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Dr. Francisco Ochoa Corona is a Professor at Oklahoma State University's Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology and the Institute for Biosecurity & Microbial Forensics. His expertise spans forensic plant pathology, agricultural biosecurity, and microbial forensics. He develops diagnostic tools for plant viruses and phytopathogens, focusing on biosecurity threats and emergency management. His research integrates molecular biology, genomics, and field-deployable diagnostics. Education: Agricultural Engineering, Universidad del Zulia, Venezuela M.S. in Plant Protection, University of Central Venezuela Ph.D. in Plant Pathology (Plant Virology), University of Florida Postdoctoral training in Plant Virology at the University of Florida Research Interests: Development of diagnostics for plant viruses and vectors Biosecurity and microbial forensics applications Waterborne plant viruses and arthropod surveillance Emerging pathogens and global disease dynamics EDNA (Electronic-probe Diagnostic Nucleic-acid Analysis) technology Pathogen genomics and molecular signatures Teaching: Courses include Global Agricultural Biosecurity and Forensics, Plant Virology, and Seed Pathology Fundamentals. He employs a 'Coach-Athlete' model emphasizing collaborative learning and problem-solving. Grants & Funding: Leads projects funded by USDA-NIFA, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and industry partnerships. Recent grants focus on wheat disease resistance, rose rosette disease, and diagnostic tool development. Labs & Teams: Heads a research team advancing EDNA platforms, LAMP assays, and molecular diagnostics. Collaborates with global institutions on biosecurity and plant health initiatives.

• Biosecurity science and invasive species ecology
• Virology
• Forensic biology
• +3 more

Karl Schmid is a W3 Professor of Crop Plant Biodiversity and Breeding Informatics at the University of Hohenheim's Institute of Plant Breeding, Seed Science and Population Genetics within the College of Agricultural Sciences. His research integrates evolutionary genetics, population genomics, and machine learning to address agricultural challenges. Ph.D. in Biology, University of Munich (1996) Postdoctoral Research, Cornell University (1997-1999) Emmy-Noether Research Group, Max Planck Institute of Chemical Ecology (2000-2006) Group Leader, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics (2006-2008) Professor of Genetics, Swedish Agricultural University (2008) His research focuses on crop biodiversity conservation, evolutionary genetics of plant pathogens, and breeding informatics applications. Current work leverages deep learning for phenotyping (quinoa panicles, barley genomics) and analyzes pathogen evolution (Exserohilum turcicum in maize). His team actively develops computational tools like GGoutlieR for geo-genetic pattern detection. Recent publications demonstrate strong trends in applying AI to agricultural genomics, particularly in quinoa improvement and pathogen surveillance. His group leads the EU H2020 INVITE project on molecular markers in plant variety protection and organizes international symposia like the 2024 Quinoa Symposium at Hohenheim. Head of Crop Biodiversity and Breeding Informatics Group Principal Investigator, EU H2020 INVITE project Organizer, International Quinoa Symposium 2024

• Plant Genetics
• Crop Biodiversity
• Breeding Informatics
• +5 more

Dr. Rodrigo Werle is an Associate Professor and Extension Cropping Systems Weed Scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His research focuses on integrated weed management in corn, soybean, and small grains, emphasizing sustainable practices and water quality protection. He leads the WiscWeeds program, which evaluates herbicide strategies and cover crop adoption in Wisconsin farming systems. Education: B.S. in Agronomy, São Paulo State University, Brazil (2009) M.S. and Ph.D. in Agronomy (Weed Science), University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2012, 2016) Research Interests: Agroecologically-based approaches to sustainable weed management, herbicide resistance evolution, and the ecological impacts of weed management on agroecosystems and food security. Awards: North Central Weed Science Society Outstanding Young Scientist Award (2021) Alfred Toepfer Faculty Fellow Award (2020-2021) Second Mile Award (2020) Extension & Outreach: Develops practical weed management recommendations for Wisconsin growers and agricultural professionals. Leads herbicide efficacy evaluations and collaborates with farmers on field research. Labs/Teams: Directs the WiscWeeds program, fostering interdisciplinary research on cropping systems and weed science.

• Integrated Weed Management
• Sustainable Agriculture
• Herbicide Resistance
• +3 more

G. Boyd Padgett is Professor and Extension/Research Row Crop Plant Pathologist at Louisiana State University's College of Agriculture. He serves as State Small Grains and Peanut Specialist and Interim Soybean Specialist, developing disease management programs for major Louisiana crops including corn, cotton, grain sorghum, peanut, soybean, and small grains. Education: Educational background not explicitly provided in text. Dr. Padgett's research focuses on the epidemiology and management of fungal pathogens affecting row crops. His work emphasizes field-based solutions through variety evaluation, fungicide efficacy trials, and integrated disease management strategies. He has secured over $3 million in grant funding from organizations including the United Soybean Board, USDA, and National Peanut Board. Recent publications address soybean rust monitoring systems, fungicide resistance mechanisms in Cercospora species, nematode management in cotton, and integrated disease management strategies for wheat and soybeans. His extension program delivers practical disease management solutions through over 170 local, state, and national presentations and media engagements. Dr. Padgett teaches plant disease management courses and mentors graduate students. His extension publications provide disease management guidelines for Louisiana growers, addressing emerging threats like target spot of cotton and Fusarium head blight of wheat.

• Row Crop Pathology
• Disease Management
• Fungicide Application
• +2 more

**Pernilla Wittung Stafshede** is a Full Professor with Tenure and Head of the Chemical Biology division at Chalmers University of Technology (Gothenburg, Sweden). She previously held professorships at Umeå University (Sweden) and Rice University (USA). Her research focuses on protein folding, metalloproteins, biophysical methods, and applications to diseases like cancer and Parkinson’s. She leads the Wittung-Stafshede Lab , part of Chalmers’ Chemical Biology infrastructure. **Research Interests**: Protein folding mechanisms, metal transfer proteins, spectroscopic techniques, amyloid formation, and biophysical studies of macromolecules. Her work bridges fundamental biochemistry with disease mechanisms, leveraging advanced experimental and computational methods. **Awards**: Notable honors include the Arrhenius Medal (2016), membership in the Swedish Royal Academy of Sciences (2016), and sustained Wallenberg Scholar funding (2010–2022). She is recognized for pioneering contributions to chemical biology. **Key Contributions**: Her lab’s work spans protein dynamics, metallomics, and disease-related protein misfolding. Recent publications highlight systems biology approaches to yeast metabolism and drought stress responses in plants.

• Protein Biology
• Biophysics
• Biochemical Engineering
• +7 more

Adam Okorski is a Full Professor at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, affiliated with the Department of Entomology, Phytopathology and Molecular Diagnostics within the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry. He holds a D.Sc. (dr hab.) and is an active researcher in plant pathology and molecular diagnostics. University: University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn Faculty: Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry Department: Department of Entomology, Phytopathology and Molecular Diagnostics Email: adam.okorski@uwm.edu.pl ORCID: 0000-0002-9545-4771 ResearchGate: Profile His research focuses on plant-pathogen interactions, particularly Fusarium species and their mycotoxins in cereal and legume crops. He investigates biological control methods using plant extracts, nanoparticles, and beneficial microbes. His work integrates molecular techniques like qPCR and genomic analysis with field and laboratory studies to improve plant health and food safety. The recent publications highlight a strong trend in developing rapid, non-destructive detection methods for fungal contamination using electronic noses and GC-MS, alongside exploring sustainable alternatives to chemical pesticides. His work also extends to biofertilizers, seed priming, and the impact of agricultural practices on crop health. Adam Okorski has supervised two doctoral students as a co-promoter and is accepting new PhD candidates. He has a robust publication record with over 100 articles, significant citations, and an h-index of 11 on Google Scholar. He is actively involved in research projects related to: Biological plant protection in nurseries Use of plant extracts and nanoparticles in disease control Molecular identification of fungal pathogens Impact of fertilization and agricultural practices on crop health Development of diagnostic tools for mycotoxin-producing fungi

