Team

Current Lab Members

Asia (Joanna) Kud

Assistant Professor, Principal Investigator

I am originally from Poland where I obtained my M.Sc. in Biotechnology. I then earned my Ph.D. in Plant Science at the University of Idaho, US with my doctoral research focusing on the defense signaling networks in tomato during bacterial infection. After four years of postdoctoral training in the Pale Cyst Nematode Program at the University of Idaho, I joined the University of Arkansas in late 2022 as an Assistant Professor of Nematology. In my free time, I enjoy camping, hiking, and spending time with my family.

Plant Sciences Building 211
495 N. Campus Walk
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Email: jkud@uark.edu
Phone: 479 575 4536

Payal Sanadhya

Program Associate

I pursued my PhD degree in Plant Biotechnology from AcSIR (Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research) India. For my PhD Research I worked at national institute CSIR-CSMRI to dissect the molecular mechanisms of salt stress tolerance in a recretohalophyte Aeluropus lagopoides. After my PhD for my postdoctoral training I worked for 5 years in Entomology and Nematology lab, Agricultural Research Organization (ARO), Rishon Lezion, Israel. There I investigated numerous applied and mechanistic aspects of plant nematode interactions and worked for the development of environment friendly biological control agents for crop protection. In 2021, I joined as a Postdoctoral Research fellow at the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas, where I worked in various directions to devise different strategies to use plant elicitor peptides (Peps) as environment friendly alternative to control plant pathogens. The research exposure and expertise I acquired over the years working with plant biotechnology and different aspects of nematology has spurred my interest in plant-nematode interactions. I joined Dr. Kud lab in April 2024. This opportunity of working with different molecular and applicative aspects of nematology will provide me with a more thorough grasp of the subject. In my spare time I like to read, to do nature painting, hiking and exploring new places with my family.

Email: sanadhya@uark.edu

Adil Zahoor

Graduate Student, Ph.D.

I am originally from Pakistan, where I completed my M.Sc. in Plant Pathology from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. My master’s research focused on Mi-1 gene-mediated resistance in tomato against Meloidogyne incognita, combining molecular biology and bioinformatics approaches. I worked as a Research Assistant at Chonnam National University, South Korea, where I gained valuable experience in collecting, multiplying, and managing wild soybean germplasm. I also conducted extensive field surveys across Korea to collect soybean rust-infected samples and performed their molecular identification. These experiences have fueled my passion for understanding plant-pathogen interactions and developing sustainable crop protection strategies. I am excited to work under the mentorship of Professor Joanna Kud, focusing on meta-effectors—higher-order effectors that regulate other effectors and host targets. By understanding meta-effectors’ roles in plant-nematode interactions, this research holds significant potential for identifying novel targets for sustainable nematode management, especially in economically important crops like soybeans. I enjoy playing badminton, camping, and immersing myself in nature in my free time.

Email: azahoor@uark.edu

Cristina Raya Vaca

Graduate Student, Ph.D.

My name is Cristina Raya. I was born in Mexico and raised in Texas where I completed both my Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree. I earned a B.S. in Biology with a minor in chemistry from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and a MS in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Texas at Austin. I have a strong background in tri-trophic interactions and cell and molecular biology. As an undergraduate, I conducted research in a tri-trophic interaction lab where I focused on the effects of trichomes on Manduca sexta, a common crop pest. I also completed two summer internships that strengthened my knowledge in cell and molecular biology techniques. In the first, I focused on EPS15, a protein involved in endocytosis to understand biophysical mechanisms underlying the function of lipid membranes . In the second, I studied SCP1, a cell-regulating protein using x-ray crystallography and enzyme kinetics . I carried out my MS in a developmental biology lab, where I investigated genes associated with developmental anomalies. I used proteomic, molecular, and fluorescent microscopy techniques to study processes critical to vertebrate development. I have joined the Kud Nematology Lab, where we aim to promote economically and environmentally sustainable options for nematode control through our studies. On my free time, I like to go on jogs, hike with my two dogs and tend to my plants.

Email: rayavaca@uark.edu

Anmolpreet Kaur

Graduate Student, M.Sc.

I am originally from Punjab, India where I pursued my bachelor’s in plant biotechnology from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. Recently, I joined the University of Arkansas as a MS graduate student of plant pathology where I am going to work with Dr. Joanna Kud’s lab to understand molecular and genetic soybean-root knot nematode interactions. My hobbies are dancing, drawing, and exploring new things.

Email: a007@uark.edu

Noah Solomon

Lab Technician

Email: npsolomo@uark.edu

Ana Julia da Silva

Visiting Scholar

I am originally from Brazil, a large and diverse country known for its beautiful landscapes. I come from a small town in the countryside of Minas Gerais and am currently pursuing an undergrad degree in Agronomy at the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA). I came to the United States to expand my knowledge and explore new research areas for my professional development. During my first six months at the University of Arkansas, I deepened my knowledge of statistics applied to plant breeding, a critical field for modern agriculture. Currently, I am working as visiting scholar in Dr. Kud’s laboratory, where I am gaining valuable experience in nematology and exploring the field of biotechnology. These experiences have been pivotal in strengthening my academic foundation and opening new opportunities for my career. In my free time, I enjoy reading adventure books, exploring new travel destinations, watching movies, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Email: ad188@uark.edu

Daria Rochowska

Summer Intern

I am originally from Poland, where I am currently pursuing a third-year undergraduate degree in Biotechnology at Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin. I am participating in a summer research internship as an exchange student in Dr. Joanna Kud’s Lab at the University of Arkansas. During my time here, I will be working closely with Payal Sanadhya on a project focused on cyst nematode effector genes, specifically to better understand their role in plant-nematode interactions. This internship is a valuable opportunity for me to grow as a young scientist by gaining hands-on experience in molecular biology and plant-nematode interactions. It allows me to apply the knowledge I’ve acquired during my studies while exploring new research techniques and topics that are essential to biotechnology and plant pathology. Outside of the lab, I enjoy spending time with my family, playing volleyball, swimming. I’m a huge snowboarding enthusiast and I also love reading books, traveling, and discovering new destinations.

Email: dariar@uark.edu