Speakers - 2026

Biography

Dr. B. C. Salasini is a plant molecular pathologist and lecturer at the University of Zambia. Her research focuses on the structural and functional characterisation of conserved RxLR effectors in Phytophthora species, with emphasis on WY domain architecture and host–pathogen molecular interactions. She integrates computational structural biology with functional assays to investigate effector evolution and virulence mechanisms. Dr. Salasini has published in peer-reviewed journals including Molecular Plant- Microbe Interactions and is actively engaged in research on fungal pathogens, plant immunity and post- harvest microbial systems.

Research interests:

• Structural biology of plant pathogen effectors
• RxLR effector evolution and conservation
• Host - pathogen molecular interactions
• Effector domain architecture and SLiM biology
• Plant immunity signalling networks
• Fungal pathogen surveillance and agroecological disease systems