Exploring Plant-Pathogen Interactions And How They Affect Our Food Security

When plants are exposed to fungal infections, it dramatically changes their ability to survive. In the context of farming, these infections can lead to many agricultural issues – and researchers are examining ways to understand these fungal pathogens so that we can better control them.

Claire Whitaker is a graduate student and Ph.D. candidate in the lab of Dr. Hailing Jin at the University of California Riverside. She spends her time researching the interactions between plants and necrotrophic fungi, and how this influences crops and agricultural products worldwide.

Listen in to learn more about:

• How this particular type of fungus infects plants.
• Plant defenses that can defend against these fungi.
• The impact this has on our society’s food security. 
• How farmers can identify plant pathogens in their crops. 

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You can find out more about Claire and her work by visiting her Twitter, as well as Dr. Hailing Jin’s laboratory website.

Episode also available on Apple Podcast: http://apple.co/30PvU9C