JENNIFER CHAKY (M.S., University of Kentucky, 2000)
Ms.Chaky's position is 100% extension with statewide responsibilities for plant disease diagnosis. She is the coordinator of the integrated Plant & Pest Diagnostic Clinic (Plant Pathology, Horticulture, Entomology, and Weed Science). Duties include diagnosing all plant disease samples submitted to the P&PDC and making associated control recommendations. She is also involved in the development and coordination of extension plant pathology educational programs for statewide Master Gardener training and other plant pathology programs as appropriate.

MARTIN B. DICKMAN (PH.D., University of Hawaii, 1986)
Dr. Dickman's research interest centers on the molecular genetics of plant disease. Primary emphasis is placed on molecular mechanisms determining fungal pathogenic development and virulence as well as plant resistance; specifically plant apoptosis. Approaches center around the elucidation of signal transduction pathways and the use of transgenic plants which modulate cell death. The overall goals of these studies are understanding the molecular mechanism of plant disease and resistance and the implementation of alternative molecular strategies for plant disease control.

ROY C. FRENCH (USDA) (PH.D., Louisiana State University, 1983)
Dr. French's research is centered on the study of molecular genetics of plant RNA virus gene expression, replication, and regulation and the interaction of these processes with host plants, particularly wheat and other cereals. Insights gained in these studies are then used to suggest new strategies for producing transgene mediated, virus-resistant wheat. He is also interested in the development of molecular-based virus diagnostic tools for plant virus detection and population genetic/epidemiological studies.

LOREN GIESLER (PH.D., University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1998)
Dr. Giesler's primary responsibilities are for extension programming and research on diseases of soybeans, alfalfa and landscape ornamentals including trees. His research focuses on emerging disease problems in soybeans and landscape ornamental disease management strategies.

STEVEN HARRIS (PH.D., University of Michigan, 1992)
The aim of our research is to understand how hyphal morphogenesis is regulated in the filamentous fungi. We focus on two questions, 1) how do hyphae achieve their polarized organization, and 2) how is hyphal morphogenesis regulated in response to environmental insults such as DNA change? These questions are addressed using a combination of genetic and biochemical approaches. Characterization of molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of hyphal morphogenesis should lead to the development of rational strategies for manipulating the growth of plant pathogenic fungi.

ROBERT HARVESON (PH.D., University of Florida, 1999)
Dr. Harveson's appointment is 50% research and 50% extension with responsibilities in diseases of specialty crops important to the Panhandle - sugar beets, dry-edible beans, chicory, potatoes, proso millet, and sunflowers. He is the statewide leader for extension programming for these crops with research interests focusing on applied management strategies for diseases caused by soilborne, root rotting fungi.

LESLIE C. LANE (PH.D., University of Wisconsin, 1971)
Dr. Lane applies biophysical techniques, such as gel electrophoresis and fluorescence and silver staining, to detect plant virus infections. He is also interested in the nature of virus-specific proteins in the infected host and their roles in pathogenesis.

AMITAVA MITRA (PH.D., University of Montana, 1985)
Dr. Mitra's research program is aimed at gaining an understanding of gene expression and molecular basis of differentiation in the plant kingdom. He has developed a convenient plant vector-transformation system based on Ti plasmid of Agrobacterium tumefaciens and electroporation. With these systems, regulatory regions of several plant genes are currently being studied. Present efforts are centered on identifying DNA sequences controlling the expression of plant genes and on nuclear protein factors that bind to these regulatory sequences. The regulatory mechanism of T-DNA genes is also being studied as simple models of plant genes. In addition, transformation systems for monocots and legumes are being developed.

JAMES E. PARTRIDGE (PH.D., University of California-Riverside, 1973)
Dr. Partridge's research centers on the application of biotechnology to the study of plant host-parasite relationships as affected by environmental/biological stress. Current research is directed towards dnaK, dnaJ and grpE expression in Pseudomonas syringae pv. glycinea during pathogenesis.

