Aurora Sporealis

Dear Friends,

Thank you for reading the Fall/Winter 2025 Aurora Sporealis issue. As we have moved into the new academic year, I continue to be impressed by the resilience, creativity, and dedication of our department community. These qualities are especially evident in how our faculty, staff, and students have adapted research, teaching, outreach, and student support efforts to meet evolving needs, ensuring that we continue to serve our broader community while keeping the department strong and forward-looking. Across all that we do, the Department of Plant Pathology remains deeply committed to advancing plant health, supporting student success, and strengthening connections across Minnesota and beyond.

This spirit of adaptation and shared purpose is reflected throughout this issue. We highlight the personal dedication that University of Minnesota Plant Pathology faculty, staff, and students bring to their research. Our annual New Student Profiles introduce the newest grad students in our community and the perspectives, interests, and aspirations they bring. A parting feature on Grace Anderson captures her passionate, joyful energy and the remarkable journey that led her back to school in her fifties, and to a key role in the Plant Disease Clinic. 

True to tradition, this issue also shares stories in our community members’ own words. The Blanchette Lab Spotlight showcases how innovation and collaboration drive research on forest and tree health. In “My Plant Path,” Sonal Srivastava and Nick Talmo recount early formative research experiences that shaped their paths towards careers in plant pathology and scientific discovery. 

Our sense of connection to traditions and mentors fuel our future in this issue. Alumna and Uruguayan plant health leader Nora Altier joins Annie and Linda to revisit the longstanding, fruitful exchange between the University of Minnesota and Uruguayan plant health research. From travel to the APS meetings, the Stakman Softball Game, and the World Food Prize our community continues to find inspiration and growth through shared experiences. We also take a moment to reflect on the treasured place Professor Benham Lockhart holds in our community, whose contributions and mentorship left an enduring mark on our department. 

At the core of everything we do is a shared commitment to solving complex plant health challenges while fostering the next generation of scientists, educators, and leaders.Thank you for being a part of our ongoing story, and your continued support of our mission to support healthy and sustainable food, ecosystems, and people. 
Warm regards,

Best,

Cory Hirsch

Associate Professor and Interim Department Head, Plant Pathology

Camilla Dreasher Mercado

Camilla (she/her) is joining the Steffenson lab, where she will be researching population and distribution of the native barley hordeum jubatum, as well as disease resistance in wheat. She seeks to gain experience using modern genetic tools and research methods to prepare for a career in plant pathology.

Outside of work, Camilla enjoys gardening and collecting orchids, and volunteering with Ramsey County Master Gardeners.

Jamie Nesbit

Jamie is joining the Steffenson lab, where he will be researching cereal disease. During his studies he hopes to build skills necessary to become a leader, effective science communicator and principal investigator.

Jamie enjoys running, watching baseball, playing music, and attending concerts. 

Olivia Queisser

Olivia (she/her) is joining the McCaghey and Malvick labs to study charcoal rot in soybean caused by Macrophomina phaseolina, particularly its distribution and frequency in Minnesota. She plans to build skills communicating scientific ideas by working with growers, students, and others in the scientific community, as well as get more comfortable with molecular techniques.

Olivia enjoys cooking, reading, drawing, and other crafts, as well as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. 

Aaron Semington

Aaron (he/him) is joining the Khokhani lab, where he will study the soil microbiome of northern tallgrass prairie ecosystems, specifically the roles beneficial microbes can play in restoration and agricultural applications. Aaron looks forward to meeting professionals in the field of plant pathology during his PhD program, and considering career options.

Aaron enjoys camping and hiking, reading, ceramics, rock collecting, and antiquing. 

by Bob Blanchette

What’s the best way to prevent new exotic species from becoming established in Minnesota and to avoid economic and ecological damage? We believe the answer is - find them as early as possible and implement control measures. This is the main objective of our statewide biosurveillance project led by postdoctoral research associate Nick Rajtar (PhD UMN Plant Pathology in July 2024). The focus is on three invasive pathogens, Phytophthora species, especially Phytophthora ramorum, the cause of sudden oak death; Heterobasidion root rot, a serious disease of pines that is widespread in Wisconsin but found only once in southeastern Minnesota; and monitoring the spread of oak wilt as it moves in a northward direction from central Minnesota.

Investigations involve sampling nursery plants, soils and waterways for Phytophthora, spore sampling for Heterobasidion and trapping Nitidulidae beetles followed by DNA extractions and qPCR for the oak wilt fungus. This program has already proven to be successful with the recent finding of P. ramorum in a Minnesota nursery as well as many other new to the state species of Phytophthora. A recent paper describes 14 new Phytophthora species not previously found in Minnesota and since this paper has come out the total has increased to 18. Results for Heterobasidion and oak wilt are forthcoming. This work has been funded by the Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plant and Pest Center (MITPPC) with funds from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.

