CHRISTIAN D. CRUZ
Department of Plant Pathology
4024 Throckmorton Plant Sciences Center
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66506-5502, USA
Office: 785-532-1368
Cell: 330-465-6341
Email: [email protected]
E D U C AT I O N
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Plant Pathology. Leadership roles
in different areas of the Blast Integrated Project (BIP), which is focused on preemptively preparing for and preventing establishment of the emerging wheat blast
disease in the U.S. Research focuses on integration of Magnaporthe oryzae Triticum
(MoT) biology, ecology, and epidemiology, and identification of new sources of
genetic resistance to wheat blast (2013-Present)
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS
Ph.D. Department of Plant Pathology. Thesis: Wheat blast: quantitative pathway
analyses for the Triticum pathotype of Magnaporthe oryzae and phenotypic reaction
of U.S. wheat cultivars. (2009-2013)
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH
M.S. Department of Plant Pathology. Thesis: Impact of foliar diseases on soybean in
Ohio: Septoria Brown Spot and Frogeye Leaf Spot. (2006-2008)
Zamorano Pan-American Agricultural School
Fco. Morazan, Honduras
B.S. in Agriculture, Department of Agronomy. Thesis: Effect of storage dehydration
and Gibberelic Acid on the germination of Mamey Sapote (Pouteria sapota (Jacq.)
H.E. Moore and Stearn) seeds. (2002)
Zamorano Pan-American Agricultural School
Agronomist. (1998-2000)
Christian D. Cruz, Curriculum vitae
Fco. Morazan, Honduras
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EXPERIENCE
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS
Post-doctoral Fellow, Department of Plant Pathology. USDA-NIFA Plant Biosecurity
Program.
Advisors: William Bockus and Barbara Valent
(September 2013-present)
Conducting and coordinating interdisciplinary research performed by multiple
collaborating institutions, including Kansas State University, The Ohio State
University, USDA-ARS, International Center for Wheat and Maize Improvement
(CIMMYT), the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation EMBRAPA, the Bolivian
Technological Center on Agriculture (CETABOL), and the Bolivian Association of
Oilseed and Wheat Producers ANAPO. Experiments include:
i. Integration of pathogen biology, ecology, and epidemiology to develop wheat
blast control strategies. Experiments have focused on the source of primary
inoculum, importance of the seedborne phase, and longevity of fungal
propagules under different environmental conditions. Currently involved in a
collaborative research to determine the genetic structure of MoT populations
from Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay.
ii. Identification of new sources of genetic resistance to wheat blast.
Experiments are aimed to characterize elite germplasm, landraces, and
genetic resources, and to conduct association mapping on selected
germplasm to obtain useful genetic markers
iii. Identification of fungicides effective for the control of the wheat blast disease
in Bolivia and Brazil
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS
Graduate Student, Department of Plant Pathology. USDA-NIFA Plant Biosecurity
Program
Advisors: James Stack and William Bockus
(2009-2013)
i. Developed quantitative pathway models to estimate the risk of MoT entry
and establishment and wheat blast outbreak in the U.S
ii. Established and maintained collaborations to study MoT in Bolivia and Brazil
iii. Implemented protocols to test U.S. wheat in tropical environments
iv.
Identified winter wheat cultivars and wild wheat accessions resistant to MoT
under Biosafety Level-3 laboratory conditions
v. Helped to develop the biosecurity plan for research with MoT at Kansas State
University’s Biosecurity Research Institute (BRI).
Christian D. Cruz, Curriculum vitae
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The Ohio State University
Wooster, Ohio
Research Assistant, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC)
Department of Horticulture and Crop Sciences
Advisor: David Francis
2009
Practical training in the area of molecular-marker assisted selection for disease
resistance. Training covered methods used for the discovery, analysis and practical
use of DNA-based markers
The Ohio State University
Wooster, Ohio
Graduate Student, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC)
Department of Plant Pathology
Advisor: Anne Dorrance
2006-2008
i. Determined the cause of the increase in prevalence of Cercospora sojina in
Ohio
ii. Monitored samples from soybean sentinel plots to track the spread of the
emerging soybean rust disease in the U.S. Updated information that was used
on the online Pest Information Platform for Extension and Education (PIPE)
iii. Determined the yield loss associated with Septoria glycines on soybean
iv.
