Plant Health 2021 Online Preview: a Conversation with Plenary Speaker Professor Marin Talbot Brewer

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May 2021 Volume 55 • Number 5

Plant Health 2021 Online Preview: A Conversation with Plenary Speaker Professor Marin Talbot Brewer

Jim Bradeen, APS Internal research on gummy stem blight, a fungal pathogens. We will hear about her exciting Communications Officer disease of cucurbits. When the student research during Plant Health 2021 Online— presented data on the emergence of triazole you won’t want to miss her plenary address A plant pathol- resistance in one of the Stagonosporopsis on Monday, August 2. ogist, a fungal cell species responsible for this disease, one Recently, I talked with Marin about her biologist, and a audience member, a medical mycologist, career, her research, and her advice for early- medical mycolo- perked up. Azole resistance was also on the career professionals. I never grow tired of gist walk into a rise in Aspergillus fumigatus, causal agent learning how others get involved in our field; conference room. of aspergillosis, which is a serious human for so many us, serendipity plays a key role. Nope, it wasn’t the medical condition with high mortality rates, In Marin’s case, an unfamiliar word, “phyto- start of a joke, it especially in those with compromised im- pathology”, caught her eye in a job advertise- was a meeting of mune systems. Intellectual sparks flew as ment. She had just graduated with a B.S. de- the University of the scientists discussed the implications gree from the University of Cincinnati and Georgia’s Fungal and their newfound common ground. That was applying for a research staff position Group—a multi- moment changed the course of Marin’s re- with USDA-ARS. A visit to her local library disciplinary weekly meeting of mycophiles. search. Today, she leads a project focused On this particular day, Prof. Marin Talbot on the role of fungicide use in agriculture in Brewer’s student was presenting their the emergence of drug resistance in human Plant Health 2021, continued on page 3

Voting Is Now Open for Vice President and Councilor-at-Large

The APS Nominations Committee is dent. Candidates for councilor-at-large are tact APS headquarters ([email protected]) if pleased to announce that Niklaus Grünwald, Leonardo de la Fuente, Auburn University, you do not receive your electronic ballot. USDA-ARS-Horticultural Crops Research and Sydney Everhart, University of Nebraska- Results of the 2021 election will be an- Unit, and Jeffrey B. Jones, University of Lincoln. Candidate information begins on nounced in the July issue of Phytopathology Florida, are running for vice president. Fol- page 4 of this issue. News and on the APS website. ■ lowing a term as vice president, the elected Eligible voting APS members will receive candidate will serve successive terms as an electronic ballot. Voting is open from president-elect, president, and past presi- May 5 through May 31, 2021. Please con- In This Issue APS Foundation Award ��7 PPB ��7 OPRO ��9 APS Publications ��10 Donors of Distinction ��12 People ��12 Classifieds ��14 Graduate Student Spotlight ��15 Research Notebook ��16 Niklaus Grünwald Jeffrey B. Jones Leonardo de la Fuente Sydney Everhart

Phytopathology News May 2021 1 PLANT PATHOLOGY’S PERPLEXING PAST: THE REST OF THE STORY Editor-in-Chief: Kenny Seebold Editor: Jordana Anker Design: Jordana Anker Advertising Sales: Brianna Plank Bacterial Mosaic of Wheat Phytopathology News (ISSN 0278-0267) is published monthly, with the August/September issue combined, by The American Phytopatholog- Robert M. Harveson, University of Nebraska, Panhandle REC, Scottsbluff ical Society (APS) at 3352 Sherman Ct, Ste 202, St. Paul, MN 55121, U.S.A. Phone: +1.651.454.7250, Fax: +1.651.454.0766, E-mail: aps@ scisoc.org, Web: www.apsnet.org. Phytopathology News is distributed to For the last two months, I have written consecutive stories of diseases caused by Gram- all APS members. Subscription price to nonmembers is $116. positive bacteria that have appeared in Nebraska agricultural production over the last cen- Submission Guidelines: Address all editorial correspondence to: Kenny Seebold, Valent USA, 608 Havana Court, Lexington, KY 40511 U.S.A. tury. This report will chronical the arrival and departure of yet another example of this Phone: +1.859.940.5184; E-mail: [email protected]. In or- remarkable phenomenon. The resulting outcome on Nebraska’s wheat production in the der to ensure timely publication of your news items and announcements, please send in material six weeks prior to the date of publication. Material late 1970s is the rest of the story. should be no more than six months old when submitted. Submission of materials as electronic files, via e-mail, will speed processing. For information on submitting electronic images contact Jordana Anker. Deadline for Bacterial Mosaic submitting items for the July 2021 issue is May 20, 2021. Bacterial mosaic, caused by another distinct subspecies of Clavibacter michiganensis APS Leadership (C. michiganensis subsp. tessellarius) was first identified as a new disease of wheat in Council President: Mark Gleason the spring of 1976 and was almost immediately demonstrated to be distributed widely President Elect: Amy Charkowski throughout Nebraska and one county in western Iowa. Incidence and severity of the dis- Vice President: Ron Walcott Immediate Past President: Lindsey du Toit ease varied greatly among affected wheat fields, with no apparent association with any spe- Internal Communications Officer: James Bradeen cific cultivar. It was eventually detected from more than a dozen (at least 16) cultivars. By Treasurer: Lawrence Datnoff Senior Councilor-at-Large: Katherine L. Stevenson 1979, the disease had been documented from wheat fields representing 17 counties er- Councilor-at-Large: David Gent Councilor-at-Large: Courtney Gallup ratically spread over a 500-mile range, extending from far western Nebraska (Scotts Bluff Divisional Councilor: Ashok Chanda County) eastward to Crawford County in western Iowa. Then, surprisingly, the disease Publications Councilor: Krishna Subbarao Executive Vice President: Amy Hope completely disappeared from commercial wheat production by 1980. Editors-in-Chief APS PRESS: Darin Eastburn Symptoms and Conditions Favoring Disease MPMI: Jeanne M. Harris Phytobiomes: Johan Leveau The disease was characterized PhytoFrontiers: Niklaus Grünwald Phytopathology: Nian Wang by small yellow lesions with unde- Phytopathology News: Kenny Seebold fined margins that were densely and Plant Disease: Alexander V. Karasev Plant Disease Management Reports: Kerik Cox uniformly scattered over entire leaf The Plant Health Instructor: Brantlee Spakes Richter surfaces. Its name was derived from Plant Health Progress: Pamela Roberts Board and Office Chairs and Directors the foliar mosaic pattern. It resem- 2026 Professional Development Forum: Renée Rioux bled viral yellowing, which occurred Academic Unit Leader Forum Chair: Steve Jeffers APS Foundation Board Chair: David M. Gadoury only on wheat. No other symptom- Divisional Forum Chair: Walt Mahaffee atic hosts were ever identified from PPB Chair: Rick Bennett Publications Board Chair: Krishna V. Subbarao any economically important crop OE Director: Monica M. Lewandowski OIP Director: Susan D. Cohen plant, although asymptomatic infec- OPSR Director: Jeffrey Stein tions were successfully accomplished OPRO Director: Nicole M. Donofrio AMB Director: Paul Esker on numerous species of grasses after Division Officers greenhouse inoculations, including barley, sweet corn, oats, wild rye, Sudan grass, Caribbean and smooth brome, but not sorghum, shattercane, or the supposed progenitor of corn, Divisional Forum Rep: Gilberto Olaya President: Alberto M. Gochez teosinte. Past President: Carolina Cedano-Saavedra Vice President: Judith K. Brown Mosaic symptoms routinely appeared just before heading (late May) and tended to Secretary-Treasurer: Jose Carlos Verle Rodrigues fade late in the season after senescence progressed, although the pathogen was still easily North Central Division Divisional Forum Rep: Loren J. Giesler isolated from dead and dying foliage. The optimal temperature for infection and symp- President: Daren S. Mueller tom development was never established; however, experimental work in the greenhouse Immediate Past President: Anne E. Dorrance Vice President: Loren J. Giesler suggested a pathogen preference for relatively cool temperatures. Symptom development Secretary-Treasurer: Febina M. Mathew Northeastern Division occurred after artificially inoculated plants were incubated at 19–20°C (66°F), whereas Divisional Forum Rep: Beth K. Gugino no symptoms were induced at 59 or 77°F (15 or 25°C). President: Ann L. Hazelrigg Immediate Past President: Kari A. Peter Vice President: Rosa E. Raudales Pathogen Similarities Secretary-Treasurer: Nicholas Brazee Pacific Division Like the two Clavibacter pathogens discussed previously in this series of reports, Divisional Forum Rep: Walter F. Mahaffee C. michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis (Goss’ wilt of corn, Phytopathology News, November President: Akif Eskalen Past President: Inga A. Zasada 2019) and C. michiganensis subsp. insidiosus (bacterial wilt of alfalfa, Phytopathology News, President-Elect: Jeremiah Dung Secretary-Treasurer: Jane Stewart April 2021), C. michiganensis subsp. tessellarius was seedborne, producing Gram-positive, Potomac Division coryneform rods. It also produced orange-pigmented growth in culture, as did C. michi- Divisional Forum Rep: Matthew T. Kasson President: Alyssa Koehler ganensis subsp. nebraskensis. Immediate Past President: Christopher Clarke Analyses utilizing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) of cellular proteins showed Vice President: Sudeep A. Mathew Secretary-Treasurer: Rachel Melnick-Lippart C. michiganensis subsp. tessellarius was closely related to the two other Clavibacter species. Southern Division Divisional Forum Rep: Nicole A. Gauthier It was further demonstrated to be distinct from other known Gram-positive wheat patho- President: Fulya Baysal-Gurel gens causing gumming diseases of inflorescences (C. tritici and C. iranicus). The subspecific President-Elect: Lindsey Thiessen Vice President: Daniel Anco Past President: Paul Price Secretary-Treasurer: Rebecca A. Melanson Perplexing Past, continued on page 3

