Louisiana State University Plant Pathology & Crop Physiology Graduate Student Association
- LSU PPCP GSA -
Purpose “PPCP GSA is established for the purpose of broadening the scientific background of members and to better prepare them for careers in agriculture by exposure to concepts and methods in the two sub-
disciplines of Plant Health: Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology. This purpose shall be achieved through workshops, lectures, contact with personnel in the agricultural industry and other activities.”
PPCP Graduate Students (2013)
Members •
Currently 25 students: Brazil, China, Colombia, Guatemala, Ecuador, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nicaragua, Iran, Romania, and the United States
•
Two faculty advisors: Dr. Raymond Schneider and Dr. Clayton Hollier
•
Members of honor societies and other organizations – – – – –
Gamma Sigma Delta Golden Key International Honour Society Sigma Xi International Student Association Phi Kappa Phi
Resources • 2 Graduate Student Offices with computers • Departmental library with computers • Louisiana State University facilities – Middleton Library – Various computer resources
Opportunities • Sandwich Program with universities in Brazil • Attendance at professional meetings – GSA Scholarships
• Plant pathology practicum – spring, summer, and fall
• Universities, research facilities, and field visits – “Golden Opportunity Tour” – 2009 – Texas trip – 2010 – USDA ARS SRRC - 2011
• Meetings with invited guests • Workshops • Scholarships/Awards
PPCP Travels to Brazil
Professional Meetings • American Phytopathological Society (APS) – National Meetings • Portland, OR (2008), Charlotte, NC (2010), Honolulu, HI (2011), Providence, RI (2012), Austin, TX (2013)
– Regional Meetings • Corpus Christi, TX (2011), Birmingham, AL (2012), Baton Rouge, LA (2013)
• Mycological Society of America (MSA) • Society of Nematologists (SON)
2011 Southern Division APS Meeting Corpus Christi, TX
2012 APS Meeting in Providence, RI
2013 APS Meeting in Austin, TX
Travel Awards/Scholarships • Professional societies – American Phytopathological Society (APS) – Mycological Society of America (MSA)
• LSU Graduate School – In-state travel: $38 – Out-of-state travel: $140 – International travel: $216
• PPCP GSA Scholarships – $150 for national and regional meetings
Practicum Field Trips
Grower fields, production orchards, LSU AgCenter research stations
Golden Opportunity Tour - 2009
Oregon State University field station, wineries, USDA organic farm, University of California at Berkeley and Davis
Texas Trip – Spring Break 2010
Departmental Guests • GSA Invited Seminar Speakers – – – –
Dr. Roy Navarre, USDA-ARS in Prosser, WA Dr. Joyce Loper, Oregon State University Dr. Brett Tyler, Virginia Tech Dr. Brian Staskawics, UC Davis
• Departmental Guests – – – – –
Dr. Jonathan Seibert, Dow AgroSciences Dr. Ed Cleveland, USDA-ARS SRRC Dr. William Dolezal, Pioneer Dr. Allison Tally, Syngenta Dr. Krishna Subbarao, UC-Davis
Dr. Roy Navarre
Dr. Joyce Loper
Seminars/Workshops • • • • •
Endnote seminar PCR workshop Abstract writing workshops Oral presentation workshops Resume workshops
Student Awards •
Louisiana Agricultural Consultants Association scholarship –
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Sigma-Xi Grant-in-aid scholarship –
•
Tomas Rush
Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education grant –
•
Tomas Rush, Nicole Ward
MSA Best Student Poster –
•
Rebecca Melanson, Trey Price, Nicole Ward
Brian Ward
Fulbright Scholarship –
• •
Rachel Koch
Louisiana Board of Regents NSF EPSCoR LINK grant –
•
Rebecca Melanson
Explorer’s Club grant –
•
Rachel Koch
Southern Division APS meeting –
•
Tomas Rush
MSA Forest Fungal Ecology grant –
Nicole Ward
Southern Soybean Disease Workers –
•
Donald Nelson
USDA AFRI NIFA Pre-doctoral Fellowship grant –
Rebecca Melanson
Participation • • • • •
Executive officer Committee chair or member Student mentor GSA journal clubs Social activities
2011 – 2012 Officers President – Rebecca Melanson Vice-president – James Young; Rachel Koch Treasurer – Washington da Silva Secretary – Felix Francis
2012 – 2013 Officers President – Brian Ward Vice-president – Maria Caldera Treasurer – Washington da Silva Secretary – Kirandeep Kaur Mani
2013 – 2014 Officers President Eduardo Chagas Silva
Social/Hospitality Committee Chair: Brian Ward
Vice-president Rebecca Sweany
Fundraising Committee Chair: Maria Alejandra Caldera
Treasurer Carolina Avellaneda
APS meeting Tour committee Chair: Yenjit Raruang Vice-Chair: Rebecca Melanson
Secretary Josielle Rezende
Journal Club/ Training Committee Chair: Rebecca Sweany
Professional Development • Journal Club – Open to all students and faculty – Wide range of topics in and related to plant pathology – Review various scientific publications • Peer reviewed journal papers, Webinars, videos, etc – Presentation followed by open discussion – Critical thinking!!
• Workshops
Hospitality • New student pot luck • Invited guests and seminar speakers • Prospective students
Social Gatherings – – – – – – – – –
Ice Skating Dance Lessons Christmas Party Halloween Party Angola Rodeo Bowling Graduation Celebrations International Luncheons Tubbing
Questions? Department website: www.lsu.edu/ppcp Email: Eduardo Chagas
[email protected] Rebecca Sweany
[email protected] PPCP GSA
[email protected]
