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 4505

Applied Virological Methods, Fall 2024

BOT 1800

Introduction to Horticulture, Fall 2024

BIOL 3550

Molecular Biology, Fall 2024

BIOL 490R

Special Topics in Biology, Fall 2024

MICR 489R

Student Research, Fall 2024

BIOL 4940

Student Seminar WE, Fall 2024

BIOL 4940

Student Seminar WE, Fall 2024

BIOL 3550

Molecular Biology, Summer 2024

MICR 489R

Student Research, Summer 2024

BOT 1800

Introduction to Horticulture, Spring 2024

BIOL 3550

Molecular Biology, Spring 2024

BOT 4430

Plant Pathology, Spring 2024

BIOL 490R

Special Topics in Biology, Spring 2024

MICR 489R

Student Research, Spring 2024

BIOL 494R

Student Seminar WE, Spring 2024

MICR 4500

Virology, Spring 2024

Presentations

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)
Gonzales , Fernando (Author Only), Zahn, Geoffrey (Author Only), Laney, Alma (Presenter & Author), Plant Health 2023, "Detection and investigation of RNA viruses in perennial kale in Utah", The American Phytopathological Society, Denver, CO. (August, 2023)

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.