Research and Extension
Faculty in the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology work on all aspects of plant diseases from aflatoxin contamination on corn by Aspergillus flavus to zebra chip in potatoes caused by Candidatus liberibacter solanacearum. These plant diseases can cost producers thousands to millions of dollars by their devastating effects on yield and additional economic costs associated with control strategies. Faculty programs focus on a diversity of plant-microbe interactions, from plant innate immunity, biocontrol, host-pathogen interactions (signals, volatiles), mycotoxins, pathogenicity mechanisms, control of programmed cell death, to biofuels and bioinformatics.
Research Faculty Expertise
Our department is comprised of nationally and internationally recognized faculty with a wide range of expertise:
- biofuels
- disease resistance
- field strategies for disease management
- genomics
- microbial environmental remediations
- microbiome
- molecular aspects of plant-microbe interactions
Research Faculty Involvement
Additionally, our research faculty serve on graduate student committees and work continuously to enhance the quality of education available to graduate students.
Our faculty also serve as Texas A&M AgriLife Research specialists, working closely with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension agents to address plant pathology issues across the state.
Plant Pathology and Microbiology Extension
Plant Pathology and Microbiology Extension Specialists are placed both in College Station as well as at Texas A&M In the Dept of Plant Pathology & Microbiology (PLPM), certain faculty and staff members have appointments with the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service. These members are tasked with the AgriLife Extension mission to improve lives with innovative, science-based solutions and education to Texas and beyond. These specialists play a pivotal role in providing plant health & plant disease diagnostics support and protect Texas plant and natural resources. These specialized plant health support are extended to our clientele who includes other AgriLife faculty, county extension agents, federal plant health partners, producers and growers, and more. Additionally, Extension PLPM specialists conduct applied research activities to find solutions to clientele needs and to promote adoption of these solutions.
The Plant Pathology Extension program is focused on:
- Addressing the educational plant health needs across Texas, including crop agriculture, green industry, homeowners, and other clientele with plant health issues
- Providing rapid and reliable plant disease diagnostic services
- Supporting AgriLife Extension Service agents in every county with plant pathology programs and resources
- Contributing to the research responsibilities of AgriLife Extension Service
Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension
Texas A&M AgriLife Research is the state’s premiere research agency in agriculture, natural resources, and the life sciences. Through Texas A&M AgriLife Research, we conduct hundreds of projects spanning many scientific disciplines to deliver life-sustaining and industry-changing impacts to citizens throughout Texas and around the world. The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is a unique education agency with a statewide network of professional educators, trained volunteers, and county offices. With a vast network of 250 county Extension offices and some 900 professional educators, the expertise provided by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service reaches into every Texas county to address local priority needs. We value people, programs and partnerships.