Evaluated the effects of foliar fungicides on soybeans in on-farm trials
The Ohio State University
Wooster, Ohio
Research Aide, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC)
Department of Entomology
Advisor: Luis Cañas
2005-2006
i. Managed pesticide efficacy trials
ii. Managed and maintained insect colonies
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS
Plant Biosecurity in Theory and Practice (2015)
Enrollment: 34. Experience as a co-instructor for hands-on biocontainment training.
Students entered a fully operational biocontainment laboratory and learned
associated biocontainment protocols and research procedures.
Universidad Gabriel René Moreno
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia
Instituto de Investigaciones Agrícolas El Vallecito (2014)
Guest Lecturer: Scientific Research of Emerging Plant Diseases
Christian D. Cruz, Curriculum vitae
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Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS
PLPTH 750 Plant Diseases in the Field- Plant Biosecurity and International Plant
Pathology. Summer semester (2014)
Enrollment: 6. Experience as a co-instructor for hands-on biocontainment training.
Students entered a fully operational biocontainment laboratory and learned
associated biocontainment protocols and research procedures.
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS
American Phytopathological Society North Central Meeting: Training and Tour of
Biosecurity Research Institute (2013)
Enrollment: 6. Experience as a co-instructor for hands-on biocontainment training.
Attendees entered a fully operational biocontainment laboratory and learned
associated biocontainment protocols and research procedures.
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS
Experimental Design and Data Analysis (2012-2013)
Planning Committee. Committee prepared course material, selected and
evaluated specific topics for inclusion in this course
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS
PLPTH 500 – Principles of Plant Pathology (Laboratory). Spring semester (2011)
Enrollment: 26. Experience as a teaching assistant. Responsible for presenting a 20minute pre-lab lecture, giving a brief demonstration of the lab procedures to the
students, and answering questions during the lab period. Experience using K-State
online for class management
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS
Basic Language Training Program – Spanish I. Fall semester (2010)
Enrollment: 13. Experience preparing and lecturing course material as a
basic language-training instructor
MENTORING EXPERIENCE
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS
Currently supervising graduate student Giovana Cruppe, postdoctoral researchers
Ely Oliveira-Garcia, Shefali Dobhal, and visiting professor João Maciel to perform
critical wheat blast research at the Biosecurity Research Institute at Kansas State
University. (August 2015-Present)
Bolivian Technological Center on Agriculture
Okinawa, Bolivia
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS
Mentored Bolivian collaborator Javier Kiyuna in wheat blast field research activities
in Bolivian and laboratory techniques in the U.S. (2013-2015)
Christian D. Cruz, Curriculum vitae
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Bolivian Association of Oilseed and Wheat Producers
Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Mentored undergraduate student Santiago Rivera, Universidad Gabriel René
Moreno, Bolivia, in wheat blast research activities (February-August 2014)
The Ohio State University
Wooster, Ohio
Mentored visiting scholar Henry Paz (Zamorano Pan-American School of
Agriculture, Honduras), and intern student Arsheen Ehtesham (The Ohio State
University) in research activities (2006)
SALES/INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE
Corporación Custer – INTEROC S. A.
Machala, Ecuador
Technical Sales Representative (Agro-chemical) (2002 – 2005)
Responsibilities included:
i. Reach desired sales results set by regional sales manager ($1,000,000 per
year)
ii. Forecast sales budget, plan strategies, and develop expense budget
iii. Build relationships with customers and deliver sales growth for product
families under the curriculum division
iv.
Coordinate with the Business Manager to organize quotes and contracts
v.