Phytopathology News May 2021 2 Plant Health 2021, continued from page 1 nine and a half years, Marin’s research has A moment with Marin is sure to enthuse, focused on the impacts of emerging disease and I can only imagine what an amazing led Marin to Plant Pathology, the revered threats to plants and people. She applies a student mentor she must be! So, what ad- tome by George Agrios. She was hooked! population framework to understand disease vice does Marin have for those just starting Soon after, Marin started her position with biology and how drug resistance is shaping out in the field of plant pathology? “Curios- the ARS New England Plant, Soil and fungal evolution. Her research is supported ity is a must. Curiosity and personal drive Water Research Lab in Orono, ME, and by numerous grants from competitive will get you through those tough days. learned she loved the field of plant pathol- sources, including the National Science Simply put, find something you love!” It ogy. She pursued an M.S. degree from Uni- Foundation, USDA-AFRI, the Centers for is clear that Marin has found her passion in versity of Maine, where she took her first Disease Control and Prevention, and com- plant pathology. Don’t miss her plenary talk, mycology class. Later, she earned her Ph.D. modity boards. Marin is also an award-win- “Does Agricultural Use of Triazole Fungi- degree in plant pathology and plant-microbe ning educator. Her popular Fungi, Friends, cides Contribute to Antifungal Resistance biology from Cornell University. Marin and Foes course attracted 500 students this of Aspergillus fumigatus in Humans?” on credits her time at Cornell for piquing her semester, and she uses the course to raise Monday, August 2, as part of Plant Health interest in fungal evolution and developing interest in fungi and the field of mycology. 2021 Online. her skills as a fungal biologist. Marin is also the faculty coordinator for a Learn more about Prof. Marin Talbot Today, Marin is an associate professor of USDA-REEU, providing research experi- Brewer and other Keynote and Plenary mycology in the department of Plant Pathol- ences for underrepresented undergraduate presenters. ■ ogy at the University of Georgia. For the past students.

Perplexing Past, continued from page 2 were not formally identified as being C. michiganensis subsp. tessellarius. name for this pathogen, “tessellarius,” refers to a mosaic stone maker, Although C. michiganensis subsp. tessellarius never became a seri- or someone who makes tessellae, which are small squares of ceramic ous issue for wheat production in Nebraska, it was demonstrated to tile, stone, or glass used in making mosaic designs. be capable of killing the infected plant’s flag leaf under greenhouse conditions. Thus, if it appears again, it still poses as a potentially What Has Become of Bacterial Mosaic of significant problem today. Now you know the rest of the story. Wheat? The abrupt arrival and rapid exodus of bacterial mosaic after Photos: Courtesy Robert Harveson, University of Nebraska, Panhandle only a few years (1976–1980) was an intriguing, but baffling, Research and Extension Center. development. New resistant cultivars were rapidly developed in response to this new disease, but it disappeared before they were REFERENCES ever widely deployed for management. The University of Nebraska– Bradbury, J. F. 1998. Clavibacter michiganense subsp. tessellarius. Lincoln’s now retired bacteriologist, Anne Vidaver, humorously IMI Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria. No. 1042. CABI, Wall- stated that this pathogen only remained around long enough for ingford, UK. one of her graduate students (Randall Carlson) to complete his Carlson, R. R., and Vidaver, A. K. 1982. Bacterial mosaic, a new degree working on this disease. Corynebacterial disease of wheat. Plant Dis. 66:76-79. Bacterial mosaic also Carlson, R. R., and Vidaver, A. K. 1982. Taxonomy of Corynebacte- has been incredibly rare in rium plant pathogens, including a new pathogen of wheat, based wheat production. Other on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of cellular proteins. Int. J. than the widespread dis- Syst. Bacteriol. 32:315-326. tribution throughout Ne- Harveson, R. M. 2015. The Bacterium of Many Colors. American braska in the late 1970s, Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN. ■ the pathogen has not been reported from natural field infections since. On two occasions, my lab in Scotts- bluff has isolated slow-growing, orange-colored, Gram- positive bacteria from eaves exhibiting mosaic- type symptoms from wheat variety research plots in Box Butte County, near Hemingford, NE, but they

Phytopathology News May 2021 3 Candidates for APS Office Candidate for Vice President / Niklaus Grünwald