THOMAS O. POWERS (Ph.D., University of California-Riverside, 1983)
Dr. Powers is interested in the evolutionary biology of plant parasitic nematodes. Current research involves using mitochondrial DNA to address questions of molecular evolution and population biology of root-knot and cyst nematodes. By examining changes in the DNA from individual nematodes, it is possible to derive estimates of genetic divergence between nematode species. Mitochondrial DNA is also being used as a genetic marker to follow nematode dispersal. Other research interests include the diagnosis and investigation of nematodes parasitizing Nebraska's agronomic crops.

JAMES R. STEADMAN (PH.D., University of Wisconsin, 1970)
Dr. Steadman's research area is the epidemiology and control of diseases, especially of common beans and soybeans. Two fungal diseases, white mold of beans and soybeans and common rust offer challenges in the search for genetic resistance. Pathogenic variation studies and selection of resistance to rust and white mold are a major part of an international project. Selection and management of disease resistance and integrated disease management in temperate, semi-arid and tropical locations is the overall program emphasis. Dr. Steadman is acting head of the department of Plant Pathology.

DRAKE C. STENGER (USDA) (PH.D., University of California - Berkeley, 1987)
Dr. Stenger studies the molecular biology of viruses of wheat. Studies include virus gene structure and function, with an emphasis on utilizing pathogen derived resistance strategies to improve resistance to viruses in transgenic wheat. Additional areas of study include virus diversity and population genetics, as measured at the level of nucleotide sequence variation.

JAMES L. VAN ETTEN (PH.D., University of Illinois, 1965)
On April 29, 2003, Dr. Van Etten was inducted into the National Academy of Sciences, joining fellow Plant Pathology faculty member emeritus Myron Brakke in the prestigious group.
Dr. Van Etten studes a family of large, polyhedral, plaque forming, dsDNA viruses that replicate in certain eukaryotic unicellular Chlorella-like green algae. The genomes of the chlorella viruses are 330kb or larger in size and contain at least 375 protein encoding genes and many TRNA genes. Approximately 50% of the virus gene products have been tentatively identified, many of which are completely unexpected. For example, the viruses code for DNA methyltransferases and DNA restriction endonucleases, sugar manipulating enzymes, and a potassium ion channel protein. The plaque assay, the ability to synchronously infect the host, the short life cycle, and the ability of the viruses to undergo homologous recombination make them excellent model systems for studying DNA replication and gene expression in a photosynthetic eukaryote.

ANNE K. VIDAVER (PH.D., University of Indiana, 1965)
Dr. Vidaver's research concentrates on phytopathogenic bacteria and bacteria associated with plants. She studies the role of bacterial plasmids in determining phytopathogenic and other properties. She is interested in control of diseases caused by phytopathogenic bacteria and the manipulation of bacteria potentially beneficial to plants. These studies include assessment of ecological relationships of these bacteria in agricultural environments. Dr. Vidaver is on a 60% leave as the Chief Scientist NRI Program of USDA for 2 years.

JOHN E. WATKINS (PH.D., North Dakota State University, 1975)
Dr. Watkins' appointment is 75% extension and 25% research with responsibilities in diseases of small grains, turfgrass, pasture and range grasses, and home garden vegetables. His research on foliar diseases of wheat emphasizes leaf rust virulence screening of the Nebraska leaf rust population. Extension activities include conducting comprehensive wheat disease surveys during the growing season and developing integrated management programs for diseases affecting commercial wheat production in Nebraska. A second area of research involves integrated approaches to management of diseases associated with golf course turfs. Extension turfgrass disease programs are directed toward the professional turfgrass manager.

GARY Y. YUEN (PH.D., University of California - Berkeley, 1984)
Dr. Yuen's research focuses on the biological control of diseases caused by fungal pathogens. He investigates plant associated bacteria and fungi that can be applied as antagonists against Rhizoctonia and Pythium, two genera of fungi destructive on agronomic plants and turf grass. He also studies the role of bacteria resident on bean foliage and blossoms in the suppression of white mold disease of dry edible bean. His activities involve applied research in the form of laboratory and field testing of potential biocontrol agents and delivery methods. In addition, he conducts basic research encompassing the ecology of microbial antagonists and the mechanisms by which antagonists inhibit disease.