Haris Variz, Ph.D.

Biology & Agronomy

Department of Agronomy at Iowa State University

Dr. Haris Variz is a researcher in the Department of Agronomy at Iowa State University whose work spans molecular plant biology and crop reproductive development. He earned his doctorate in the Interdepartmental Plant Biology Program at Iowa State, where he investigated plant–pathogen interactions, focusing on fungal and bacterial effectors, soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi), and the role of plasmodesmata in plant immunity. In this work, he identified a novel vesicle associated with plasmodesmata, providing new insights into cellular communication in plants. His current research shifts from pathogen biology to maize reproductive biology, where he studies the development and physiology of silk in Zea mays. This work connects molecular mechanisms with applied agronomy, advancing understanding of fertilization, nutrient flow, and reproductive success in one of the world’s most important crops.