Robigalia Roundup XXXI

Hello Robigalia Readers,

If you’re new here, Robigalia is your weekly roundup of the latest research, researchers, scholarships, and opportunities in plant pathology globally.

Before we get into today’s newsletter, one of our Robigalia members is calling out for help with some challenging DNA extractions. Ioanna, is seeking advice for extracting DNA from mycelium of Alternaria. Please email her if you can offer any help!

Now onto this week’s newsletter…

I highlight several studies of tree pathogens, including fungal pathogens of almond tree and pine trees.

I introduce Taylere Herrmann, a PhD student from Cornell University studying hemp downy mildew.

There are several new job and PhD opportunities listed. Make sure you’re a subscriber access these latest opportunities and events.

Weekly Plant Pathology Highlights

• Impact of Temperature on Infection and Sporulation of Phytophthora pluvialis on Pinus radiata
  

• Identifying fungi responsible for trunk and scaffold diseases in almonds in Türkiye
  

• Mutations in the SWEET15 Sugar Transporter Gene Affect Response of Citrus to Huanglongbing Disease and Citrus Canker
  

• Advancing forest pathology: the need for community-driven molecular experimental model systems

Research Student of the Week

⭐ Meet Taylere Herrmann ⭐

This week, I'm thrilled to introduce Taylere Herrmann, a PhD student from Cornell University studying hemp downy mildew.

Taylere’s first exposure to plant pathology was during undergrad when she took a course in mycology. Instantly fascinated, she connected with her the professor who would later become her undergraduate research advisor. After her graduation, Taylere wanted more exposure to the world of plant pathology and worked in integrated pest management (IPM), followed by plant pathology in her current PI’s lab where she then made the switch to a Ph.D.

Now in the second year of her PhD, Taylere is studying the biology and management of hemp downy mildew on Cannabis sativa, caused by the oomycete Pseudoperonospora cannabina. The pathogen causes brown, angular lesions surrounded by yellow halos on the top side of leaves, with brown to black sporangia protruding from the bottom of hemp leaves. Highly infected material will curl and defoliate, leading to yield losses with high disease severity.

Research into P. cannabina is still in it’s early stages, and much is still unknown about the biology and management of the pathogen. Taylere has been working with the USDA-ARS Hemp Germplasm Repository in Geneva, NY to examine a variety of hemp accessions with the aim of identifying resistant hemp accessions. This involved the assessment of 108 hemp accessions using three rating methods with the aim to identify resistant cultivars to be recommended to growers, and for future breeding efforts.

If you want to find out more about Taylere’s research, you can reach her via LinkedIn or post your questions in the comments.

Scholarships and Jobs

New opportunities below are indicated by two asterisks at the start of the entry **