Name: Alissa Geske
Pronouns: she/her
Degree obtained: MS
Grad year: 2017
Where do you work right now? CHS
What is your current job title? Technical Specialist
How does your UMN Plant Pathology education inform or inspire your current work?
The main role of my job is to communicate to retailors how to use our products and to help identify new product concepts to bring to market. It is all about building a story with the data I gather in my region which includes academic research trials and large field based studies or side by sides. My time at UMN taught me how to be a critical and CREATIVE thinker and gave me the tools I needed to design experiments and trials in my current role. I also developed a sense of confidence while at the UMN that has been vital to my success in my current role today. I get questions from retailors everyday and to be candid they can be difficult to answer but I have confidence in my ability to find a solution.
What advice would you give a current Plant Pathology student about the future?
Build relationships everywhere you go and keep your options open, you never know where the next opportunity lies.
Name: Andrew Sathoff
Pronouns: he/him
Degree obtained: PhD
Grad year: 2019
Where do you work right now? Dakota State University
What is your current job title? Assistant Professor of Biology
How does your UMN Plant Pathology education inform or inspire your current work?
Right after obtaining my PhD, I was fortunate enough to secure a tenure-track teaching position at Dakota State University (DSU), which is a small school is Eastern South Dakota (about 45 minutes from the Minnesota border). During the academic year, I teach a variety of undergraduate courses, but most classes are capped at 20 students, which allows me to form a more personal connection with my students. My summers are free for research (I mentor a group of 3-4 undergraduate students), and I've become the South Dakota alfalfa pathologist. Dr. Deb Samac and I still collaborate, and we recently published an Aphanomyces review in Plant Pathology with a bunch of my undergrad students as co-authors.
What advice would you give a current Plant Pathology student about the future?
If you do want to teach biology at the university level, as a plant pathologist, you are well equipped teach a wide variety of classes, which makes you an attractive candidate. At DSU, I teach general biology, microbiology, genetics, molecular biology, botany, and bioinformatics. Plant pathology is such an interdisciplinary field, which can lead to numerous career paths!
Name: Feng Li
Pronouns:she/her
Degree obtained: PhD
Grad year: 2019
Where do you work right now? eGenesis, Inc
What is your current job title? Bioinformatics Scientist II
How does your UMN Plant Pathology education inform or inspire your current work?
It was very fortunate to have a great mentor and all the support as well as resources from PLPA for my PhD. The dynamic and collaboration vibes still inspire my current work. It not only strengthened my knowledge in plant pathology but encouraged my passion in science, provided opportunities to cultivate myself for the long run.
What advice would you give a current Plant Pathology student about the future?
Take as many opportunities provided by the Department, College, UMN as possible.
Name: Becca Hall
Pronouns: she/her
Degree obtained: MS
Grad year: 2021
Where do you work right now? UMN PLPA
What is your current job title? Instructional Support Specialist and Outreach Coordinator
How does your UMN Plant Pathology education inform or inspire your current work?
I loved my time so much in the department that I never left! The teaching and outreach opportunities I pursued as a graduate student inspired me to pursue a career doing just that. In my current position, I try to develop as many projects as possible to make it easier for the students in our department to explore these interests as well.
What advice would you give a current Plant Pathology student about the future?
Explore your interests and take advantage of as many opportunities as possible!
Name: Savana Lipps
Pronouns: she/her
Degree obtained: MS
Grad year: 2021
Where do you work right now? SRI International
What is your current job title? Marketing Communications and Business Development Manager
How does your UMN Plant Pathology education inform or inspire your current work?
Since graduating, I pursued a career in scientific communications. My education from UMN PLPA strengthened my foundational knowledge in molecular biology and other life science topics that have supported my success as a writer and a marketing/development manager for a biosciences group. Also, doing laboratory research fortified my skills in project management and provided me with a deep understanding of the scientific process, which are both quite important for my sci comm work today.
What advice would you give a current Plant Pathology student about the future?
Be open minded as you continue your plant path after graduate school. You never know where life will take you, and being open to new experiences will help you find something that you really enjoy doing!
Name: Pratibha Sharma
Pronouns: she/her
Degree obtained: MS
Grad year: 2020
Where do you work right now? Cornell University
What is your current job title? PhD student
How does your UMN Plant Pathology education inform or inspire your current work?
My journey at UMN not only enhanced my knowledge base on plant pathology and but also helped me explore my career options in teaching, research and extension. It has also helped me develop my communication and networking skills, and boost my confidence. The experience I gained at UMN has been valuable in helping me navigate my PhD program, and planing and executing my research both independently and in collaboration. Overall, UMN has played a great part in my professional and personal growth as a researcher and plant pathologist.
What advice would you give a current Plant Pathology student about the future?
You will meet people with different level of skills and expertise in the program, and it's very common to compare yourself with others and question your abilities. But, please remember that nobody expects you to know everything from the beginning, so don't be too hard on yourself. It might feel tough at times, but as long as you are determined to learn, you will find your way. Also, the department is very supportive, so please do not hesitate to reach out if you need help. All the best!