beneficial as well as the detrimental impact of fungal species that are of agricultural and medical importance. Fungi produce a wide range of natural products (also denominated secondary metabolites); among them are medical drugs such as antibiotics, anti-tumoral drugs and cholesterol reducing drugs, as well as undesirable compounds such as virulent factors and carcinogenic mycotoxins. The biosynthesis of these compounds is often found to be genetically linked to morphogenesis, including the formation of air-borne spores and the formation of fruiting bodies or of resistant structures that allow these eukaryotic organisms to survive adverse environmental conditions.
Degrees
Ph.D., Apto Cum Laude, CIB-CSIC/University of Alcala de Henares, Madrid, Spain (Microbiology), 1995
M.S., University of Alcala de Henares, Madrid, Spain(Microbiology and Parasitology) 1989
B.S., University of Alcala de Henares, Madrid, Spain (Biological Science) 1987
Additional Experience
Postdoctoral stay (Molecular Microbiology September-December 2001). Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Postdoctoral stay (Molecular Microbiology-Functional Genomics July-August 2001) Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Postdoctoral Stay (Molecular Microbiology 1996-June 2001). Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Contact
Ana M. Calvo
amcalvo@niu.edu
Office: MO 341, (815) 753-0451
Lab: (815) 753-1468
Depart. of Biological Sciences
Northern Illinois University