Set up and attend company exhibits
vi.
Promote fungicides to control the devastating Black Sigatoka disease
(Mycosphaerella fijiensis) and plan educational activities for their proper use
MANAGEMENT
Strong leadership and managerial skills. Experience supervising technical teams in
Ecuador, Bolivia, and the U.S. Currently involved in leadership roles in different
areas of the Blast Integrated Project (BIP)
SKILLS
MOLECULAR
PCR, DNA-based markers, marker-assisted selection
APPLIED PLANT
PATHOLOGY
Establishment of greenhouse and field experiments related to
plant disease epidemiology, phenotyping wheat for reaction to
diseases, and fungicide efficacy.
STATISTICS
Experience with practical statistic and experimental design for
Plant Pathology and Crop Science: ANOVA, regression and
correlation analysis, completely randomized design,
Christian D. Cruz, Curriculum vitae
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randomized complete blocks, and split plot design. Statistical
and scientific graphing software packages: SAS, SigmaPlot
RISK ANALYSIS
Experience with probabilistic theory, probability distributions,
Monte Carlo simulation, and sensitivity analysis, @Risk for
Excel platform, and NCSU/APHIS Plant Pest Forecast
(NAPPFAST) System
OTHER SKILLS
Commitment to work with underrepresented/underserved
students or other audiences. Positive interpersonal skills and
willingness to share knowledge with others
PUBLICATIONS (including accepted and in preparation)
PEER REVIEWED
Cruz, C. D., Paul, P., Salgado, J., Mills, K., P., Kiyuna, J., Bockus, W. W., Baldelomar, D.
F., Todd, T. C., and Valent, B. Mechanism of autoinfection in the wheat blast
pathosystem. In preparation for submission to Phytopathology
Cruz, C D., Stack, J., Magarey, R., Fowler, G., Christie, D., and Valent, B.
Quantitative pathway analyses to estimate the probability of Magnaporthe
oryzae (Triticum pathotype) entry into the U.S. In preparation for submission
to Risk Analysis
Cruz, C. D., Santana, F. Kiyuna, J., Baldelomar, D., Torres, G., Lau, D., Maciel,
J., Seixas, C., Goulart, A., Sussel, A., Schipanski, A., Coelho, M., Dellanora, T.,
Utiamada, C., Custódio, A., Bockus, W. W., Todd, T. C., Stack, and Valent, B.
International Fungicide Efficacy Trials for the Management of Wheat Head
Blast. In preparation for submission to Plant Pathology
Cruz, C. D., Stack, J. P., Fowler, G. A., Christie, D., and Magarey, R. D. Climate
suitability for pathogen establishment and wheat blast outbreak in the
United States. Submitted to Plant Disease
Cruz, C. D., Baldelomar, D. F., Bockus, W. W., Dubcovsky, J., Kankanala, P.,
Peterson, G. L., Stack, J. P., and Valent, B. 2015. The 2NS translocation from
Aegilops ventricosa confers resistance to the Triticum Pathotype of
Magnaporthe oryzae. Crop Science. Accepted for publication
Cruz, C. D., Kiyuna, J., Bockus, W. W., Baldelomar, D. F., Todd, T. C., Stack, J.
P., and Valent, B. 2015. Magnaporthe oryzae conidia on basal wheat leaves as
a potential source of wheat blast inoculum. Plant Pathology Doi:
10.1111/ppa.12414
Christian D. Cruz, Curriculum vitae
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Cruz, C. D., Bockus, W. W., Stack, J. P., Tang, X., Valent, B., Pedley, K. F., and
Peterson, G. L. 2012. Preliminary assessment of resistance among U.S. wheat
cultivars to the Triticum pathotype of Magnaporthe oryzae. Plant Dis.
96:1501-1505.