Research Plant chives, altmetrics, and standardized author APS is a remarkably nimble and adaptive Pathologist, USDA- guidelines. This combined effort by all organization. We live in some of the most ARS-Horticultural editors-in-chief and the APS publications challenging times, facing major social, eco- Crops Research Unit staff has resulted in positioning APS jour- nomic, environmental, and scientific chal- nals for success in an ever more competitive lenges. Plant pathologists play a major role Leadership world. As a result, APS is one of a very select in solving critical societal threats posed by Experience number of societies that did not have to sell climate change, energy and food insecurity, After completing its journals to for-profit publishing houses. and environmental degradation. APS is a a Ph.D. degree in visionary and global leader in plant health ecology/plant pathol- Service to APS and will play a major role in addressing the ogy at UC Davis, I worked for 4 years in Editor-in-chief, PhytoFrontiers, 2019– grand challenges facing our society. APS Toluca, Mexico, as a postdoc for Cornell present; Chair, APS Emerging Pathogens needs to provide the moral courage and University and associate scientist for Initiative, Cleveland, OH, 2019; Member, science base to address plant health issues CIMMYT, studying the evolution of po- APS Financial Advisory Board, 2018– in the coming decades to feed over 9 billion tato late blight at the center of origin. In 2019; Chair, APS Publications Board, people by 2050. 2001, I became a research plant pathologist 2013–2016, 2016–2019; APS PMN Task Our discipline is changing, and the pace studying cool season food legume diseases Force, 2018; Editor-in-Chief, Phytopathol- of change is accelerating. When I did my for the USDA Agricultural Research Service ogy, 2009–2011; APS Strategic Exchange Ph.D. research, my work used classical micro- (USDA-ARS) in Prosser, WA. In 2004, I Forum, 2014–2015; APS Thought Leader biological and plant pathological methods. relocated to Corvallis, OR, to start a new Workgroup, 2013; Chair, APS Journals Today, we can sequence a pathogen genome research program with the USDA-ARS on Task Force, 2012; APS Visionary Forum, for tens of dollars; use drones, unmanned the sudden oak death pathogen Phytophthora 2010–2012; Member, APS Publications robots, or autonomous vehicles to measure ramorum. Here, I also serve as a professor Board, 2009–2011, 2019–present; APS Ad plant performance in real time; and geneti- (courtesy) in the Department of Botany and Hoc Committee on Emerging Issues, 2009; cally edit genes. IoT and AI are starting to Plant Pathology and the Center for Genome APS Leadership Committee, 2009; APS Ad infiltrate farms, research labs, teaching, and Research and Biocomputing at Oregon State Hoc International Relationships Commit- extension. This explosion of unprecedented University. My recent work has focused on tee, 2008–2009; Senior editor, Phytopathol- ecological and genomic data and tools re- understanding the population structure and ogy, 2006–2008; Associate editor, Phytopa- quires new transdisciplinary approaches to evolution of Phytophthora pathogens. This thology, 2005; Chair, Genetics Committee, capitalize on big data and novel technolo- work has resulted in outreach and extension 2005; Senior editor, Plant Health Instructor, gies. APS can help provide the extension, efforts that have provided the science base 2002–2005; APS Office of International education, and knowledge resources needed for management and mitigation of sudden Programs, 2004–2007; APS Office of Elec- to harness these new opportunities. oak death for regulatory agencies and stake- tronic Communication, 2002; Chair, Epide- APS should continue to modernize our holders. Our lab has characterized migra- miology Committee, 2000. meetings and how we deliver information. tions of the sudden oak death pathogen For example, despite the COVID-19 pan- in North America and globally, character- Other Professional Service demic, the Plant Health 2020 conference, ized populations of the potato late blight Founding editor-in-chief, CABI Agricul- held exclusively online, was a huge success, pathogen in Mexico, and developed widely ture and Biosciences, 2019–present; Scien- with over 2,400 attendees from 75 coun- adopted computational tools for character- tific Advisory Board, Center for Genome tries. Given the success of this meeting, APS izing populations and microbiomes. These Research and Biocomputing, Oregon State should explore virtual or hybrid meetings in novel tools developed by gifted students and University, Corvallis, OR, 2018–2020; Ad- the future. postdocs have given us the unique opportu- visory Board member, agriRxiv preprint ser- Our society is going through a period nity to present workshops at APS and other ver, 2020–present; Associate editor, Mycolo- dominated by fake news and increasing re- international meetings. Beyond research, gia, 2015–2018; Editor, PeerJ, 2013–2019; ports of unreproducible or falsified research. much of my professional achievements have Editor, PLoS One, 2013–2019; Advisory APS needs to reinforce itself as a beacon of focused on APS journals. APS journals are a Committee member, World Phytophthora hope and integrity based on the high quality core activity within APS and sustain many Collection, UC Riverside, 2007–2019; and rigor in our daily science. APS needs to APS activities. I had the honor of serving Steering Committee member, Oomycete expand our public presence and engage more as editor-in-chief and two-term chair of the Molecular Genetics Network, 2007–2010; with journalists and the general public to ad- Publications Board. At the time, APS was Editor, Plant Pathology, 2005–2013; Com- vocate for evidence-based approaches to im- facing stiff competition from open access mittee member, Pisum Crop Germplasm proving plant health. This includes science- journals, and submissions were declining. Committee, 2001–2004; Committee mem- based evidence promoting gene editing and Furthermore, a range of new developments ber, Variety Release Committee for Cereals other controversial approaches that have the had not yet been adopted into the APS pub- and Legumes, Washington State University, potential to provide food security and envi- lishing platforms. As a result of Publications 2001–2004. ronmental stewardship. Board leadership, we successfully launched Meanwhile, many plant pathology depart- two new open access journals, transitioned Statement of Vision for APS ments are merging into larger schools or de- Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions to open APS has shaped who I am today through access, improved turnaround, and adopted numerous opportunities for professional ORCID, new article content, preprint ar- development, enrichment, and networking. Candidates, continued on page 5

Phytopathology News May 2021 4 Candidates, continued from page 4 I grew up in Venezuela, and my family those less fortunate than we are. While APS still lives there. Venezuela is now a failed has made great strides in advancing equal partments or are disappearing altogether; state with severe poverty, repression, and in- opportunity and inclusiveness, we are not thus, we are losing our identity as plant pa- stability. I had the privilege of finding a new there yet. Thus, we need to continue ad- thologists. Hence, it will be more important home in the United States with my family. vancing diversity in all its various forms. than ever to provide different venues for This experience has marked me and opened I am humbled by this nomination, and maintaining and growing our member base my senses to those of us who face discrimi- if elected, I promise to do my very best to and providing opportunities for networking, nation or harsh economic or political reali- serve our members with integrity, dedica- outreach, extension, and education. ties. We need to continue to look out for tion, and vision. ■

Candidates for APS Office Candidate for Vice President / Jeffrey B. Jones

Distinguished Profes- life and something I have enjoyed being Interactions), APS recently established the sor, University of committed to, whether as a committee open access journal Phytobiomes to address Florida member, editor for journals, or as a coun- research relating to interactions of micro- cilor-at-large. I have always enjoyed at- bial communities and plants in ecosystems. Leadership tending annual and regional meetings to PhytoFrontiers, another new open access Experience discuss research ideas and various issues journal, is focused on subjects that do not Jeffrey B. Jones related to the discipline. This past year has fit the mold of research published in other has been an active been difficult in terms of our personal lives journals. I do believe that APS can continue member of The and the ability to conduct our daily duties to adapt in order to maintain its visibility. American Phyto- in our profession, as well as a challenge for One way is to make some of these journals pathological Society since 1980. He has our involvement with APS. APS members more accessible to the international com- served on a number of committees, includ- and staff did an incredible job of quickly munity, undergraduate students, and high- ing the Bacteriology Committee (1992– developing a virtual annual meeting. Again school students who may develop an inter- 1994 and 1983–1985 [chair, 1994; vice- in 2021 the annual meeting will be virtual, est in plant pathology through exposure to chair, 1993]), Tropical Plant Pathology and we will have the opportunity to build recent publications. Making MPMI open Committee (chair, 1996), and the Germ- on our experience. We found that virtual access is a step in the right direction. Open plasm and Culture Collections Committee. meetings can be held and can be quite ef- access to the other established journals will He has served as a senior editor for Plant fective. I can foresee future meetings being likely improve the journal rankings. ■ Disease (1993–1996), APS PRESS (2000– more hybrid in nature. This could increase 2003), and Phytopathology (2006–2009), participation by our international colleagues and he has published extensively in all three and students who may be unable to attend Calendar APS journals. He has edited or co-edited meetings in person. Although APS has mem- two books (Compendium of Tomato Diseases bers from other countries, we should be pro- and the 3rd edition of the Laboratory Guide active and strive to make APS more inclusive APS-SPONSORED EVENTS for Identification of Plant Pathogenic Bacte- in committee meetings, presentations, and ria) published by APS PRESS and is in the virtual poster sessions so that our organi- JUNE 2021 process of updating the Laboratory Manual zation has more of an international per- for Identification of Plant Pathogenic Bacteria. spective. We should strive to have diverse APS Pacific Division Meeting He also served as chair of the APS Task Force representation (i.e., women, minorities, APS North Central Division Meeting for Culture Collections (2005–2010) and as graduate students, and individuals from AUGUST 2021 a councilor-at-large (2011–2014). public institutions, government agencies, and private companies). APS continues to Plant Health 2021 Online Statement of Vision for APS develop diverse mechanisms for delivering I consider APS to be the premier scien- information. Coupled with its existing jour- SEPTEMBER 2021 tific society in plant pathology. APS has nals (i.e., Plant Disease, Phytopathology, Plant APS Caribbean Division Meeting been an important part of my professional Health Progress, and Molecular Plant-Microbe

Phytopathology News May 2021 5 Candidates for APS Office Candidate for Councilor-at-Large / Leonardo de la Fuente