New species of Gymnosporangium rust have also been found in Minnesota! We now have Asian red star rust, G. yamadae, infecting apple and crabapple and G. japonicum infecting serviceberry. For symptoms and other information on red star rust see this recent publication.

We also have identified new avenues for exotic fungi to enter into the United States and other countries from an unexpected source. This came to our attention from Henry Yandrasits who lives in Hastings, MN. He found an unusual growth of what he thought may be a fungus on decorative wood purchased for his aquarium. Apparently, there is a huge business for selling spiderwood (wood with lots of branching and galls) and other wood (driftwood and decayed wood with lots of holes) for aquariums and terrariums. All this wood originates from Asia. The black filamentous growth from Henry’s aquarium turned out to be a Xylaria species that had never been reported outside of Asia and had only been reported a few times. To add to this surprising and extraordinary finding, Xylaria species have never previously been reported to produce fruiting bodies underwater. For more information about this see our recent publication and the new common name, Poseidon’s whiskers, was given to the fungus. Using social media, we have now identified about a dozen more examples of Xylaria growing underwater in aquariums throughout the US on wood shipped from Asia. 

If there is one exotic fungus found on this wood coming from Asia, there must be more. In a study where we purchased 44 samples of aquarium wood form online sources, we isolated 123 different fungal taxa. These included 31 species not previously reported in the United States, 21 potential plant pathogens, and 37 species of wood decay fungi among others. The results demonstrate large numbers of diverse fungi are currently being imported into countries where they are not native. These exotic species could pose serious biosecurity threats to the United States and other countries around the world and action is needed to stop these introductions. For more details about this very bizarre situation see our paper in Nature Scientific Reports.

Biocontrol of the emerald ash borer (EAB) using entomopathogens has had lots of recent active research by Sofia Simento and Colin Peters. Fungi previously obtained from EAB galleries have been used in a number of studies to test their ability to kill eggs, larvae and adults. Sofia has completed two publications and is currently finishing a third which will complete her PhD dissertation. Colin has been working on laboratory and field studies to test the ability of autodissemination insect traps to deliver the various biocontrol fungi to adult beetles. He has assayed several different fungi from our collection against EAB adults and has found some which show promise at killing EAB. A publication with this information has just been published. Colin is testing out different forms and formulations of inoculum for use in the autodissemination traps, such as grain pouches or spore creams, and he’s conducting field trials at sites across the state. In addition, he is working on injection experiments to introduce various entomopathogens into ash trees to determine their endophytic ability to colonize ash trees and attack larvae of EAB as they develop. He is finding, in both the growth chamber and in the field, that some entomopathogenic fungi are better at colonizing ash tissue than others, and that by injecting a spore suspension of these fungi down at the root flares (similar to what is done to apply fungicides for oak wilt or Dutch elm disease) they can be translocated up into the main stem, where some can persist. This work was also funded by MITPPC.

Another horrible invasive expanding throughout Minnesota and outcompeting native plants is buckthorn. The MITPPC has funded our project to find and test native fungi that could be used as a mycoherbicide to control buckthorn. It is possible to control buckthorn with chemical herbicides but there are many sensitive areas where these chemicals cannot be used and in addition, many people would prefer to have alternative methods for control and not use chemicals. Graduate student Ryan Franke has led surveys and sampling expeditions to find native fungi associated with dead and dying buckthorn. He recently published a list of 120 different taxa that included many root rot, canker and wilt fungi. These fungi are being tested in greenhouse and field experiments for their potential as biocontrol agents that can either kill standing buckthorn or prevent sprouting from stumps of cut buckthorn. Thousands of buckthorn have been treated in many different studies and the best fungi for biocontrol are being selected. Although these studies are not all completed, we have several fungi that are proving to be very effective to kill buckthorn and also prevent stump sprouting. We are also testing the best ways to administer the biocontrol, as well as evaluating effects on other woody plants.

Several biodiversity studies have been underway to better understand the microbiome of the emerald ash borer and the fungi associated with the red turpentine beetle as well as the eastern larch beetle. This was done as part of an NSF Dimensions of Biodiversity grant and in collaboration with scientists in China and Kathryn Bushley who is now with USDA-ARS at Cornell. Studies in China where EAB is native and the red turpentine beetle is introduced are being compared it the situation in the US where EAB is introduced and the red turpentine beetle in native. Andrew Mann has recently completed his PhD on the project (he is now a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Florida) and lots of very interesting results are being reported. For the red turpentine beetle see our recent publication, and forthcoming you will be hearing about the microbiomes of ash and EAB as well as a publication that describes FOUR new species in the Ophiostomatales that we named Ophiostoma Itasca, O. minnesotense, O. pseudoips and Graphilbum insulare from eastern larch beetle. This beetle has impacted over a million acres of larch in Minnesota, and this research is providing insight into how fungi may be contributing to the outbreak and mortality of larch trees.

