Employee Directory

2023-Date: Professor & Extension Specialist, Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center, Weslaco, TX 78596. I lead an applied research and extension program focused on diseases of fruits and vegetable crops, with emphasis on viruses and virus-like agents. I provide leadership and coordination for extension education in plant disease diagnosis and management for South Texas.

2018-Date: Associate Professor & Extension Specialist, Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center, Weslaco, TX 78596.

2013-2018: Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist, Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center, Weslaco, TX 78596.

2010-2013: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Plant Pathology, WSU-Irrigated Agriculture Research & Extension Center, Prosser, WA. Epidemiology, molecular diagnosis, genome characterization/genetic diversity studies and impact assessment of viruses infecting wine grapes.

2005-2009: Graduate Research Associate, Department of Plant Pathology, WSU-Irrigated Agriculture Research & Extension Center, Prosser, WA.

2003-2005: Research Supervisor, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria. Epidemiology, molecular diagnosis, and genome characterization of viruses associated with cassava mosaic disease in Nigeria.

Washington State University, Pullman, WA; Ph.D.; 2009; Plant Pathology

University of Ibadan, Nigeria; M.Sc.; 2003; Crop Protection & Environ. Biology

Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria; B. Agric.; 1998; Plant Science

Outstanding Volunteer Award, American Phytopathological Society 2021

Schroth Faces of the Future in Plant Virology, American Phytopathological Society Charlotte, NC, 2010

Education Fellowship of the American Phytopathological Society, Washington, DC, 2009

Visiting Research Fellowship, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria, 2000-2003

Prof. Duncan’s Award for excellence in undergraduate research in plant science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, 1998.

Alabi OJ, Stevens K, Oladokun JO, Villegas C, Hwang M-S, Al Rwahnih M, Tian T, Hernandez I, Ouro-Djobo A, Sétamou M, Jifon JL 2024. Discovery and characterization of two highly divergent variants of a novel potyvirus species infecting Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus L.). Plant Disease (First Look); https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-02-24-0459-RE. Corresponding author.

Mulenga RM, Komatsubara S, Sichilima S, Chikoti PC, Kaimoyo E, Malumbe O, Alabi OJ 2023. Coat protein genealogy and complete genome characterization of field isolates of Rice yellow mottle virus from Zambia. Journal of Phytopathology 171:700-710; https://doi.org/10.1111/jph.13229. Corresponding author.

Alabi OJ, Villegas C, Oladokun, JO, Ong K 2023. First report of Nerine yellow stripe virus infecting crinum lily (Crinum sp.) in Texas. Plant Disease 107(10):3327; https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-06-23-1149-PDN. Corresponding author.

Oladokun, JO, Ouro-Djobo A, Obasa K, Al Rwahnih M, Hwang M, Villegas C, Alabi OJ 2023. Molecular characterization of a divergent genetic variant of wheat Eqlid mosaic virus from a Texas wheat field. Arch. Virol. 168(9):236. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-023-05854-y. Corresponding author.

Aidoo OF, Ablormeti FK, Ninsin KD, Antwi-Agyakw AK, Osei-Owusu J, Heve WK, Dufour AK, Soto YL, Edusie G, Osabutey AF, Sosa FL, Aryee CO, Alabi OJ, Sétamou M 2023. First report on the presence of the huanglongbing vectors in Ghana. Scientific Reports 13:11366; https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-37625-9.

Sétamou M, Soto YL, Tachin M, Alabi OJ 2023. Report on the first detection of Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) in the Republic of Benin, West Africa. Sci. Rep. 13:801. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-28030-3.

Zongoma AM, Dangora DB, Al Rwahnih M, Alabi OJ 2022. An assessment of the virome of Nigerian vineyards. PhytoFrontiers 3(2):296-302; https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTOFR-10-22-0115-R. Corresponding author.

Ouro-Djobo A, Stevens K, Scheiner JJ, Tsolova VM, Pontasch FM, McBride SA, Appel DN, Al Rwahnih M, Alabi OJ 2022. Molecular characterization of divergent isolates of grapevine red blotch virus from Blanc du Soleil, an interspecific hybrid white grapevine cultivar. PhytoFrontiers 3(2):290-295; https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTOFR-10-22-0111-SC. Corresponding author.

Obasa K, Alabi OJ, Sétamou M 2022. Wheat curl mite: a new source of the eriophyoid mite in wheat fields identified. PhytoFrontiers 2(4):342-346; https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTOFR-04-22-0038-SC.

Mulenga RM, Miano DW, Al Rwahnih M, Kaimoyo E, Akello J, Nzuve FM, Simulundu E, Alabi T, Chikoti PC, Alabi OJ 2022. Survey for virus diversity in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) fields and the detection of a novel strain of cowpea polerovirus 1 in Zambia. Plant Dis. 106(9): 2380-2391; https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-11-21-2533-RE. Corresponding author.

Armstrong C, Zhou L, Luo W, Batuman O, Alabi OJ, Duan Y-P 2022. Identification of a chromosomal deletion mutation and the dynamics of two major populations of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus in its hosts. Phytopathology 112(1):81-88; https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-08-21-0325-FI.

Ramos-Sobrinho R, Adegbola RO, Lawrence K, Schrimsher DW, Isakeit T, Alabi OJ, Brown JK 2021. Cotton leafroll dwarf virus US genomes comprise divergent subpopulations and harbor extensive variability. Viruses 13:2230; https://doi.org/10.3390/v13112230. Corresponding author.

Alabi OJ, Diaz-Lara A, Erickson TM, Al Rwahnih M 2021. Olea europaea geminivirus is present in a germplasm repository and in California and Texas olive (Olea europaea L.) groves. Arch. Virol. 166(12):3399-3404; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-021-05218-4.

Zapata SD, Peguero F, Sétamou M, Alabi OJ 2021. Economic implications of citrus greening disease management strategies. Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics: Preprint https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/313310

Hernandez RN, Isakeit T, Al Rwahnih M, Hernandez R, Alabi OJ 2021. First report of Squash vein yellowing virus naturally infecting butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata) in Texas. Plant Dis. 105(9):2738; https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-02-21-0320-PDN. Corresponding author.

Hernandez RN, Isakeit T, Al Rwahnih M, Hernandez R, Alabi OJ 2021. First report of Cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus infecting cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L.) in Texas. Plant Dis. 105(10):3313; https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-02-21-0378-PDN. Corresponding author.

Hernandez RN, Isakeit T, Al Rwahnih M, Villegas C, Alabi OJ 2021. First report of watermelon crinkle leaf-associated virus 1 (WCLaV-1) and WCLaV-2 infecting watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) in the United States. Plant Dis. 105(7):2025; https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-02-21-0249-PDN. Corresponding author.

Al Rwahnih M, Alabi OJ, Hwang MS, Tian T, Mollov D, Golino D 2020. Characterization of a new Nepovirus infecting grapevine. Plant Dis. 105(5):1432-1439. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-08-20-1831-RE.

Alabi OJ, McBride S, Appel DN, Al Rwahnih M, Pontasch FM 2020. Complete genome sequence analysis of a grapevine cv. Blanc du Bois genetic variant of grapevine virus L. Arch. Virol. 165:1905-1909. Corresponding author.

Oke A, Oladigbolu A, Kunta M, Alabi OJ, Sétamou M 2020. First report of the occurrence of Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae), an invasive species in Nigeria, West Africa. Sci. Rep. 10:9418. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-66380-4.

Alabi OJ, Isakeit T, Vaughn R, Stelly D, Conner KN, Gaytán BC, Villegas C, Hitzelberger C, De Santiago L, Monclova-Santana C, Brown JK 2020. First report of Cotton leafroll dwarf virus infecting upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) in Texas. Plant Disease 104(3):998. Corresponding author.

Sétamou M., Alabi OJ, Kunta M, Dale J, da Graça JV 2020. Distribution of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus in citrus and the Asian citrus psyllid in Texas over a decade. Plant Disease 104(4):1118-1126. Corresponding author.

Alabi OJ, Gaytán B, Al Rwahnih M, Villegas C 2020. A description of the possible etiology of the cilantro yellow blotch disease. Plant Disease 104(3):630-633. Corresponding author.

Yahaya A, Dangora DB, Alabi OJ, Zongoma A, Kumar PL 2019. Detection and diversity of Maize yellow mosaic virus infecting maize in Nigeria. VirusDis. 30:538-544.

Villegas C, Ramos-Sobrinho R, Jifon JL, Keith C, Al Rwahnih M, Sétamou M, Brown JK, Alabi OJ 2019. First report of Cotton leaf curl Gezira virus and its associated alphasatellite and betasatellite from disease affected okra plants in the United States. Plant Disease 103(12):3291. Corresponding author.

Al Rwahnih M, Alabi OJ, Hwang MS, Stevens K, Golino D 2019. Identification and genomic characterization of grapevine Kizil Sapak virus, a novel grapevine-infecting member of the family Betaflexiviridae. Arch. Virol. 164:3145-3149.

Alabi OJ, McBride S, Appel DN, Al Rwahnih M, Pontasch FM 2019. Grapevine virus M, a novel Vitivirus discovered in an American hybrid bunch grape cultivar Blanc du Bois in Texas. Arch. Virol. 164:1739-1741. Corresponding author.

Yahaya A, Dangora DB, Kumar PL, Alegbejo MD, Gregg L, Alabi OJ 2019. Prevalence and genome characterization of field isolates of sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) in Nigeria. Plant Disease 103:818-824. Corresponding author.

Brannen PM, Deom CM, Alabi OJ, Naidu RA 2018. Prevalence of viruses in commercial wine grape vineyards in Georgia. Plant Health Progress 19:342-346.

Sétamou M, Alabi OJ, Grafton-Cardwell E, Tofangsazi N 2018. COPF: citrus orchard perimeter fencing as a strategy for reducing Asian citrus psyllid (Hemiptera:Liviidae) infestation. J. Appl. Entomol. 00:1-8. https://doi.org/10.1111/jen.12535.

Mulenga RM, Boykin LM, Chikoti PC, Sichilima S, Nguni D, Alabi OJ 2018. Cassava brown streak disease and Ugandan cassava brown streak virus reported for the first time in Zambia. Plant Dis. 102:1410-1418. Corresponding author.

Al Rwahnih M, Alabi OJ, Westrick N, Golino D 2018. Prunus geminivirus A: a novel Grablovirus infecting Prunus spp. Plant Dis. 102:1246-1253.

Zongoma AM, Dangora DB, Al Rwahnih M, Bako SP, Alegbejo MD, Alabi OJ 2018. First report of Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 1 infecting grapevines (Vitis spp.) in Nigeria. Plant Dis. 102:258. Corresponding author.

Zongoma AM, Dangora DB, Al Rwahnih M, Bako SP, Alegbejo MD, Alabi OJ 2018. First report of Grapevine yellow speckle viroid 1, Grapevine yellow speckle viroid 2, and Hop stunt viroid infecting grapevines (Vitis spp.) in Nigeria. Plant Dis. 102:259. Corresponding author.

Sétamou M, Alabi OJ, Simpson CR, Jifon JL 2017. Contrasting amino acid profiles among permissive and non-permissive hosts of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, putative causal agent of Huanglongbing. PLoS ONE 12(12):e0187921.

Alabi OJ, Al Rwahnih M, Jifon JL, Sétamou M, Brown J, Gregg L, Park J-W 2017. A mixed infection of Lettuce chlorosis virus, Papaya ringspot virus, and Tomato yellow leaf curl virus-IL detected in a Texas papaya orchard affected by a virus-like disease outbreak. Plant Disease 101:1094-1102. Corresponding author.

