Janet Matanguihan, Ph.D.

Plant Biology and Ecology, Plant Pathology, Plant Taxonomy, Sustainable Agriculture, Environmental Science, Plant Breeding and Genetics, Scientific Writing

• Ph.D., Plant Breeding and Genetics, Washington State University
• M.S., Plant Pathology, Washington State University
• B.S., Agriculture, major in Plant Pathology, University of the Philippines Los Baños

• BIOL 172, Diversity of Life
• BIOL 189, Genetics for Health Professions
• BIOL 332, Plant Taxonomy and Systematics
• ENVS 216, Environmental Issues and Sustainable Solutions
• ENVS 495, Environmental Science and Sustainability Capstone
• SCIE 393, Research Methods in the Sciences
• SCIE 495, Natural Sciences Capstone
• SUST 140, Introduction to Ecology and Sustainability

My expertise are in the areas of plant pathology, plant breeding and genetics within the framework of sustainable agriculture. Before coming to Messiah University in 2018, I was a research associate at Washington State University. I conducted research on beta-glucan on barley and worked to develop barley varieties with good nutritional profile, high yield and disease resistance. 

My research at Messiah University is on the re-introduction of flax in Pennsylvania. With its high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, flax has immense potential as a functional food in the dietary intervention against chronic diseases. My students and I are evaluating several flax varieties for their growth, yield, and disease incidence. Our goal is to select the best flax varieties which can be integrated in sustainable farms in South Central PA.