Another important project that will have great benefit to Minnesota is the selection of American elms with resistance to Dutch elm disease (DED). Research is ongoing to bring back one of Minnesota’s most iconic trees, the American elm. This is vital work for saving the American elm as DED continues to impact elm in managed and forested landscapes It is also important for providing new trees to plant as the emerald ash borer is decimating ash across the region and dramatically reshaping Minnesota’s forested canopy. Ben Held and Ryan Murphy (Forest Resources) have been identifying and clonally propagating survivor elms from around the state and screening them for resistance to Dutch elm disease. A recent trial that included 20 genotypes were inoculated with the DED pathogen and scored for wilt symptoms. So far, several genotypes are showing signs of resistance. The project also includes a reintroduction program in which DED resistant elms are being planted in natural areas and parks. This year two plantings were completed: one at Boutwells Landing on Oak Park Heights and another at the River Bend Nature Center, in Faribault, MN (with the assistance of Forest Service and Plant Pathology Emeritus Professor Jenny Juzwik). If you know of a large healthy elm (especially where nearby elms have died from DED) please fill out this google form. We may be able to use it for propagation in the future.

Lastly, just a few words on biodegradation projects. Our lab has had a long history of working on historic and archaeological woods from around the world and a few recent projects may be of interest. One is a strange type of degradation found by conservators in wood from the historic huts in Antarctica built by Scott and Shackleton. Samples of degraded wood turned out to be affected by extensive defibration caused by salts. At these coastal sites, wind carries saltwater spray onto the huts. Since it never rains at these locations, salts in extraordinarily high concentrations accumulate in the wood. Over decades, the salts cause a chemical corrosion that degrades lignin resulting in a defibration of the wood where the cells separate from each other. A micrograph taken by Ben Held shows the very odd degradation pattern caused by salts with wood cells separating into a fibrous mass.

Another project funded by the National Park Service and carried out in collaboration with maritime museum conservators, is a study of wood decay taking place in one of the first steam powered, ironclad warships from the US Civil War, the USS Cairo. The ship is a major tourist attraction at the Vicksburg Civil War battlefield in Mississippi. It sunk in 1862 and after about 100 years of being submerged it was recovered and moved to Vicksburg for display. Wood preservative compounds were applied, and it has now been outside for about 50 years. After such a long time being subjected to the Mississippi environment, decay fungi are active, and many are unusual fungi that tolerate wood preservatives. Take a look at what fungi were found, what is being proposed for long term preservation of the ship AND revealing scanning electron micrographs of what the inside of the ship timbers look like.

A final note for your consideration: over the years we have been very fortunate to receive donations to our University of Minnesota Foundation Fund to support research activities in forest pathology, wood microbiology, forest mycology, international conservation projects and historical preservation. If this research is of interest to you, please consider making a contribution. This can be done easily and fast online directly to the University of Minnesota Foundation Fund #7610.

by Annie Harvieux with Grace Anderson

Grace Anderson didn’t start her career in plant health until her 50s, but plants, especially trees, always called to her. “I grew up on ten acres in rural Maryland, where every one of the big hardwoods had a name. My sister and I were just talking about Susie and Herman, the two big maples that we liked to climb.” 

Decades ago, when Grace was confronted with a need to change in middle age—leaving a job, watching her kids grow up, and an ending marriage all at once—she turned to plants. Wanting to immerse deeper in her passion, she chose to come back to school at the University of Minnesota to pursue a degree in Horticulture. Grace, a Master Gardener since 1987, was comfortable and happy around plants, and wanted to perhaps work in garden design. Dr. Janna Beckerman, now a professor at Purdue, connected with Grace during a class and offered her a part-time position in the Plant Disease Clinic to work with Sandee Gould, who needed some extra help with bench work and some communication outside the Clinic. 

Grace was finding a place in plant pathology: she recalled, “Gradually, over time, I began taking classes more oriented to plant pathology, as many as I could at a time. I kept being told to apply for grad school, but it just didn’t fit—I was 50 and there was no funding support.” She finally found a match in the Masters of Agriculture program, which offered options more tailored to those already working who wanted to boost their skills.

For a capstone project, Grace called on one of her favorite collaborators in the Plant Disease Clinic, Dr. Ben Lockhart. Lockhart had been facilitating a number of calls from the VP of the American Hosta Society about virus issues that he could not add to his current workload. Grace embarked on the hosta virus research with collaboration and funds from the Hosta Society, also getting opportunities to communicate science and build relationships with hosta nursery and program workers. Grace graduated in 2008 with a Masters of Agriculture in Horticulture with an emphasis on sustainable agriculture and organic production. 

