"Within Spitting Distance: A Plant Immune Receptor for Caterpillar Oral Secretions" Assistant Professor at University of Washington. Dr. Steinbrunner is one of the world leading scientist researching pattern recognition receptors (PRR) and discovered the first receptor of HAMP (herbivore-associated molecular patterns) from chewing insects. The plant innate immune system detects molecular patterns associated with diverse […]

"Citizen science can enhance biosecurity surveillance: opportunities for plant disease monitoring and research at WSU" Dr. Joey Hulbert, post-doctorial researcher with Dr. Gary Chastagner.  Abstract Citizen science is an approach to research that benefits society through both research and participation outcomes. While limited in its application, there is enormous potential to engage the public more […]

"New Tools for Safe-Guarding Berry Plant Health" From the Nursery to the Consumer" Dr. Janet C. "Jenny" Broome, Senior Research Manager, Global Plant Health Department, and Scientist, Driscoll's Inc., Watsonville, […]

"Early detection of major quarantine postharvest pathogens of apple and pear in the U.S. Pacific Northwest" Dr. Arild R. Arifin, Department of Plant Pathology, Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center Washington State University Abstract: The postharvest pathogens Phacidiopycnis washingtonensis, Phacidiopycnis pyri, Sphaeropsis pyriputrescens, and Neofabraea spp. are important quarantine pathogens of apple and pear from […]

"Rpt5, Rpg1, and rpg4/5: Characterizing Broad Resistance against Important Necrotrophic and Biotrophic Fungal Pathogens of Barley" Dr. Robert Brueggeman Associate Professor, Barley Breeding/Molecular Genetics Robert A. Nilan Endowed Chair in Barley Research and Education Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences, WSU Abstract Two pathogens that threaten barley production worldwide are the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Pyrenophora […]

Labor Day

"Retrospective and Prospective Look at Discoveries from Verticillium Comparative Genomics" Dr. Steve Klosterman, Research Molecular Biologist United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service, Salinas, California Fungal pathogens in the genus Verticillium cause Verticillium wilt of high value crops, ornamentals, and trees worldwide. Today we recognize 10 species of Verticillium; the most notorious among these […]

"Ecology and Management of Stemphylium Leaf Spot of Spinach" Kayla A. Spawton, PhD Candidate Defense Seminar Abstract Stemphylium leaf spot of spinach has re-emerged as a disease of economic concern for fresh market, processing, and seed production. The disease was first described in 2001 as being caused by Stemphylium botryosum, based on fungal morphology1. After […]

"Bacterial Ice Nucleation" Purnima Puri, M.S. Student, Department of Plant Pathology, Washington State University Abstract Did you know plant pathogens can facilitate ice formation? Pure water freezes at about -38°C, but in the presence of agents like dust particles or microorganisms, this process occurs at temperatures as high as -2°C (Lukas et al. 2022). Certain […]

"Disease-Suppressive Soils as a Tool for Disease Management" Roshani Baral, M.S. Student, Department of Plant Pathology, Washington State University Abstract As soilborne diseases continue to challenge crop production, suppressive soils […]

"Phytochemical Production and Applications to Plant Pathology" Jessica Schallon, M.S. Student, Department of Plant Pathology, Washington State University Abstract Plants have an incredible capacity to manufacture even very complex chemicals. […]

"Novel Molecular Approaches to Identify and Control Plant Parasitic Nematodes" Scott Anderson, PhD Student, Exit Seminar, Department of Plant Pathology, Washington State University Abstract Plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs) are responsible […]