Bull Lab

We study bacterial diseases of plants and mushrooms

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The Pennsylvania State University

Plant Pathology & Environmental Microbiology Department

The focus of our research is Translational Taxonomy of Bacterial Plant Pathogens.

We use taxonomic inquiry to develop management strategies for bacterial diseases of plants and cultivated mushrooms. Management strategies include biological control, host plant resistance, inoculum detection and management, and changes crop production practices (e.g., crop rotation).

We have major projects investigating bacterial disease of Lettuce, Cucurbits, Beets and Chard, Mushrooms, and Potato. We provide taxonomic expertise for researchers and stakeholders in government, academia, and industry.

Bull Lab News

August 2, 2023

Penn State faculty member elected to plant pathology society leadership

Carolee Bull, professor of systematic bacteriology and plant pathology in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, has been elected to the presidential lineage of the American​ Phytopathological Society.

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December 19, 2022

Indigo Ag creates fellowship to further efforts of Penn State Microbiome Center

In support of the Penn State Microbiome Center, Indigo Agriculture created the Indigo Agriculture Graduate Fellowship in the College of Agricultural Sciences through a $200,000 gift, matched 1:1 by the University through the now-concluded Graduate Scholarship Matching Program.

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November 7, 2022

Latinx Agricultural Network earns national award for uplifting Latino community

The Latinx Agricultural Network in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences has been lauded nationally for enhancing engagement with and support for Pennsylvania’s Latino agricultural community.

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October 3, 2022

Bull steps down at Microbiome Center, looks forward to future innovation

After more than five years at the helm of Penn State’s Microbiome Center, founding director Carolee Bull has stepped down. Though she will continue serving as department head of plant pathology and environmental microbiology and as a professor of plant pathology and systematic bacteriology at Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, Bull has handed off leadership of the Microbiome Center to recent Penn State hire Seth Bordentstein.

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