Yahaya A, Al Rwahnih M, Dangora DB, Gregg L, Alegbejo MD, Kumar PL, Alabi OJ 2017. First Report of Maize yellow mosaic virus infecting sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) and itch grass (Rottboellia cochinchinensis) in Nigeria. Plant Disease 101:1335. Corresponding author.

McBride S, Appel DN, Pontasch FM, Gregg L Alabi OJ, 2017. First report of Tobacco ringspot virus associated with decline symptoms of an American hybrid grape cultivar in Texas. Plant Disease 101:1062. Corresponding author.

Al Rwahnih M, Alabi OJ, Westrick N, Golino D, Rowhani A 2016. Description of a novel monopartite geminivirus and its defective subviral genome in grapevine. Phytopathology 107:240-251.

Sétamou M, Simpson CR, Alabi OJ, Nelson SD, Telagamsetty S, Jifon Jl, 2016. Quality matters: influences of citrus flush physicochemical characteristics on population dynamics of the Asian citrus psyllid (Hemiptera: Liviidae). PLoS ONE 11(12): e0168997.

Yahaya A, Dangora DB, Alegbejo MD, Kumar PL, Alabi OJ 2016. Identification and molecular characterization of a novel sugarcane streak mastrevirus and an isolate of the A-strain of maize streak virus from sugarcane in Nigeria. Arch. Virol. 162:597-602. Corresponding author.

Sétamou M, Alabi OJ, Kunta M, Jifon JL, da Graća JV 2016. Enhanced acquisition rates of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ by the Asian citrus psyllid (Hemiptera: Liviidae) in the presence of vegetative flush growth in citrus. Journal of Economic Entomology 2016:1-6.

Poojari S, Alabi OJ, Okubara PA, Naidu RA 2016. SYBR green I-based real-time quantitative reverse-transcription PCR for detection and discrimination of grapevine viruses. J. Virol. Methods 235:112-118.

Alabi OJ, Casassa LF, Gutha LR, Larsen RC, Henick-Kling T, Harbertson JF, Naidu RA 2016. Impacts of grapevine leafroll disease on fruit yield and grape and wine chemistry in a wine grape (Vitis vinifera L.) cultivar. PLoS ONE 11(2): e0149666.

Alabi OJ, Al Rwahnih M, Brown J, Idris A, Gregg L, Kmieciak E, Sétamou M, Jifon JL 2016. First report of Papaya (Carica papaya) naturally infected with the introduced Tomato yellow leaf curl virus-Israel. Plant Dis. 100(9):1959. Corresponding author.

Al Rwahnih M, Alabi OJ, Westrick N, Golino D, Rowhani A 2016. Near-complete genome sequence of grapevine fabavirus, a novel putative member of the genus Fabavirus. Genome Announc 4(4):e00703-16.

Alabi OJ, Villegas C, Gregg L, Murray KD 2016. Complete nucleotide sequences of a new bipartite begomovirus from Malvastrum sp. plants with bright yellow mosaic symptoms in South Texas. Arch. Virol. 161:1729-1733. Corresponding author.

Alabi OJ, Al Rwahnih M, Isakeit T, Gregg L, Jifon JL 2016. First report of Rottboellia yellow mottle virus infecting sorghum Sudangrass hybrid (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench x Sorghum bicolor var. sudanense) in North America. Plant Disease 100(6):1255. Corresponding author.

Mulenga RM, Legg JP, Ndunguru J, Miano DW, Mutitu WE, Chikoti PC, Alabi OJ 2016. Survey, molecular detection and characterization of geminiviruses associated with cassava mosaic disease in Zambia. Plant Disease 100:1379-1387.  

Alabi OJ, Kunta M, Dale J, Sétamou M 2014. Survey and detection of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ in a citrus nursery facility in South Texas. Online. Plant Health Progress DOI:10.1094/PHP-RS-14-0028. Corresponding author.

