Ahmad (Cyrus) Esmaeili Taheri
401–101 Cumberland Ave. S.
Saskatoon, SK S7N 1L5
Cell: (306) 361–2320
ahmad.esmaeili-taheri@usask.ca
Education
PhD in Applied Microbiology, College of Agriculture and Bioresources
ongoing
University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
Thesis title: Functional diversity of fungi associated with durum wheat root in different cropping
systems
MSc in Plant Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science
2001
University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Thesis title: A study of mycorrhizal symbiosis in Kashan and its potential applications in agriculture
BSc in Plant Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science
University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
Thesis title: Floristic study of Qamssar and Qazaan Kashan
1998
Visiting Scholar, Department of Biology
2008
University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
Research topic: Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal biodiversity on productivity of arctic plants
Research Interest
Applied Microbiology and Mycology, Functional Diversity of Microbial Communities, Microbial
Molecular Ecology, Microbial Metagenomics, Plant Microbe Interaction, Biofertilizers and Biopesticides,
Biological Control, Bioremediation, Microbial Bioproducts and Drug Discovery
Teaching Experience
Teaching Assistant, Department of Food and Bioproduct Science, U of S
2010–2011
Faculty Member (permanent), Department of Biology, University of Zabol, Iran
(Taught Plant Ecology, Plant Physiology, Plant Morphology and Plant Systematics)
2002–2007
Teaching Assistant, Department of Biology, University of Tehran
1999–2001
Awards, Scholarships and Academic Honors
Awards
Best poster prize for the poster: Reassessment of the role of Cochliobolus sativus in
common root rot of cereals: an organ specific fungal community study, presented at the
Regional Meeting of the Canadian Plant Pathology Society, Saskatoon
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2011
Scholarships
A scholarship of $15,000 from the Department of Food and Bioproducts Sciences,
University of Saskatchewan (GPA above 80% and a published paper)
2011–2012
A two-year scholarship of $36,000 from the Iranian Ministry of Research, Science and
Technology, to conduct research in fungal molecular ecology abroad
2007–2009
Academic Honours
One of the top three students among 4200 Iranian BSc alumni in Biology in 1998 in the
National Entrance Competition Exam for the Master’s degree program conducted
by the Iranian Ministry of Research, Science and Technology
1998
Publications
Paper (published)
Esmaeili Taheri, A., Hamel, C., Gan, Y., and Vujanovic, V.,2011. First report of Fusarium redolens from
Saskatchewan and its comparative pathogenicity. Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology, 33, 559-564.
Book Chapter (in press)
Yang, C., Ellouze, W., Navarro-Borrell, A., Esmaeili Taheri, A., Klabi, R., Dai, M., Kabir, Z., Hamel, C.
Management of the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis in sustainable crop production.
Papers (in preparation)
Esmaeili Taheri, A., Bainard, L., Yang C., Bazghaleh N., Navarro-Borrell A., Ellouze W., Hanson, K.,
and Hamel, C. Soil microbial resources in annual cropping systems and their potential for management.
Esmaeili Taheri, A., Hamel, C., Gan, Y., and Vujanovic, V. Organ specificity of the fungal communities
invading the below ground organs of wheat calls for caution in root and crown diseases diagnostics.
Esmaeili Taheri, A., Hamel, C., Gan, Y., and Vujanovic, V. Fungicide application on chickpea impacts
the fungal communities of the durum wheat roots in following year.
Esmaeili Taheri, A., Hamel, C., Gan, Y., and Vujanovic, V. Rotation crop and chickpea termination time
impacts on the fungal community of the root endosphere of a durum wheat crop in following year.
Invited Talk
Knight, J.D., Chao, T. Bazghaleh, N., Navarro, A., Esmaeili Taheri, A, Hamel, C. and Gan, Y. 2011.
Crop rotation effects on soil biology. Agronomy Update, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK.
December 8, 2011. 140 in attendance.
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Selected Conference Presentations
Esmaeili Taheri, A., Hamel, C., Gan, Y., and Vujanovic, V. 2012. A 454 Pyrosequencing analysis reveals
changes in root fungal community due to rotation crop and fungicide treatment, 62nd Annual Conference
of the Canadian Society of Microbiologists, Vancouver.
Hamel C, Yang C, Esmaeili Taheri A, Ellouze W, Bazghaleh N, Navarro-Borrell A, Cruz AF, Ishii T,
Germida J, Vujanovic V, Singh D., and Gan Y. 2012. El poder de las plantas para manejar los
microorganismos en sistemas de cultivo. VII National Symposium and IV Iberoamerican Meeting on
Mycorrhizal Symbiosis, Xalapa, Mexico.
Esmaeili Taheri, A., Hamel, C., Gan, Y., and Vujanovic, V. 2012. The effect of chemical control of
ascochyta blight in chickpea on fungal community associated with subsequent durum wheat. Soils and
Crop Conference, Saskatoon.
