Research & Development

Our department has a history of a strong commitment to basic biological research, which is complemented with an equal emphasis on applied research. The faculty have been successful in obtaining external funding; their grants run the gamut of the federal funding sources including the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), US Agency for International Development (USAID), US Forest Service, National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Also, several faculty members are funded from various crop commodity boards, agricultural companies and private foundations.

An Award-Winning Department

Several members of the faculty have been recognized for extraordinary individual achievements. The first 3 members of the National Academy of Sciences from the University of Nebraska and the state of Nebraska were or are associated with the Department of Plant Pathology (the late M. Brakke, the late M. Daly, and J. Van Etten). The highest award given by the American Phytopathological Society is the Award of Distinction and in 50 years there have been 15 winners, 3 of which are from the Department of Plant Pathology (M. Brakke, A. Vidaver, and J. Van Etten). Other APS awardees include: J Watkins received Excellence in Extension, J. Steadman received Excellence in International Service, M. Brakke and T. J. Morris received the Ruth Allen Award, and J. Alfano received the Syngenta Award. APS Fellows include M. Brakke, M. Daly, M. G. Boosalis, A. Vidaver, J. Alfano, T. J. Morris, M. Dickman, J. Steadman, and J. Van Etten. AAAS fellows include A. Vidaver, J. Van Etten and J. Alfano. Fellows of  American Society of Microbiology include A. Vidaver, J. Van Etten and J. Alfano. J. Alfano is a UNL Charles Bessey Professor and J. Van Etten holds the Willliam Allington Distinguished Professorship of Plant  Pathology.

Research in the Spotlight (2017)