News

Career Opportunity: Researcher 1

The individual selected for this full-time position will support senior researchers working on the important fungal disease of Fusarium head blight (FHB).


Ryan Franke passes his PhD defense

Congratulations, Ryan!


The Plant Disease Clinic Turns 70

The Plant Disease Clinic (PDC) celebrated its 70th birthday at Coffee Hour on October 7, 2026. 


A powdery mildew mystery, solved: cracking the code of an unknown pathogen with compatibility testing and genomic examination

With testing of a mystery fungus’s host range and phylogenetics, small-grains researchers Rebecca Spanner, Oadi Matny, Jamie Nesbit, Alexis Feist and PI Brian Steffenson were able to situate it among the rapidly evolving world of powdery mildews that impact barley. 


Welcoming Fall 2026 New Students

Our department has two new students incoming for the Fall 2026 semester, Julia Brandfonbrener and Maddie Burke. 


José Solórzano passed his PhD defense

José was advised by Dean Malvick. 


Eva Mulandesa is here to solve plant health problems

Taking a postdoctoral research position focused on tar spot of corn may seem like a surprising departure after an education in cosmetic diseases of citrus fruit, but Eva Mulandesa is no stranger to taking on a bold new experience.


Molly Veregge passes her PhD defense

Molly was advised by Matt Moscou with Devanshi Khokhani.