• Plant Pathology
• Phytopathology
• Fungal Biology
• +7 more

Dr. Wayne Parrott is a Distinguished Research Professor in the Department of Crop & Soil Sciences at the University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences . He leads research at the Center for Applied Genetic Technologies (CAGT) and is affiliated with the Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics . His work focuses on crop genetic engineering , genome editing , and insect resistance in plants. Research in the Parrott Lab emphasizes molecular marker-assisted breeding , gene discovery , and Agrobacterium optimization for plant transformation. They have developed CRISPR/Cas9 tools for crops like soybean and switchgrass, while also studying epigenetic changes during tissue culture and exploring regulatory frameworks for genetically modified organisms. Key scientific contributions include the PlantGENE initiative for advancing plant transformation and awards for his research excellence as a Distinguished Research Professor . The lab investigates transgene deployment in bioenergy crops and addresses regulatory challenges in agricultural biotechnology.

• Crop Genetic Engineering
• Genome Editing
• Molecular Marker-Assisted Breeding
• +2 more

Shavannor M. Smith is an Associate Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences . Smith's research focuses on plant-pathogen interactions , particularly the structure and evolution of disease resistance loci , and genetic improvement of crop plants for disease resistance . With appointments since 2007 and graduate program coordination from 2017-2022, Smith has established a multidisciplinary research program integrating genetics, genomics, and plant biology. Research interests include: Genetic basis of host plant resistance Evolution of resistance genes in crops Plant-pathogen co-evolution dynamics Application of genomic tools to crop protection Recent scholarly works emphasize: Rust resistance in switchgrass Quantitative trait loci mapping Host response signatures to fungal pathogens Genotype-by-environment interactions Awards and honors include: UGA Teaching Academy (2022) Dean's Award for Graduate Education (2022) D. W. Brooks Diversity Award (2021) Lilly Teaching Fellow (2010-2012) Smith's funding portfolio features grants from the USDA NIFA, National Corn Growers Association, and NSF for projects on: Next-generation maize biotechnology Rust resistance mechanisms Microbiome-pathogen interactions Genetic diversity analysis

• Plant Pathology
• Genetics
• Crop Resistance Breeding
• +2 more

Maninder Singh is an Associate Professor of Cropping Systems Agronomy at the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University (MSU), located within the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources. His research focuses on improving the productivity, profitability, and resiliency of Michigan's cropping systems through optimized variety selection and management strategies, particularly in corn, soybean, and wheat systems. His work integrates climatic patterns, modern farming practices, and economic conditions to address emerging challenges like mycotoxin contamination, soil health, and pest interactions. Education: Ph.D., University of Florida (Agronomy); M.S., Punjab Agricultural University (Agronomy); B.S. (Hons.), Guru Nanak Dev University (Agriculture). Research Interests: Cropping systems, precision agriculture, crop physiology, climate resilience, and sustainable farming practices. Key Focus Areas: Mycotoxin management in silage crops, soil biological health, and optimizing planting strategies for Michigan's climatic conditions. Dr. Singh's publications (2023–2025) highlight advancements in corn kernel moisture estimation, soybean nitrogen fixation, and biochar application impacts. He collaborates widely with institutions like the Kellogg Biological Station and engages in farmer-focused research to bridge practical agricultural challenges with scientific solutions. Teaching: CSS212 Advanced Crop Production (since 2017). Labs: Cropping Systems Agronomy Lab.

• Cropping Systems Agronomy
• Precision Agriculture
• Crop Physiology
• +5 more

Zane Grabau is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Entomology and Nematology at the University of Florida/IFAS . His work focuses on nematology, particularly the management of plant-parasitic nematodes in agronomic and horticultural crops. Primary research areas: Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN), Root-Knot Nematodes, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and cover crop strategies Key institutional affiliations: UF/IFAS Nematode Assay Lab, Agronomy Department Dr. Grabau specializes in nematode biology, population dynamics, and sustainable management practices. His research evaluates chemical control (fumigants, non-fumigants, aldicarb), cultural methods (cover crop rotation, fallow periods), and biological control strategies. Recent publications analyze nematode impacts on corn, soybean, sweetpotato, and cotton. He emphasizes practical diagnostics, soil sampling protocols, and economic considerations for growers. As a member of the UF/IFAS Nematode Assay Lab team, he contributes to molecular species identification and field-specific recommendations.

