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​​​​I. E. Melhus Graduate Student Symposium

Purpose

The I. E. Melhus Graduate Student Symposium, named in honor of Irving E. Melhus, features presentations on graduate thesis work around a central theme each year that highlights research aimed at providing a better understanding of various areas of plant pathology. The symposium host committee in conjunction with financial support from the APS Foundation's I.E. Melhus Fund, sponsor the ​I. E. Melhus Graduate Student Symposium held each year at the APS Annual Meeting. ​

Donate to the I. E. Melhus Fund!​​

2025 I.E. Melhus Graduate Student Symposium: ​Harnessing Host Resistance to Strengthen Management Strategies Amidst Global Threats

Host ​Committee: Forest Pathology

Plant Health 2025: Tuesday, August 5 2:00 - 5:00 pm HST

2025 I.E. Melhus Symposium Speakers


 


Jaden King

Auburn University

Epidermal traits may be the key to resistance of brown spot needle blight in loblolly pine











Alexi Dong

University of Georgia

Arachis Assemble: Recruiting New Heroes for Peanut Leaf Spot Resistance











Samodya K. Jayasinghe

Washington State University

Transcriptomic response of potato to Spongospora subterranea f.sp. subterranea and Potato Mop Top Virus infection










Harshita Saxena

University of Georgia

Identifying Candidate Genes associated with Gray Leaf Spot and Crown Rust Resistance in Tall Fescue using GWAS









Honor Bestowed

  • ​Up to five presenters are selected to give a 30-minute presentation during the I.E. Melhus Symposium at the APS annual meeting. 
  • Complimentary meeting registration to Plant Health 2025 (funded by APS Foundation's I.E. Melhus Fund)

Eligibility ​​

  • APS Graduate Student Membership is required both at time of application and upon presentation at the meeting.

  • Applicants must be enrolled as a graduate student or have completed their graduate program within 12 months of the current APS annual meeting date (August 2026). 

  • Submitted thesis research project must be related to the yearly designated topic/theme: TBD for 2026

​Application Requirements

Research Description​ (up to 5 pages maximum, excluding tables and figures): Requirements include listing a title and written description of the research project, stating the goals, methodology, results, and significance of the applicant's thesis research. 

Copy of Abstract submitted to Plant Health 2026

Plus, (2) Letters of Recommendation* that should include evaluations of the applicant's research and ability to present the research in a clear and effective manner. ​NOTE one of the two required letters must be submitted by the applicant's major professor. *Recommendation Letters to be submitted directly by the letter writer using the Letter of Recommendation Form

Submit Letters of Recommendation

Submit Application​

Applicants to save all required materials (except for the Letter of Recommendation) into one PDF document prior to submitting an application. ​Incomplete applications will not be reviewed or considered for funding. ​

Applications for 2026 will open alongside abstract submissions to Plant Health 2026.​​​

​Review Selection

Speakers will be chosen by an ad hoc selection committee comprised of the hosted APS committee members. Applicants will be selected competitively, based on research significance and potential impact. ​

Previous ​Awardees​​