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Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences –
In two new papers, PSM graduate students Becky Harkness, Jill Check, and Lexi Heger explore how choices made during sampler design and implementation can impact results, and recognize this impact. It shows how important it is for researchers to
It’s a trap! Exploring the application of rotating arm impaction samplers in plant pathology, PSM graduate students Becky Harkness, Jill Check, and Lexi Heger discuss how to design projects, plan experiments, and process samples to reduce pathogen spread and infection. We thoroughly discuss the influencing factors. How rotating arm air sampler placement changes propagation capture in many field systems and for all user types.
“Air samplers are described in our review paper and companion article (“It’s a Trap! Part II: An Easy-to-Understand Guide to Building and Using Rotating Arm Air Samplers for Plant Pathologists”). plant diseases) It can be used to investigate the spread and movement of pathogens. Any Ecosystem: Lexi installed an air sampler in the vineyard, Jill used her air sampler in the cornfield, and I used mine in the forest,” says Becky.
Beyond the science, the team also learned that these projects require years of collaboration. “We spent a lot of time creating something that we thought would be useful to many researchers, yet everyone was cooperative and friendly throughout the process,” says Becky. .
As in agriculture, graduate school also requires: a lot Becky says this about resilience: “When you study something that no one has studied before, failure is a big part of it.” Maybe something they didn’t know will be part of the process. “In graduate school, it’s also important to learn how to bounce back from failed experiments and rejected papers, and not let those experiences hold you back,” Jill added.
meanwhile The review process was difficult, but they had to sympathize with each other. “We went through a lot of ups and downs writing this manuscript, but now I think I’m more grateful to get together and just have fun than write this!” Lexi says.
After completing this thesis, students are now preparing for their final months in graduate school. becky is nearing graduation in 2025 and is focusing on phylogenetic and epidemiological investigations of caryopsis canker in North America while fantasizing about a postdoctoral position in forest health or mycology. Jill: He will also join the company in spring 2025 and begin a six-month internship with Corteva in April. Jill is working on tar spot in corn and mildew on soybeans, dry beans, and potatoes, and is pursuing a dissertation titled “Epidemiology and Management of Field Crop Diseases in Michigan.” Lexi: Hopefully, she’ll be with us until at least 2025, when she plans to pursue what she calls “One day, another spore: Detection and management of Michigan’s destructive vineyard pathogens.”
“I learned so much from the diverse researchers in our department and made friends from all over the world,” says Becky.
Jill: The best part about graduate school is being surrounded by students who are also interested in science.
Lexi: I think the best thing about graduate school is being surrounded by people who are “otaku” like me and just enjoy being surrounded by knowledge and learning. Everyone here enjoys science and we have conversations about the amazing plants we’ve purchased and the latest sourdough recipes we’ve learned. People make difficult times better.
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