Professor, Auburn senator, and member of multiple commit- many countries who can help maintain University tees focused on improving our department those connections. During my participation and college, such as Global Programs, Exec- in meetings of phytopathological societies Leadership utive Committee, Graduate Student Re- abroad, I have been impressed by the num- Experience cruitment, and others. All of these service ber of young people attending, showing the As a member of activities take a considerable amount of power of phytopathology to inspire younger APS since 2002, I time, but they are critical and worthwhile generations. Strengthening our relationships have tried to help endeavors to ensure that our societies and with international societies will help expand the society in any institutions function at the highest possible the visibility of APS and phytopathologists way possible. From level and continue to provide important as fundamental players in society. Regarding my first meeting in 2003 I realized that the services to the community as is part of their the APS Annual Meeting, I wish to see a important work of committee members mission. better representation of the cutting-edge re- is fundamental to running this society. I search that is shaping the future of plant pa- started by participating in the Graduate Stu- Statement of Vision for APS thology and is being developed by members dent Committee meetings and volunteering Agriculture is essential to sustaining hu- of our society. Our annual meeting must at the APS Foundation booth. As the years mankind. APS is a critical component for become the event of the year, where the most went by, I became more involved in the so- the success of agriculture and should have impactful discoveries in plant pathology are ciety—first as chair of the Bacteriology Com- recognition and support comparable to our showcased. In addition, APS should develop mittee and later as an associate/senior editor counterpart medical and microbiological a more structured program for professional of Phytopathology and APS PRESS. Recently, societies that focus on human health. Edu- development of early-career professionals, I joined the APS Annual Meeting Board due cating general audiences is paramount to de- including activities during our annual meet- to my conviction that these meetings are veloping more visibility and a high regard in ing and online courses. It is also important critical for the success of the society. In ad- the opinion of the general public. APS lead- to engage scientists across the career spec- dition to APS I contribute to other profes- ers have been making great efforts toward trum by offering leadership opportunities sional institutions, such as serving multiple achieving these goals, and I hope I can con- at early career stages, harnessing the energy times as a proposal review panel member for tribute to these efforts myself. Increased par- of young professionals through meaning- NIFA, BARD, CDFA, and others. In addi- ticipation by phytopathologists in the news ful projects, and sharing the expertise of tion to being an ad hoc reviewer for proposals and social media will help raise the profile of mid- to late-stage career scientists. One of from the United States and other countries, our society and our profession. Stories that the things that makes me a proud member I have also reviewed more than 200 manu- are important for phytopathologists should of APS is the sincere interest of its members scripts in the last 10 years. In my native be pushed to national news outlets to dem- in collaborating and helping each other. We Uruguay, I was a member of the leadership onstrate the impact of plant diseases to the all really care for this society, and we need of the Sociedad Uruguaya de Microbiologia. public. Moreover, improved coordination to keep promoting APS so it will gain the At my home institution of Auburn Univer- with other international phytopathological recognition it deserves. ■ sity, my service record includes graduate pro- societies would be mutually beneficial. Our gram officer for plant pathology, department APS membership has representatives from

Candidates for APS Office Candidate for Councilor-at-Large / Sydney Everhart

Associate Profes- chairing subject matter committees, and, Division meeting (2017), APS/ICPP meet- sor, University of currently, serving on the APS Annual Meet- ing (2018), Plant Health 2019, and as an Nebraska-Lincoln ing Board (AMB). Below are two examples APS webinar (2020). Teaching this as a of this service and how they have impacted webinar was a huge success, with around Leadership my views on the importance of APS and its 150 people registered each day, and al- Experience volunteers. though challenging, this material will One of the things One example of my professional service now be able to be accessed “on demand” I enjoy most about is creating and teaching workshops at APS. in the future. The most fulfilling part of APS is that the con- My first experience was teaching a workshop this experience was how easy it was to take tent is driven by the in R for population genetics, and a persis- a new idea and transform it into content members, so the more you are involved, the tent observation was that many students in that became part of an APS meeting. Unlike more you gain in return. This is something the workshop lacked basic skills in R, making some organizations that covet these oppor- I’ve learned over my past 12 years of active it difficult for them to participate. To address tunities for insiders, APS strives for trans- membership in APS, which includes experi- this, I led development of the Intro to R for ence organizing Special Sessions, teaching Plant Pathologists Workshop, which has R workshops, hosting an APS webinar, since been taught at the APS North Central Candidates, continued on page 7

Phytopathology News May 2021 6 Candidates, continued from page 6 members as volunteers, so they too can shape Plan with the interests of our members. the future of our society and make an im- This, in turn, will allow me to identify parency and to make these opportunities pact in APS. individuals who would be ideal volunteers open to all members. to pursue elements within these initiatives. The most significant leadership con- Statement of Vision for APS In the role of APS councilor-at-large, I will tribution I have made in APS is serving as Just as meeting the demand to feed our provide guidance and resources to these in- a member of AMB. I joined the AMB in future world population depends on plant dividuals to support their efforts. Moreover, 2016, and on an annual basis, I am respon- pathologists, the future of APS depends because the success of APS in achieving ini- sible for critical review of >60 abstracts and on its members. My vision for this leader- tiatives within the strategic plan is depen- ~10 Special Sessions. Through the AMB, ship role as APS councilor-at-large is to dent on the volunteer efforts of members, I have also been involved in the develop- serve APS members by acting as an active I also will actively look for opportunities to ment of new activities featured at our an- liaison to the Executive Committee. In this formally recognize our members for their nual meetings, such as the One-to-One: role, I will formally and informally solicit, contributions, whether that is in the form Conversations with an Expert activity that articulate, and communicate the interests of articles written for Phytopathology News, I codeveloped with Dr. J. P. Dundore-Arias of our members. This will be done using nominations for awards, or recommenda- and that was a featured at the APS Annual multiple communication tools and in a way tions for leadership roles. Ultimately, my Meetings from 2017 through 2020. Parti- that strives to receive feedback from diverse vision is that as a member-driven organi- cipation in the AMB provided me with a groups within our society, such as those at zation, all of the members in our society unique perspective to both appreciate the different career stages, from different em- need to be able to see how their own re- breadth of activities organized and led by ployment sectors, serving different stake- search, views, and interests are represented our volunteers and understand the magni- holder groups, and with different personal by APS, and the success of our APS mem- tude of the impact that activity has for our or political affiliations. Obtaining input from bers will directly translate into the success scientific society. It would be my vision in diverse groups will allow alignment of initia- of our society as a whole. ■ this role to foster the participation of our tives within the APS 2020–2021 Strategic

APS Foundation Public Policy Board Lafayette Frederick NEW! Take Action Tool Diversity in Mentoring Make your voice heard using the new PPB Take Action Tool! Simply enter your street address Awards Announced and zip code to get direct access to your representatives at the touch of a button. The APS Foundation is pleased to an- Let’s make our voices heard! ■ nounce that two awards have been given in the inaugural Lafayette Frederick Diversity in Mentoring Award program. Corri Ham- ilton, a Ph.D. candidate at the Univer- sity of Wisconsin–Madison, will mentor students from the Vincent High School of Agricultural Sciences in a project to screen plant-pathogenic bacteria for antimicrobial Graduate Students: compounds. Dr. Tiffany Lowe-Power, Corri Hamilton an assistant professor at the University of Apply to be Featured in California–Davis, will mentor students from Fort Valley State University and from Phytopathology News! Tuskegee University in a remote-learning bioinformatics project to identify effectors For each issue of Phytopathology News, the APS Graduate Student in Ralstonia solanacearum. Additionally, both Committee chooses a graduate student to be featured in a spotlight awardees will provide career guidance and article. Applicants are chosen based on their involvement in APS as networking opportunities to their mentees. student members and their expected graduation dates. The committee strives to integrate students into society affairs and activities Please support Lafay- and recommends ways to address student concerns. Submit your ette Frederick awardees application for consideration on the submission webpage. ■ by making a donation to Tiffany Lowe-Power the Lafayette Frederick Mentoring Award fund at apsnet.org/GIVE. ■

Phytopathology News May 2021 7 Seismic Shifts in Disease Risk August 2–6, 2021

Registration is Now Open! Join fellow plant pathologists August 2– 6 for Plant Health 2021 Online as we explore major changes in bacterial, viral, nematode, and fungal pathosystems to better anticipate and deflect future shifts in plant diseases.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from industry leaders, share your research, and connect with your colleagues from all over the world.

