Welcome to another edition of the Robigalia Roundup!
If you’re new here, Robigalia is your weekly roundup of the latest research, researchers, scholarships, and opportunities in plant pathology globally. Make sure you’re a subscriber to have these opportunities and events delivered directly to your inbox every Monday.
NOTES FROM THE HOST
This week’s newsletter is coming to you from Udine in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region of northern Italy.
We’ve been lucky to arrive in Udine just in time for the Friuli Doc festival, which celebrates the food, drinks and culture of the region.
One of the staple foods of the region is polenta, which is a simple dish made by boiling water and cornmeal. It’s no surprise that it’s a staple with the vast amount of corn growing in this region.
Polenta with fricco, typical of Friuli Venezia Giulia
Given the number of maize fields I’ve seen this week, I thought it was fitting to feature a student focusing on controlling Fusarium in maize today.
Stay tuned next week for some details of our visit to the oldest Botanic Garden in the world!
Now, onto this week’s edition:
I highlight several biocontrol studies
I introduce a Master’s Student from Stellenbosch University
I list a new job and event. As always, all open opportunities are listed on the job board
Let’s dive in!
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
Sara Salcedo-Sarmiento et al., Antibiosis, Endophytic Colonization, and Efficacy of Trichoderma Against the Laurel Wilt Pathogen in Avocado
Ming Jin et al., Identification and Genomic Insights into the Biological Control and Growth-Promoting Mechanism of Bacillus velezensis L11-7, a Potential Biocontrol Agent of Passion Fruit Stem Basal Rot
Ya-Zhen Xu et al., Identification of the causal agents of guava scab disease (GSD) and evaluation of the control efficacy of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens to GSD
RESEARCH STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Meet Damon Rose
This week, I’m happy to introduce Damon Rose, a Master’s student at Stellenbosch University.
Born in South Africa but raised in Zambia, Damon always knew he wanted to pursue a career in the biological sciences, and plant pathology felt like the perfect fit. He was particularly drawn to its practicality and the potential to make a real impact.
His current research focuses on testing chemical and biological control products to protect maize silks and seeds from two Fusarium species: F. graminearum and F. verticillioides. At present, no chemical or biological control products are registered in South Africa for Fusarium management in maize beyond seed treatments, making this work especially important.
Looking ahead, Damon hopes to complete a PhD and continue working in a research environment, though he remains open to wherever his path may lead.
When it comes to offering advice, he keeps it simple: “Trust yourself, but not too much. Sometimes the best breakthroughs come from chasing an idea that sounds a little crazy, but you can’t dive in without a plan.”
Sometimes the best breakthroughs come from chasing an idea that sounds a little crazy
For Damon, one of the highlights of his research journey has been working directly with producers. While he has made exciting discoveries in the lab, particularly around identifying which infection pathways are most critical, it’s the connection to farmers and seeing how his work can make a difference on the ground that resonates most.
To find out more about Damon’s research, you can connect with him via LinkedIn.
OPPORTUNITIES AND EVENTS
New plant pathology opportunities are listed below. For the full list of live opportunities and events, head to my Opportunities and Events Board using the buttons below.
New PhD/Master’s Scholarships
No new listing this week, all open scholarships are listed in the scholarships board 👇
New Jobs
Assistant Professor, Tenure-track, Department of Entomology, Cornell University. Closes 16th November.
New Events
Biological Control Workshop for Ornamental Plant Protection, University of Florida, Happening on 23rd September
MEME OF THE WEEK
That one publishable result means a lot to me. 😍
— #The Struggling Scientists Podcast (#@TheStrugglingS4)
2:03 PM • Sep 2, 2025
THAT’S A WRAP
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See you next Monday
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P.S. Why Robigalia? The name originates from the Ancient Roman festival dedicated to crop protection. You can read all about the history here: