PhD Student

Mark Jave Bautista

A photo of one of our researchers in their office

Bio

I am one of the first graduates of the master’s program offered by TSL. Prior to pursuing graduate studies, I obtained a bachelor's degree in agriculture with specialisation in molecular plant pathology. After college, I worked as a researcher dealing on molecular breeding for rice blast resistance, analysis of pathogen population genetic structure, and the use of bacteriophages for bacterial soft rot disease.

Currently, I am a PhD student in Prof. Nick Talbot’s lab, supported by the Halpin PhD Scholarship in Rice Blast Research. My research project investigates a novel set of phosphorylated effectors dependent on Pmk1 MAP kinase activity during the cell-to-cell invasion of the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. To elucidate their functions and host protein targets, I am using a combinatorial approach of molecular genetics, cell biology and live-cell imaging, and proteomics. I am also involved in various studies that aim to identify transcriptional regulator of effector gene expression, characterise novel MAX effectors, and determine the role of a fungal protease in the secretion of blast effectors.

Job history

  • 2023 -

    PhD Student

    The Sainsbury Laboratory, Norwich, UK
  • 2022 - 2023

    Predoc

    The Sainsbury Laboratory, Norwich, UK
  • 2021 - 2022

    MSc Student

    The Sainsbury Laboratory, Norwich, UK
  • 2020 - 2021

    Researcher

    International Rice Research Institute Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
  • 2019 - 2020

    University Research Associate

    University of the Philippines Los Baños
  • 2018 - 2019

    BSc research scholar

    International Rice Research Institute Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines