I am a scientist studying vector-pathogen interactions using evolutionary and molecular approaches.

Ithaca, NY
Joined November 2017
The Heck Lab is moving south in 2026! I’m honored to be joining Virginia Tech as Director of the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, where I will also have a faculty appointment. 🌱🧬👩‍🔬 I am grateful for my nearly 20 years of public service with USDA–ARS at Cornell & Boyce Thompson Institute, which shaped my commitment to collaborative research and solutions-driven science. Stay tuned for job announcements & Heck lab updates! news.vt.edu/articles/2025/12…
8
5
27
1,453
Michelle Heck retweeted
Tanishka Aglave et al. developed a Murraya koenigii (curry) leaf extract and evaluated its use as a citrus tree-health supportive input by trunk injection for citrus under field-relevant biotic and abiotic stresses in Florida: doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-10-25-2… @VectorBioSpace #HLB
4
11
775
Michelle Heck retweeted
🍊@VectorBioSpace et al. present a field-forward experimental framework, “Grove-First,” that reverses the traditional laboratory-to-field pipeline by prioritizing outcome-based screening for huanglongbing. Learn more: doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-07-25-1… #HLB #plantdisease
3
2
13
3,302
“Viral Silencing Suppressor Activity in Plants Modifies Aphid Antiviral Immunity and Fecundity,” by Stephanie E. Preising et al. Learn more: doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-05-25-… @VectorBioSpace #aphids
1
4
220
Michelle Heck retweeted
I urge everyone to accompany this moment of delicate diplomacy with prayer, in hopes that a willingness to dialogue may become the means to resolve other conflict situations in the world as well. #PrayTogether #Peace
1,713
8,019
256
63,444
993,660
In case you missed it, I testified this morning before the House Appropriations Subcommittee, sharing the value and impact of NIH-funded research. appropriations.house.gov/sch…
45
20
2
235
12,432
Michelle Heck retweeted
Take this opportunity to learn about the latest advances HLB management.
1
1
39
Michelle Heck retweeted
If you are in Florida and want to learn more about the USDA Grove-First project, check out the Florida Citrus Show!!
1
42
Replying to @Dating_Dynamics
In the Catholic faith, all of these are discussed during pre-cana, except what to do during divorce.
1,686
Replying to @AOV_OlmedoVelar
My data are on cds! 😂
15
Replying to @AOV_OlmedoVelar
Congratulations! I still haven’t published the last chapter of my thesis!
1
2
76
Michelle Heck retweeted
Who needs Cupid when you've got a dropbox? 💘 Happy Valentine's Day from all of us at Plasmidsaurus! 💌 🦖
8
3
1
56
6,686
Michelle Heck retweeted
Postdoc Vs PhD Student
5
20
1
191
46,267
Congratulations!
Excited to share the first piece of work from my lab led by @osse_de84469 and @Hiaa_Kalita , where we characterized two new long genome pestiviruses infecting the corn leafhopper and their geographic incidence in four states link.springer.com/epdf/10.10…
2
259
Replying to @MaizeMeristem
Thanks Dave!! I would not be here without you!
28
Replying to @CornellCSCU
I will miss you and definitely will be keeping in touch!
46
Today, we had @osse_de84469 teaching her protein expression and purification skills learnt at @CSHL
3
14
763
Congratulations to you both! ❤️ can’t wait to meet and cuddle with my lab grandbaby 🍼🐣
2
43