Kanan Saikai's personal website

CV

Research Interest

I am currently a researcher at Ceradis, which is a spin-off start-up company of Wageningen University & Research. My primary area of interest lies in the comprehensive exploration of plant parasitic nematode biology, along with the investigation of soil health through nematode based indices. Furthermore, I am passionate about promoting nematology education and extension programs designed to benefit growers.

Education

  • The University of Wisconsin-Madison - Fall, 2014 to Fall, 2019 (Wisconsin, USA): Plant Pathology PhD
  • The Univestiy of Florida - Fall, 2012 to Spring, 2014 (Florida, USA): Nematology MS
  • Hosei University - 2008 to 2012: Plant Clinical Science BS

Professional Experience

  • Ceradis - Oct. 2023~ (Wagenigen, The Netherlands)

  • Wageningen University & Research - Oct. 2022~Sept. 2023 (Wageningen, The Netherlands)
    • position: a quantitative nematologist
  • International Institute of Tropical Agriculture - Sept. 2020 ~ Sept. 2022 (Nairobi, Kenya)
    • position: Guest/Visiting scholar (JSPS overseas research fellow)

Publications

  • Saikai, K. K., Bresilla, T., Kool, J., de Ruijter, N. C. A., and van Schaik, C. 2024. Counting nematodes made easy: leveraging AI-powered automation for enhanced efficiency and precision. Front. Plant Sci http://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2024.1349209.
  • MacGuidwin, A. E., Smith, D. L., Conley, S. P. and Saikai, K. 2023. Prevalence of pest nematodes associated with soybean (Glycine max) in Wisconsin from 1998 to 2021. Journal of Nematology http://doi.org/10.2478/jofnem-2023-0053.
  • Saikai, K. K., Oduori, C., Situma, W., Njoroge, S., Murunde, R., Kimenju, J. W., Miano, D. W., Haukeland, S., and Coyne, D. 2023. Biocontrol-based strategies for improving soil health and managing plant-parasitic nematodes in coffee production. Front. Plant Sci. 14:1196171. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1196171.
  • Beesa, N., Chinnasri, B., Sasnarukkit, A., Dethoup, T, Jindapunnapat, K., Kiriga, A. W., Saikai, K., haukeland, S., and Coyne. D. 2023. Potential of cavalcade, Centrosema pascuorum, leaves for controlling Meloidogyne javanica and quantification of active phytochemicals. Nematology 25:1019-1032 https://doi.org/10.1163/15685411-bja10273.
  • Lopez-Nicora, H., Peng, D., Saikai, K., and Rashidifard, M. 2023. “Nematode Problems in Maize and Their Sustainable Management” in Nematode Diseases of Crops and Their Sustainable Management, edited by R. M. Khan and M. Quintanilla, London, UK: Elsevier.
  • Saikai, K. and A. E. MacGuidwin. 2022. Impact of Pratylenchus penetrans for soybean grown in Wisconsin, USA. Plant Disease https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-09-21-1888-RE.
  • Powers, T., Todd, T., Harris, T., Higgins, R., MacGuidwin, A., Mullin, P., Ozbayrak, M., Powers, K., and Saikai, K. 2021. Pratylenchus smoliki, a new Nematode Species (Pratylenchidae: Tylenchomorpha) from the Great Plains Region of North America. Journal of Nematology https://doi.org/10.21307/jofnem-2021-100.
  • Saikai, K., Wanjala, S., Oduori, C., and Coyne, D. 2021. Revisiting the modified Baermann extraction method: extraction efficiency of Radopholus similis using different extraction material. Nematology 23:1215-1218.
  • Saikai, K., and A. E. MacGuidwin. 2020. Intraspecific variation in phenological and phylogenetic features among Pratylenchus penetrans isolates from Wisconsin, USA. Journal of Nematology https://doi.org/10.21307/jofnem-2020-102.
  • Saikai, K., and A. E. MacGuidwin. 2020. Difference in lesion formation by male and female Pratylenchus penetrans. Journal of Nematology https://doi.org/10.21307/jofnem-2020-090.
  • Vieira, P., Peetz, A., Mimee, B., Saikai, K., Mollov, D., MacGuidwin, A., Zasada, I., and Nemchinov, L. G. 2020. Prevalence of the root lesion nematode virus (RLNV1) in populations of Pratylenchus penetrans from North America. Journal of Nematology https://doi.org/10.21307/jofnem-2020-045.
  • Saikai, K., Z. A. Handoo, and A. E. MacGuidwin. 2019. First report of the root-lesion nematode, Pratylenchus fallax, on soybean in Wisconsin. Plant Disease https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-02-19-0288-PDN.
  • Saikai, K., and A. E. MacGuidwin. 2019. First report of the root-lesion nematode, Pratylenchus alleni, on soybean in Wisconsin. Plant Disease https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-03-19-0501-PDN.
  • Kutsuwa, K., D. W. Dickson, J. A. Brito., A. Jeyaprakash, and A. Drew. 2014. Belonolaimus longicaudatus, an emerging pathogen of peanut in Florida. Journal of Nematology 47:87-96.
  • Takeuchi, J., T. Ono., K. Kutsuwa., K. Morita., M. Sano., S. Kagiwada., K. Yazawa., K. Nishio., and H. Horie. 2012. First report of anthracnose of arthraxon hipidus by Collototichum destructivum and lychee by C. gloeosporioides found in Japan. Annual report of the kanto-tosan plant protection society 59:59-62.

(Some of the publications are under my maiden name, Kutsuwa.)

Skills

  • Nematode assays and advisory services
  • Nematode disease diagnostics
  • Nematode community assay
  • R
  • SAS

Awards

  • JSPS oversea research fellow - 2020-2022
  • Schroth Faces of the Future Award: The American Phytopathological Society - 2021
  • Rod Rodríguez-Kábana student poster competition 1st place: Organization of Nematologists of Tropical America annual meeting - 2019.
  • Student paper competition 2nd place: Society of Nematologists annual meeting - 2019.

Teaching

  • T.A. for PL Path/ Botany 123 Plants, Parasites, and People - Fall 2016
    (TA evaluation)