PRESS RELEASE

Plant Disease Experts to Present New Research Findings in Portland

St. Paul, Minn. (July 22, 2009)—Plant health scientists from around the globe will gather August 1–5 during the Annual Meeting of The American Phytopathological Society (APS) at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. On the heels of APS’s incredible Centennial celebration in 2008, registration for the 2009 APS Annual Meeting has exceeded all expectations and will reaffirm APS’s position as the premier society for plant pathologists dedicated to high-quality, innovative research.  

APS President Jim Moyer, along with Program Committee Chair Barb Christ and the Scientific Planning Board, have put together an outstanding scientific program, including 32 special sessions on today’s most relevant plant disease topics and critical issues, such as forensic plant pathology and science in the courtroom; long distance introduction of plant pathogens to new regions of the world; plant health emergencies and managing exotic pests; biological vs. chemical control of plant pathogens; and many more. The program also includes 240 oral technical presentations and more than 650 posters.
 

The 2009 plenary session, entitled Achieving Scientific Excellence in a Changing Environment, will address how the events of the past year have crystallized many changes in the scientific enterprise, launching APS into its second century with a new array of challenges. Calls for increased efficiency, shrinking budgets, and the consolidation of traditional operating units are challenges shared by members from academia, government, and industry. Leaders from each of the three sectors will share their views on the changing world, how it affects their scientific environment, and their insights for the future.
 

This year’s plenary topics and speakers include:
The following plant disease experts will participate in the event:
 • William S. Niebur, vice president, Dupont Crop Genetics and Development
 • Maura O’Neill, senior advisor for energy and climate, USDA
 • Neal Van Alfen, dean, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of California-Davis

New to the APS program this year, the 2009 Annual Meeting will include a special hot topic session on Wednesday, August 5, entitled The Use of Fungicides to Promote Plant Physiological Health. Speakers and presentation topics have been specifically chosen to present unique perspectives and a broad examination of the many possible approaches to this new area of interest. “This session will provide a rare opportunity to hear from a variety of distinct voices and areas of expertise on a potentially controversial subject,” notes Program Committee Chair Barb Christ.