Welcome to the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology at UCR

About Ushome

The Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology at the University of California, Riverside is committed to conducting research on the basic biology of plant pathogens and microbes; developing methods for the management of plant and microbiological diseases of organisms; providing a quality education to its students; and, providing expert advice on plant diseases and microbiology to the citizens of California and the world. Plant pathology and microbiology are multidisciplinary fields and, consequently, represented among our faculty are experts in the fields of genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, and chemistry, as well as the more traditional aspects of disease control. Thus, some of our faculty are exploiting novel genomics-based approaches to the study of plant pathology and microbiology. World-class, federally and regionally as well as statewide-funded research is being conducted by our faculty with research subjects ranging from gene identification, function, and manipulation to proteomics and biochemistry. Research programs range from those based primarily in the laboratory to those with both laboratory and substantial field programs. Many faculty members also have close interactions with industry representatives, advisors, and policy makers throughout California and the world. This is critical to applied research for identifying new and common plant diseases, microbes,and developing innovative management programs based on ecological and epidemiological approaches including molecular epidemiology.

Our graduate programs are key components of our department's activities. Many graduate students have been attracted to Riverside by our international reputation. The Department is large enough to provide graduate students with the experience and skills needed to make them successful in scientific endeavors, but small enough for them to form close personal relationships with their professors and colleagues. As a consequence of the multidisciplinary approaches used for this goal, graduate students in the Department have the opportunity to learn about a broad range of disciplines including molecular and classical genetics, biochemistry, botany, and disease diagnosis. Graduates may find themselves working for large firms from agribusiness to microbiological companies developing new materials, fungicides, and biotechnology that may result in creating disease-resistant plants through genetic engineering. Graduates are also employed by universities developing tomorrow's agricultural and microbiological technology or studying how microorganisms cause diseases, or at governmental agencies or private organizations providing practical advice on managing diseases and microbes.