• Population diversity: Serological, biochemical and genetic studies undertaken to identify virulent subpopulations of bacteria
• Phylogenetics: Genetic relationships among strains in selected species of plant pathogenic bacteria
• Diagnostics: Development and application of specific immunodiagnostic and DNA-based assays for detection and identification of pathogens distributed worldwide in seeds and plant propagative materials. 
• Epidemiology: Use of diagnostic markers to determine primary sources of inoculum for bacterial diseases of tropical crops. 
• Biological control: Effects of beneficial bacteria on disease prevention. Immunodiagnostic and DNA-based  methods used to evaluate host-pathogen interactions in plant tissues. Effects of beneficial bacteria on the infection process was evaluated using a genetically modified bioluminescent strain of the anthurium blight pathogen, now renamed: Xanthomonas phaseoli pv. dieffenbachiae. 

A faculty member in the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) from 1990 until his retirement in December 2017, Dr. Grace served as Associate Dean and Associate Director for Research from 2014-2017, with overall responsibility for the college's $20 million+ research portfolio. Prior to this, he served as Interim Associate Dean/Director for Research (2011-2014), Special Research Director (2010-2011), and Chair of the Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences (PEPS) (2001-2010).

Prior to joining the University of Hawaii, Dr. Grace was Director of the Urban Entomology Program in the Faculty of Forestry at the University of Toronto (1986-1990). He was employed in the pest control industry in California from 1975-1986, where he first became interested in pursuing a career in entomology (the study of insects).

As an entomologist, Dr. Grace’s personal research interests include the biology, behavior, ecology and management of urban and structural pests, with an emphasis on termites and wood protection. He has published over 290 technical articles, and has been a frequent invited speaker at national and international conferences and symposia. Dr. Grace has served as a member of the Pest Control Advisory Committee of the State of Hawaii Regulated Industries Complaints Office, a member of the Pest Control Board of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, an executive committee member of the Coffee Berry Borer Task Force, the university's representative on the inter-agency Hawaii Invasive Species Council, a member of the National Technical Advisory Committee for Project Full-Stop (USDA-ARS), and as international adviser to the Institute for Sustainable Human-habitability, Kyoto University.

Honors Received:

• 2016 Keynote Speaker, Pest Control Operators of California and Hawaii Pest Control Association Expo and Learning Conference, Honolulu.
• 2014 Keynote Speaker, Pacific Rim Termite Research Group 10th Meeting, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• 2013 Distinguished Service Award, Hawaii Pest Control Association.
• 2013 Colley / Hartford Memorial Research Lecture, Annual Meeting of the American Wood Protection Association.
• 2008 Alvin and Charlotte Nakamura Hoku Award , College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa.
• 2007 Speaker, University of Hawaii at Manoa Faculty Lecture Series.
• 2001 Award of Merit for Outstanding Contributions to Research, Gamma Sigma Delta (Honor Society of Agriculture), University of Hawaii at Manoa.
• 1998 Award of Recognition for Research Productivity, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa.
• 1998 Speaker in Maile Lecture Series, University of Hawaii President's Club.
• 1996 National Award for Research Excellence, Orkin Pest Control.
• 1989 Honorary Life Member, Royal Canadian Institute, Toronto.

• Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) is the most devastating virus disease of bananas. The virus is transmitted by the banana aphid (Pentalonia nigronervosa) in a persistent manner. New growth from infected plants is stunted and distorted, resulting in a characteristic "bunchy top" appearance. No fruit is produced on infected plants, and a high incidence of BBTV in production areas can cause complete yield loss. Specific objectives of this project are: (1) to develop rapid, sensitive, and reliable assays for detection of BBTV in plants and insects; (2) to characterize the genome organization and vector transmission of BBTV; and (3) to develop resistant transgenic banana plants to control BBTV.
• Mealybug wilt of pineapple (MWP) is a devastating disease found in all the pineapple-growing regions of the world. The disease is characterized by severe leaf tip dieback, downward curling of the leaf margins, and reddening and wilting of the leaves that can lead to total collapse of the plant. Specific objectives of this project include: (1) to develop rapid detection assays for the closterovirus; (2) to study the cause (etiology) of MWP; (3) to examine the epidemiology of the virus; and (4) to develop alternative, environmentally sound strategies to manage MWP.

• Please visit https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/rubinoffd/rubinoff_lab/danrubinoff/rubinoff.htm for an updated webpage and introduction to our Lab!
•  
• Invasive Species: Using DNA sequence data and ecological studies to understand the distribution and impact of invasive species in Hawaii e.g. revealing pathways by which invasive species invade.
• Insect Systematics: Using molecular and morphological data to establish relationships between known and new species with specific reference to endemic Hawaiian species and problematic invasive species. 
• Conservation Biology: Using filed and lab work to understand the causes for native insect and plant decline and developing synthetic research products which will allow more effective land management and native insect and plant conservation.

Research Interests:

My lab is interested in dissecting the molecular basis specifying pathogen virulence and plant resistance in order to develop novel disease control strategies. We mainly focus on vegetable and fruit diseases caused by fungi and oomycetes. Our current research involves oomycete pathogens including Phytophthora palmivora, Phytophthora cinnamomi and Peronospora belbahrii, and fungal pathogens such as Corynespora cassiicola and the banana Fusarium wilt pathogen. We are using various genetic, genomic, molecular, biochemical and plant pathology approaches in our research with an ultimate goal to develop novel effective environmental friendly disease control strategies. In addition to basic research, we are also interested in translational and applied research to translate discoveries from basic science to practical disease control measures. 

Below is a brief description of some research topics we have been working on:

Phytophthora palmivora has a very broad host range with over 1000 plant species, including many economically important hosts such as papaya, cacao, rubber tree, citrus, coconut and black pepper. We mainly work on its interactions with papaya and cacao. We have been developing its functional genomics tools, and identifying the key pathogenicity factors using CRISPR/Cas9 mediated genome editing. 

Phytophthora cinnamomi also has a very wide host range. My lab mainly work on the isolates that cause avocado root rot. We are interested in determining the pathogen diversity in Hawaii and screening avocado germplasm in Hawaii for potential root rot-resistant rootstocks. We are also interested in developing functional genomic tools. 

Peronospora belbahrii is an obligate biotrophic pathogen that causes basil downy mildew, a foliar disease threatening sweet basil production worldwide. We have mainly explored biotechnological approaches, including host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) of P. belbahrii genes that play key roles in pathogenicity and genome editing of basil S genes, to generate downy-mildew resistant plants.