Register today at planthealth2021.org Office of Public Relations and Outreach OPRO Meets Melissa Molho Melissa Molho is a recent Ph.D. gradu- Science outreach activity: E-poster pre- • www.apsnet.org/planthealthisyour ate student from the Department of Plant sentation at ComSciCon-Atlanta 2021. health/themes/Pages/default.aspx Pathology at the University of Kentucky. Type of event and intended audience: Information regarding this event: Com- The poster was presented within a work- SciCon is an annual Science Communica- shop for graduate students who were inter- tion Workshop that is organized by graduate ested in learning about how to effectively students in the southeastern United States communicate science. and Puerto Rico.. Description of the activity: Students How will you modify or improve future shared science communication activities or offerings?There was limited time to explain community engagement outreach activities the poster, and the virtual setting made it with other participants in the workshop. difficult to gather feedback from the atten- During the workshop, I wrote a 150-word dants. In the future, I hope there will be pitch describing the activities completed by more opportunities for interaction when APS during the International Year of Plant in-person meetings resume. Health 2020 (IYPH 2020) and why these In total, how many participants were activities were relevant to the workshop in attendance? 50 graduate students. audience. My pitch was selected, so I was asked to design a poster about IYPH 2020. To have your science outreach activity Materials/resources used to create or event featured in the “OPRO meets…” e-poster: article series, please complete this survey. ■ • www.apsnet.org/planthealthisyour health/Pages/default.aspx Poster presented at ComSciCon-Atlanta 2021 to • www.apsnet.org/planthealthisyour promote APS resources. health/Resources/Pages/default.aspx

Invasive Plant Pest Disease and Awareness Month and the International Year of Plant Health Celebrated

The U.S. Department of Agriculture “It is fitting that the first time the USDA (USDA) celebrated Invasive Plant Pest and building is illuminated in this way it is to Disease Awareness Month (IPPDAM) and bring awareness to the life-giving role plants the UN International Year of Plant Health play and the critical need to protect them. (IYPH) by lighting in green the façade of Plants produce the oxygen we breathe and its main headquarters, the Jamie L. Whitten give us 80 percent of the food we eat, so building in Washington, DC, April 18–21. they are critical to our survival, environmen- The event was part of a global celebration tal health, and economic well-being,” said of the IYPH with its partners in the North Dr. Osama El-Lissy, deputy administrator, American Plant Protection Organization Plant Protection and Quarantine Program, IYPH illumination events were held by the and the UN International Plant Protection USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspec- Canadian Museum of Nature and in Mexico Convention. tion Service (APHIS). “According to the at government buildings in Mexico City and United Nations, invasive pests destroy up several monuments. to 40 percent of the world’s food crops and APHIS urges members of the public to cause $220 billion in trade losses each year.” take simple, specific actions to leave inva- In celebration of the IYPH, APHIS also sive, hungry pests behind and protect vital partnered with the North American Plant plant resources in the United States. Visit Protection Organization and the Niagara the Hungry Pests website to learn about Falls Illumination Board to hold special il- invasive plant pests and diseases that are lumination ceremonies on April 19 and 20. affecting or could affect your region and The falls glowed with green light to empha- how to report them. Look for and report size the need to protect plant health across unusual signs of pests or diseases in trees North America and around the world. Other and plants. ■

Phytopathology News May 2021 9 APS Publications Board Announces Best Student Papers Published in APS Journals in 2020

A Genome-Wide Association Study of Resistance to Puccinia striiformis f. sp. hordei and P. graminis f. sp. tritici in Barley and Development of Resistant Germplasm Javier Hernandez et al. Contact Reflectance Spectroscopy for Rapid, Accurate, and Nonde- structive Phytophthora infestans Clonal Lineage Discrimination Twenty-three graduate students are being honored for their re- Kaitlin Gold et al. search papers published in APS journals. “The Publications Board The Globodera pallida Effector GpPDI1 Is a Functional Thiore- unanimously decided to institute awards recognizing exceptional doxin and Triggers Defense-Related Cell Death Independent of Its research papers by graduate students in each of the APS journals Enzymatic Activity beginning in 2020,” said Krishna Subbarao, chair of the Publica- Rachel Gross et al. tions Board. “Our intent is to honor graduate students who have done a remarkable job on their papers, as a way of supporting and Plant Disease encouraging excellence in the early-career scientists in our field. Considering the importance of publications, the Board wishes to Best Student Paper recognize outstanding research achievements imbued with novelty, Trichoderma Isolates Inhibit Fusarium virguliforme Growth, Reduce scholarship, and lucid writing during graduate studies.” Root Rot, and Induce Defense-Related Genes on Soybean Seedlings “The editor-in-chief of each journal appointed a committee of Mirian Pimentel et al. editors to select the winners from the graduate student papers pub- Originally from Brazil, Mirian Filgueira lished in 2020. They did a wonderful job, and this selection process Pimentel grew up on a small vegetable farm will continue for this year’s student papers. The top prize winners and studied agricultural engineering at the received a cash award and a certificate, and other top student papers Federal University of Viçosa. As an under- received a certificate of recognition.” graduate student, she received a study All papers are freely available through the end of May. abroad scholarship that enabled her to study at Southern Illinois University Phytopathology (SIU) where she volunteered to work Best Student Paper with Dr. Ahmad Fakhoury after taking his plant–microbe interaction course. After Rhodopseudomonas palustris Quorum Sensing Molecule pC-HSL earning her bachelor’s degree, she returned to Dr. Fakhoury’s lab for Induces Systemic Resistance to TMV Infection via Upregulation her Ph.D. research, which explored the biological control of the soy- of NbSIPK/NbWIPK Expressions in Nicotiana benthamiana bean pathogens Fusarium virguliforme and Pythium spp. with ben- Xiaohua Du et al. eficial fungi, including Trichoderma spp. and Clonostachys rosea. She Xiaohua Du is currently a Ph.D. student successfully defended her dissertation at the end of March and will pursuing a degree in plant pathology at the soon start a postdoc position at SIU, in which role she will continue Hunan Academy of Agricultural Science in to work with biological control against soilborne pathogens and China, where she focuses on the photosyn- exploring the effects of fungal endophytes on soybean health and thetic bacteria (PSB) applications in agri- protection against pathogens. (Photo: © Board of Trustees, Southern culture as a bio-control agent. In her recent Illinois University) work, she took an interest in the positive impacts of the bacterial quorum-sensing Honorable Mentions (QS) molecule pC-HSL on the plant defense. pC-HSL is produced by a PSB strain, Occurrence and High-Throughput Sequencing of Viruses in Rhodopseudomonas palustris GJ-22, and primes plants with systemic Ohio Wheat resistance against viruses. With her team, she investigated the sig- Brian Hodge et al. naling pathways involved in the pC-HSL-mediated plant defense The Efficacy of Ethaboxam as a Soybean Seed Treatment Toward response. Her next work will focus on the perception mechanism Phytophthora, Phytopythium, and Pythium in Ohio of plants for pC-HSL in hopes of finding the bona fide proteins Kelsey Scott et al. in plants directly interacting with this molecule. Du also holds a master’s degree in pratacultural science from Hunan Agricultural Impact of UV-C Radiation Applied during Plant Growth on Pre- University and spent three years working within the agriculture and Postharvest Disease Sensitivity and Fruit Quality of Strawberry field for a biotechnology company. Marine Forges et al. Storage Root Yield of Sweetpotato as Influenced by Sweetpotato leaf Honorable Mentions curl virus and Its Interaction with Sweetpotato feathery mottle virus Genome-Wide Association Study in New York Phytophthora capsici and Sweetpotato chlorotic stunt virus in Kenya Isolates Reveals Loci Involved in Mating Type and Mefenoxam Bramwel Wanjala et al. Sensitivity Gregory Vogel et al. Student Papers, continued on page 11

