Educational Background
- B.S. in Biology-Boise State University
- M.S. in Plant Pathology-University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Ph.D. in Plant Pathology-University of Wisconsin-Madison
Research
My research group studies pathogen biology, specifically host colonization and the infection process, and the roles pathogen and host variability have in disease development. This research allows us to improve soybean production by providing information needed to develop sustainable control strategies and mitigate the impact of disease on yield. Currently, my lab focuses on two soilborne diseases: 1) sudden death syndrome or SDS, which is caused by the fungus Fusarium virguliforme and 2) Phytophthora root rot or PRR, which is caused by the oomycete Phytophthora sojae. My lab also coordinates the northern region Uniform Soybean Tests. These tests provide a critical evaluation of breeding lines developed in the U.S. and Canada for their potential release as new varieties.