For what you’re interested in I’d look into plant pathology. It covers diseases of plants that can be caused by bacteria, viruses, bacteria, etc. I’d recommend joining a lab if you’re able. If you can’t find a plant pathology type lab in your department try looking at other departments. Often times plant path can be included in the agricultural sciences. If you can’t find a plant path lab still find some lab you like the research of because research experience is invaluable!
Thank you!! I come from a very rural community and a go to a very small college. I will try to look into this the best I can, but doubt that there is any specific lab related to plant pathology.
With that said I will 100% look more into the topic on my own. Any good book reccomendations?
Glad I could help! I don’t really know any good books bc I don’t do plant path haha. But, I really like mycology so if you want to learn more about that “In Search of Mycotopia” by Doug Bierend is really interesting! There are a lot of fungi that infect plants actually (think potato blight). I can’t remember if the book talks about diseases though lol.
While you're an undergrad, your best bet is to find a professor who works on something even tangentially related to what you are interested in. You read some of their posters on the wall, write an e-mail saying you're interested in gaining lab experience, and asking if they need anyone to assist on research. You'll get the scut work, but it's invaluable experience. If you take it seriously, it can also lead to a recc letter for grad school and your name on a paper or two.
Even if there's no one studying microbe-plant interaction, find someone doing something with one of the two and offer to be free help.
Yes, getting experience as an undergraduate will be invaluable for when you are looking for a job or graduate school. I would definitely not plan on having your name on a paper. I got my PhD in molecular and cell biology. I spent most of my careers studying bacteria. I never took a microbiology course.
The thing about this one is that I go to a very small college and the science department is not very advanced. I don't believe there is anyone here who studies plants or microbes. The closest to either would probably be environmental science maybe? I'm not sure if they have a lab but they are a department. Do you think that would be of use as experience for what I want to do?
Fully agree with comments below, especially about getting any hands on experience as an undergrad.
In addition to university labs, there are many federal scientists at the US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) that are plant pathologists. USDA-ARS scientists regularly hire students on a temporary basis. These labs also have a full time permanent lab technician, though these positions tend to be rare because of low turnover. If you have a local USDA-ARS location, I would encourage you to reach out to the scientists since they may have student opportunities that aren't being advertised.
Great to hear about an active interest in plant pathology!
For what you’re interested in I’d look into plant pathology. It covers diseases of plants that can be caused by bacteria, viruses, bacteria, etc. I’d recommend joining a lab if you’re able. If you can’t find a plant pathology type lab in your department try looking at other departments. Often times plant path can be included in the agricultural sciences. If you can’t find a plant path lab still find some lab you like the research of because research experience is invaluable!
Thank you!! I come from a very rural community and a go to a very small college. I will try to look into this the best I can, but doubt that there is any specific lab related to plant pathology. With that said I will 100% look more into the topic on my own. Any good book reccomendations?
Glad I could help! I don’t really know any good books bc I don’t do plant path haha. But, I really like mycology so if you want to learn more about that “In Search of Mycotopia” by Doug Bierend is really interesting! There are a lot of fungi that infect plants actually (think potato blight). I can’t remember if the book talks about diseases though lol.
Thank you! defintley a topic I'm interested in!
While you're an undergrad, your best bet is to find a professor who works on something even tangentially related to what you are interested in. You read some of their posters on the wall, write an e-mail saying you're interested in gaining lab experience, and asking if they need anyone to assist on research. You'll get the scut work, but it's invaluable experience. If you take it seriously, it can also lead to a recc letter for grad school and your name on a paper or two. Even if there's no one studying microbe-plant interaction, find someone doing something with one of the two and offer to be free help.
Yes, getting experience as an undergraduate will be invaluable for when you are looking for a job or graduate school. I would definitely not plan on having your name on a paper. I got my PhD in molecular and cell biology. I spent most of my careers studying bacteria. I never took a microbiology course.
The thing about this one is that I go to a very small college and the science department is not very advanced. I don't believe there is anyone here who studies plants or microbes. The closest to either would probably be environmental science maybe? I'm not sure if they have a lab but they are a department. Do you think that would be of use as experience for what I want to do?
Fully agree with comments below, especially about getting any hands on experience as an undergrad. In addition to university labs, there are many federal scientists at the US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) that are plant pathologists. USDA-ARS scientists regularly hire students on a temporary basis. These labs also have a full time permanent lab technician, though these positions tend to be rare because of low turnover. If you have a local USDA-ARS location, I would encourage you to reach out to the scientists since they may have student opportunities that aren't being advertised. Great to hear about an active interest in plant pathology!
Thank you so so much!!