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Dr. Michael Melzer
Associate Professor/Researcher

Dr. Melzer, has a background in virology, but his program currently focuses on biological threats to Hawaii's agriculture and natural ecosystems.
Dr. Melzers program also conducts work in plant pest, pathogen discovery, and diagnostics. As well as clean germplasm, pest and disease surveys, and responses to pest and pathogen invasions. Most recently his work has been focused on the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle as part of the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Response for the State of Hawaii.
Educational Background:
Ph.D. Tropical Plant Pathology
M.S. Botanical
Sciences (Plant Pathology)
B.S. Biology and Environmental Science
Skills and Expertise
Virology
Molecular and serological diagnostics
Plant germplasm
One Health
Key Publications
Olmedo-Velarde, A., Larrea-Sarmiento, A., Wang, X., Hu, J., and Melzer, M.J. 202X. A
breakthrough in kitavirids: genetic variability, reverse genetics, Koch’s postulates and
transmission of hibiscus green spot virus 2. Phytopathology (in press)
https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-04-23-0110-R
Vowell, T., Manley, M., Ho, J., Watanabe, S., and Melzer, M.J. 2023. Impact of metal
salts on the survival, development, and oviposition behavior of coconut rhinoceros beetle
(Coleoptera:Scarabaeidae). Frontiers in Insect Science
https://doi.org/10.3389/finsc.2023.1157769
Olmedo-Velarde, A., Loristo, J., Kong, A., Waisen, P., Wang, K.-H., Hu, J., and Melzer,
M. 2022. Examination of the virome of taro plants affected by a lethal disease, the
alomae-bobone virus complex, in Papua New Guinea. Viruses 14:7 1410
https://doi.org/10.3390/v14071410
Keith, L.M., Sugiyama, L.S., Brill, E., Adams, B.L., Fukuda, M, Hoffman, K.M., Ocenar,
J., Kawabata, A., Kong, A.T., McKemy, J.M., Olmedo-Velarde, A., and Melzer, M.J.
2022. First report of coffee leaf rust caused by Hemileia vastatrix on coffee (Coffea
arabica) in Hawaii. Plant Disease 106:761 https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-05-21-1072-
PDN
Watanabe, S., Adams, B.-L., Kong, A., Masang, N., Vowell, T., and Melzer, M. 2020.
Identification of genes that result in high mortality of coconut rhinoceros beetle
(Scarabaeidae: Coleoptera) when targeted using an RNA interference approach:
implications for large invasive insects. Annals of the Entomological Society of America
https://doi.org/10.1093/aesa/saz057