• Nematology
• Plant-Parasitic Nematodes
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
• +6 more

Posy Busby is an Associate Professor in the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology at Oregon State University, affiliated with the College of Agricultural Sciences. Her research focuses on plant microbiome ecology, particularly plant-fungal interactions and their roles in disease dynamics and community ecology. She leads the Busby Lab, which investigates endophyte impacts on plant health and explores microbiome applications in sustainable agriculture and reforestation. Busby has secured grants from USDA-NIFA and participates in the Andrews Forest LTER grant leadership. Her work integrates genomic and ecological approaches to study microbial community assembly, with recent emphasis on Populus and potato systems. Key research themes include host genotype influences on microbiome composition, priority effects in microbial colonization, and microbiome-mediated disease suppression. Collaborative projects, such as the continental-scale Populus mycobiome study with the Peay Lab, highlight her interdisciplinary approach. Busby’s publications emphasize fungal diversity, pathogen interactions, and microbiome functionality. Notable contributions include defining mechanisms of microbiome-plant genotype interactions and identifying beneficial endophytic yeasts in Populus. Her work has been featured in Nature Microbiology , Current Biology , and Annual Review of Phytopathology , reflecting her impact on both fundamental and applied plant science. Grants & Leadership: USDA-NIFA grant (2020), Co-PI on Andrews Forest LTER8 (2022), NSF CAREER Award (2022) Labs/Teams: Busby Lab, part of the OSU Plant Pathology Program Future Work: Expanding microbiome applications in climate-resilient agriculture and forest health

• Plant Microbiome Ecology
• Plant-Fungal Interactions
• Plant Disease
• +3 more

Scott A. Jackson is the Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in Synthetic Biology at the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Department of Crop & Soil Sciences. He holds adjunct professor roles in the Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics. His research focuses on genomic tools for crop improvement, particularly in legumes like peanut and soybean, with emphasis on genome structure-function relationships and synthetic biology applications. Education and career highlights include his tenure as GRA Eminent Scholar in Plant Functional Genomics (2011–2019) and leadership roles in the Plant Center and Center for Applied Genetic Technologies. After industry experience with Bayer Crop Science, he returned to UGA to establish genomic-driven crop improvement programs. He is an Associate Editor of The Plant Journal and Molecular Plant . Research interests span genome evolution, crop domestication, and translating genomic insights into agricultural practices. His work bridges academia and industry, emphasizing sustainable crop productivity and global food security. Awards include the NSF Young Investigator Award (2002) and AAAS Fellowship. Key initiatives include developing genomic resources for legumes, leveraging synthetic biology for crop innovation, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. His lab focuses on disease resistance, genomic assembly, and applying advanced modeling to agricultural systems. Awards: NSF Young Investigator Award, AAAS Fellow Labs/Teams: Center for Applied Genetic Technologies (CAGT), Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics (IPBGG) Grants/Funding: GRA Eminent Scholar Program, industry partnerships

• Plant Genomics
• Crop Improvement
• Synthetic Biology
• +3 more

Raghuwinder (Raj) Singh is a Professor and Director of the Plant Diagnostic Center at the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, part of the Department of Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology. His roles include leading plant disease diagnostics, extension outreach, and managing the Plant Diagnostic Center. He holds a D.P.M. from the University of Florida, M.Sc. from the University of Reading, and B.Sc. from Punjab Agricultural University. Research interests focus on plant pathology diagnostics, biotic/abiotic stress management, and horticultural crop diseases. He specializes in identifying and managing diseases affecting palms, citrus, ornamentals, vegetables, and turfgrass. Key areas include phytoplasma diseases, whitefly-transmitted viruses, and emerging pathogens like Rose Rosette virus. Education: Doctor of Plant Medicine, University of Florida (2004) M.Sc. Crop Protection, University of Reading (2001) B.Sc. Agriculture (Hons), Punjab Agricultural University (1999) His publications emphasize diagnostic methodologies, disease distribution studies, and management strategies for crops like cotton, soybean, and citrus. Over $251K in current grants support plant diagnostics and disease surveillance networks, while past grants totaled $893K. He has received multiple awards including the 2020 IPM Educator Award and National Early Career Professional Award. His work extends to developing diagnostic manuals and training programs for agricultural agents and growers. Led the Plant Diagnostic Center since 2008, managing over 20,000 plant samples annually. Active in professional societies including APS and the National Plant Diagnostic Network, he chairs key committees like the Diagnostic and Disease Detection groups.