Always curious, Grace took the skills she’d built working as a Poison Control Center information specialist and Hospice Volunteer Coordinator to dig in and build relationships with PDC clients, members of the Hosta community, and others learning and working in Stakman Hall. Beyond building relationships with current PDC personnel at the time, Grace connected strongly with previous PDC director Jill Pokorny, as well as PLPA’s own Dr. Jim Kurle, whose then- lab manager Sharon Lewandowski was someone Grace knew well from a job in her previous career. 

When it came time for Lewandowski to retire, Kurle took Grace on as full-time tech. Beyond connecting over a love of the outdoors and fieldwork, Kurle and Grace bonded over a love of Scotland—the River Clyde area, where Kurle had been stationed in the Navy, was near Grace’s grandmother’s home, and Grace was born in Glasgow. Full immersion in the Kurle lab gave Grace 16 years of experience in soybean pathology, which she combined with her PDC knowledge and further experience with the Master Gardeners to keep becoming more knowledgeable and versatile. 

Always one to bring a festive mood to the team, Grace loved hosting taco parties for Christensen Labs, which is where she bonded with USDA Professor Deb Samac. “She’s a cooking person and a canning person, and we bonded over that. And she used to make one of the kinds of taco protein she would make, the chicken, and I’d make the chili,” Grace recalls. 

When Kurle’s funding ran out, Samac hired Grace for a year before she took on her final role at UMN Plant Pathology, Research Space & Safety Coordinator and PDC technician, just before 2020. Grace saw the vision of a role providing services to the Clinic and Department as in-line with then-Department Head Jim Bradeen’s vision: “Jim Bradeen is someone with a very futuristic way of seeing things, and could spot people with deep enthusiasm and connection who could fill in the cracks. He also knew I would ask questions and speak up.” In this role, Grace recalled seeing herself as a “fixer,” someone who knew the people and procedures of the department and could problem-solve.

“People will say to me like, well, how did you do this? How did you get into this unique position? And I couldn’t think of anything to say other than to do the things you’re really interested in, try things that you otherwise wouldn’t, don’t follow the given agenda, the pattern. And, when I would talk to people about that, I’d see myself standing in the hallway, in Stakman or Christensen, getting to know people and talking to them equally.” 

Getting to know the students she worked with, including undergrads, grad students, and MAST students, brought Grace joy. “Oh my goodness, and they’re all over the United States and all over the world now. And it has been an incredible joy to witness their rise as they get their degree, and some of them still stay in contact with me.” 

Grace’s career here beginning and ending in the Plant Disease Clinic brought a sense of continuity and full-circle motion from which she could observe change and similarity. One major highlight of her recent years in the PDC has been her friendship with Jennifer Flynn: “​​I really have been privileged to work with her. She’s a scientist, native plant gardener, all-around student of the natural world, artist, cat mom, and is a friend for life.” 

Grace’s last day working with UMN Plant Pathology was November 4, 2025. Beyond continuing her involvement with Master Gardeners, Grace is unsure of what comes next, but is open to whatever it is. And her final event at the University? A taco party!

by Annie Harvieux 

Brisk autumn temps and a gray sky didn’t cool off the Department of Plant Pathology’s enthusiasm for softball at the traditional E.C. Stakman Softball Game, which pits graduate students against faculty and staff on the field to battle for victory. 

Students started off in a strong lead, and while the Faculty-Staff team started to catch up by later innings, the Students still took home a significant win at 14-7. The student team lineup featured Jamie Nesbit, Connor Slawin, Joana Serrano Salgado, Hunter Kluegel, Ronan Keener, Colin Peters, Nick Rajtar, Hsuan Fu, Nick Talmo, and Ryan Franke. Playing for the faculty and staff team were Cory Hirsch, Brett Lane, Brett Arenz, Ashish Ranjan, Brian Steffenson, Ben Held, Annie Harvieux, and Robert Alvarez Quinto. 

The game included a few big surprises. The crowd erupted in cheers when Joana stepped down from the spectating section and took a swing, and making it all the way around to home plate, playing in a turtleneck sweater. The biggest gasp occurred when Annie tumbled head-over-heels while running for the base after tripping on a root, but standing up and making it to third. Cory brought precise swings when batting, Hunter and Connor wowed the crowd with powerful sprints to the bases, and Jamie, Brett, and both Nicks brought baseball advice and skills to go around.

An enthusiastic cheer section featured two special cheerleaders, Winnie and Juniper, the dogs of staff members Diane and Becca. Lemonade, iced coffee, and snacks were served to all attendees and participants.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? 

I am Nick Talmo (he/him). I was born in St. Paul and grew up in the Minneapolis suburbs. After high school, I spent a few years in Montana before returning to Minnesota, where I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from Augsburg University. Currently, I am a fifth-year PhD student in Dr. Ashish Ranjan’s lab, where I broadly study the interaction between soybeans and a fungal disease called white mold, caused by the pathogen, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. White mold is a major fungal disease in temperate regions worldwide that can lead to significant crop losses, particularly in crops such as soybeans, sunflowers, and canola. Most of my research focuses on identifying and characterizing specific biosynthetic gene families in soybeans involved in their response to white mold, with the goal of improving disease resistance, reducing crop losses caused by pathogens, and decreasing our dependence on chemical fungicides. 

How did you get involved with plant pathology as a discipline?

When I started my undergraduate degree, I admittedly didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do in life, and I had certainly never heard of plant pathology. However, I knew I was interested in plants and really wanted to learn more about the advances and implications of biotechnology in crop improvement. After my first semester at Augsburg, my advisor, Dr. Ann Impullitti, a UMN Plant Pathology alum, advised me to sign up for the summer undergraduate research program, where we would study the impact of fungicide seed treatments on fungal endophyte diversity in soybeans. I was excited for the opportunity to learn about and conduct research, but at the time, I had never given much thought to fungi and considered them generally uninteresting. Despite my apprehension and (incorrect) opinion on fungi, I applied for the program anyway, knowing it would be a good learning experience. This summer program was my first true introduction into the world of plant pathology. 

Tell me about a specific moment in your life that made you decide to pursue a career in Plant Pathology:

It was during that first summer of undergraduate research experience that I realized I wanted to pursue a career in plant pathology. The goal of the project was to investigate the impact of fungicide seed treatments on fungal endophytes in soybeans. This project involved sampling treated and untreated soybean stems, plating the stems on various nutrient-rich agar media, and then isolating and documenting the array of fungal species present within the soybean stems. In this project, we identified hundreds of fungal species, some of which produced the most vibrant and interesting growth patterns I have ever seen. I was absolutely blown away by the fact that so many different types of fungi could exist within plants, and it opened my eyes to a whole new world of plant research. It was at this point that I realized how wrong I was about fungi and decided that I wanted to learn everything I could about the complexities of plant-fungal interactions.

What has been the most rewarding moment of your career so far, and what led to that moment?

One of the most rewarding parts of being in the department has been the relationships I’ve built and the professional development opportunities I’ve had, especially being a member of the Plant Pathology Student Organization. When I joined the student group at the start of my graduate program, I volunteered to be the Treasurer, even though I wasn’t entirely sure what that role entailed. I quickly learned that, although our student group hosts numerous social and professional development events throughout the year, we had almost no funds leftover from previous years to support these events. With help from a few other students, we organized a series of fundraising events, including a pancake breakfast, a silent auction, and selling foraging-themed calendars compiled from student-taken photos of mushrooms. With hard work, we brought in over $1000 in just one semester. These funds allowed us to host on-campus events like Robigalia (a celebration of the Roman god of wheat rust, Robigus), our Halloween event Spooky Fest, and our bi-annual camping trips, among others. While I didn’t accomplish this alone, I was very proud of myself and our group for such an achievement, and I’ve gained invaluable skills in finances and fundraising that I might not have otherwise had the chance to learn.

Can you describe how being part of this department has helped your mission as a scientist?

Being part of the UMN Plant Pathology department has supported my development as a scientist in many ways. First, participating in various outreach activities within and outside of the University. Within the University, I have participated in tabling at the State Fair, the CFANS Sampler, and FFA events, where I introduced some general plant pathology concepts that convey the research conducted in the department, as well as showing some of the fungi that can be found around Minnesota to the general public. Other outreach opportunities I have participated in include events such as the Soybean Research Center Field Day and the Minnesota Ag Expo, where I had the opportunity to discuss my research with growers and learn about the agricultural interests and concerns specific to them. All of these outreach opportunities have helped me improve my skills in effective science communication to diverse audiences. Another important way this department has helped me is through its numerous connections with other departments and resources across the university. My research has greatly benefited from collaborations with growers and researchers in other departments, where I have gained insights into research strategies, learned how to utilize new laboratory techniques and instruments, and gained perspective from their experiences. All of these collaborations have not only expanded my knowledge about my specific research but also highlighted the value of collaborative science.

Can you tell us about your plans for the future?

While I’m unsure of my exact plans after graduation, I’m excited to pursue various opportunities, including industry research, postdoctoral work at a university or USDA laboratory, or possibly teaching at an undergraduate institution. No matter where I end up, I am excited about what the future holds. 

by Brian Steffenson

Five graduate students (Camilla Dreasher Mercado, Jamie Nesbit, Yoonjung Lee, Hunter Kluegel, and Olivia Queisser) from the Department of Plant Pathology attended the 2025 World Food Prize (WFP) event in Des Moines Iowa on October 21-23. The theme for the event’s dialogue was “SOILutions for Security” and highlighted the critical living system (i.e. soil) that underpins all agriculture and human survival. The students attended all of the different dialogue sessions and networked with other attendees at the coffee and lunch breaks. They also were present for the introduction of the 2025 World Food Prize laureate Dr. Mariangela Hungria, a researcher at the Embrapa National Soybean Center in Brazil.  Dr. Hungria is a renowned scientist who pioneered the use of symbiotic soil microorganisms as an effective alternative to synthetic fertilizers, saving farmers billions of dollars and increasing plant nutrient uptake while reducing environmental pollution and greenhouse gasses. The department’s own Linda Kinkel was feted at the WFP event by being named one of the Top Agri-food Pioneers for research on plant microbiomes and sustainable agriculture. She also was part of a panel during one of the dialogue sessions. 

