UF, Peace Corps offer new program through the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

Demand for Peace Corps volunteers with agricultural skills has helped create a new degree program available from the University of Florida. Known as the Peace Corps Master’s International program, it allows students to travel internationally and earn a master’s degree in one of nine graduate programs in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, part of UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Click here for more.

Welcome Dr. Rosemary Loria

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Rosemary Loria as Chair to our department. Dr. Loria comes from the Department of Plant Pathology at Cornell University, where she has had experience in extension, research and administration. Her research on the molecular genetics of plant pathogenic Streptomyces species is world-renowned. Dr. Loria will bring her nationally funded research program on the molecular genetics of Streptomyces with her when she assumes her role as Chair of our department on August 19, 2011.

Welcome Dr. Brantlee Spakes Richter

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Brantlee Spakes Richter to our department. Dr. Richter comes to us from a postdoc in the labs of Drs. James Clark and Rytas Vilgalys at Duke University. Dr. Richter received her Ph.D. from the Dept. of Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, under the direction of Drs. Mike Benson and Kelly Ivors. Dr. Richter has an appointment as Lecturer and will be teaching undergraduate and graduate level courses in our department.

Welcome Dr. Mathews Paret

We are pleased to announce the addition to our faculty and to the faculty of the North Florida Research and Education Center – Quincy, Dr. Mathews Paret.  Dr. Paret has an research and extension appointment. His program focuses on the study and management of diseases related to vegetable and ornamental plant production. Dr. Paret was a post-doctoral researcher at the NFREC following his doctorate in Tropical Plant Pathology at the University of Hawaii. In Hawaii he worked with bacterial wilt on edible ginger and continued similar work while at NFREC. Please join the UF/IFAS Department of Plant Pathology in congratulating and welcoming Dr. Paret

Welcome Dr. Erica Goss

We are pleased to announce another new addition to our faculty, Dr. Erica Goss. She will have a dual appointment in the Department of Plant Pathology and the Emerging Pathogens Institute. Dr. Goss has been a post-doctoral research scientist at the USDA ARS in Corvallis, Oregon where she has worked on the population genetics and evolution of the sudden oak death pathogen, Phytophthora ramorum, and other emerging and re-emerging Phytophthora pathogens. Please join the UF IFAS Department of Plant Pathology in welcoming Dr. Goss into our department.Follow this link for Dr. Goss' Curriculum Vitae

Welcome Dr. Nicholas Dufault

We are pleased to announce the newest addition to our faculty, Dr. Nicholas Dufault.  Dr. Dufault was chosen as the successful candidate from among more than 40 excellent applicants.  He will have a split extension and research appointment and state-wide responsibility for vegetable and agronomic plant pathology.  Dr. Dufault comes to UF from The Pennsylvania State University where he held a post-doctoral research appointment focusing on aerobiology.  Please join the UF IFAS Department of Plant Pathology in congratulating and welcoming Dr. Dufault into our department. Follow this link for Dr. Dufault’s Curriculum Vitae

Welcome Dr. Matthew E. Smith

We are pleased to announce a new addition to our faculty, Dr. Matthew E. Smith. Dr. Smith started as assistant professor in mycology at UF in November 2011. He has a research (60%), teaching (10%) and extension (30%) appointment. Dr. Smith will teach mycology and continue his research on fungal molecular ecology and the systematics and ecology of ectomycorrhizal fungi and truffle-like fungi. He will also identify fungi for poison control and curate the mycological herbarium in collaboration with the Florida Museum of Natural History (http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/herbarium/). Dr. Smith obtained his Ph.D. in Ecology under the guidance of Dr. David Rizzo from the University of California at Davis in 2006. He has completed postdoctoral studies with Dr. Bruce Jaffee (UC Davis, 2007), Dr. Donald Pfister (Harvard University, 2007-2009) and Dr. Rytas Vilgalys (Duke University, 2009-2011). More about Dr. Smith is available on his website:  http://plantpath.ifas.ufl.edu/People/Faculty/smith/smith.html

Laurel Wilt

Laurel wilt is a deadly disease of redbay (Persea borbonia) and other tree species in the Laurel family (Lauraceae). The disease is caused by a fungus (Raffaelea lauricola) that is introduced into host trees by a non-native insect, the redbay ambrosia beetle (Xyleborus glabratus). Learn More...

Citrus Greening

Huanglongbing (HLB) or Citrus Greening is a bacteria that affects all types of citrus plants. It is commonly transmitted to the plant by the Asian citrus psyllid. Learn More...

Southern Wilt/Ralstonia

Ralstonia solanacearum is one of the most destructive plant pathogenic bacteria, with thousands of strains affecting more than 200 plant species throughout the world, including a wide range of crop plants, ornamentals and weeds. One subgroup of R. solanacearum, Race 3 biovar 2, is a highly-regulated quarantine pest in North America and Europe with the potential to disrupt trade. Learn more about this fascinating organism and bacterial wilt diseases...