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Plant Pathology hires new Administrative Support Coordinator

January 20, 2012

The Department of Plant Pathology welcomes Ms. Diane Yoder in her new position as the Department’s Administrative Support Coordinator (Administrative Assistant).

Steve Conaway’s March 2011 trip to Cereal Disease Laboratory at University of Minnesota

January 1, 2012

With the assistance of the plant pathology departmental travel award Steve had the opportunity to travel to the USDA Cereal Disease Laboratory in March of 2011 and observe techniques used by the world's preeminent rust researchers. The scientists at the CDL were kind enough to explain the details of their work as well as provide helpful suggestions pertaining to my research questions. Although Steve does not work with cereal diseases, his research on Canada thistle biological control with the rust fungus Puccinia punctiformis considers many of the same issues that the CDL focuses on with rust diseases on grain. Topics that have become the center of Steve’s biological control research such as host resistance, virulence genes, dispersal characteristics and epidemiology have all been intensively studied for rust diseases of cereal crops.

Steve Conaway’s Summer 2011 trip to USDA-ARS in Hilo, Hawaii

January 1, 2012

In the summer of 2011 Steve had a rare opportunity to present his research at two conferences in the Hawaiian islands. Because of his interest in tropical agriculture and plant pathology he arranged to spend the month between the two conferences as a visiting scholar at the USDA-ARS Pacific Basin Agriculture Research Center in Hilo. He gained insights into a variety of interesting research projects being conducted by the USDA, Forest Service, and University of Hawai'i.

Becky Peplinski Retirement

December 31, 2011

Becky Peplinski, Administrative Assistant to the Department of Plant Pathology, has retired after 40 years of excellent service in the front office of 212 Buckhout Laboratory.

Big Congratulations to Three Recent Graduates

December 27, 2011

Li Guo, Dylan Short, and Dharmendra Singh

Disease-causing fungi prevalent in sink drains, study finds

December 19, 2011

A study examining the prevalence of the fungus Fusarium in bathroom sink drains suggests that plumbing systems may be a common source of human infections.

Students visit Bolivia for Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resource Management Collaborative Research Support Program supported by USAID

November 24, 2011

When most people went home to eat turkey over Thanksgiving break, Hilary Kessler-Cheesman and Anna Testen went to Bolivia on a research trip for SANREM CRSP (Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resource Management Collaborative Research Support Program supported by USAID).

Dr. Elwin Stewart honored for 18 years of service to the Department of Plant Pathology

November 18, 2011

Dr. Elwin Stewart was honored for his 18 years of service to the Department of Plant Pathology and to the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State during a recognition ceremony held on November 18, 2011.

Plant Pathology faculty and students attend 2011 Global Food Security and Plant Biosecurity Symposium

November 9, 2011

This November, Dr. Gretchen Kuldau, along with graduate students Steve Conaway and Anna Testen, attended the 2011 Global Food Security and Plant Biosecurity Symposium at Southern University and A& M College in Baton Rouge, LA. Nine universities and 10 government units participated in this symposium. Special topics in this symposium included emerging issues in plant biosecurity with a keynote seminar on global food security by Dr. Helene Dillard at Cornell University. There was also a special session which highlighted the contributions of Dr. George Washington Carver to plant pathology and global food security.

Sara May receives Outstanding Service Award from National Plant Diagnostic Network

November 9, 2011

Sara May, coordinator and manager of the Plant Disease Clinic in the Department of Plant Pathology at Penn State University was awarded the Outstanding Service Award by the National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN) at their national meeting held November 6-9, 2011 in Berkeley, CA.

Dr. Laurence D. Moore receives Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences Alumni Society’s Outstanding Alumnus Award

October 21, 2011

Dr. Laurence D. Moore was awarded the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences Alumni Society’s Outstanding Alumnus Award by Dean Bruce McPheron at a ceremony held at the Nittany Lion Inn on October 21, 2011.

Dr. Beth Gugino receives APS Early Career Award

October 19, 2011

Dr. Beth K. Gugino received the Northeastern Division - American Phytopathological Society Early Career Award in recognition of her achievements in vegetable plant pathology Extension and research. She received a plaque at their annual banquet on October 13, 2011 in New Brunswick, NJ. Also at that time, Dr. Gugino completed her duties as Vice-President of the Division and became President of the APS - Northeast Division. She will preside over the 2012 annual Division meeting in New England.

Penn State Plant Pathology Association wins at Kennett Square Festival

September 15, 2011

This past summer, an enthusiastic and artistic subset of the Penn State Plant Pathology Association (PPA) painted a 108-pound concrete garden stool mushroom for a competition at the 2011 Kennett Square Mushroom Festival on September 9, 2011. The mission of PPA is to provide members with a platform to develop and discuss topics related to plant pathology, and to explore and promote plant pathology within the Penn State community.

Jilin Agricultural University Delegation Visit to Plant Pathology

September 12, 2011

Mushroom scientist and faculty from Jilin Agricultural University located in Changchun, China visited the Department of Plant Pathology on September 12, 2012 to tour the Mushroom Research Facility and discuss international collaborative research and teaching programs on mushrooms with interested faculty.

Penn State Plant Pathology and Southern University Urban Forestry Collaborate in Agricultural Biosecurity Education

July 27, 2011

On July 10-12, Dr. Dan Collins and four students from the Department of Urban Forestry at Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA, visited Penn State University to participate in a Short Course on Agricultural Plant Biosecurity developed by the Department of Plant Pathology.

Plant Pathology plays a role in Plum Pox eradication from Pennsylvania orchards

May 31, 2011

University Park, Pa. -- Seven members of the faculty and staff in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences received an Honor Award from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on Aug. 3 for their efforts in helping to wipe out plum pox virus in Pennsylvania. USDA Honor Awards recognize accomplishments that help ensure access to safe, nutritious and balanced meals for America's children.

Department honors Dr. James Tammen: Department Head (1963-1976)

May 25, 2011

The Penn State Department of Plant Pathology is very pleased to announce the development of The James F. and Marilyn L. Tammen Memorial Endowment for International Plant Pathology.

Plant Doctors and Detectives: Students learn about Plant Pathology Careers

May 13, 2011

In early April 2011, the Department had an opportunity to share its love of plant pathology with young women from across the state through participating in the 2011 WISE Day Camp.

Fusarium Research Center

September 30, 2010

Celebrated 40 years of service on September 30, 2010

College of Ag Sciences Faculty, Staff Honored for Plum Pox Eradication

August 9, 2010

Seven members of the faculty and staff in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences received an Honor Award from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack today for their efforts in helping to wipe out plum pox virus in Pennsylvania. USDA Honor Awards recognize accomplishments that help ensure access to safe, nutritious and balanced meals for America's children.