On the way down to Des Moines, Brian Steffenson, who accompanied the students as a faculty adviser, arranged for a tour of the Borlaug Heritage Farm near Cresco, Iowa. The tour was given by Tom Spindler, who is a member of the Norman Borlaug Heritage Foundation.  Steffenson said “The visit to the Borlaug Heritage Farm is a great experience for our students because it gives them a chance to see the humble beginnings and hard-scrabble life that shaped one of the greatest humanitarians that ever lived. The World Food Prize event highlights the significant legacy that Borlaug has contributed to future generations of hunger-fighters.”

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

 My name is Sonal Srivastava. I earned both my Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University (CSJMU), Kanpur, India. I have over seven years of research experience across both plant and Medical sciences. Currently, I serve as a Research Professional 2 in the laboratory of Dr. Ashish Ranjan. My research focuses on the identification and molecular characterization of bacterial and fungal diseases of infected potato plants. Through this work, I aim to contribute to a deeper understanding of microbial diversity and its potential applications in agriculture and biotechnology.

How did you get involved with plant pathology as a discipline?

My journey into plant pathology began during my bachelor’s studies, where weekly lab experiments sparked my curiosity—especially the first time I worked with culture plates and observed microbes under the microscope. These early experiences ignited a deep interest in understanding plant-microbe interactions. I was particularly fascinated by how microscopic organisms could significantly influence plant health, productivity, and resilience. This curiosity led me to explore the molecular mechanisms behind plant diseases and the role of beneficial microbes in promoting plant growth. Over time, my research expanded to include both plant and Medical sciences, but the complexity and impact of plant-pathogen dynamics continued to captivate me. Today, my research enables me to contribute to sustainable agricultural practices and deepen our understanding of microbial biodiversity.

Tell me about a specific moment in your life that made you decide to pursue a career in Plant Pathology:

One defining moment that greatly influenced my decision to pursue a career in plant pathology occurred during my undergraduate studies. I vividly remember the first time I worked with culture plates in our microbiology lab and observed microbial colonies under the microscope. That experience sparked a deep curiosity in me about the invisible world of microbes and their interactions with plants. Following that, I had the opportunity to work in various scientific laboratories, where I gained valuable experience in molecular techniques. These experiences broadened my understanding of microbial diversity and its role in plant health. After joining Ranjan lab, I further expanded my expertise through fieldwork, with a particular focus on potato diseases. This hands-on exposure deepened my appreciation for the complexity of plant-pathogen interactions.

What has been the most rewarding moment of your career so far, and what led to that moment?

Earning my Master’s degree was one of the most rewarding moments of my academic journey. During that time, I successfully cleared several competitive exams for PhD programs, including GATE and NET-JRF. Achieving those milestones was a meaningful accomplishment for me. Over the past seven years of research work, I have gained extensive knowledge and hands-on experience in both plant and medical sciences. Additionally, the unwavering support from my family and lab members played a crucial role in helping me reach this point in my career.

Can you describe how being part of this department has helped your mission as a scientist?

Being part of Dr. Ranjan’s lab has significantly advanced my mission as a scientist by providing a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment. This department has empowered me to deepen my expertise in microbial identification and molecular characterization, particularly in exploring Streptomyces species from tuber and soil samples. Furthermore, the department’s focus on applied research closely complements my dedication to developing sustainable agricultural solutions through microbial interventions. I have been able to pursue research that not only expands scientific knowledge but also holds promise for real-world impact—particularly in enhancing soil health and plant resilience through the use of beneficial microbes.

Can you tell us about your plans for the future?

I aspire to become a highly skilled and well-recognized researcher, contributing meaningfully to both academia and industry. My long-term goal is to engage in impactful scientific work that directly benefits agriculture—especially in the areas of sustainable crop protection, microbial research, and plant health.

Whether in an academic setting or through industrial collaboration, I aim to develop innovative, science-based solutions that improve crop productivity, enhance disease resistance, and promote eco-friendly farming practices. I am particularly passionate about translating research into real-world applications that support food security and environmental sustainability.
 

Professor Linda Kinkel has been selected as a Top Agri-Food Pioneer (TAP) for 2025 by the World Food Prize Foundation for her work researching plant-associated microbes, both as a longtime faculty member of UMN Plant Pathology and as the Founder and Chief Science Officer of Jord Bioscience.

