Dr. Hiran A. Ariyawansa is an Associate Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology at National Taiwan University (NTU), Taipei, where he leads a multidisciplinary research group at the interface of mycology and plant health. His research focuses on fungal biodiversity, integrative taxonomy, and evolutionary genomics, with a strong emphasis on plant-associated fungi and emerging phytopathogens.A major theme of his work is understanding how closely related fungi shift between endophytic, saprobic, and pathogenic lifestyles and why large differences in virulence can occur even when overall gene content is similar. His group integrates field sampling and culture-based studies with multi-locus phylogenetics, comparative/population genomics, and functional assays to link evolutionary patterns with host range, virulence, adaptation, and disease outcomes. In parallel, the lab develops applied pipelines for sustainable plant disease management, including fungicide evaluation/resistance monitoring and discovery of microbial biocontrol agents and their inhibitory metabolites. Dr. Ariyawansa is committed to training students in both rigorous wet-lab experimentation and reproducible bioinformatics, and he welcomes international collaboration and student exchange.

Overview

Our lab investigates fungi from field to genome to function, combining biodiversity discovery with mechanism-driven plant pathology. We aim to 

(i) resolve fungal species boundaries accurately, 

(ii) understand how fungi evolve and transition among endophyte–saprobe–pathogen lifestyles, and 

(iii) translate these insights into sustainable disease management strategies for agriculture and natural ecosystems.

What we study

1) Fungal biodiversity and systematics (integrative taxonomy)
We conduct surveys across Taiwan and collaborating regions, isolate and preserve fungal strains, and use morphology + multi-locus phylogenetics (and phylogenomics when needed) to delimit species and revise taxonomic groups. Accurate taxonomy is the foundation for reliable diagnostics, ecological interpretation, and disease risk assessment.

2) Emerging phytopathogens and virulence mechanisms
A major focus is Pestalotiopsis sensu lato (including Neopestalotiopsis and Pseudopestalotiopsis), which contains important emerging plant pathogens and frequent lifestyle ambiguity in nature. We quantify pathogenicity and host range using standardized infection assays, and link phenotypes to genomic and functional features—particularly secreted proteins/effectors, CAZymes, secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), transposable elements, and regulatory variation. We are especially interested in “genome–phenotype paradox” cases where virulence differs strongly despite similar gene inventories, suggesting regulatory and metabolic drivers.

3) Genomics-enabled mycology (comparative and population genomics)
We assemble and annotate genomes, build phylogenomic frameworks, and conduct comparative and population genomic analyses to understand adaptation, diversification, and strain-level variation relevant to disease. Depending on the project, we connect genomic signals to phenotype through infection biology, enzyme/physiology assays, and metabolite profiling.

4) Sustainable disease management and biocontrol
We maintain applied research lines to support reduced-pesticide agriculture: fungicide sensitivity evaluation and resistance-risk assessment, and the identification of microbial antagonists (bacterial and fungal BCAs, including Trichoderma) and their inhibitory metabolites (volatile and non-volatile). Where possible, we investigate mechanisms (antibiosis, VOC effects, induced resistance, competition) and develop practical workflows that can be transferred to field management.

Training environment

We train students to be fluent in both wet-lab and computational workflows—strain isolation and phenotyping, experimental design, genome/omics analysis, and scientific writing. Students are encouraged to develop independent projects while working within a supportive team environment and strong international collaboration network.

International visitors

Our lab has experience hosting and mentoring international students and visitors, including graduate-level supervision, short-term research attachments, and internship training through international exchange and internship programs.