Congratulations to Alyssa Koehler and H.T. Tseng, who received the Melhus Award from the American Phytopathological Society and will present their research at the IE Melhus Graduate Student Symposium this summer in San Antonio, Texas.

Koehler’s research involves the optimization of fungicides for disease management and enhanced overwintering of stevia, while Tseng’s involves the soil-borne disease bacterial wilt, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, which affects many economically important crops in tropical and subtropical regions. Tseng is evaluating the morphological, physiological and biochemical effects of specific chemical compounds on Ralstonia solanacearum and further promoting understanding of the important factors contributing to host infection and disease development.