Chao (Tony) Yang, Ph.D
Department of Food and Bioproduct Sciences, University of Saskatchewan
Semiarid Prairie Agricultural Research Centre, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada
**** *** ******* ****, **ift Current, SK, Canada S9H 3X2
Phone: 306-***-**** (cell) E-mail: ******@****.*****.** (personal) *****@***.**.** (work)
EDUCATION
Doctorate of Philosophy – Applied molecular microbiology Sep.2008 –Nov.2011
University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Master of Science – Plant Sciences Sep.2003 – Jul.2006
Northwest A & F University, Shannxi, P.R. China
Bachelor of Science – Biotechnology Sep.1999 – Jul.2003
Northwest A & F University, Shannxi, P.R. China
SCHOLARSHIP AND AWARDS
• Nomination of the WAGS/UMI innovation in technology award in 2012;
• 1st Place winner of Graduate Student Oral Presentation at the Soils & Crops 2012,
Saskatoon, SK, Canada (300$);
• Honourable Mention in the student oral presentation competition at the International Soil
Ecology Society meeting 2011, Kelowna, BC, Canada;
• Excellent Student Research Affiliation Award of SPARC of AAFC 2010, Swift Current,
SK, Canada (200$);
• 2nd Place winner of Graduate Student Oral Presentation of Saskatchewan CPS Annual
Meeting 2010, Saskatoon, SK, Canada (100$);
• 2nd Place winner of Graduate Student Oral Competition at the 8th Canadian Pulse Research
Workshop 2010, Calgary, AB, Canada (200$);
• FABS Devolved Scholarship of 2010 from University of Saskatchewan (4,000$);
• Student Travel Award for the joint conference of CSM 2010, Hamilton, ON, Canada
(500$);
• MOE Scholarship of 2007 from Chinese Academic Department, Beijing, P.R. China
(14,400$);
• Full Scholarship from 2003 to 2006, Department of Graduate Student, Northwest A&F
University, Shannxi, P.R. China (4,500$);
• First-Class Undergraduate Student Scholarship from 1999 to 2003, Department of Life
Science, Northwest A&F University, Shannxi, P.R. China (1000$).
PUBLICATIONS
1. Gan, Y.T., Siddique, K.H.M., Turner, N.C., Li, X.G., Niu, J.Y., Yang, C., Liu, L.P. 2013. Ridge-
furrow mulching systems-an innovative technique for boosting crop productivity in semiarid
rainfed environments. Advances in Agronomy. 118:429-476
2. Yang, C., Hamel, C., Gan, Y., Vujanovic, V. 2012. Bacterial endophytes mediate positive
feedback effects of early legume termination times on the yield of subsequent durum wheat
crops. Canadian Journal of Microbiology. 68: 1368-1377
3. Yang, C., Hamel, C., Gan, Y., Vujanovic, V. 2012. Pyrosequencing reveals how pulses
influence rhizobacterial communities with feedback on wheat growth in the semiarid Prairie.
Plant & Soil. 10.1007/s11104-012-1485-z
4. Gan, Y.T., Liang, C., Campbell, C.A., Zentner, R.P., Lemke, R.L., Wang, H., Yang, C. 2012.
Carbon footprint of spring wheat in response to fallow frequency and soil carbon changes over 25
years on the semiarid Canadian prairie. European Journal of Agronomy. 43: 175-184
5. Yang C., Ellouze W., Navarro-Borrell A., Esmaeili Taheri A., Klabi R., Dai M., Kabir Z., Hamel
C. 2012. Management of the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis in sustainable crop production, in:
Z. M. Solaiman, L. K. Abbott and Ajit Varma (Eds.), Mycorrhizal Fungi: Use in Sustainable
Agriculture and Forestry, Springer, Berlin Heidelberg. pp. Submitted, in preparation at Springer
6. Yang, C., Hamel, C., Gan, Y., Vujanovic, V. 2012. Tag-encoded pyrosequencing analysis
of the effects of fungicide application and plant genotype on rhizobacterial communities.
Applied Soil Ecology. 60: 92-97
7. Yang, C., Hamel, C., Gan, Y., Vujanovic, V. 2012. Non-target effects of foliar fungicide
application on the rhizosphere: Diversity of nifH gene and nodulation in chickpea field.
Applied Microbiology. 112(10): 966-974
8. Cruz, A.F., Chantal H., Gan, Y., Yang, C., Singh, S.K., Kuwada, K., Ishii, T. 2012.
Volatile organic compounds to suppress Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium
avenaceum in wheat-chickpea rotation. Phytochemistry. 78: 72-80
9. Yang, C., Hamel, C., Gan, Y., Vujanovic, V. 2011. Fungicide Modes of action and
possible impact on non-target microorganisms. ISRN Ecology. doi:10.5402/2011/130289
