Travel Grants Awarded

Evans Njambere, Jason Ingram and Renuka Attanayake all received the Graduate School travel grants to support their travel to the upcoming Annual APS Meeting. A total of 63 students submitted proposals and just 35 students were selected to receive awards.

Olufemi Alabi was selected as the receipient of the Gustaaf A. de Zoeten Student Travel Award and Jeremiah Dung was selected as the receipient of the Albert Paulus Student Travel Award. Both these awards were presented by the APS Foundation for travel to the upcoming Annual APS Meeting.

Congratulations!

WSU Plant Pathology at Mushroom Maynia

On May 4 the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture in Seattle hosted “Mushroom Maynia”, an event covering all things mycological.  Several hundred natural history enthusiasts of all ages enjoyed a wide range of activities ranging from mycophagy to mycophilately and viewed lectures and displays on the roles of fungi in natural and urban ecosystems.  The Department of Plant Pathology was represented by faculty member Dr. Dean Glawe and WSU Master Gardeners Wanda Booth, Marilyn Tilbury, and Jane Tobin who hosted a display on the role of fungi as plant pathogens.  In addition to providing information on Master Gardener clinics and activities in western Washington, the display featured research projects of Dr. Glawe and undergraduate student researchers in his program at the University of Washington.

Department of Plant Pathology mycologist Dean Glawe and WSU Master Gardeners Wanda Booth and Jane Tobin (not pictured: Marilyn Tilbury

WSU News Feature

Ralph Young, a general physical sciences graduate mentored by Dr. David Weller, was featured in WSU News for his work with the USDA-ARS Root Disease and Biological Control Research Unit's biofuels project and Native American outreach efforts. Way to go Ralph!

WSU Today Feature

To celebrate Public Service Recognition Week, May 4-10, seven WSU employees will be awarded certificates from the Washington Secretary of State for four decades of service, amoung them is our very own Dr. Jack Rogers. Congratulations Dr. Rogers! Full story

First Palouse Truffle Foray

On April 27, approximately 35 participants joined special guest and truffle expert Dr. Jim Trappe on the very first Palouse Truffle Foray.  Although no truffles were found, probably due to the time of year and weather, participants learned how to find truffles and where to look.  And as an added bonus, Dr. Rogers found the first morel of the season!

More photos, click here.

Top Downloads from Plant Disease

Dr. Ken Eastwell’s Feature Article, ‘Viruses and Viroids Infecting Hop: Significance, Epidemiology, and Management’ in Plant Disease (March 2008, Volume 92, Pages 324-338; DOI: 10.1094/PDIS-92-3-0324) is one of the most downloaded articles from the APS web site (http://apsjournals.apsnet.org/action/showMostReadArticles?journalCode=pdis)
It presently ranks #7 in the top 20 most downloaded full text articles published in Plant Disease.
Congratulations, Dr. Eastwell!

APS New Caspule Editor's Pick & Feature

In the April 17th edition of APS News Capsule, the manuscript published on research conducted by Dr. Lori Carris in cooperation with B. A. Richardson, N. B. Klopfenstein, P. J. Zambino, G. I. McDonald, and B. W. Geils on white pine blister rust fungus was the Phytopathology Editor's Pick.

Also featured, was the Dr. Lee Hadwiger's mini review, "Pea–Fusarium solani Interactions Contributions of a System Toward Understanding Disease Resistance"