Phytopathology News May 2021 10 Student Papers, continued from page 10 periments are carried out under the supervi- sion of Dr. Tyler Wist and Prof. J. Gray. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions Her current research focuses on developing innovative methods to forecast and rapidly Best Student Paper detect the presence of aster yellows (AY) in Optimizing the PBS1 Decoy System to Confer Resistance to Poty- canola crops grown in western Canada. Her virus Infection in Arabidopsis and Soybean results have important implications for the Sarah Pottinger et al. forecast of AY incidence and frequency and A graduate of the University of Leeds, for the development of AY disease manage- Sarah Pottinger’s thesis looked at the local- ment tools. In the future, she hopes to be ization of PHT1 family phosphate trans- engaged in challenging research programs of both fundamental and porters in Seratia italica. During this time, applied importance that help tackle global problems, such as achiev- she also assayed a set of sucrose transporter ing sustainable food security. mutants for abnormalities in circadian phe- notype with Dr. Anthony Hall at the Uni- Honorable Mentions versity of Liverpool and investigated the Rapid Detection of Fungicide Resistance Phenotypes among Popu- possible interaction of a newly discovered lations of Nothopassalora personata in South Carolina Peanut Fields protein with Arabidopsis ELONGATION Misbakhul Munir et al. FACTOR EF-TU RECEPTOR with Prof. Cyril Zipfel at the Sainsbury Laboratory. She then completed an internship at the Cross Infectivity of Powdery Mildew Isolates Originating from Hemp Molecular Ecology Department of the Max Planck Institute for (Cannabis sativa) and Japanese Hop (Humulus japonicus) in New York Chemical Ecology, researching how wild tobacco species defend William Weldon et al. themselves against insect herbivory. Pottinger is currently pursu- Determining the Profitability of Reniform Nematode Control Prac- ing a Ph.D. degree at the Roger Innes lab at Indiana University in tices in the Mississippi Cotton Production System Bloomington, IN, where her research focuses on investigating the Bradley Wilson et al. Arabidopsis RPS5/PBS1 decoy system to optimize plant immune responses. She is exploring the use of proximity-based labeling to identify possible signaling partners for RPS5, as well as working Phytobiomes Journal toward elucidating a structure for PBS1 and RPS5. She hopes to Best Student Paper graduate in 2022 and pursue postdoctoral studies in NLR signaling Topography-Driven Shape, Spread, and Retention of Leaf Surface and specificity. Water Impacts Microbial Dispersion and Activity in the Phyllosphere Hung Doan et al. Honorable Mentions Hung Doan earned a B.S. degree in bio- Structural Requirements of the Phytoplasma Effector Protein chemistry and molecular biology and M.S. SAP54 for Causing Homeotic Transformation of Floral Organ and Ph.D. degrees in plant pathology from Marc Benjamin Aurin et al. the University of California, Davis. He is Prediction and Characterization of RXLR Effectors in Pythium Species currently volunteering for the Partners of the Gan Ai et al. Americas’ USAID-funded Farmer-to-Farmer Program teaching General Plant Pathology: Chitin Triggers Calcium-Mediated Immune Response in the Plant Identification and Detection of Plant Dis- Model Physcomitrella patens eases in Guyana. With the current pandemic Giulia Galotto et al. and limited job opportunities, he is also currently working in the food service industry. He wishes to pursue a Plant Health Progress job in cooperative extension to help farmers implement more ef- Best Student Paper ficient growing methods and solve pest management problems. A Rapid, Simple, Laboratory and Field-Adaptable DNA Extrac- Honorable Mentions tion and Diagnostic Method Suitable for Insect-Transmitted Plant Pathogen and Insect Identification Disease-Induced Microbial Shifts in Citrus Indicate Microbiome- Karolina Pusz-Bochenska et al. Derived Responses to Huanglongbing across the Disease Severity Spectrum Originally from Warsaw, Poland, Karolina Pusz-Bochenska Nichole Ginnan et al. graduated from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences and had opportunities to pursue additional studies in the United Kingdom, Regional Differences in the Structure of Juglans nigra Phytobiome Hungary, and now Canada, where she is a doctoral student in the Reflect Geographical Differences in Thousand Cankers Disease Department of Biology at the University of Saskatchewan and also Severity affiliated with Agri-Food Canada, where most of her research ex- Aaron Onufrak et al. ■

Phytopathology News May 2021 11 APS Foundation Donors of Distinction Meet some of the amazing people who support APS Foundation. Learn more about who they are and why they give their time and resources to support others.

Elisha Allan-Perkins Peter Ojiambo I was working in a marine biology I never thought much about APS until lab, missing working with plants, when I 1998, when I was hired at the Interna- found APS in an online search of plant tional Potato Center Regional Office in science careers. I became a member be- Nairobi, Kenya. My supervisor, who was fore I finished applying to graduate pro- a member of APS, explained to me how grams. I felt at home at my first annual APS can facilitate networking with other meeting, as I never had before at a profes- scientists across the Atlantic and promote sional conference. APS is unique in that the exchange of research ideas to find solu- it cultivates opportunities for students tions to manage plant diseases. In the past to interact with plant pathologists at all 20 years, APS has significantly impacted levels: the APS president, famous researchers, and early-career sci- my career in plant pathology, and I have gratefully realized the bene- entists, as well as other students. APS Foundation is a large part of fits of being a member of the society. The latter has fostered my de- this welcoming environment; it provides opportunities for students sire to give back to the society in gratitude for what APS has given to travel to annual meetings, visit other research institutes, and con- me over the years. I support the APS Foundation in the same spirit, tribute to outreach programs. The foundation also provides support since I see the good that has been achieved and continues to be ac- for international and established scientists. I have greatly benefitted complished in the advancement of the plant pathology profession. from participating in APS, through professional training, presenting and publishing my research, networking, and finding lasting friend- Peter Ojiambo is a professor of plant pathology at North Carolina ships. I was fortunate to serve as an ex-officio member of the APS State University. ■ Foundation and saw first-hand the enthusiasm and dedication this board has for making APS an accessible, welcoming, and supportive society for all researchers, giving them the same opportunities and benefits I have received. I am happy to donate to the APS Founda- tion each year and look forward to seeing what new initiatives they start in the future.

Elisha Allan-Perkins is an independent researcher in plant pathology in Brookline, NH.

People

Degrees Lederson Betancur recently completed Chiti Agarwal recently completed the the requirement for his Ph.D. degree in plant requirement for a Ph.D. degree in plant pathology at Washington State University pathology at Washington State University (WSU). His dissertation was entitled “Insights (WSU). Her dissertation was entitled “Char- into the Genetic Diversity, Population Struc- acterizing Sources of Resistance to Preemer- ture, and Fungicide Sensitivity of the Apple gence Damping-Off Disease Caused by Metal- Powdery Mildew Pathogen Podosphaera leuco- axyl Resistant Pythium ultimum.” Her thesis tricha in the United States.” His thesis com- Achour Amiri committee was led by George Vandemark mittee was led by and included Tobin Peever Kate Evans Tim Murray and included Hanu Pappu, Weidong Chen, , , and . Kiwamu Tanaka, and Lynne Carpenter Betancur received his B.S. degree in agronomy in 2009 and M.S. Boggs. Agarwal received her B.S. degree in biotechnology in 2009 degree in plant pathology in 2014 from the Universidad de Caldas, and M.S. degree in plant science from North Dakota State Univer- Colombia. He was a research assistant at the Cassava Plant Pathol- sity in 2014. At WSU, she was a winner of the Three-Minute Thesis ogy Laboratory, conducting research activities for the Consultative Competition of the College of Agriculture, Home and Natural Re- Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) program source Sciences and Martin Stoner Travel Scholarship in 2018. She on roots, tubers, and bananas from 2013 to 2016. He came to WSU will be a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Maryland. People, continued on page 13

