Brenda Callan - Mycology
Name: Brenda Callan
Field of expertise: Mycology
Education: Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, Washington State University
Works at: Natural Resources Canada’s Pacific Forestry Centre in Victoria, British Columbia
What she studies
Dr. Callan identifies potentially invasive fungi and provides scientific advice to regulatory agencies. She conducts research on the detection and identification of fungi associated with Canadian commodities, such as untreated conifer lumber and logs, with the goal of preventing them from causing trade barriers.
What is the importance of her research?
Her taxonomic expertise is used to identify species of pathogenic fungi that affect, or have the potential to affect, Canadian forest health. Her research aims to help regulatory agencies narrow down restrictive quarantine lists to a smaller number of pathogenic organisms, thus reducing barriers to trade of Canadian lumber and logs.
Interesting fact
Dr. Callan has recently discovered a new species of fungus. Xylaria atropictor is found on decaying western hardwoods such as alder and maple, rarely producing strange, black finger-shaped fruiting bodies on white-rotted wood that looks like it has been painted black on the surface.
Current research project
Dr. Callan’s current research focuses on identifying and quantifying pathogenic and decay fungi in untreated Douglas-fir, Western Redcedar and Western Hemlock lumber, in order to better understand and mitigate risks associated with international trade of these products.
Key publications
Callan, B.E., Islam, A. 2012. Xylaria actropictor, a new species in the Pacific Northwest. North American Fungi (in preparation)
Callan, B.E., Wall, R., Dale, P. and Joshi, V. 2011. Phragmidium violaceum on Rubus armeniacus and R. laciniatus in British Columbia. North American Fungi 6(14): 1-5.
Callan, B. E., Sela, S., Allen, E. 2008. Review of Current Information Regarding the Phytosanitary Risks of Phytophthora ramorum and North American Conifers. In: Frankel, Susan J.; Kliejunas, John T.; Palmieri, Katharine M., tech. coords. 2008. Proceedings of the sudden oak death third science symposium. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-214. Albany, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station. pp. 147-149.
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