Publications

• MSU researchers at forefront of efforts to halt spread of oak wilt, April 17, 2023
• MSU investigating oak wilt as the cause of sudden chestnut tree decline, March 9, 2023
• Lab focuses on addressing emerging forest diseases, February 18, 2021
• Vigilance against the invisible: building molecular tools to identify pathogens, July 1, 2020
• Michigan chestnut industry makes important donation to MSU research, September 4, 2019
• MSU lands nearly $1 million in grants to fight invasive species, March 02, 2017

MSU

• Michigan Chestnut Management Guide, March 24, 2022
• Help me save my blue spruce, May 27, 2021
• Managing Diplodia tip blight, April 28, 2021
• The best sampling procedures for accurate oak wilt testing, April 28, 2021
• Oak Wilt Awareness Month in Michigan, April 27, 2021
• Bands from Weir’s cushion rust visible on infected spruce needles, April 15, 2021
• Worried about oak wilt?, April 6, 2020
• Preventing the spread of boxwood blight in landscapes, September 10, 2019
• Preventing boxwood blight in nurseries, September 10, 2019
• Browning of boxwood: Is it boxwood blight?, September 10, 2019
• Smart Gardening to prevent oak wilt, August 9, 2019
• Boxwood blight disease identified in Michigan, January 25, 2019
• Have a closer look at your boxwood wreaths this holiday season, December 11, 2018

Other

Harkness, R.J., Sakalidis, M.L. 2022. Michigan State University Sakalidis Lab- Caliciopsis canker disease in Michigan’s forests. Michigan Forest Health Highlights 2021. Page 40. Available: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/-/media/Project/Websites/dnr/Documents/AnnualReports/Michigan-Forest-Health-Highlights-Report.pdf?rev=ca6280b059344636bc7ebe843e0816dd

Parra, P.P., Sakalidis, M.L. 2022. Michigan State University Sakalidis Lab- Oak wilt–stump colonization and root transmission. Michigan Forest Health Highlights 2021. Page 41. Available: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/-/media/Project/Websites/dnr/Documents/AnnualReports/Michigan-Forest-Health-Highlights-Report.pdf?rev=ca6280b059344636bc7ebe843e0816dd

Morris, O., McCullough, D.G., Chahal, K., Sakalidis, M.L. 2021. Michigan State University- McCullough Lab- Activity and contamination of sap feeding nitidulid beetles in oak wilt infection centers.  Michigan Forest Health Highlights 2020. Page 29. Available: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/Report_Forestry_FHH_2020_717383_7.pdf

Watson, A., Medina-Mora, C.M. and Sakalidis, M.L. 2021. Michigan State University Sakalidis Lab- Brown rot of chestnut. Michigan Forest Health Highlights 2020. Page 32. Available: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/Report_Forestry_FHH_2020_717383_7.pdf

Minnix, K., McCullough, D.G., Harkness, R., Sakalidis, M.L., 2021. Michigan State University Sakalidis Lab- Eastern white pine pests. Michigan Forest Health Highlights 2020. Page 33. Available: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/Report_Forestry_FHH_2020_717383_7.pdf

Chahal, K., Sakalidis, M.L., 2021. Michigan State University Sakalidis Lab- Oak wilt research from the Forest Pathology Lab at Michigan State University. Michigan Forest Health Highlights 2020. Page 30. Available: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/Report_Forestry_FHH_2020_717383_7.pdf

Morris, O., McCullough, D.G., Chahal, K., Sakalidis, M.L. 2020. Oak wilt vectors: Activity and contamination rates of sap-feeding nitidulid beetles.  Michigan Forest Health Highlights 2019. Page 16. Available: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/Forest_Health_Highlights_2019_FINAL_-_for_web_FINAL_683429_7.pdf

Minnix, K, McCullough, D.G.  and Sakalidis, M.L. 2020. Sakalidis Lab report- Eastern white pine disease: Caliciopsiscanker disease. Michigan Forest Health Highlights 2019. Page 32. Available:https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/Forest_Health_Highlights_2019_FINAL_-_for_web_FINAL_683429_7.pdf

Minnix, K, Sakalidis, M.L., McCullough, D.G. 2020. Sakalidis Lab report- Eastern white pine pest: White pine weevil. Michigan Forest Health Highlights 2019. Page 32. Available: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/Forest_Health_Highlights_2019_FINAL_-_for_web_FINAL_683429_7.pdf

Chahal, K., Sakalidis, M.L., McCullough, D.G., Morris, O. 2020. Sakalidis Lab report- Oak wilt research. Michigan Forest Health Highlights 2019. Page 32. Available: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/Forest_Health_Highlights_2019_FINAL_-_for_web_FINAL_683429_7.pdf

Shin, K., Sakalidis, M.L. 2020. Sakalidis Lab report- Evaluation of endophytic fungi isolated from Colorado blue spruce in Michigan for biological control of spruce decline. Michigan Forest Health Highlights 2019. Page 32. Available: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/Forest_Health_Highlights_2019_FINAL_-_for_web_FINAL_683429_7.pdf

Watson, A., Medina-Mora, C.M. and Sakalidis, M.L. 2020. Chestnut Brown Rot Study Underway. Chestnut Industry News Fall 2020 Newsletter. Available:  https://www.canr.msu.edu/chestnuts/MCPC%20Newsletter%20FALL%202020.pdf.

Sakalidis, M.L. and Chahal, K. 2019. Oak wilt control. 2018 Forest Health Highlights. Page 13-14. Available: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/frsthlthhghlghts_513144_7.pdf?20160216094536

Sakalidis, M.L. and Shin, K. 2019. Spruce decline. 2018 Forest Health Highlights. Page 21-22. Available: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/frsthlthhghlghts_513144_7.pdf?20160216094536

Minnix, K., McCullough, D.G., Sakalidis, M.L. 2019. White pine decline. 2018 Forest Health Highlights. Page 29-30. Available: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/frsthlthhghlghts_513144_7.pdf?20160216094536

Sakalidis, M.L. 2018. Oak Wilt. 2017 Forest Health Highlights. Page 11. Available: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/frsthlthhghlghts_513144_7.pdf?20160216094536

Sakalidis, M.L. and Shin, K. 2018. Spruce decline. 2017 Forest Health Highlights. Page 25. Available: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/frsthlthhghlghts_513144_7.pdf?20160216094536

Minnix, K. and Sakalidis, M.L. 2018. White pine dieback. 2017 Forest Health Highlights. Page 28. Available: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/frsthlthhghlghts_513144_7.pdf?20160216094536

Sakalidis, M.L. 2017. Oak Wilt. Michigan Forest Association magazine “Michigan Forests” (non-peer reviewed). Volume 39, Issue 3, pages 14-15.

Sakalidis, M.L., Bhakta, B., Bohling, M. 2017. National Invasive Species Awareness Week: Oak wilt. MSU Extension. Available: http://canr.msu.edu/news/national_invasive_species_awareness_week_oak_wilt_msg17_bohling17

McGregor, R.R., Sakalidis, M.L., Hamelin, R.C. 2015. A hidden threat to the iconic arbutus  Branchlines. Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia. 26:2: pp. 18-29. Available: http://forestry.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2011/11/bl26.2-June2015.pdf

Published 

Feau, N, Dhillon, B.D., Sakalidis, M.L., Dale, A.L., Søndreli, K.L., Goodwin, S.B., LeBoldus, J.M. and Hamelin, R.C. 2023. Forest health in the Anthropocene: poplar domestication triggers the emergence of a novel tree disease. Submitted to Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B. 378 (1873).

Fijarczyk, A., Bernier, L., Sakalidis, M.L., Medina-Mora, C.M., Porth, I. 2023. Independent evolution exposing distinct genomic signatures in Dutch Elm Disease-causing fungi and other tree vascular wilts-causing fungal pathogens. Journal of Fungi. Journal of Fungi. 9(1): 2. 

