Lillian Garber
M.S. Student

Advisor: Angela Orshinsky

Previous Degree: B.S. Environmental Sciences, Policy, and Management with a minor in Plant Biology, University of Minnesota

Hometown: Plymouth, Minnesota

What is your research focus?

I am studying Tomato leaf mold in Minnesota high tunnels.

What are some of your favorite hobbies?

Puzzles, reading, watching movies, camping

What is plant pathology to you?

Plant pathology is the study of how plant systems are affected by different pathogens and the effect of those pathogens on the plants, the environment and society.

Why did decide to attend graduate school at the University of Minnesota? Tell us about your path to Plant Pathology.

I started getting interested in plant disease work when I got my first lab job with the USDA-ARS. After that position I worked in a plant pathology lab working with bacteria and realized that the Department suited me very well. I decided from there that I really wanted to study a fungus (since I had never done so previously) and that horticultural crops were those of most interest to me. Therefore, my position studying Tomato leaf mold suits me perfectly!

What do you hope to accomplish in your time at the University of Minnesota, and what are your goals for the future? 

I hope to gain experience with plant and pathogen systems as a whole and become an expert in both tomatoes and leaf mold. In the future I would like to continue to do research, hopefully in horticultural crops, either in industry or in academia.