PPEM Seminar Series: Dr. Anna Whitfield

Abstract: Plant viruses pose a significant threat to global food security and are among the most challenging plant diseases to control. Biotechnology offers promising strategies to combat these emerging threats. RNA interference (RNAi) has been widely used to prevent plant infections and remains a crucial method for sustainable virus control. Additionally, genome editing and the expression of antiviral genes show potential for future adoption. While plant viruses threaten crop production, they also serve as valuable tools in biotechnology, particularly as viral vectors and for crop improvement. Recent progress has been made in using plant viruses for genome editing in crops and in developing plant protectants.

Bio: Anna E. Whitfield is a William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor of Entomology and Plant Pathology at North Carolina State University. She also serves as Director of the Chancellor's Faculty Excellence Cluster in Emerging Plant Diseases and Global Food Security. She is known internationally for her work on plant-virus-vector interactions. The long-term goal of her research is to develop biologically based strategies for controlling viruses and arthropod vectors. Whitfield's research scholarship around virus-vector relationships is enabling development of innovative strategies that disrupt the cycle of disease in the field. Her awards include a National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development Award for her work addressing the molecular mechanisms of virus-vector interactions, the KSU College of Agriculture Excellence in Graduate Teaching Award (2014), the 2016 Diversity Award from the Kansas State University College of Agriculture, the Sigma Xi Kansas State University 2016 Outstanding Scientist Award, and the Syngenta (2017) and Ruth Allen (2023) awards from the American Phytopathological Society for her research and teaching accomplishments. She served as Chair of the ad hoc committee for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine consensus study on Advancing Vineyard Health Insights and Innovations for Combating Grapevine Red Blotch and Leafroll Diseases. Whitfield received her Master of Science degree from the University of California, Davis and her doctoral degree from the University of Wisconsin.