Plant Pathology: Academic Programs: Society of Aspiring Plant Pathologists
Student Spotlight
Nine new MS, MPPPM, or PhD students joined the Department of Plant Pathology in the Fall of 2009:
Michele Burnham graduated with a BA (Biology emphasis) from Coker College in Hartsville, SC, where she also was a Coker World Scholar. As an undergraduate she conducted at 3-year population dynamics study on soilborne Fusarium species. Last summer, she interned at the University of Arkansas where she identified a photoreceptor thought to play a role in the biological rhythm of the fungus Cercospora kikuchii. Michele is working toward her MS studying Fusarium verticilloidies aconidial mutants. Her major professor is Dr. Tony Glenn (USDA-ARS).
Justin Clark earned both BSA (Agricultural Education) and MS (Plant Pathology) degrees from the University of Tennessee (UT), Knoxville. Prior to completing the MS he was employed as a county agent in the UT system. Justin is now studying with Dr. Tim Brenneman at the Tifton campus for his PhD.
Perrin Collins is a new MS student who is being co-advised by Drs. Phil Brannen and Mike Deom. His research project is focused on grapevine virus problems in Georgia, especially Grape leafroll virus. Perrin comes to us with a BS in Genetics from Clemson University.
Max DeMott graduated with a BSA in Agriscience and Environmental Systems from the University of Georgia. After a year in the MPPPM program he transitioned to the MS, where he now conducts research with Dr. Jean Williams-Woodward on root rot pathogens on ornamentals.
Clark MacAllister is a new student in the MPPPM program where he is being advised by Dr. Jean Williams-Woodward. He is planning to work in the extension field after graduation. Clark earned his BSA degree in Horticulture from the University of Georgia.
Matthew Palmer graduated from Valdosta State University in Spring 2009 with a degree in Biology. He is currently enrolled as a part-time student in the MPPPM program in Tifton, where Dr. David Langston is his adviser. Matthew works part-time on a farm and also scouts vegetables and row crops for several growers.
Imana Power earned an MS in Ecological Phytopathology from Wageningen University and Research Center, The Netherlands. Between 2005 and 2009 she was employed as a plant pathologist at the Center for Agricultural Research in Suriname, her home country. At UGA, she will conduct PhD research on peanut rust under the direction of Dr. Albert Culbreath at the Tifton campus. After graduation she is planning to return to Suriname to contribute to research and education in her home country.
Peng (Jesson) Tian is a new PhD student in Dr. Shavannor Smith’s lab where he will study disease resistance in soybean and switchgrass. A native of China, he earned a BS in Bioengineering from Shandong Agricultural University and an MS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. His career goal is to work for an international agency such as FAO on improving crop quality and developing local agriculture in poor countries around the world.
Anna Watson comes to us with a BS in Ecology and Field Biology from Shorter College in Rome, GA. As an undergraduate, she conducted research on coliform and environmental bacteria in water pools in caves in North Georgia and Alabama. Her MS project at the University of Georgia will focus on postharvest disease prevention on Vidalia onions. Dr. Ron Gitaitis at the Tifton campus is her major professor.