Notice of Vancancy

Assistant Professor, Nematology (Search No. 5044). Full-time (12-month) tenure-track appointment in the Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington. The successful candidate will be expected to initiate and conduct innovative and comprehensive research (75%) and teaching (25%) programs emphasizing molecular and applied aspects of plant-parasitic nematodes, plant-nematode interactions, and the diseases they cause on crops of importance in Washington State. Teaching responsibilities include a course in nematology and participation in other courses in the department. Advise students working toward M.S. and Ph.D. degrees.  The successful applicant will be expected to conduct an approved program of research consistent with the mission of the WSU Agricultural Research Center. Required qualifications include an earned doctorate in plant pathology or a related field at the time of hire, and evidence of scholarly contributions. Desirable qualifications are demonstrated ability to conduct research in plant parasitic nematodes, demonstrated ability in molecular biology, evidence of research productivity, ability to develop an original research program dealing with plant parasitic nematodes; ability to teach at undergraduate and graduate levels, potential ability to obtain external funding, evidence of oral, written, and electronic communication skills, and ability to advise graduate students. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.  Screening of application materials will begin July 14, 2008.  For position description listing all qualifications and application process, visit:  http://www.hrs.wsu.edu/employment/fapvacancies.aspx  (Search #5044)  Submit a letter of application specifically addressing each required and desired qualification, your research interests, a one-page description of teaching philosophy, curriculum vitae, copies of college/university transcripts, and have three letters of reference direct from source sent to Ms. Robin Stratton, Nematology Search, Department of Plant Pathology, P.O. Box 646430, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-6430. E-mail: rstratton@wsu.edu.  E-mailed applications will be accepted for initial consideration but hard copies must be provided in advance of an interview.  Questions regarding the position may be directed to Dr. Hanu Pappu, Search Committee Chair, Phone: 509-335-3752, E-mail: hrp@wsu.edu. Washington State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action educator and employer.

Daily Evergreen Feature

Research conducted by Dr. Lori Carris on Tilletia fungi was published in the April 14 edition of the Daily Evergreen. Read the full story.

CAHNRS Team Interdisciplinary Award

The Vineyard IPM Team led by Douglas Walsh, an agrichemical and environmental extension specialist, and Gary Grove, associate professor of plant pathology and extension plant pathologist, both at the WSU Prosser Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center, received the CAHNRS Team Interdisciplinary Award. Read the full story on WSU Today.

President Emeritus Sam Smith to Present Lecture

Dr. Sam Smith, Professor of Plant Pathology and President Emeritus, delivered the inaugural lecture in the Sam Smith Lecture Series in Plant Virology in the Department of Plant Pathology on April 7, 2008. In his talk, Dr. Smith addressed the changing environment of higher education in the State of Washington. During his visit, Dr. Smith met with graduate students and faculty in the department. Initiated by Dr. Hanu Pappu, associate professor in the department, the series would bring plant virologists from other parts of the US and the world to WSU in coming years. Dr. Pappu holds the Sam Smith and Patricia Smith Distinguished Professorship in Plant Virology, made possible by an endowment created by the American Dahlia Society.  

Featured in WSU Today.

Pictures of Dr. Smith's visit

WSU Showcase

WSU Showcase was held Friday, March 28, where department research was on display. View photos.

Upcoming Extension Workshop

Workshop entitle Nematode identification - with emphasis on Free Living Nematodes (microscopes and keys for Nematode Identification will be used) will be held on May 14th, 11 am to 4:00pm, WSU-IAREC, Prosser. Seminar as part of the Workshop: "Soil Community Structure: Effect of Different Organic Agroecosystems and Edaphic Properties " presented by Doug Collins, Crop and Soil Sciences Department. The seminar is open to everyone, however, you must register for the workshop by e-mailing Dr. Ekaterini Riga (riga@wsu.edu)- the participation is limited due to space and microscope availability.

New to the Website

We have added a section to our website! Check out the Research Highlights and learn more about the internationally recogized scientists and their research.

Faculty Member Receives Fulbright Fellowship

Dr. Hanu Pappu has received the Fulbright Fellowship for the 2008-2009 year. Pappu will participate in lecturing and research activity for three months at Alexandria University, Egypt. The lecturing activities are in the area of molecular virology and agricultural biotechnology. Pappu will also be conducting in the area of genomics of selected viruses of vegetables and legumes. Pappu has also worked with the USDA FAS to bring the Borlaug Fellow to WSU. His work has allowed WSU to be the host institution for the Borlaug Fellow in the area of agricultural biotechnology emphasizing environmental issues.

On the Cover...

Dr. Hanu Pappu's research on tospoviruses is featured on the cover page of the April 2008 issue of Plant Disease.

Dr. Naidu Rayapati's research on Tomato spotted wilt virus is featured on the cover page of the 2008 February issue of Plant Pathology, pp.190–200.

Meet Your New Co-Worker

Anmin Wan

Dr. Wan, a postdoctoral fellow from Simon Fraser University, Canada, recently joined Xianming Chen’s lab. He obtained his Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from China Agricultural University. He worked on wheat stripe rust at the Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. His major researches in Pullman include pathogenicity survey and detection of wheat and barley stripe rust pathogens, especially monitoring the new races and virulence, resistance evaluation of lines, cultivars and germplasms with interested resistance to stripe rust.

