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Alma Laney

Faculty Member

Alma Laney

Biography

I am a virologist specializing in characterizing new and emerging non-mammalian viruses, especially those transmitted by arthropods (known as arboviruses). My research program focuses on three areas: 1) Identification of new and emerging viruses; 2) Biological and functional characterization of viruses; and 3) Quantifying the interaction of viruses, their arthropod vectors, their hosts, and abiotic stresses. I study viruses that infect plants, bacteria, fungi, and insects.

https://almalaney.wixsite.com/aglaney

I teach BIOL 1610 (College Biology I), BIOL 3400 (Cell Biology), BIOL 3550 (Molecular Biology), BIOL 494R (Student Seminar), MICR 4500 (Virology), MICR 4505 (Applied Virological Methods), and MICR 4600 (Arthropod-Borne Pathogens).

Education

PhD, University of Arkansas, 2014

Major: Plant Science

MS, University of Arkansas, 2010

Major: Plant Pathology

BS, Oregon State University, 2008

Major: Microbiology

AA/AS, Southwestern Oregon Community College, 2004

Major: Oregon Transfer Degree

Teaching

MICR 4600

Arthropod-Borne Pathogens, Spring 2025

MICR 3450

General Microbiology, Spring 2025

BOT 1800

Introduction to Horticulture, Spring 2025

BIOL 3550

Molecular Biology, Spring 2025

MICR 489R

Student Research, Spring 2025

MICR 489R

Student Research, Spring 2025

MICR 489R

Student Research, Spring 2025

BIOL 4940

Student Seminar, Spring 2025

BIOL 4940

Student Seminar, Spring 2025

Presentations

Hale, Adam (Presenter & Author), Lazarte, Laureana (Co-Author), Laney, Alma (Co-Author), Liang, Yu-Ya (Co-Author), 2024 ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting, "Uncovering Genetic Resistance to DNA Viruses in Brassica Species", Crop Science Society of America, San Antonio, TX. (November 10, 2024)
Laney, Alma , Plant Health 2024, "Teaching Plant Virology as a CURE at a Primarily Undergraduate Institution", American Phytopathological Society, Memphis, TN. (July 29, 2024)
Montague, Jaylee (Presenter & Author), Belka, Skyler (Author Only), Espinoza, Gabe (Author Only), Zahn, Geoffrey (Author Only), Laney, Alma (Co-Author), UCUR, "Detection of a DNA virus in Ornamental Plants at Utah Valley University", UVU, UVU. (February 16, 2024)
Bennett, Elise (Presenter & Author), Frisby, Megan (Author Only), Hess, Rob (Author Only), Taylor, Max (Author Only), Riggs, Erin (Author Only), Laney, Alma (Co-Author), UCUR, "Detection of Beet curly top virus in Utah Plants", UVU, UVU. (February 16, 2024)
Christensen, Travis (Presenter & Author), Zahn, Geoffrey (Author Only), Laney, Alma (Co-Author), UCUR, "Identification on of an aphid-transmitted DNA virus in Brassica oleracea in Utah", UVU, UVU. (February 16, 2024)
Frisby, Megan (Presenter & Author), Zahn, Geoffrey (Author Only), Laney, Alma (Co-Author), UCUR, "Identification on of Novel Viruses Infecting Utah Oil-Bearing Plants Hyssopus officinalis and Lavandula angusfolia", UVU, UVU. (February 16, 2024)

Scholarly/Creative Works

Di Bello, Patrick L, Laney, Alma , Tobiasz Druciarek, Thien Ho, Gergerich, Rose C, Karen, E , Keller, Robert R Martin, Tzanetakis, Ioannis E, "Code assigned" .
Zeng, A , Lopez-Ramirez, C , Nelson, LD , Laney, AG , Chen, P , Korth, KL , "Genetic and Physiological Components that Contribute to Salt Tolerance in Chloride-Includer and-Excluder Soybean Varieties" . Soybean Research Studies 2014.
Cai, Xiaoya , Starman, Terri , Niu, Genhua , Hall, Charles , Dong, Qianni , Byrne, Dave , Ong, Kevin , Wang, Xinwang , Rabara, Roel C, Tripathi, Prateek , others, Array , "Part v--PoSter aBStraCtS" .
Laney, Alma , (2024) "How Ineffective Leadership Has Harmed the Public Trust in Science During the SARS CoV-2 Pandemic" (vol. 4). Orem, UT: Journal of Student Leadership. https://www.uvu.edu/slss/jsl/
Miller, Isaac , Laney, Alma , Zahn, Geoffrey , Sheehan, Brock , Whitley, Kiara , Kuddus, Ruhul , "Isolation and characterization of a novel bacteriophage vB_KpuU_jKuK6 that infects the multidrug-resistant pathogen Klebsiella quasipneumoniae" . Frontiers in Microbiology, section Phage Biology. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1472729/abstract
Laney, Alma , "Plant Virology for a Non-Virologist" . Minneapolis, MN: Plant Health Instructor.