Esmaeili Taheri, A., Hamel, C., Gan, Y., and Vujanovic, V. 2011. Foliar fungicide application on
chickpea impacts fungal biocontrol agents associated with the roots of a subsequent durum wheat crop, 4th
International Biofumigation and Biopesticide Symposium, Saskatoon.
Esmaeili Taheri, A., Hamel, C., Gan, Y., and Vujanovic, V. 2011. Reassessment of the role of
Cochliobolus sativus in common root rot of cereals: an organ specific fungal community study.
International Soil Ecology Meeting, Kelowna.
Esmaeili Taheri, A., Hamel, C., Gan, Y., and Vujanovic, V., 2010. Molecular taxonomy and
pathogenicity of F. redolens in Canadian prairies. Annual Meeting of the Saskatchewan Regional Group
of the Canadian Phytopathological Society, Saskatoon.
Esmaeili Taheri, A., Hamel, C.,Vujanovic, V., and Gan, Y. 2010. Functional diversity of fungi associated
with Durum Wheat root in Southwest Saskatchewan. Joint Conference of CSSS & CSA, Saskatoon.
Esmaeili Taheri, Ahmad, Riginejad N., Frazmand, R. AM symbiosis enhances the salinity tolerance of
Pictacia Vera. 6th International Conference on Mycorrhiza, , BeloHorizonte, Brazil.
Esmaili Taheri, A., Fahimi, H. and Balali. G., 2009. Farming increases the spore population of AM fungi
in central deserts of Iran. Soils and Crops Conference, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
Esmaili Taheri, A., Fahimi, H., and Balali, G., 2006. Survey of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizas in
central sand dune desert of Iran. 5th International Conference on Mycorrhiza, Granada, Spain.
Noori, G., Esmaili Taheri, A., Rigi, N., and Shahriari, M. 2006. Use of tissue culture in propagation of
African violets. First Iranian Congress of Agricultural Biotechnology, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.
Saber, M., and Esmaeili Taheri, A., 2002. A report on basidiomycete fungi from Kashan. 15th Iranian
Plant Protection Congress, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.
Zanganeh, S., Mahmoodi, M., and Esmaili Taheri, A. 2002. Introduction of two VA Mycorrhizal fungi
from cold-arid zones of Iran. 15th Iranian Plant Protection Congress, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.
Saber, M., and Esmaili Taheri, A. 2004. A report on macromycet fungi from different parts of Iran. 16th
Iranian Plant Protection Congress, Tabriz University, Tabriz, Iran.
Esmaili Taheri, A. and Ghaemmaghami, L., 2002. Floristic study of Qamssar & Qazaan (Kashan). 9th
Iranian Biology Congress. Tehran University, Tehran, Iran.
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Core University Courses
Techniques in Molecular Biology (PhD), Microbial Bioproducts in Agriculture Microbiology (PhD),
Statistical Methods in Life Sciences (PhD), Application of Microorganisms in Agriculture (BSc),
Multivariate Analysis in Ecology and Evolution (PhD), Plant Systematics (BSc, MSc), Plant Physiology
(BSc, MSc), Plant Ecology (BSc, MSc), Plant Tissue Culture (MSc), Plant Pathology (BSc), Microbiology
(BSc), Mycology (BSc), Negotiation and Meetings (non-degree Finland). Presentation Skills (non-degree
Finland). Introduction to Ethics and Integrity (PhD).
Safety Certificates
Emergency First Aid, CPR C, Biosafety, Supervisor Safety, WHMIS, and Green Defensive Driving.
Scientific Skills
Metagenomic Microbial Analysis (454 Pyrosequencing), Mutivariate and Univariate Statistics (R, SAS, PCORD), Filed Level Experimental Design and Data Analysis, Plant Physiological and Microbial Diseases
Diagnostic, Isolation and Inoculation of Beneficial Microbes to Plants, Plant and Fungal Taxonomy,
Microscopy.
Research Projects
Principal investigator for the research project, “Mycorrhizal status in Chahnimeh farms, Zabol, Iran”,
Department of Biology, University of Zabol, Iran
2002–2004
Principal investigator for the research project “The Effects of AMF Symbiosis on Salinity Tolerance of
Pistacia vera”, Department of Biology, University of Zabol, Iran
2003–2005
Principal investigator for the research project “Monocaryon hybridization in Agaricus bisporus to obtain
favorite genotypes”, Department of Biology, University of Zabol, Iran
2004–2006
Extracurricular Activities
Membership
International Mycorrhiza Society
Canadian Society of Microbiologists
2005–present
2012–present
Volunteer
Let’s Talk Science, University of Saskatchewan
2012–present
Language
English, Persian, French (beginner)
Hobbies
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Indoor soccer, gardening, music
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