Phytopathology News May 2021 12 People, continued from page 12 Honors Linda Thomashow, research geneticist in the fall of 2016 with a Fulbright Scholarship (2016–2020) with the USDA-ARS, was recently elected a awarded by the Minciencias and the Fulbright Commission in Fellow of the American Academy of Micro- Colombia. At WSU, he received the 2018 and 2019 Hambelton biology. The academy, the honorific leader- Scholarship awarded by Mike and Kathy Hambelton to support ship group within the American Society for WSU tree fruit research activities; a Travel Award to attend The Microbiology, recognizes excellence, original- American Phytopathological Society (APS) Pacific Division An- ity, service, and leadership in the microbial sci- nual Meeting; and third place in the APS Pacific Division graduate ences. Thomashow is among the 65 Fellows student paper competition in 2019; and a Dissertation Grant Award who were elected to the academy in 2021. from the WSU Graduate and Professional Students Association in Thomashow has been with the USDA-ARS 2020. Betancur plans to apply for an academic training position and an adjunct professor in the Department of Plant Pathology, before returning to Colombia. Washington State University at Pullman since 1985. She is also a Fellow of The American Phytopathological Society and the Ameri- Ninh Khuu recently completed the re- can Association for the Advancement of Science. quirements for an M.S. degree in plant pathology at Washington State University (WSU). New Position His thesis was entitled “Titer and Distribution Sung-Hwan Kang, Ph.D., recently joined of Hop Stunt Viroid and Hop Latent Viroid the Department of Entomology and Plant Infecting Hops.” His thesis committee was Pathology at Auburn University, Auburn, AL, chaired by Scott Harper and included Hanu as an assistant professor in plant virology. Dr. Pappu and Michael Knoblauch. Khuu re- Kang is from Seoul, South Korea, where he ceived his B.S. degree in plant science from obtained his M.S. degree in plant pathology. the University of California, Davis in 2015. Dr. Kang came to the United States to further He spent summers performing botanical surveys for the California study plant responses upon virus infection in Department of Fish and Wildlife documenting rare flora that occur the molecular biology and microbiology pro- in the southern portion of the Snow Mountain National Monument. gram at the University of Nebraska under the He specialized in micro-shoot tip culture of clonally propagated direction of Dr. T. Jack Morris. After completing the Ph.D. pro- perennial crops in support of California’ grape, strawberry, fruit gram, Dr. Kang moved to Gainesville, FL, for his postdoctoral tree, and sweetpotato industries as part of the National Clean Plant training in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University Network. He was retained as a technician until the summer of 2018, of Florida. There, he worked to develop a practical method to save when he briefly worked with a commercial tree nursery’s R&D tis- citrus trees from citrus greening disease and citrus-infecting virus. sue culture lab before he joined WSU. His program at Auburn University will investigate the molecular characteristics of virus infection in plants important in the state of Jeannie Klein-Gordon recently received Alabama and the Southeastern region. her Ph.D. degree in plant pathology from the University of Florida, under the guidance of Obituary Erica Goss, Jeff Jones, and Gary Vallad. Her Dr. Melvin Newman, retired extension dissertation was entitled “Xanthomonas perfo- plant pathologist, lost his battle with cancer rans: Population Shifts Over Time in Florida and passed away peacefully on March 27, 2021. and Exploration of a Secret Weapon for Keep- Those who knew Melvin will remember him ing Its Competitors at Bay.” as a dedicated scientist, a great educator, and a Klein-Gordon is originally from Oregon, real gentlemen. where she obtained her B.S. degree with hon- Melvin A. Newman began his career work- ors in botany and microbiology in 2016. She became fascinated ing with Shell Oil on a seismograph crew in with plant pathogens during her honor’s thesis research, for which East Texas, served as a squad leader in the Tex- she studied Pantoea vagans C9-1, a biological control agent for fire as National Guard, was a Student Center super- blight of apple and pear, for 3.5 years under the guidance of Virginia visor at Sam Houston State, where he received his B.S. degree in agri- Stockwell and Joyce Loper. culture and M.S. degree in agriculture education. He went on to Klein-Gordon has been an active member of APS since 2014, earn his Ph.D. degree in plant pathology at Texas A&M University. when she joined as a Borlaug Army member, and has attended and He then accepted a research associate/postdoc position at Kansas presented at every APS Annual Meeting since 2015. During this State University, where he worked on a NASA satellite project before time, she has served as a member of the Office of Public Relations joining the University of Tennessee (UT) Department of Entomology and Outreach (OPRO) (2018–2022), for which she led the Gap and Plant Pathology in August 1973. He was promoted to associate Analysis project, and currently oversees the “OPRO Meets…” se- professor and then to professor. He is now a professor emeritus. ries of Phytopathology News articles; is serving as vice-chair of the Bac- Dr. Newman was named Man of the Year in Tennessee Agricul- teriology Committee, co-initiating and -leading “Pathways to and ture, and he was a charter member and president of the Tennessee from Bacteriology” with Jonathan Jacobs; has served as chair of Agricultural Chemicals Association (later Tennessee Agricultural the Art in Phytopathology subcommittee (2016–2019); organized Production Association), where he received the Outstanding In- and comoderated “Plant Health Kickoff: Faces of APS” at the 2020 dividual Award. He also received the Corn and Soybean Research APS Annual Meeting; is actively serving on the Leadership Institute Award and the International Integrated Pest Management Award Committee; and serves as an ad hoc reviewer for Plant Disease. Klein-Gordon will join Tim Miles’ lab at Michigan State Uni- versity as a research associate in May 2021. People, continued on page 14

Phytopathology News May 2021 13 People, continued from page 13 and administrators. Melvin would quickly tell you that his greatest pleasures were that he was privileged to serve the farmers that pro- of Excellence. He helped establish the Southern Soybean Disease duce our food and fiber, while providing stewardship of our natural Workers and served as its president. He helped organize the Mid- resources and working with agents and students to see them reach South Association of Wheat Scientists. He also served on many their potential. He built an applied plant pathology research and ex- departmental and institute committees, including the UT Board tension program that is nationally and internationally recognized. He of Trustees. He published well over 50 publications, collaborated built the program through hard work and commitment and grants, with numerous professional colleagues on in-state, multistate, and contracts, and gift in excess of $2 million. In addition to all of this, national projects and programs. Many of the publications were he still found time to raise a family and serve his church and com- revised annually. He holds a patent for reduced rate application of munity. Thank you Melvin for more than 39 years of service to UT, in-furrow fungicides and insecticides. the people of Tennessee, and the plant pathology community. You Dr. Newman was named the 2012 Corn and Soybean Researcher will be greatly missed. of the Year at the National Conservation Tillage Conference. Melvin Dr. Newman is survived by his wife of 56 years, Joyce Feldmann developed the first mobile plant pest laboratory in the state and later Newman; two daughters, Lori Newman Thompson (Chase) and Lisa helped to organize the plant pest lab in Nashville and the first dis- Newman; two grandchildren, Joshua Graham Thompson (Reghan) tance digital diagnostic system in Tennessee. He, along with Dr. Jim and Barrett Newman Thompson (fiancé Victoria); and his sister, Brown, spearheaded the Summer Celebration Diagnostic Clinic— Jeanette Newman Schrader (John); niece, Sarah Rummel (Ryan) and a favorite among attendees of the event! Likewise, Melvin was a pop- children, Levi and Abigail; sister-in-law, Janet Cason (Jim); nephew, ular presenter at the Milan No-till Field Day and organized the Troy Yoakum and children, Keaton and Kohen. Annual Soybean Disease Tour. He served on four graduate student Donations in memory can be made to the University of Ten- committees. nessee/Dr. Melvin A. Newman Scholarship Fund at UT West TN Dr. Newman has been recognized as an exemplary cooperator by Research and Education Center, 605 Airways Blvd., Jackson, TN commodity groups, industry, regulatory personnel, the media, peers, 38301. ■

Classifieds

Director, Center for Organic Produc- regarding soil health and plant nutrition, full job description and apply online for full tion and Research weed management, and pest management; consideration by April 25, 2021. College of Agriculture, Food and Envi- 2) collaborative and transdisciplinary re- CSU is an EO/EA/AA employer and con- ronmental Sciences (San Luis Obispo, search to enhance the sustainability and com- ducts background checks on all final candi- California) petitiveness of organic agriculture in Califor- dates. nia; and 3) enriching the talent pipeline for Position: Director, Center for Organic experiential, applied internships between Production and Research. Cal Poly students and Grimmway Farms. Winifred Asbjornson Plant Sciences Location: California Polytechnic State Qualifications: Ph.D. in plant science or Endowed Chair—Assistant/Associ- University, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo, related discipline (e.g., soil science, horticul- ate/Full Professor at Montana State CA 93407. ture, agronomy, plant pathology, entomol- University Description: The College of Agriculture, ogy, weed science, etc.). Montana State University (Bozeman, Food and Environmental Sciences at Cal Salary and Benefits: Salary will be com- Montana) Poly San Luis Obispo seeks a highly qualified mensurate with qualifications and experi- We are seeking to fill two tenure-track scientist and manager to establish the Center ence. for Organic Production and Research. This faculty positions in the Department of Plant Date Available: April 2021. Sciences and Plant Pathology at Montana unique partnership between Cal Poly and For More Information and To Apply: private industry is designed to expand Cal State University—one spring wheat breeder Go to www.calpolycorporationjobs.org/ and one winter wheat breeder. Please go to Poly’s emphasis on applied research in organic postings/1560. production and soil health by providing a the website for the full vacancy announce- For additional queries, contact Gerald ment and to apply. Applications will be unique, collaborative platform for academia, Holmes at [email protected]. industry, and government from across Cali- considered for both positions unless you AA/EEO/Disability/Protected Veteran specify otherwise. fornia and beyond to join forces in advancing Employer the organic agriculture industry. Duties: The Director of the Center for Organic • Directing independent breeding pro- Production and Research is critical to the de- Plant Pathologist grams, including varietal development velopment and leadership of this new inter- Colorado State University (Center, and testing. • disciplinary, public-private partnership es- Colorado) Establishing competitive and extramu- tablished between Cal Poly and Grimmway rally funded research programs with a Farms. The new Center for Organic Produc- CSU’s San Luis Valley Research Center focus on wheat improvement. tion and Research will serve as a hub for stu- (SLVRC) seeks a research professor/exten- • Publishing scholarly research related to dents to work with experts from across the sion specialist in plant pathology for our wheat breeding and genetics. industry to develop solutions to the most Center, CO, location. Minimum require- • Classroom instruction, advising/train- pressing issues related to organic agricul- ments include a Ph.D. degree in plant path- ing graduate students and undergradu- ture. The Director and Center will focus on ology, plant biology, horticulture, or related ate advising. 1) applied research to solve major issues in field, as well as the ability to conduct research organic agricultural production, particularly in plant pathology and disease control. See Classifieds, continued on page 15