As a TAP awardee, Kinkel is part of a cohort of 39 recipients from across the globe who have demonstrated excellence and innovation in work to improve agriculture and food systems. Kinkel’s work at Jord BioScience harnesses the natural power of diverse microbial communities to enhance the plant disease-suppressing and growth-promoting functions of indigenous soil microbiomes and commercial inoculants, which together allow farms to produce higher yields while offering pathways to reduce reliance on synthetic inputs.

To create Jord, Kinkel’s boundless curiosity about the nuances and complexities of soil microbiomes combined with her goal of contributing practical solutions to real-world farms. Decades of research experience had shown her that a diverse microbiome incorporating key microbial partnerships can greatly benefit plant health, but looking out to the market, she primarily saw commercial inoculants not channeling biodiversity’s benefits, hence the need for a new approach. As Kinkel told Aurora Sporealis in 2024, 

“We [at Jord] use microbials the way microbes actually work in nature—they interact. Bacteria are single-celled organisms, but they never exist as individuals or a pure culture in nature, they’re in communities. The soil microbiome is extremely diverse, it has the greatest diversity of any habitat in the world, but you don’t need to recreate all that diversity. You just need to recreate the right suite of organisms to interact, in the habitat where they need to intervene.” 

The 2025 APS Plant Health conference brought our department away from the cornfields and cereal diseases of the Midwest all the way to Hawai’i, a state of tropical crops like coffee, bananas, and pineapples. Between local outings, events and networking, poster sessions, and presentations, this packed week kept department members busy. Highlights from department members included reconnecting with former colleagues and mentors, being energized by new ideas and experiences, and making connections with researchers from across the country and globe. 

Here are department members’ favorite moments:

Claudia Castell-Miller: Discussing rice health with Keynote Speaker Van Schepler-Luu 

We met for a long and enthusiastic discussion about potential collaboration on brown spot disease caused by Bipolaris oryzae in rice and wild rice, with the rice plant pathologist Dr. Van Schepler-Luu, leader of the Plant Pathology and Host Plant Resistance Group at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and Dr. Felipe Dalla Lana da Silva, assistant professor at the Plant Pathology department, LSU. 

Jasper Tao: Uniting over food security research

The highlight of attending APS Plant Health 2025 was getting to connect with other passionate and motivated researchers who are working towards food security. I was inspired by the scope of plant pathology on a global scale and was extremely excited to learn about plant protection research in other countries. I can’t wait to attend next year!

José Solórzano: Connecting with friends and collaborators

Plant Health is a great venue to reconnect with friends and colleagues from around the world and to make new ones. It is also a great exposure to current plant pathology work.

Megan McCaghey: Watching lab members share their research

My highlight was seeing SBFO Lab students and lab members make connections and engage with other scientists at their poster sessions! We were able to share methodologies with others and received helpful feedback on our projects. My advisor prioritized sending students to conferences, and I try to do the same because I appreciate how important the connections I made as a student at APS were for my career advancement. Other highlights include catching up with colleagues and meeting new ones at the Storkan-Hanes-McCasslin luncheon, socials, and poster sessions- Plant Health always feels like an academic reunion. 

Nora Altier had long planned to visit Saint Paul while she was in the United States to run the Chicago Marathon. While Chicago and the Twin Cities aren’t neighbors, they’re certainly nearer to each other than Saint Paul and Montevideo, Uruguay, which is where Nora has lived and worked since obtaining her PhD at the University of Minnesota in 1997. As part of the decades-long legacy of student and researcher exchanges between UMN and INIA (Uruguay’s National Agriculture Research Institute), Nora takes every opportunity to visit Saint Paul, and cherishes her relationships with fellow members of the Minnesota-Uruguay crossover community. 

After obtaining an undergraduate degree in Agronomy at the University of the Republic (UDELAR) in Uruguay and seven years working on diseases of forage crops for INIA, Nora first came to Minnesota in 1990. At the time no graduate degrees were available at UDELAR, and the Inter-American Development Bank ran a program providing scholarships for Uruguayan students to attend five American universities. Tabaré Abadie, a fellow UDELAR alumnus who was earning his PhD in Plant Breeding at the University of Minnesota, encouraged Nora to try Minnesota. She reached out to Bob Blanchette, the Director of Graduate Studies for Plant Pathology at the time, and set her sights on Minnesota. 

With her work on forage crops at INIA under her belt, Nora started her time at UMN working on alfalfa breeding with USDA-ARS researcher Judy Thies, with collaborators such as Don Barnes and Carol Windels. Nora earned her Masters in Plant Pathology with a minor in Plant Breeding under Thies, then moved on to a PhD with Linda Kinkel and Neil Anderson. Altier graduated in 1997 with a dissertation titled “Epidemiological and ecological studies on Fusarium crown and root diseases of birdsfoot trefoil in Uruguay and the prospects for breeding resistance.”