• Plant Pathology
• Plant Disease Diagnostics
• Horticulture Pathology
• +3 more

Eric F. Lambin is a Full Professor at both Stanford University (Inaugural George and Setsuko Ishiyama Provostial Professor in the Department of Environmental Earth System Science, School of Earth Sciences) and Université catholique de Louvain (Belgium). His research focuses on human-environment interactions, land-use change, sustainability science, and remote sensing. He has held leadership roles, including Chair of the Scientific Steering Committee for the LUCC project (1999-2005) and Co-Chair of the Department of Environmental Earth System Science at Stanford (2013-present). Education: PhD in Sciences (Geography), University of Louvain, Belgium (1988) Master in Sciences (Geography), University of Louvain, Belgium (1985) Baccalaureate in Philosophy, University of Louvain, Belgium (1985) Research Interests: Dr. Lambin explores land-use dynamics, environmental governance, and the impacts of land change on ecosystems and human health. His work integrates remote sensing, socio-economic data, and multi-agent simulation models to address global challenges such as deforestation, desertification, and vector-borne diseases. Key themes include forest transitions, sustainability transitions, and the socio-ecological feedbacks driving land-use changes. Awards & Recognition: Member of the Academia Europaea (2010) Foreign Associate, U.S. National Academy of Sciences (2009) Francqui Prize in Sciences (2009) Zayed International Prize for the Environment (2005) Member of the Royal Academy of Belgium (2006) Advising & Grants: Dr. Lambin has advised over 20 PhD students on topics ranging from soybean supply chains to malaria epidemiology. His grants and collaborations involve international organizations like IIASA, the Beijer Institute, and the National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC). Labs & Teams: As a Senior Fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment, he leads interdisciplinary projects on sustainability science. His work bridges academia and policy, contributing to global initiatives like the Kyoto Protocol and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

• Geography
• Environmental Sciences
• Human-Environment Interactions
• +5 more

Alyssa Koehler is an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Plant Pathology at the University of Delaware, affiliated with the Department of Plant & Soil Sciences and the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources. Her work bridges applied field research with laboratory analysis to mitigate crop disease losses through sustainable strategies, communicated actively via extension programming and social media platforms like Twitter ( @UDPlantPath ). Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University M.S. in Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University B.S. in Plant Biology, North Carolina State University The Koehler Lab focuses on plant pathology, targeting diseases in corn, soybeans, wheat, malting barley, watermelon, and stevia. Research involves evaluating foliar fungicides, pathogen biology, and application timing, emphasizing sustainable practices. Recent trials highlight disease-specific interventions and adaptive management in Delaware and Maryland. Notable scientific contributions include applied research on corn and soybean disease control, wheat Fusarium head blight in small grains, and the first documented Rhizoctonia solani AG 4 infection in stevia crops. The lab provides timely recommendations, extension fact sheets, and field trials to support Delaware's agricultural sector, particularly for field crops and specialty crops like stevia and watermelon. Advising: Mentoring Ph.D. candidates, M.S. students, and undergraduates in plant pathology and disease management research. Collaborations: Carvel Research and Education Center, UDairy Creamery, and regional agricultural extension networks. The lab maintains active partnerships at the Carvel Research and Education Center in Georgetown, DE, and engages in outreach through social media, extension events, and publications tailored to local farmers and researchers. Research priorities include climate-resilient disease control and pathogen surveillance across diverse cropping systems.

• Plant Pathology
• Crop Disease Management
• Sustainable Agriculture
• +2 more