Bourgault, É., Gauthier, M-K., Potvin, A., Stewart, D. Chahal, K., Sakalidis, M.L., Tanguay, P. 2022. Benchmarking a fast and simple on-site detection assay for the oak wilt pathogen Bretziella fagacearum. Frontiers in Forest and Global Change. 5:1068135.

Vieira, P., Kantor, M.R., Medina-Mora, C.M., Sakalidis, M.L., Handoo, Z.A. 2022. First report of the beech leaf disease nematode Litylenchus crenatae mccannii (Nematoda: Anguinidae) in Michigan. Plant Disease. Published online November 22^nd 2022.

Huff, E.S., Sakalidis, M.L. 2022. Michigan Conifer Growers’ Perspectives on Disease Management. The Journal of Extension. 60(2): Article 11.

Bello, J.C., Higgins, D.S., Sakalidis, M.L., Quesada-Ocampo, L.M., Martin, F., Hausbeck, M.K. 2022. Clade-specific monitoring of airborne Pseudoperonospora spp. sporangia using spore traps and multiplex qPCR for disease management of cucurbit downy mildew in Michigan fields. Phytopathology. 112(10): 2110-2125.

Burgess, T.I., Oliva, J., Sapford, S., Sakalidis, M.L., Balochhi, F., Paap, T. 2022. Anthropogenic disturbances and the emergence of native diseases; a threat to forest health. Invited contribution to Current Forestry Reports. 8: 111-123.

Nash, J.A., Miesel, J.R., Bonito, G.M., Sakalidis, M.L., Ren, H., Warnock, D. and Tiemann, L.K. 2021. Biochar restructures plant-soil-microbe relationships in a woody cropping system. Soil Science Society of America Journal. 85: 2019 -2039.

Esch, C.M., Medina-Mora, C.M., Kobe, R.K., Sakalidis, M.L. 2021. Oomycetes associated with Prunus serotina persist in soil after tree harvest. Fungal Ecology. 53: 101094.

Bello, J.C., Hausbeck, M.K., Sakalidis, M.L. 2021. Application of target enrichment sequencing for population genetic analyses of the obligate plant pathogens Pseudoperonospora cubensis and P. humuli in Michigan. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions. 34(10): 1103-1118.

Guo, Y., Sakalidis, M.L., Torres-Londono, G.A., Hausbeck, M.K. 2021. Population structure of a worldwide Phytophthora palmivora collection suggests lack of host specificity and reduced genetic diversity in South American and Caribbean. Plant Disease. 105(12): 4031-4041.

Bello, J.C., Sakalidis, M.L., Perla, D.E., Hausbeck, M.K. 2021. Detection of airborne sporangia of Pseudoperonospora cubensis in Michigan using Burkard spore traps coupled to qPCR. Plant Disease. 105(5): 1373-1381.

Higgins, D.S., Hatlen, R.J., Byrne, J.M., Sakalidis, M.L., Miles, T.D. and Hausbeck, M.K. 2021. Etiology of halo leaf and cone blight in Michigan hopyards. Plant Disease. 105(4): 859-872.

Sakalidis, M.L., Medina-Mora, C.M., Shin, K., Fulbright D.W. 2021. Characterization of Diaporthe spp. associated with spruce decline on Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens) in Michigan. Phytopathology. 111(3): 509-520.

Demchik, M.C., Sakalidis, M.L., Hillstrom, M., Scanlon, K., Adams, T.A., Minnix, K. 2020. Evaluating regeneration in Heterobasidion Root Disease infested stands in the Lake States. Forest Science. 66(2): 141–144.

Tabima J.F., Søndreli K.L., Keriö S., Feau N., Sakalidis, M.L., Hamelin R.C., and LeBoldus J.M. 2020. Population genomic analyses reveal connectivity via human-mediated transport across Populus plantations in North America and an undescribed sub-population of Sphaerulina musiva. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions. 33(2): 189-199.

Sakalidis, M.L, Medina-Mora, C.M., Kolp, M., Fulbright^. D.W. 2019.  First report of Gnomoniopsis smithogilvyi causing chestnut brown rot on chestnut fruit in Michigan. Plant Disease. 103(8): 2134.

Shin, K., Medina-Mora, C, O’Donnell, J., Sakalidis, M.L. 2019. First report of Weir’s cushion rust on Colorado blue spruce caused by Chrysomyxa weirii in Michigan. Plant Disease. 103(5): 1019.

Feau, N., Beauseigle, S., Bergeron, M-J., Bilodeau, G., Birol, I., Cervantes-Arango, S., Dhillon, B., Dale, A.L., Herath, P., Jones, S., Lamarche, J., Ojeda, D.I., Sakalidis, M.L., Taylor, G., Tsui, C.K.M., Uzunovic, A., Yueh, H., Tanguay, P., Hamelin R.C. 2018. Genome-Enhanced Detection and Identification (GEDI) of plant pathogens. PeerJ. 6:e4392.

Sakalidis, M.L., Feau, N., Dhillon, B., Hamelin, R.C. 2016. Genetic patterns reveal historical and contemporary dispersal of a tree pathogen. Biological Invasions. 18(6): 1781-1799.

McGregor, R.R.*, Sakalidis, M.L.*, Hamelin, R.C. 2016. Neofusicoccum arbuti: a latent pathogen characterized by widespread infection, broad host range, and a hidden threat. Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology. 38 (1): 70-81.
*co-first authors

Dhillon, B., Feau, N., Aerts, A., Beauseigle, B., Bernier, L., Copeland, A., Foster, A., Navdeep, G., Henrissat, B., Herath, P., LaButti, K., Lindquist, E., Majoor, E., Ohm, R.A., Pangilinan, J., Pribowo, A., Sadler, J., Sakalidis, M.L., de Vries, R.P., Grigoriev, I.V., Goodwin, S.B., Tanguay, P. Hamelin, R.C. 2015. Horizontal gene transfer and gene dosage drives adaptation to wood colonization in a tree pathogen. PNAS. 112: 3451-3456.

Sakalidis, M.L., Slippers, B., Wingfield, B.D., Hardy, G.E.St.J., Burgess, T.I. 2013. The challenge of understanding the origin, pathways and extent of fungal invasions: global populations of the Neofusicoccum parvum– N. ribis species complex. Diversity and Distributions. 19: 873–883.

Sakalidis, M.L., Hardy, G.E.St.J., Burgess, T.I. 2011. Class III endophytes, clandestine movement amongst hosts and habitats and their potential for disease; a focus on Neofusicoccum australe. Australasian Plant Pathology. 40: 510-521.

Sakalidis, M.L., Hardy, G.E.St.J., Burgess, T.I. 2011. Endophytes as potential pathogens of the baobab species Adansonia gregorii: a focus on the Botryosphaeriaceae. Fungal Ecology. 4: 1-14.

Sakalidis, M.L., Hardy, G.E.St.J., Burgess, T.I. 2011. Use of the Genealogical Sorting Index (GSI) to delineate species boundaries in the Neofusicoccum parvum–Neofusicoccum ribis species complex. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution.60(3): 333-344.

Sakalidis, M.L., Ray, J., Lanoiselet, V., Hardy, G.E.St.J., Burgess, T.I. 2011. Pathogenic Botryosphaeriaceae associated with Mangifera indica in the Kimberley Region of Western Australia. European Journal of Plant Pathology. 130: 379-391.

Burgess T.I., Sakalidis M.L., Hardy, G.E.St.J. 2006. Gene flow of the canker pathogen Botryosphaeria australisbetween Eucalyptus globulus plantations and native eucalypt forests in Western Australia. Austral Ecology. 31: 559-566.