Nora reflects fondly on the people who mentored her during her time in Minnesota, and how they helped her grow as a researcher and problem-solver. “I always say that my experience here, beyond the plant pathology knowledge, was learning to think outside the box.” Immersion into research on biocontrol with Linda and key concepts of forest pathology with Bob proved to later be pivotal to her career in Uruguay. 

Returning to INIA after her PhD, Nora was able to implement new knowledge, strategies, and leadership that helped build and strengthen the institute from within. In addition to work on biocontrol and forage crops, Nora was tasked in 2000 with creating and leading a Forest Pathology division, which she took as a prime opportunity to apply and adapt lessons learned from the Blanchette Lab. In 2010 Nora joined the Faculty staff of the Graduate School at the College of Agriculture. From 2015 to 2020 Nora served as research director within INIA, having significant impacts on the direction of research and development of early career programs (master, doctoral and postdoctoral positions) within the institute, in liaison with the University of the Republic.  

Throughout her career, Nora also took care to mentor young researchers at INIA, taking on postdocs and serving as a mentor to researchers including Uruguayan students Patricia Vaz-Jauri, Silvia Pereyra, Carlos Perez, and others, many of whom shared connections with Minnesota. In addition, Nora served as an amazing host for UMN students and faculty, including Elizabeth Wiggins, Charlie Barnes, Ruth Dill-Macky, Bob Blanchette, and Linda Kinkel, in their scientific visits to Uruguay.  

“I like to think of it as a relay race, passing experiences and connections to the next person,” reflects Nora. She named off a string of Uruguayan researchers who studied in Minnesota through the UMN-Uruguayan connection: Nora and Tabare of course, but then Cecilia Jones, Silvia Pereyra, Carlos Perez, Pablo Olivera, Patricia Vaz-Jauri, and Sofia Simeto at the Department of Plant Pathology, and many others at the Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics. The Uruguay/INIA-UMN partnership, championed by Agronomy Professor Dr. Deon Stuthman, was formalized in 1997 with an official agreement signed by then-CFANS Dean Dr. Michael Martin and INIA President Pedro Bonino, and since then there has been a continuum of scientific exchange, joint projects and cooperation. In 2017 Nora was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award for her significant contributions to the welfare of the UMN Department of Plant Pathology.

Nora is retired, but is still actively involved in the research community: “Now I decide when I work, and I decide when I just have fun.” Since 2018 she has been designated and still serves as one of the five honorary members at the Board Committee of the National System of Researchers which recognizes featured individuals of the Uruguayan scientific community. She also serves as the South America coordinator for the International Association for Plant Protection Sciences (IAPPS), and still does research for INIA with a “one health” focus that prioritizes intersection between the health of plants, animals, ecosystems, and humans. “My role in the IAPPS has focused on promoting co-working across different disciplines of the plant protection sciences, considering the diversity of professional interests, territorial, cultural and educational backgrounds in South America. I highlight current efforts to organize scientific sessions in the International Plant Protection Congress (IPPC) and the implementation of IAPPS Early Career Travel Award Program, for young scientists to attend the 2027 IPPC in Christchurch, New Zealand.”    

Nora’s one-on-one interview during her visit after the Chicago Marathon quickly became a warm and happy gathering with food and coffee as former mentors and friends made their way to the Plant Pathology Legacy Lounge. Even when Nora came to the United States to run a solo race in Chicago, she couldn’t help but make it a relay with her beloved community.  

Benham Lockhart was born in Kingstown, St Vincent, in the West Indies in 1945. A curious and passionate scientist, he obtained a BS degree in tropical agriculture in 1965 at the University of the West Indies, and a PhD in plant pathology at UC-Riverside in 1969. 

Lockhart became a faculty member in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Minnesota in 1971, the same year he began working at the Institut Agronomique et Veterinaire at Hassan Il University in Rabat, Morocco. There, he established two modern laboratories for plant virology to address Morocco’s pressing plant health challenges. In Minnesota, his research focused on a little-known group of non-enveloped bacilliform plant-viruses. His work led to the sequencing and naming of the “Badnavirus” group, in collaboration with Neil Olszewski and colleagues. 

Beyond his scientific contributions, Dr. Lockhart was a generous mentor, a thoughtful collaborator, and a dedicated educator. His hands-on approach to teaching sparked curiosity and passion in generations of students and young scientists both at the University of Minnesota and around the world. 

You can read more about Dr. Lockhart’s legacy in the article, “Ben Lockhart’s World of Bold Discovery,” published in the Winter 2022 edition of Aurora Sporealis. It offers reflections and stories from his collaborators, students, and mentees, along with highlights of his many career accomplishments. 

Dr. Lockhart retired from the department in November 2021, and remained here in Minnesota until his passing in April 2025. He will be remembered not only for his scientific accomplishments but also for his enduring impact on our community.

Read favorite memories of Lockhart from the PLPA community online, in our own words, on this webpage.