The Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology at the University of California, Riverside is committed to conducting research on the basic biology of microorganisms affecting food and fiber production; developing methods for the management of plant and food-borne diseases; providing a quality education to its students; and, providing expert advice on plant and food-borne diseases and food and fiber-related microorganisms 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. Their research programs range from those based primarily in the laboratory to those with substantial field programs. Many faculty also have close interactions with agricultural commodities, industry representatives, growers, and farm advisors throughout California and the world. This is critical to applied research for identifying and controlling new and common plant diseases.

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 agribusiness firms developing new fungicides, biotechnology firms creating disease-resistant plants through genetic engineering, universities developing tomorrow's agricultural technology or studying how microorganisms cause diseases, or at governmental agencies or private organizations providing practical advice on controlling disease.