Address the challenges and management strategies for newly emerging diseases in rice in the US and globally in this full-day workshop. The morning session will focus on rice kernel smut, Hoja Blanca virus, bacterial leaf blight (Pantoea ananatis), bacterial panicle blight (Burkhoderia glumae), etc. The afternoon will be dedicated to False Smut, an emerging global disease, and will serve as the annual meeting for the International Rice False Smut Consortium. This meeting, which includes representativees from 22 member organizations across 15 countries is expected to attract additional top research scientists from abroad.
APHIS Permitting: Getting it Right and Why it is ImportantSaturday, August 2 • 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. • $89 Add to Registration
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine (APHIS PPQ) safeguards U.S. agriculture and natural resources from significant plant pests and facilitates safe trade. APHIS PPQ has transitioned legacy ePermits to a new eFile platform for authorization applications.
This workshop provides you with essential knowledge and practical skills for navigating the APHIS eFile system for permit applications. You will learn the criteria for determining the necessity of permits, how to obtain login credentials, and how to submit a P526 permit application. The workshop will also cover the importance of permits and regulatory actions, the roles of APHIS and stakeholders, types of pest movement and intended uses, and key steps in application processing.
Gain hands-on experience, expand your professional network, and receive feedback from experts. This workshop is an opportunity to enhance your understanding of plant health and safeguarding U.S. agriculture.
Python and Machine Learning for Plant Pathologists
Saturday, August 2 • 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. • $89 Add to Registration
This in-person workshop will focus on leveraging machine learning to analyze and interpret complex data sets, particularly in the context of plant disease detection and management. You’ll engage in both theoretical and hands-on sessions, learning how to utilize Python for data manipulation, visualization, and implementing machine learning algorithms.
Whether you're new to programming or an experienced researcher, this workshop is designed to accommodate varying levels of expertise. Gain valuable insights into interpreting data for informed decision-making and standardizing methodologies for broader applicability across global plant health networks.
Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your skills and contribute to the future of plant health!
Turbocharge Your Writing
Saturday, August 2 • 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. • $89 ($49 for Early Career and Students) Add to Registration
Do you ever end the day frustrated by how little writing progress you've made, despite your best intentions? As scientists, writing is the common thread that unites our work across diverse pathogens and cropping systems.
This workshop is designed for graduate students, postdocs, and early-career professionals but welcomes anyone looking to improve their writing. You will gain practical, research-backed strategies to boost productivity, overcome common writing challenges, and build sustainable writing habits. Additionally, you'll learn how to incorporate 'snack writing' into a busy schedule and conduct a writing audit to identify areas for improvement. This supportive and interactive space is open to participants from all backgrounds, providing tools to enhance productivity, sharpen your ideas, and elevate the quality of your writing.
Automated Analysis of Pathogen Genomes using PathogenSurveillance and the GenomeRxiv Web Server
Saturday, August 2 • 1:00–5:00 p.m. • $89 Add to Registration
Generation and analysis of whole genome sequence data remains challenging. However, new computational technologies are rapidly making whole genome sequence analysis more accessible. Learn to use the nf-core pipeline PathogenSurveillance (PS) and the genomeRxiv web server, which are tools designed for pathogen diagnosis, variant detection, and biosurveillance, making genome sequencing more accessible and efficient.
Gain hands-on experience with PS and how to use genomeRxiv to infer the identities of fungal and bacterial pathogens at within-species resolution. Together, these tools automate genome processing and analyses, accelerating disease diagnosis and fundamental research.
Tackling Global Challenges in Plant Pathology with AI: Forecasting, Imaging, and Protein Prediction
Saturday, August 2 • 1:00–5:00 p.m. • $89 Add to Registration
Learn how the cutting-edge tools of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are revolutionizing plant pathology by enhancing prediction accuracy in epidemic forecasts, identifying complex patterns in multidimensional datasets, and developing systems for instant disease identification through images.
You'll gain hands-on experience with AI and ML applications in R and Python, focusing on real-world scenarios. Explore ML pipelines for epidemiological data, create a prototype symptom recognition tool using deep learning, and develop protein structure predictions with AlphaFold3. Complete interactive exercises and competitive subgroup activities to foster teamwork, innovation, and problem-solving.
What is Your Story? How to Explain your Science Narrative #SciComm2025
Saturday, August 2 • 1:00–5:00 p.m. • $89 Add to Registration
Effective communication is a crucial skill for scientists and researchers, yet it is often overlooked. This interactive workshop is designed to help you craft and share your science narrative in a compelling and memorable way.
You will hear successful communicators in the field share their experiences and communication tips on connecting with diverse audiences. Then, you'll break into small groups to create and practice your own research pitches, receiving feedback from peers and experts.
Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your storytelling skills and make your science unforgettable.