Alabi OJ, Al Rwahnih M, Mekuria TA, Naidu RA 2014. Genetic diversity of Grapevine virus A in Washington and California vineyards. Phytopathology 104:548-560.

Poojari S, Alabi OJ, Naidu RA 2013. Molecular characterization and impacts of a Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 2 isolate causing asymptomatic infection in a wine grape cultivar. Virol. J. 10:324.

Bahder BW, Poojari S, Alabi OJ, Naidu RA, Walsh DB 2013. Pseudococcus maritimus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) and Parthenolecanium corni (Hemiptera: Coccidae) are capable of transmitting Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 between Vitis x labruscana and Vitis vinifera. Environmental Entomology 42(6):1292-1298.

Bahder BW, Alabi O, Poojari S, Walsh DB, Naidu RA 2013. A survey for grapevine viruses in Washington State ‘Concord’ (Vitis × labruscana L.) vineyards. Online. Plant Health Progress DOI:10.1094/PHP-2013-0805-01-RS.

Poojari S, Alabi OJ, Fofanov VY, Naidu RA 2013. A Leafhopper-transmissible DNA virus with novel evolutionary lineage in the family Geminiviridae implicated in grapevine redleaf disease by next-generation sequencing. PLoS ONE 8(6):e64194

Alabi OJ, Poojari S, Sarver K, Martin RR, Naidu RA 2013. Complete genome sequence analysis of an American isolate of Grapevine virus E. Virus Genes 46:563-566.

Alabi OJ, Zheng Y, Jagadeeswaran G, Sunkar R, Naidu RA 2012. High-throughput sequence analysis of small RNAs in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) affected by grapevine leafroll disease. Molecular Plant Pathology 13(9):1060-1076.

Alabi OJ, Al Rwahnih M, Karthikeyan G, Poojari S, Fuchs M, Rowhani A, Naidu RA 2011. Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 1 occurs as genetically diverse populations. Phytopath. 101(12):1446-1456.

Alabi OJ, Kumar PL, Naidu RA 2011. Cassava mosaic disease: a curse to food security in sub-Saharan Africa. Online. APSnet Features. DOI:10.1094/APSnetFeature-2011-0701.

Kumar PL, Hanna R, Alabi OJ, Soko MM, Oben TT, Vangu GHP, Naidu RA 2011. Banana bunchy top virus in sub-Saharan Africa: investigations on virus distribution and diversity. Virus Research 159(2):171-182.

Karthikeyan G, Alabi OJ, Naidu RA 2011. Occurrence of Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 1 in two ornamental grapevine cultivars. Plant Disease 95(5):613.

Jarugula S, Alabi OJ, Martin RR, Naidu RA 2010. Genetic variability of natural populations of Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 2 in Pacific Northwest vineyards. Phytopath. 100(7):698-707.

Alabi OJ, Kumar PL, Mgbechi-Ezeri JU, Naidu RA 2010. Two new ‘legumoviruses’ (genus Begomovirus) naturally infecting soybean in Nigeria. Archives of Virology 155(5):643-656.

Alabi OJ, Martin RR, Naidu RA 2010. Sequence diversity, population genetics and potential recombination events in Grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated virus in Pacific North-West vineyards. Journal of General Virology 91:265-276.

Alabi OJ, Ogbe FO, Bandyopadhyay R, Kumar PL, Dixon AGO, Hughes Jd’A, Naidu RA 2008. Alternate hosts of African cassava mosaic virus and East African cassava mosaic Cameroon virus in Nigeria. Archives of Virology 153(9):1743-1747.

Alabi OJ, Kumar PL, Naidu RA 2008. Multiplex PCR method for the detection of African cassava mosaic virus and East African cassava mosaic Cameroon virus in cassava.  Journal of Virological Methods 154:111-120.

Ogbe FO, Dixon AGO, Hughes Jd’A, Alabi OJ, Okechukwu R 2006. Status of cassava begomoviruses and their new natural hosts in Nigeria. Plant Disease 90(5):548-553.