Welcome to another edition of the Robigalia Roundup!
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NOTES FROM THE HOST
Hello {{first_name | Robigalia readers}},
During my PhD, I spent a lot of time at the University of Sydney Plant Breeding Institute (PBI).
The institute has been conducting cereal rust research in Australia since 1921, and maintains one of the world’s largest collections of rust pathotypes identified over the last 100 years.
I was fortunate to have access to the facility during my PhD for conducting artificial inoculations of various Australian native tree species with the myrtle rust pathogen.
Just when I thought my time at the PBI was over, I found myself back out there last week conducting myrtle rust disease scoring and inoculating some Lenwebbia species.
Lenwebbia species are native to the rainforests of eastern Australia and have been in significant decline due to the myrtle rust pathogen.
We’re currently conducting a study to assess the population structure of the genus, including pathogen susceptibility, which was initially kicked off by Stephanie Chen during her time at the Sydney Botanic Gardens.
I’ll be sure to share a few snaps from my next visit to the PBI to score the infected plants!
Now, onto this week’s edition:
I share updates on Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4
I introduce a Master’s student from Stellenbosch University
I list several new jobs, including one at a tech start-up in San Francisco
Let’s dive in!
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
Progress on Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4
*Megan Ceris Matthews et al., A combined recombinase polymerase amplification CRISPR/Cas12a assay for detection of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4
Robert Harding et al., QCAV-4, the first genetically modified Cavendish (cv. Grand Nain) banana resistant to Fusarium wilt tropical race 4 approved for commercial production and consumption
Jiaman Sun & Jinzhong Zhang et al., Long-Read Draft Genome Sequences of Two Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Isolates from Banana (Musa spp.)
*Co-authored by this week’s Research Student of the Week
RESEARCH STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Meet Jos Jansen van Vuuren
This week, I’m happy to introduce Jos Jansen van Vuuren, a Master’s Student at Stellenbosch University investigating Fusarium wilt of Cavendish bananas.
Unsure how all her knowledge from her undergraduate degree in Genetics and Microbiology would translate into the working world, a scholarship to attend a summer school course in plant pathology at the University of Hohenheim in Germany clarified what Jos had been searching for. Blending lab and field work with a multidisciplinary skill set, including molecular biology and tissue culture, Jos immediately checked whether plant pathology was an option for postgraduate study when she returned to South Africa.
Now completing her Master’s, her research focuses on addressing two major global challenges related to Fusarium wilt of Cavendish bananas: early detection of the pathogen and mutation breeding for host resistance. Fusarium wilt is caused by the soilborne fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), which leads to lethal wilting of banana plants by blocking xylem vessels. Tropical race 4 (TR4) is responsible for the current global epidemic affecting the Cavendish banana variety.
As early detection and containment are crucial to limiting the spread, part of Jos’ project has involved developing a combined recombinase polymerase amplification CRIRSPR-Cas12a assay for detecting Foc TR4 that can be used in the field to rapidly and accurately detect the pathogen.
Where early detection fails and the pathogen establishes, susceptible cultivars must be replaced with resistant/tolerant cultivars. The next part of Jos’ project focuses on mutation breeding to induce host resistance in Cavendish using physical and chemical mutagens. She has had the privilege of travelling to Brazil and Austria for training on mutation breeding and tissue culture techniques through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which are funding part of her Master’s project.
regularly take a step back and reflect on how your work contributes to the industry or the broader scientific community
Jos is incredibly grateful for the experiences she has gained in the lab at her department. Learning from leaders in the fields of Fusarium wilt and molecular biology has given her the opportunity to master a wide range of molecular techniques and to better understand how our research contributes to the broader field of plant pathology. Her supervisors’ mentorship and guidance have led to her involvement in three soon-to-be-published research articles, one of which she will be the first author.
Jos’ advice for fellow plant pathology students: “While going about research, it's easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. I encourage you to regularly take a step back and reflect on how your work contributes to the industry or the broader scientific community. When we understand the purpose behind our daily tasks and writing, they become not only meaningful but also enjoyable.”
Be sure to connect with Jos on LinkedIn to learn more about her and her research 👇
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
Nothing new today, check the board for open opportunities
New Jobs
Research Associate III, Pathology, Ohalo Genetics*, No close date listed
Senior Editor for New Disease Reports, BSPP’s journal New Disease Reports, Closes 23rd November
Research Scientist Plant Pathology, F.A. Bartlett Tree Expert Company, Closes 1st December
Plant Pathologist, Scottish Government, closes 6th November
*Ohalo Genetics have a bunch of roles open beyond plant pathology. They’re doing some pretty interesting science in the plant breeding space if you’re looking for a job in the US!
New Events/Seminars
Nothing new today, check the board for open opportunities
MEME OF THE WEEK
"oooh ... I wrote that 🫣"
— #The Struggling Scientists Podcast (#@TheStrugglingS4)
8:03 AM • Oct 6, 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: