Insects & Plant Pathogens

July 31, 2024

Emily Althoff

Althoff holds a split appointment between MU and Lincoln University. Here, she hopes to research local concerns in pest management and conservation working with local, state, and federal partners. Results from her research are incorporated into her extension programming. Requesting Insect Identification from the Althoff Lab: Photos: Submit clear, well-lit photos of the insect (top, bottom, head, abdomen, legs) and any damage it caused. Include its location. Briefly describe where you found the insect and any issues it’s causing. Email: Send everything to emilyalthoff@missouri.edu. We look forward to working with you to solve Missouri insect mysteries! Educational background Ph.D.

Dec. 11, 2023

Ivair Valmorbida

Research areas include: IPM Insect Resistance Management Insect Ecology Applied Entomology Educational background Ph.D., Entomology, Iowa State University  M.S., Agronomy – Entomology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil B.S., Agronomy, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil…

June 5, 2023

Man Huynh

Educational background Ph.D., Plant, Insect, and Microbial Sciences, University of Missouri  M.S., Plant Protection, Can Tho University, Vietnam B.S., Agronomy, Can Tho University, Vietnam…

Jan. 12, 2023

Chase Floyd

Chase Floyd joined MU Extension in 2023 as an assistant research professor and state extension specialist for crop protection. In this position, he targets both entomological and pathological research and develop thresholds to maximize producer yield retention and incorporate new technology and methods to aid Missouri producers in controlling pests and retaining yield. His dissertation focused on creating a management regime for the rice billbug, which has recently earned major pest status. His time in Arkansas was spent obtaining as much biological and ecological information as possible on the previously unresearched pest. He developed techniques for controlling the rice billbug,…

Oct. 13, 2022

Peng Tian

Tian has an extension appointment in plant disease diagnosis. His responsibilities include management of Plant Diagnostic Clinic at University of Missouri and participation in Missouri Integrated Pest Management program and National Plant Diagnostic Network. His extension program provides identification services of plant disease, weed and insect as well as disease management recommendations to growers, agricultural professionals, agribusinesses, and the various commodity groups in the state. His research program focuses on identification of new plant diseases and development of innovative assays to characterize and differentiate viral and fungal pathogens in specialty crops to address current plant health problems and ensure the…

April 5, 2021

Heike Buecking

Plants are metaorganisms that engage in intimate associations with a wide diversity of microorganisms. Many of these microorganisms are beneficial and help plants to overcome a variety of abiotic and biotic stresses. In our research, we focus particularly on arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and nitrogen fixing rhizobia bacteria. AM fungi played a significant role during land plant evolution and form close interactions with the roots of 70% of land plants, including many agronomically important species, such as corn, soybean, or wheat. AM fungi increase the nutrient acquisition of for example phosphate, nitrogen, sulfur, and potassium from the soil, and improve…

Dec. 11, 2020

So-Yon Park

Host-Parasitic plant interaction is a fascinating model to study Plant-Plant interaction. Park is interested in how mobile RNAs and proteins are exchanged, transferred, and functional in other organisms through the host-parasite interaction. Cuscuta (stem parasitic plant) and Phelipanche (root parasitic plant) growing on Arabidopsis, tomato, and soybean are major parasites used in Park lab. We are also interested in how small RNAs are transported and suppress target genes under drought stress in soybeans. Educational Background B.S., Dankook University, South KoreaPh.D., Seoul National University, South Korea…

July 16, 2019

Samniqueka Joi-Weaver Halsey

Educational background Ph.D., University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, 2019 MBA, University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, 2020 M.S., Chicago State University, 2013 B.S., Northeastern Illinois University, 2011 Courses taught F_W 4600WI/7600: Ecosystem Management NAT_R 4110/7110: Natural Resource Biometrics F_W 4810: Wildlife Disease Ecology NAT_R 8200: Ecological Restoration…

Sep. 9, 2018

Mandy Bish

Bish’s main research focus is the management of current and emerging pathogens to corn and soybean. Information generated from the research is applied to her extension programming efforts. She utilizes programs already in place, such as the Mizzou On-Farm Strip Trial Program to compliment small plot research that evaluates the efficacy of disease management practices either alone or in combination.   Bish also has an interest in exploring interactions among pathogens, disease management tactics, and the environment. This allows Bish to utilize her training in both basic and applied plant sciences. Improved understanding of these interactions and monitoring how interactions change over…

Aug. 22, 2018

David Stanley

Educational background Ph.D., Entomology, University of California, Berkeley B.A., Biology, California State University, Fullerton…