Plant Pathology Undergraduates Participate in Molecular Plant Sciences Retreat

Philip Hagihara, a senior majoring in Genetics and Cell Biology, and Joseph Hulbert, a junior majoring in Forestry, presented research posters at the Intregrated Molecular Plant Sciences Retreat on February 16, 2008.  Phil Hagihara studied the transmission of Pythium tolerance in a novel Rhizoctonia-tolerant wheat plant created by Drs. Kimberlee Kidwell and Camille Steber.  Joe Hulbert examined the impact of jasmonic acid signaling on Pythium innate tolerance in tomato.  Both young researchers began their projects in the laboratory of Dr. Pat Okubara in Fall 2007, and were assisted by Biological Sciences Technician, Nathalie Walter.  Hagihara’s poster, entitled “Inheritance of Pythium Tolerance in BC2F2 Populations of Wheat Cultivar Scarlet-Rz1” was awarded Best Undergraduate Student Poster at the retreat.

Wiley Graduate Student Research Exposition

Sahar Eid, PhD student with Dr. Hanu Pappu, presented a poster on her ongoing research on caulimovirus diversity in cultivated and wild dahlias at the annual Wiley Graduate Student Research Exposition on February 13, 2008 at Beasley.  Sahar recently won a competitive graduate scholarship from the National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS), Lebanon.  Congratulations, Sahar!

Dr. Naidu Rayapati and his team won recognition for their research on grape viruses at Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers 2008 Annual Meeting, Trade Show and Convention, held during February 6-8, 2008 at Kennewick, Washington State.

Awards were:

First Place in Poster Session under Professional Category

An Update on the Occurrence of Grapevine Viruses in Washington State Vineyards, authors: Tefera Mekuria, Gandhi Karthikeyan, Olufemi Alabi, Sridhar Jarugula and Naidu Rayapati.

Honorable Mention in Poster Session under Professional Category

The Epidemiology of Grapevine Leafroll Disease in Washington State Vineyards, authors: Gandhi Karthikeyan, Olufemi Alabi, Sridhar Jarugula, Tefera Mekuria and Naidu Rayapati.

Congratulations on 45 Years of Service

Dr. Jack Rogers was presented with a certificate and gift for 45 years of service at WSU. Congratulations and thank you for your long standing service and commitment to the department!

On Solid Ground Feature
Research conducted by Dr. Hanu Pappu on viruses that affect dahlias was featured in the February 27 issue of CAHNRS On Solid Ground.

Snow Mold Research Featured in the News this Month
Reasearch on snow mold conducted by Dr. Tim Murray was featured on the February 4 in SeedQuest News.

On the KLEW evening news on February 5. View the entire story and watch the segment here.

In the February 6 issue of CAHNRS On Solid Ground.

And on Northwest Public Radion on February 21. View the entire story and listen to the segment here.

Upcoming Idaho Oilseed Conference

An article in the Latah Eagle (Idaho) and the East Oregonian (Pendleton) on the Idaho Oilseed Conference to be held in Moscow in late February mention that Dr. Scot Hulbert will be among the featured speakers.

Meet Your New Co-Worker

Vekatesan Segoda Gounder

Dr. Venkatesan recently joined as a post-doctoral research associate in the Department of Plant Pathology.  He is working with Dr. Hanu Pappu and Dr. Joseph Munyaneza (USDA-ARS, Wapato) on the etiology of zebra chip disease of potato.  He obtained his B.S. (Agriculture), M.S. (Plant Pathology) and Ph.D. (Plant Pathology) from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tamil Nadu, India and he worked as a post-doctoral fellow in Plant Virology and Molecular Genetics, at the Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center, Taiwan on an Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project II (ABSP II), Development of transgenic tomato lines against tomato leaf curl virus.

Capital Press: West's Ag Website Feature

Upcoming California Garlic and Onion Symposium

An article in California Farmer about the upcoming California Garlic and Onion Symposium to be held in Tulare, CA will include WSU plant pathologist Hanu Pappu as one of the featured speakers.
http://californiafarmer.com/index.aspx?ascxid=fpStory&fpsid=31707&fpstid=2