Deborah A Samac

Deborah A Samac is a Supervisory Research Geneticist at the USDA-ARS Plant Science Research Unit and an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Minnesota. Her research focuses on alfalfa diseases, including bacterial stem blight and Aphanomyces root rot, leveraging genomics, transcriptomics, and microbial ecology to develop disease-resistant cultivars. She also investigates wild rice pathogens and sustainable crop management strategies.

Education:

• PhD in Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• BA in Biology, The Colorado College

Research Interests: Dr. Samac's lab studies plant-pathogen interactions in alfalfa, utilizing genome sequencing and genetic mapping to combat diseases like bacterial stem blight (Pseudomonas syringae) and Aphanomyces root rot. Her work extends to microbial communities in alfalfa roots and the development of genomic resources for alfalfa improvement, including the RegenSY27x genotype used in genetic transformation.

Publications: Her recent articles (2022–2025) emphasize alfalfa genomics, disease resistance mechanisms, and pathogen diversity, with consistent themes in plant-pathogen interactions, genetic mapping, and sustainable crop protection.

Grants & Collaborations: She has led or co-investigated 11 USDA-ARS projects, including 'Phenotyping of Soybean and Alfalfa Plants for Traits Enhancing Agronomic Value' and genomic studies on alfalfa and wild rice pathogens.