USA
April 16, 2013

Source: U.S. National Sunflower Association's newsletter

Two new faces will be assisting the USDA pathology research effort in Fargo, North Dakota as of April.

Chris Misar joins the USDA-Sunflower & Plant Biology Research Unit to assist Dr. Tom Gulya, Research Plant Pathologist.

Chris, who grew up on a farm in southeastern South Dakota, obtained a Master's degree from SDSU in Range Science.

He will be responsible for all field and greenhouse pathology research, and will assist other USDA scientists to maintain their field plots. Chris will also be working closely with many seed companies who assist the USDA with field disease nurseries.

Michelle Gilley just joined NDSU Plant Pathology Department as a Research Microbiologist. Under the supervision of NDSU extension pathologist Dr. Sam Markell,
Michelle will be assisting Dr. Gulya on the USDA unit's Sclerotinia research, on which there are currently five scientists and four post-docs with Sclerotinia related projects.

Michelle has an undergraduate degree in Agronomy from Virginia Tech and several years experience as a crop consultant. Michelle anticipates applying to the Plant Pathology department to pursue a Master's degree on some sunflower disease topic.

While Michelle's main emphasis will be with Sclerotinia (white mold), she will be working closely with the USDA technician, Chris Misar, on all aspects of the USDA's pathology research.
 

Website: http://www.sunflowernsa.com

Published: April 16, 2013