News Item

Dr. Thomas Powers and collaborators recently published a paper on their discovery of the new nematode species Pratylenchus smoliki. The paper, published in the Journal of Nematology, is available to read online. 

Congratulations to Dr. Powers and his team!

Interested in working with us? Dr. Sydney Everhart currently has a position open for a new Postdoctoral Associate. Information on the position can be found below.

The Department of Plant Pathology recently awarded four graduate students with the Dr. and Mrs. Robert Goss Memorial Scholarship. The primary intent of this scholarship is to help defray expenses for students who are presenting research at regional, national/international meetings, attending and participating in relevant workshops, or any other appropriate scholarly activity beyond the normal execution of their research.

The 2020 Goss Memorial Scholarship recipients are:

Abigail Borgmeier, Plant Pathology M.S., Dr. Tom Powers

Margarita Marroquin-Guzman joined the Seed Growth Technology Center at Bayer Crop Science in Chesterfield, MO, as a Plant Pathology Scientist in June 2020. Margarita developed her expertise in Plant Pathology, working on international agricultural research projects with a wide variety of pathogens and hosts. Her research background includes classical diagnostic and detection methods, cutting-edge molecular techniques to dissect microbe-host interactions, and microbiome characterization using next-generation sequencing and bioinformatic tools.

In May 2020, Karen Ferreira da Silva and Thais Egreja received their Ph.D.s in plant pathology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

In December 2019, Raquel Rocha and Srikanth Kodati received their Ph.D.s in plant pathology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Lincoln, Neb. — Loren Giesler has been named head of the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, effective Sept. 1, 2018. Giesler is currently a professor and extension plant pathologist within the department.

"In a world where fact checking is at an all-time low and the positive public perception of science is dwindling, scientists must learn to effectively communicate. Plant pathologists are in an ideal position to address this issue—they are centered between farmers, scientists, and the public. This year, it is imperative that our field works toward meaningful and targeted collaboration."

Lauren Massa Segal

Nine undergraduate College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) students and three visiting Borlaug Fellows attended the 2017 Borlaug Dialogue International Symposium in Des Moines, Iowa, last month, named for famed agronomist, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and “Father of the Green Revolution,” Norman Borlaug.

In this Streaming Science video, University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate student Michael Meier explains his current research in plant pathology, which focuses on root and soil microbiomes. Meier explains the importance of his work and opportunities that UNL provides. He also discusses his passion for science and the importance of science communication. Meier is a member of the UNL graduate student organization SCImPLE (Science Communication Impacting Policy, Learning, and Engagement).