10. Yang, C., Hamel C., Schellenberg, Michael P., Perez, Juan C., Berbara, Ricardo L. 2010.
Diversity and functionality of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in three plant communities in
semiarid Grasslands National Park, Canada. Microbial Ecology. 59(4): 724-733
11. Yang, C., Liang, Z.S. 2008. Foliar anatomical structures and ecological adaptabilities of
dominant Artemisia species of early sere of succession on arable old land after being
abandoned in Loess Hilly Region. Acta Ecologica Sinica. 28(10): 4732-4738
12. Wang, M.Y., Liang, Z.S., Yang, C., Chen, X.Y. 2008. Study on the water physiological
ecology characteristics of Bothriochloa ischaemum in different habitats and community
biomass in hilly-gully areas in Northern Shaanxi. Journal of Northwest A & F University
(Natural Science Edition) 1: 93-100
13. Wang, S., Mu, X.Q., Yang, C.; Cao C.L. 2006. Allelopathy and its mechanism of extract
solution of Artemisia annua L. on wheat. Journal of Northwest A & F University (Natural
Science Edition). 6: 106-110
14. Yang, C., Mu, X.Q. 2006. Allelopathic effects of companion weed Descurainia sophia on
wheat. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology. 17(12): 2389-2393
15. Mu, X.Q., Yang, C., Wang, S. 2005. Allelopathy of Pseudomonas fluorescens: A
preliminary study. 2005. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology. 16 (4): 778-779
16. Mu, X.Q., Yang, C., Wang, S. 2005. Allelopathy of an antagonistic actinomyces strain’s
culture fluidon five different crops. Journal of Microbiology. 25(4): 105-107
17. Mu, X.Q., Yang, C., Ji, Q., An, D.R. 2004. Effects of two kinds of microbial
cultivation fluids on five different crops. Journal of Northwest A & F University
(Natural Science Edition.). 8: 99-102
PRESENTATION
1. C. Yang, C. Hamel and Y.T. Gan. 2012. Hydrogen-Oxidizing Bacteria from Lentil Field.
Abstract presented at Ninth Canadian Pulse Research Workshop, Niagara, ON, Canada.
2. C. Yang, T.A. Esmaeili, C. Hamel, T. Ishii, Y.T. Gan, and V. Vujanovic. 2012. Impact of
Termination Time and Ascochyta Blight Control in Chickpea on Soil Microorganisms
with Feedback on the Following Wheat Crop. Abstract presented at Pulse Science Cluster
Annual Meeting 2012, Niagara, ON, Canada.
3. C. Yang, C. Hamel, Y.T. Gan, and V. Vujanovic. 2012. Selective effects of pulse crops on
associated plant-growth-promoting microbiota in Semiarid Canadian Prairie. Abstract
presented at Candian Society of Micriobiology 2012, University of British Columbia,
Vancouver, BC, Canada.
4. C. Yang, C. Hamel, Y.T. Gan, and V. Vujanovic. 2012. Pulse-wheat rotation: pulse crops
effects on wheat endophytic bacteria, and feedback on wheat yield. Proceedings of Soils
and Crops 2012 (CD-Rom), Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
5. J.D. Knight, C. Yang, N. Bazghaleh, A. Navarro, A. E. Taheri, C. Hamel, and Y.T. Gan.
2011. Crop Rotation Effects on Soil Biology. Abstract presented at Agronomy Update
2011, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada. (Invited talk)
6. C. Yang, C. Hamel, Y.T. Gan, and V. Vujanovic. 2011. Sampling time and genotype
effects on the rhizosphere bacterial community of chickpea. Proceedings of
Biofumigation & Pesticides Symposium 2011, pp. 77, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
7. C. Yang, C. Hamel, M.L. Dai and M. Sheng. 2011. AM fungal resources in Prairie soils:
Monitoring changes in diversity with different cultivated soil types. Proceedings of the
BIT’s 1st Annual World Congress of Microbes 2011, pp.237, Beijing, China. (Invited talk)
8. C. Yang, C. Hamel, Y.T. Gan, and V. Vujanovic. 2011. Pyrosequencing analysis of
chickpea rhizospheric bacterial diversity as influenced by fungicide application.
Proceedings of the Soil Ecology Society Meeting 2011 (SES), pp.91, Kelowna, BC,
Canada.
9. C. Yang, C. Hamel, Y.T. Gan, and V. Vujanovic. 2011. Methods used for soil microbial
diversity study. Abstract presented in the Mycorrhizal Gathering 2011, Winfield, BC,
Canada.
10. C. Yang, C. Hamel, Y.T. Gan, and V. Vujanovic. 2011. Fungicide effects on N2-fixing
bacteria and N2-fixation in chickpea. Proceedings of the Soils and Crops 2011 (CD-
ROM), Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
11. C. Yang, C. Hamel, Y.T. Gan, and V. Vujanovic. 2010. Non-target effects of fungicide on
rhizosphere N2-fixing bacterial community and nodulation in chickpea field. Proceedings
of the 2010 Annual meeting of Canadian Phytopathological Society (CPS), pp.35,
Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
12. C. Yang, C. Hamel, M. P. Schellenberg. Seasonal effects on Biodiversity and
Functionality of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi under different plant communities in
semiarid Grassland National Park of Canada. Abstract presented to the Mycorhizes 2010
through video conference. Montreal, QC, Canada.
