UT Entomology & Plant Pathology

Congratulations to Anugya Bhattarai on receiving the 2025 Steven C. Nelson Early Career Development Fellowship from @plantdisease. With support from APS, Anugya will visit study how robotic tools and deep learning can help identify wild grapes resistant to downy mildew. #epptn

Recent @UT_Herbert graduate Rachel Carpenter used her HERO internship to gain hands-on experience. She now works as a research technician for the CoEvolution Lab, where she channels her lifelong passion for science. #epptn @UTIAg @UTKnoxville Learn More: epp.tennessee.edu/building-a-car…

Summer brings ticks, mosquitoes, and disease risks like Lyme and West Nile virus. For National Mosquito Control Awareness Week, UT experts highlight the VECTOR Library, a national resource to help prevent their spread, developed in part by @epp_tn faculty: utianews.tennessee.edu/learn-more-abo…

Come and celebrate pollinators with us at Garden Buzz: The Celebration of Pollinators on Tuesday, June 17.

Graduate student Amanda Penicks, inspired by her farming community and 4-H activities, is pursuing a master’s in entomology and plant pathology while working in the Plant Virology Lab. Learn more about Penicks and her graduate research: epp.tennessee.edu/tomato-plant-r…. #epptn @UT_Herbert

Want to discover the sweet side of summer? Join us June 10 in Spring Hill for our Fruits of the Backyard Field Day and get free tips from UTIA experts on berries, irrigation, raised beds & more! Details: utianews.tennessee.edu/interested-in-…

Join us on June 12 at the 2025 Green Industry Field Day, where @utextension specialists Midhula Gireesh and Nar Ranabhat will present on herbaceous and woody plants and pest management. #epptn

Please help us welcome Daria, our new HR specialist. Daria is a two-time @utknoxville graduate and brings experience in leadership and human resources. Welcome to the team, Daria. #epptn

Raj Roy graduates next Thursday with his PhD in entomology and plant pathology with a concentration in bioinformatics, genomics and molecular interactions. Raj came to the US from India to earn his PhD and research the fall armyworm. Congrats, Raj! 🧡 🎓 #HerbertProud

The bees are buzzing! Registration is now open for the TN Master Beekeeping Program. Be sure to review all the details and requirements before signing up. Basic Classes - tiny.utk.edu/mbp_basic Advanced Classes: tiny.utk.edu/mbp_adv

Fungal threats like Discula destructiva are a growing concern for forests and ornamental crops. Our latest study investigates how this dogwood anthracnose pathogen breaks down plant defenses using powerful enzymes. #epptn @UTAgResearch Learn More: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40298335

Congratulations to professor Jerome Grant for receiving the Excellence in Teaching Award and the L.R. Hesler Award for Excellence in Teaching and Service at the annual Academic Honors Banquet. #epptn @UTKnoxville @UTIAg @UT_Herbert utianews.tennessee.edu/outstanding-st…

Didn’t get your fill of cicadas last year? Don’t worry - Brood XIV is on the way! These 17-year cicadas will emerge across Tennessee from late April to early May, bringing their signature song statewide. Learn more from UT Extension: utianews.tennessee.edu/get-ready-for-…

#StudentSpotlight: Trinity Hamm Hamm, a PhD student, is studying which genes in flowering dogwoods control the pink and red colors in the leaves and bracts. With her love for plants, it’s no surprise she enjoys seeing cherry trees and tulips around campus. tiny.utk.edu/spotlight-trin…

#StudentSpotlight: Nathan Arey Arey, a @UT_Herbert doctoral student, is exploring the effects of ThryvOn cotton on clouded plant and stink bugs. He also founded the West Tennessee Graduate Student Association to help support his peers. Learn more: tiny.utk.edu/spotlight-nath…

This week is Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week! Check out the activities happening across campus and join us in celebrating our amazing students.⬇️

"Masters of Disguise – Tennessee Edition" - That’s what master’s student Rebekka Horn calls her latest insect dome, and we couldn’t agree more. This stunning display showcases how insects use camouflage to blend into their surroundings. #epptn @UT_Herbert @UTKGradSchool

Solanum ensifolium, also known as erubia, is a critically endangered plant native to Puerto Rico. Researchers mapped its chloroplast genome, revealing a possible genetic bottleneck. Understanding its genetics can help preserve its future. Learn more: bmcplantbiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.11…

With support from @USDA_NIFA, doctoral student Holly Brabazon is working alongside her mentors and experts at @penn_state to study cacao genetics and pollination. Learn more about her research and how it could shape the future of cacao: landlifeandscience.tennessee.edu/periodical/spr…. 🍫🌱 #epptn

Help us celebrate Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week by giving GradVols a shoutout on the GPSAW appreciation board! Please take a moment to say some kind words about GradVols or say thank you! Post your appreciation at tiny.utk.edu/thank-a-grad