Phytopathology News May 2021 14 Graduate Student Spotlight: Breanne Kisselstein

What type of degree program are you How have you been involved enrolled in? in the APS organization? Ph.D., Cornell University. I am the current chair of the APS Committee for Diversity, What year are you in graduate school? Equity, and Inclusion (CDEI). I am currently a fifth-year student, with an expected graduation date of 2022. Please provide a brief description of your research. What is your academic department/ I am studying how the pop- section called at your institution? ulation structure of the grape Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology. powdery mildew fungus, Erysiphe necator, is impacted Who is your major professor? by disease progression, host Dr. David Gadoury; co-advised by resistance, and fungicides Dr. Lance Cadle-Davidson. used in commercial vineyards. What is your favorite pathogen/ Are you an APS member? What’s something interesting most plant disease? Yes. people don’t know about you? Coffee rust—Hemileia vastatrix! In high school, I practiced ballet at a very professional school four to five times a week. If you know you are pursuing a specific career sector, what is it? It wasn’t until I was recovering from a foot surgery that I discovered my passion for I am pursuing a career in the government academics. sector. How did you become interested in the What are some of your interests outside field of plant pathology? of science? After my second year of undergraduate I do a lot of advocacy work for people of studies, I was a summer research scholar for all historically underrepresented minority my current advisors at Cornell AgriTech in groups in STEM, including BIPOC, Geneva, NY. I worked in the USDA Grape Latinx, and LGBTQ2S+ people, as well Genetics Research Unit characterizing trans- as people with disabilities. I’ll be the first formed Arabidopsis mutants compromised to admit that I have quite broad interests! in nonhost resistance against the grapevine I love to read nonfiction books, knit and powdery mildew fungus. crochet, practice Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and Do you have any social media handles boating. that you want to share? E-mail: [email protected] What is your hometown? Instagram: @Brecheesey Syracuse, NY, USA. Twitter: @BA_BreCheese ■

Learn more about the APS Graduate Student Committee initiatives and student opportunities. Connect with the committee on Twitter @plantpathgrads and Facebook.

Classifieds, continued from page 14 5) A record of developing both basic and genetics, plant breeding, or a related applied research projects. field. • Providing appropriate public, depart- Preferred Qualifications: 3) Teaching experience. mental, and university service. 1) A record of success and collaboration 4) Experience in writing grant applica- Required Qualifications: in plant breeding research. tions and a record of obtaining extra- 1) A Ph.D. degree in plant breeding, 2) Postdoctoral experience in plant mural funds. ■ genetics, or a related field. 2) Experience in field research and design of field experiments. 3) Experience in basic and advanced techniques used in plant breeding and FIND THE LATEST JOBS IN PLANT PATHOLOGY genetics research. Search online for new job opportunities in the field of plant pathology 4) A record of publication in refereed using the APS Job Center. Visit the APS Job Center. journals.

Phytopathology News May 2021 15 TRENDING SPOTLIGHT Phytopathology Plant Health Progress Identification of Major Quantitative Trait Known Distribution of the Soybean Cyst Second Issue of PhytoFrontiers Loci Controlling Field Resistance to Downy Nematode, Heterodera glycines, in the United Available Now! Mildew in Cultivated Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) States and Canada in 2020 PhytoFrontiers is an interdisciplinary L. Parra, I. Simko, and R. W. Michelmore G. L. Tylka and C. C. Marett open-access journal publishing high-quality The History of Botrytis Taxonomy, the Rise Plant-Microbiome Interactions for Bacterial research that covers basic to applied aspects of Phylogenetics, and Implications for Species Wilt Suppression in Modern Tobacco Produc- of plant health. The second issue contains Recognition tion an article exploring the use of aerated steam A. R. Garfinkel R. O. García-Rodríguez and L. D. Thiessen as a heat treatment to manage angular leaf spot in strawberry nursery production and A High-Quality Genome Resource of Flaming Phlox and the Ubiquitous Powdery Botrytis fragariae other freely available articles. , a New and Rapidly Spread- Mildew Disease ing Fungal Pathogen Causing Strawberry Gray C. Farinas, P. S. Jourdan, and F. P. Hand Mold in the United States Call for Papers on the Role of the Phytobiomes Y. Wu, C. Saski, G. Schnabel, S. Xiao, and Abiotic Environment in Plant-Microbe M. Hu Influence of Plant Host and Organ, Man- Interactions agement Strategy, and Spore Traits on Micro- In response to the Top 10 Unanswered Plant Disease biome Composition Questions in MPMI, the 2022 MPMI Fo- Etiology of Halo Blight in Michigan K. Gdanetz, Z. Noel, and F. Trail cus Issue will address the role of the abiotic Hopyards Comparative Analysis of the Rhizosphere environment in interactions between plants D. S. Higgins, R. J. Hatlen, J. M. Byrne, M. L. and Endophytic Microbiomes across Apple and microbes. Focus Issue Editors Jacquie Sakalidis, T. D. Miles, and M. K. Hausbeck Rootstock Genotypes in Replant Orchard Bede, Kenichi Tsuda, and Jeanne Harris A Fig Deal: A Global Look at Fig Mosaic Soils will be accepting submissions through July Disease and Its Putative Associates C. Van Horn, T. S. Somera, and M. Mazzola 24, 2021. S. Preising, D. F. Borges, M. M. de Queiroz Environment Has a Stronger Effect Than Ambrósio, and W. L. da Silva Host Plant Genotype in Shaping Spring Bras- Be Included in the 2022 Phytopathology Genome-Wide Mapping of Loci for Adult- sica napus Seed Microbiomes Focus Issue Plant Resistance to Stripe Rust in Durum Z. P. Morales Moreira, B. L. Helgason, and Phytopathology Focus Issue Editors Wheat Svevo Using the 90K SNP Array J. J. Germida Elizabeth (Betsy) Pierson, Jaime Cubero, X. Zhou, X. Zhong, J. Roter, X. Li, Q. Yao, PhytoFrontiersTM Judith K. Brown, Caroline Roper, and J. Yan, et al. Nian Wang have selected Ca. Liberibacter IdeTo: Spreadsheets for Calculation and pathosystems as the topic for the January MPMI Analysis of Area Under the Disease Progress 2022 Focus Issue. Submit your research by Transcriptional Profiling of Three Pseu- Over Time Data June 15, 2021. domonas syringae pv. actinidiae Biovars Reveals I. Simko Different Responses to Apoplast-Like Condi- Field Evaluation of Interactions Between April Issue of Plant Disease Sets Record tions Related to Strain Virulence on the Host Insects and Erwinia amylovora in a New York as Longest in Society History E. Vandelle, T. Colombo, A. Regaiolo, Apple Orchard Over 500 pages long, the latest issue V. Maurizio, T. Libardi, M.-R. Puttilli, M. Boucher, R. Collins, K. Harling, of Plant Disease includes 156 articles and D. Danzi, and A. Polverari G. Brind’Amour, S. Hesler, K. Wentworth, plant disease notes, as well as a feature on Divergence of Phyllosphere Microbial Com- K. Cox, and G. Loeb ■ fig mosaic disease. ■ munities Between Females and Males of the Dioecious Populus cathayana L. Liu, L. Lu, H. Li, Z. Meng, T. Dong, C. Peng, and X. Xu Proteomic Analysis of Potato Responding to the Invasion of Ralstonia solanacearum UW551 apsjournals.apsnet.org and Its Type III Secretion System Mutant B. Wang, T. He, X. Zheng, B. Song, and H. Chen

Phytopathology News May 2021 16