13. C. Yang, C. Hamel, Y.T. Gan, and V. Vujanovic. 2010. Pyrosequencing Analysis of
Chickpea Rhizospheric Bacterial Diversity as influenced by Fungicide Application.
Proceedings of the 8th Canadian Pulse Research Workshop (CPRW) 2010 (CD-ROM),
Calgary, AB, Canada.
14. C. Hamel, C. Yang, W. Ellouze, A.F. Cruz, T. Ishii, Y.T. Gan. 2010. The microbial
community associated with chickpea varies with plant genotype and fungicide
application. Proceedings of the Yangling International Agri-Science Forum 2010,
Yangling, Shannxi, China. (Invited talk)
15. C. Yang, C. Hamel, Y.T. Gan, and V. Vujanovic. 2010. Non-target effects of fungicide in
chickpea rhizosphere: N2-fixing community change and decreased crop productivity.
Proceedings of the joint conference of CSM 2010, pp.53, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
16. C. Yang, C. Hamel, Y.T. Gan, and V. Vujanovic. 2010. Fungicide application effects on
diversity components of chickpea rhizospheric N2-fixing bacterial community. Abstract
presented in the joint conference of CSSS & CSA 2010, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
17. C. Yang, C. Hamel, Y.T. Gan, and V. Vujanovic. 2010. Fungicide application effects on
diversity components of chickpea rhizospheric bacterial community. Proceedings of Soils
and Crops 2010 (CD-ROM), Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
18. C. Yang, C. Hamel, Y.T. Gan, V. Vujanovic and K. Hanson. 2009. Effects of fungicide
usage on chickpea rhizospheric bacterial community. Proceedings of North America
Pulse Improvement Association Biennial Conference 2008, pp.37, Fort Collins, CO,
USA.
19. C. Yang, C. Hamel, M.P. Schellenberg, R. Berbara. 2009. Succession in AMF
communities from early to late season in Grassland National Park. Proceedings of Soils
and Crops 2009 (CD-ROM), Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
20. C. Yang, Z.S. Liang. 2008. Seed germination of three dominant Artemisia species in
Loess hilly region of China. Proceedings of Soil and Crops 2008 (CD-ROM), Saskatoon,
SK, Canada.
21. C. Hamel, C.J. Perez, A. Nayyar, C. Yang, R. Klabi, M.S. Beauregard, M. Sheng. 2008.
Mycorrhizal symbioses in soil-plant systems of the Canadian prairie. Proceedings of XVI
International Scientific Congress of the National Institute of Agricultural Science 2008,
La Havana, Cuba. (Invited talk)
DISSERTATION
Ph.D. thesis: Response of rhizobacterial community to agronomic practices in chickpea field,
and its effects on pulse-cereal rotation systems (Receive the nomination of the best PhD thesis
award of 2012, published)
M.Sc. thesis: Allelopathy effects of Descurainia sophia on wheat (published)
Bachelor thesis: Primary study of allelopathy of two antagonistic Actinomyces strains
(published)
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Three hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria stains isolated from chickpea field had been sent for
disclosure of invention to the office of Public Servants Inventions Regulations of Canada in
2012.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Research Affiliate Apr.2008 – present
Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Swift Current, Canada
Language teacher Jan. 2010 – present
Saskatchewan Organization of Heritage Languages, Saskatchewan, Canada
Scientific writer Feb. 2011 – Jun. 2011
Department of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Gansu, P.R. China
Teaching Assistant Sep. 2010 – Dec. 2010
Department of Food Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan, Canada
Lab technician May. 2010 – Jul. 2010
Berger Peat Moss, Québec, Canada
Lecturer Jan. 2005 – Jul. 2007
Department of Life Science, Northwest A&F University, Shannxi, P.R. China
COMMITTEE ROLES AND VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Tour leader Oct. 2012
Open House Day of Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Swift Current, SK, Canada
Conference organizer Mar. 2011
2011 Soils & Crops Annual Meeting, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Seminar host Feb. 2010
Handling Pyrosequencing Data, Swift Current, SK, Canada
Language teacher Sep. 2009 – Feb. 2011
Trailview Alliance Church, Swift Current, Canada
Seminar host Sep. 2008
PCR Application in Plant and Soil Microbiology, Swift Current, SK, Canada
Program organizer Jan. 2008
International Student Day, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Debating team leader Jun. 2004 – Dec. 2004
Northwest A&F University, Shannxi, P.R. China
Vice-president – Student union Sep. 1999 – Jul. 2003
Department of Life Science, Northwest A&F University, Shannxi, P.R. China
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
• Membership of Canadian Society of Microbiologists
• Editorial committee memberships of PlusOne, Crop Science, Science Publishing Group,
Science of the Total Environment, Biodiversity, African Journal of Agricultural Research,
Wudpecker Journal of Agricultural Research and Agricultural Research and Reviews
REFERENCES
Hamel Chantal: E-mail: ******@***.**.**; phone:1-306-***-****
Yantai Gan: E-mail: ******.***@***.**.**; phone: 1-306-***-****
Vladimir Vujanovic : E-mail : ********.*********@*****.**; phone : 1-306-***-****