Lincoln Graduate Students Recognized for Research at Regional Plant Pathology Conference

Graduate students Monika Pokharel and Ujjwal Kamboj tour a greenhouse as part of the American Phytopathological Society meeting.

Two Lincoln University of Missouri graduate students, Monika Pokharel and Ujjwal Kamboj, got recognized for their research and professional development in June at the 77th annual meeting of the American Phytopathological Society (APS) North Central Division in Brookings, South Dakota. Both students are pursuing master's degrees in sustainable agriculture and began their programs in fall 2024.

Pokharel is researching fungal pathogens affecting heirloom tomatoes, while Kamboj is focused on postharvest diseases in sweet potatoes. Their work includes identifying disease-causing agents and testing disease management strategies.

The annual meeting brought together plant pathologists from universities, industries and government agencies across the north central region. In addition to attending presentations, the students participated in an agricultural tour of local farms, vineyards, university research facilities and soybean processing plants.

“One unexpected yet rewarding experience was how approachable and supportive everyone was, from established researchers to fellow students,” Kamboj said. “I had the chance to engage in conversations that led to practical suggestions for my project, including ideas for methodology. There was also a dedicated networking session with fellow graduate students where I learned about their research and had the opportunity to build connections.

Ujjwal Kamboj presents his poster on sweet potato pathogens to a meeting attendee.

“I didn’t expect to come away with such a strong sense of community and collaboration,” Kamboj said

Both Pokharel and Kamboj presented posters on their research during the student competition. Kamboj’s poster, titled, “Characterizing Fungal Pathogens Associated with Sweet Potato Postharvest Diseases,” earned second place out of 43 entries. Pokharel’s poster, “Identification of Fungal Pathogens in Heirloom Tomato Production,” also received positive attention from attendees.

The students received competitive travel grants awarded by the APS North Central Division to support graduate student attendance. Recipients were honored during an awards banquet and presented with certificates.

“Attending the North Central APS Division meeting gave the students a chance to present their research as well as receive feedback from others," said Dr. Waana Kaluwasha, assistant professor in plant pathology. "Listening to all the plant pathology talks hopefully enhanced their understanding of current challenges and trends in the field of plant pathology. The meeting provided valuable networking opportunities, which could lead to future collaborations and opportunities for the students."

Phytopathology, or plant pathology, is the study of plant diseases and plays a key role in sustainable food production. Events like the APS meeting provide young scientists with opportunities to learn, collaborate and prepare for careers in agriculture.