I. E. Melhus Graduate Student Symposium

Status: 2013 application process is now CLOSED.
Deadline: Applications must be submitted, per instructions below, by January 18, 2013.
Award Amount: Four travel awards of at least $500 each will be presented to the selected presenters.
Notification: Applicants will be notified by March 1, 2013, of the award results.

Award

The APS Crop Loss and Risk Evaluation (CARE) Committee, in conjunction with financial support from the APS Foundation, is sponsoring the 13th I. E. Melhus Graduate Student Symposium, which will take place during the 2013 APS Annual Meeting. The symposium, entitled “What's in Our Toolbox to Minimize the Risk of Plant Disease?" will feature four graduate student presentations, with travel awards for each presenter of at least $500. Presentations will highlight research that leads to minimizing crop losses.

Applicants

Plant disease can often cause crop loss, and the prevention of these crop losses is an underlying if not a key goal of research in plant pathology. Strategies for preventing crop losses include the use of chemical or biological control agents, spatial and temporal disease forecasting and advisory systems to efficiently deploy chemicals, and host resistance. In addition, innovative management systems are regularly evaluated that may provide more efficient means of managing plant diseases.

Applications will be sought on topics addressing any strategies that can contribute to minimizing plant disease, as noted above. The overall goal for this symposium is to bring together new ideas by up-and-coming scientists and hear their approaches and thoughts about plant disease risk.

All APS student members with thesis research projects related to crop loss and disease management are encouraged to submit applications. To attract the best pool of applications from all APS student members (and potential student members), we are defining eligible research topics in the broadest possible sense. Topics may include (but are not limited to): basic and applied research on crop losses; development or improvement of disease management systems for minimizing losses; chemical, biological, and cultural approaches, including the use of resistance, for minimizing crop losses due to disease; and disease forecasting and advisory systems. Student presentations will be 30 minutes. Participants will be selected competitively, based on research significance and potential impact in the field of host plant resistance and disease management. 

Application Process

Applications and letters of recommendation should be submitted to K. L. Bowen via e-mail (BOWENKL@auburn.edu) or via snail mail (209 Rouse Life Sci. Bldg., Plant Pathology, Auburn University, AL 36849). If sending materials via e-mail, please contact Bowen if your application is not acknowledged within seven days. Applicants must be currently enrolled as a graduate student or have completed their graduate program within 12 months of the 2013 APS Annual Meeting. Applicants must also be members of APS at the time of the 2013 APS Annual Meeting in Austin, TX.

1. A written description of the research project, stating the goals, methodology, results, and significance of the applicant’s thesis research. Applications should not exceed five single-spaced pages (excluding tables and figures).
2. Two letters of nomination, one of which must be submitted by the applicant’s major professor. Letters of nomination must include evaluations of the applicant’s research and ability to present the research in a clear and effective manner.
3. Invited speakers will receive a financial award of at least $500, to be applied toward the cost of travel. This award is funded primarily by the APS Foundation and the I. E. Melhus Graduate Student Symposium Fund.