Maxwell Handiseni has extensive experience in plant pathology research. He received his PhD in Plant Pathology from Texas A&M University in 2015, with a focus on biofumigation for rice sheath blight management. He is currently a postdoctoral research associate at Texas A&M, where he evaluates candidate chemistries for disease management in rice and turfgrass. Handiseni has published numerous papers in peer-reviewed journals and presented at various conferences.

1. 1 | Maxwell Handiseni Curriculum Vitae
Curriculum Vitae
MAXWELL HANDISENI
Contact Information
1809 Yellowhouse Circle
Apt B
College Station
Texas 77840
USA
Phone: 979 224 8631
Email: maxhandiseni@gmail.com
Education
 PhD Plant Pathology (Texas A & M University, USA) September 2011-May 2015
Title of thesis: Brassica biofumigation for the management of rice sheath blight
caused by Rhizoctonia. solani AG1-1A.
 Masters of Science in Plant Science (University of Idaho, USA) (2007-2010)
Title of thesis: Fungicidal and herbicidal properties of Brassica napus, Brassica
juncea and Sinapis alba seed meal amended soils and phytotoxicity on
tomato and pepper.
 Master of Philosophy in Crop Protection (University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe) (2000-
2003)
Title of thesis: Studies on seedbed sterilization, disease and weed control
methods.
 BSc (Hon) Agriculture and Natural Resource (Horticulture) (Africa University,
Zimbabwe) (1996-2000)

2. 2 | Maxwell Handiseni Curriculum Vitae
WORK EXPERIENCE
Texas A & M University (Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology) (USA)
Position held: Postdoctoral Research & Extension Associate
Host crops in research: Rice, turf grass
Duration: May 2015 to Current
Responsibilities
 Efficacy evaluation for candidate chemistries for the management of oomycetes, fungi,
bacteria and nematodes of rice and turfgrass
 Experimental design, implementation, data collection, statistical analysis and
interpretation.
 Manuscript and report writing and presentation locally and at national meetings
 Grant proposal writing
 Laboratory management
 Supervising and training undergraduate and graduate students in our lab
Texas A & M University (Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology) (USA)
Position held: Graduate Research Assistant
Host crops in research: Rice and Turfgrass
Duration: September 2011 to May 2015
Washington State University (Department of Plant Pathology)
Position held: Graduate Research Assistant (Washington State University) – Onion Rhizoctonia
project in the Columbia Basin.
Host crops in research: wheat, peas, barley and onion
Duration: April 2010-June 2011
University of Idaho (USA)
Position held: Teaching and Research Assistant Brassica and oil seed breeding lab
Duration: August 2007 to April 2011
Host crops in research: wheat, tomato, pepper and Brassicas

3. 3 | Maxwell Handiseni Curriculum Vitae
Course taught (Undergraduate):
-Introduction to Plant Science
-Vegetable Production
- Plant propagation
Midlands State University (Zimbabwe)
Position held: Lecturer
Duration: September 2005 to July 2007
Course taught (Undergraduate):
-General Plant Pathology
-Epidemiology and management of plant disease
Crop Breeding Institute, Department of Agriculture (Zimbabwe)
Position held: Research Officer
Duration: May 2004 to September 2005
Kutsaga Research Station – Tobacco Research Board (Zimbabwe)
Position held: Plant Pathologist Research Associate
Duration: March 2003 to May 2004
Journal Peer Reviewed publications
1. Handiseni, M., Jo, Y.-K., Lee, K.M, and Zhou, X. G. 2016. Screening
brassicaceous plants as biofumigants for control of Rhizoctonia solani AG1-IA. Plant
Dis. 100:758-763
2. Handiseni, M., Jo, Y.-K., and Zhou, X. G. 2015. Integration of Brassica plant tissue
incorporation cultivar and fungicide application in the management of rice sheath
blight. Plant Dis. 99: 883-885
3. Handiseni, M., Brown, J., Zemetra, R., and Mazzola, M. 2013. Effect of brassicaceae
seed meals with different glucosinolate profiles on rhizoctonia root rot in wheat. Crop
Protection, 48, 1-5.

4. 4 | Maxwell Handiseni Curriculum Vitae
4. Handiseni, M., J. Brown, R. Zemetra and M. Mazzola. 2012. Use of Brassicaceous seed
meals to improve seedling emergence of tomato and pepper in Pythium ultimum
infested soils, Archives of Phytopathology and Plant Protection.45: 1204-1209
5. Handiseni, M., J.Brown, R. Zemetra and M.Mazzola. 2011. Herbicidal activity of
Brassicaceae seed meal amended soils on emergence and growth of wild oat
(Avena fatua), Italian rye grass (Lolium multiflorum), redroot pigweed
(Amaranthus retroflex) and prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola). Weed Technology
25:127-134.
6. Handiseni, M., and D.Maphosa. 2010. Efficacy of Acibenzolar-s-methyl against
(Wildfire blight Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci tox +) of Paprika (Capsicum
annuum) Seedlings. Plant Pathology Journal 9: 135-139.
7. Handiseni, M., J.Sibiya, I.Koomen and V.B Ogunlela. 2010. Evaluation of non-chemical
methods of soil sterilisation in paprika (Capsicum annuum L.) seedling
production in the smallholder farming sector of Zimbabwe. Agricultura Tropica
Et Subtropica 43: 97-108
8. Handiseni, M., J.Sibiya, I.Koomen and V.B Ogunlela. 2008. A Comparative Study of
the Effect of Different Weed Management Strategies on Disease Incidence and
Marketable Yield of Paprika (Capsicum annuum L.) in the Smallholder Farming
Sector of Zimbabwe. Journal of Plant Protection Research 48 (1):583-593.
9. Handiseni, M , J.Sibiya, I.Koomen and V.B Ogunlela. 2007. Reduced Frequency of
Fungicide Application in the Management of Paprika (Capsicum annuum L.)
Diseases under Dryland Conditions in the Smallholder Farming Sector of
Zimbabwe. Journal of Plant Protection Research 47 (1):29-38.
10. Chitamba, J., Manjeru, P., Mudada, N., Chinheya, C. and M., Handiseni. 2016. Current
banana smallholder farmers’ farming practices and knowledge on plant-parasitic
nematodes associated with banana (Musa spp.) in Rusitu valley, Zimbabwe.
African Journal of Agricultural Research 11:1120-1125
11. Ncube B., Rukuni D., Madanzi, Mahohoma W., Manjeru P. and Handiseni M. 2016.
Germination performance of tobacco varieties in response to different water
potentials, priming and post-priming storage durations. African Journal of Plant

5. 5 | Maxwell Handiseni Curriculum Vitae
Science: xx:xx (Accepted)
12. Chitamba, J., P. Manjeru, C. C. Chinheya and M. Handiseni, .2013. Evaluation of
legume intercrops on the population dynamics and damage level of burrowing
nematode (Radopholus similis) in banana (Musa spp.), Archives of
Phytopathology and Plant Protection.47:761-773
13. Chitamba, J., P. Manjeru, C.C. Chinheya, N. Mudada, and M. Handiseni. 2013. Plant-
parasitic nematodes associated with banana (Musa spp.) in Rusitu Valley,
Zimbabwe. Nematropica 43:113-118.
14. Chitamba, J and F. Dube, W.M., Chiota and M. Handiseni. 2012. Evaluation of
Substrate Productivity and Market Quality of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus
ostreatus) Grown on Different Substrates. International Journal of Agriculture
Research 7: 100-106.
15. Matimati, I., Murungu, F. S, Handiseni, M., Dube, Z. P. and Msika, L. R. 2006. Effect of
Set Size and Cultivar on Marketable Yield of Onion (Allium Cepa). Journal of
New Seeds 8 (1): 61-70.
Submitted for publication to Journals (Under Review)
1. Handiseni, M., Jo, Y.-K., and Zhou, X. G. 2016.Brassica juncea amendment rate and
exposure duration reduce viability and aggressiveness of R. solani AG1-1A
mycelia and sclerotia on rice plant tissue. Crop Protection xx:xx
2. Handiseni, M., W.A., Cromwell, M. Zidek, X.G. Zhou and Y.K Jo. 2016. Impact of
Brassica seed meal extracts on in turf grass. Nematropica xx:xx
3. Chihobvu F. S., Ngadze E., Mabasa S and Handiseni M. The herbicidal activity of
Cleome gynandra plant tissue on plant weeds (Rottetboelia cocchinensis, Setaria
verticilata, Amaranthus hybridus and Bidens pilosa). Weed Technology
(Submitted)

6. 6 | Maxwell Handiseni Curriculum Vitae
4. Muzeza, T., Ngadze, E., Muziri, T and Handiseni, M. 2016. Fungicidal efficacy of plant
extracts on Late blight disease caused by Phytophthora infestans in Irish potato
Solanum tuberosum. L. Journal of Biopesticides (Submitted)
Manuscripts in preparation for Journal submission
1. Chihobvu, F.S., Ngadze, E, Mabasa, S. and M.Handiseni. 2016. Suppression of
Pythium, Rhizoctonia and Phytophthora spp.) using Cleome gynandra plant
tissue as a biofumigant. (In preparation).
2. Cho, J., Roberts, M.A., Handiseni, M. and Jo, Y.K. 2016. Development of a strain-
specific real-time PCR assay for the detection of biological control agent,
Streptomyces lydicus WYEC108 (Actinovate®) (In preparation)
3. Zidek, M., Handiseni, M. and Jo, Y.K. 2016. Fungicide sensitivity of Gaeumannomyces
graminis var. graminis from St. Augustinegrass in Texas (In preparation)
Extension Papers and Conference Oral/Poster presentations
1. Zhou, X.G., Handiseni, M., and Jo, Y. Brassica Cover Crop as Soil Biofumigant for
Management of Sheath Blight in Rice. 36th
Rice Technical Working Group
Meeting, March 1-4, 2016, Galveston, TX.
2. Handiseni, M., Zhou, X.G., and Y.-K. Jo. 2013. Impact of Brassica juncea cover
cropping on rice sheath blight disease incidence, severity and yield.
Phytopathology 103:S1.5.
3. Handiseni, M., Zhou, X.G., and Jo, Y.-K. 2012. In vitro screening of plant materials as
biofumigants for the management of Rhizoctonia solani in rice. Phytopathology
102: S5.6
4. Zhou, X.G., Liu, G., Handiseni, M., Anders, M. M., and Jia, Y. 2013. Brassica cover
cropping for management of sheath blight of rice. Texas Rice XIII: 21-22.
5. Zhou, X., Liu, G., Handiseni, M., Anders, M.M., Jia, Y. 2013. Brassica cover cropping
for management of sheath blight of rice. Rice Field Day Abstract. Beaumont,
Texas Rice Field Day 2013. Special Section: 17.

7. 7 | Maxwell Handiseni Curriculum Vitae
6. Handiseni, M., Paulitz, T., and du Toit, L.J. Evaluation of management practices for
stunting of onion caused by Rhizoctonia species. 2010 Pacific Northwest
Vegetable Association Conference & Trade Show, 17-18 Nov. 2010, Kennewick,
WA.
7. Brown, J. Handiseni, M and M. Mazzola. Utilizing Brassicaceae seed meal as a soil
amendment to suppress weed and soil borne pathogens. International Annual
Meetings, ASA-CSSA-SSSA, October 31-November 3, 2010 Long Beach, CA.
8. Brown, D., Handiseni, M. , J. Brown and M.Mazzola. Effects of Brassicaceae seed meal
amended soil on germination and growth of weed seeds. International Annual
Meetings, ASA-CSSA-SSSA, October 31-November 3, 2010 Long Beach, CA.
9. Handiseni, M and J. Brown. Examination of Brassicaceae seed meal as a soil
amendment to control Pythium ultimum in tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) and
pepper (Capsicum annuum) production systems. Idaho Oilseed Conference.
February 12, 2009.
10. Dube, Z.P., S.Jinga, F.S. Murungu, Handiseni, M and I.Matimati. Marigold as an
intercrop in the control of Radopholus similes in banana plantations at Burma
valley, Zimbabwe. 7th African Crop Science Society Conference proceedings
paper: Entebbe, Uganda, 5-9, December 2005.
11. Handiseni, M, D. Musambasi and J. Sibiya. Effect of weed management on marketable
yield of paprika (Capsicum annuum L.).19th Biennial Conference of the Weed
Science Society For Eastern and Southern Africa Proceedings paper: Lilongwe,
Malawi, 24-27 February 2003.
12. Handiseni, M, J.Sibiya, I.Koomen and V.B Ogunlela. Economic benefits of reduced
fungicide application for the control of paprika (Capsicum annuum L.) diseases
under dryland conditions in the smallholder farming sector of Zimbabwe.6th
African Crop Science Society Conference proceedings paper: Nairobi, Kenya, 12-
17 October 2003.
13. V.B.Ogunlela, M.Handiseni and S.Mavengahama. The Place of Research and
Development in the Paprika Industry of Zimbabwe: Invited paper presented at the
Paprika Stakeholders’ Conference organised by the Industrial Development
Corporation of Zimbabwe, Causeway, Harare, 2 July, 2002

8. 8 | Maxwell Handiseni Curriculum Vitae
14. Handiseni, M, J.Sibiya and I.Koomen. Effect of minimum fungicide application for the
management of paprika (Capsicum annuum. L) diseases under dryland farming
conditions of Zimbabwe. Proceedings of the 5th Forum Regional Conference:
Extended Abstracts: 12-16 August 2001, Entebbe, Uganda.
15. Ogunlela, V.B., Handiseni, M and S. Mavengahama.An overview: Crop management for
dryland paprika production in the smallholder sector of Zimbabwe. Proceedings
of the 5th Forum Regional Conference: Extended Abstracts: 12-16 August 2001,
Entebbe, Uganda.
Manuscript Review duties for Journals
1. Plant Disease
2. Phytopathology
3. Applied Soil Biology
4. Applied and Environmental Soil Science
5. Canadian Journal of Plant Science
6. Rice Research
7. Advances in Crop Science and Technology
8. African Journal of Agricultural Research
Awards
2012: Texas A & M College of Agriculture & Life Sciences Scholarship Award
2011: International Foundation of Science Research Fellowship award
2009: Dr. Gene & Marlene A. Easton Scholarship Award
2007: Nuffic Training award (Netherlands): Integrated Pest Management and Food Safety
2000 : Rockefeller Foundation Crop Husbandry Research fellowship

9. 9 | Maxwell Handiseni Curriculum Vitae
Professional Affiliation
American Society of Plant Pathology
Organization of Nematologists of Tropical America
African Society of Crop Science
Professional References
Dr. Mark Mazzola
Research Plant Pathologist
Agricultural Research Service
Fruit Tree Research
Phone: 509 664-2280 ext. 207
E-mail: mark.mazzola@ars.usda.gov
Dr. Xin-Gen Zhou
Assistant Professor Research Plant Pathologist
Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology
Texas A&M University
Phone: 409-223-0178
E-mail: xzhou@aesrg.tamu.edu
Dr. Young-Ki Jo
Associate Professor Plant Pathologist
Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology
Texas A&M University
Phone: 414-243-8988
E-mail: ykjo@tamu.edu
Dr. Jack Brown
Professor Plant Breeder
Department of Plant Science, Entomology and Soil
University of Idaho
Phone: 208 885-7078
Email: jbrown@uidaho.edu