Cruz, C.D., Mills, D., Paul, P., and Dorrance, A.E. 2010. Impact of brown spot
caused by Septoria glycines on soybeans in Ohio. Plant Dis. 94:820-826
Dorrance, A.E., Cruz, C., Mills, D., Bender, R., Koenig, M., LaBarge, G., Leeds,
R., Mangione, D., McCluer, G., Ruhl, S., Siegrist, H., Sundermeier, A.,
Sonnenberg, D., Yost, J., Watters, H., Wilson, G., and Hammond, R. 2010.
Effects of foliar fungicide and insecticide applications on soybean in
Ohio. Plant Health Progress. doi:10.1094/PHP-2010-0122-01-RS
Cruz, C. D., and Dorrance, A. E. 2009. Characterization and survival of
Cercospora sojina in Ohio. Plant Health Progress. doi:10.1094/PHP-20090512-03-RS
NON-PEER REVIEWED
Bockus, W. W., Cruz, C. D., Stack, J. P., and Valent, B. 2015. Effect of seed-treatment
fungicides on sporulation of Magnaporthe oryzae from wheat seed, 2014.
Plant Disease Management Reports 9:ST004.
Cruz, C. D., 2015. Piricularia del Trigo. En: Manual de Recomendaciones
Técnicas - Cultivo de Trigo - 2015. Asociación de Productores de Oleaginosas
y Trigo, Bolivia
Valent, B., Bockus, W., Cruz, C., Stack, J., Farman, M., Hershman,
D., Paul, P., Peterson, G., Pedley, K., and Magarey, R. 2013. Recovery Plan for
Wheat Blast Caused by Magnaporthe oryzae Triticum pathotype. Available
online:http://www.ars.usda.gov/SP2UserFiles/Place/00000000/opmp/Whe
at%20Blast%20Recovery%20Plan%20Final.pdf
Bockus, W. W., Cruz, C.D., Kalia, B., Gill, B. S., Stack, J. P., Pedley, K. F.,
Peterson, G. L., and Valent, B. 2012. Reaction of selected accessions of Aegilops
tauschii to wheat blast, 2011. Plant Disease Management Reports 6:CF005.
DOI:10.1094/PDMR06. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN.
ABSTRACTS
Christian D. Cruz, Curriculum vitae
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Cruz, C., Peterson, G., Bockus, W., Farman, M., Pedley, K., Stack, J., Magarey, R.,
Fowler, G., Tang, X., Valent, B. 2012. Wheat blast: An emerging threat.
Phytopathology 102:S5.
Cruz, C. D., Bockus, W. W., Pedley, K., Peterson, G., Stack, J., Tang, X., and Valent, B.
2011. Standardization of protocols to test wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for
reaction to blast in a biocontainment laboratory. Phytopathology 101:S40.
Cruz, C. D., Bockus, W., Pedley, K., Peterson, G., Stack, J., Tang, X., and Valent, B. 2011
Resistance among U.S. wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars to the wheat
pathotype of Magnaporthe oryzae. Phytopathology 101:S220.
Peterson, G., Pedley, K., Bockus, W., Stack, J., Cruz, C., and Valent, B. 2011.
Susceptibility of select US winter wheat cultivars to wheat blast
(Magnaporthe oryzae). 101:S141
RESEARCH AND EXTENSION PRESENTATIONS
(15 National and 6 International**)
2016
** Wheat Blast: Ecology, Epidemiology and Management. 2nd
International Workshop on Wheat Blast. EMBRAPA Wheat –
Kansas State University, Florianópolis, Brazil. Keynote
presenter.
What is known and not known about management of the
emerging Wheat Blast disease. 36th Rice Technical Working
Group Meeting. Galveston, TX. Invited Speaker
2015
** Wheat blast: Progress in elucidating pathogen genetics,
ecology and epidemiology, and identifying sources of
resistance, CIMMYT, El Batán, Mexico. Invited Speaker.
What it takes to do biocontainment research? King Saud
University New Faculty Training Program. Manhattan, KS.
Invited Speaker
International Fungicide Efficacy Trials for the Management of
Wheat Head Blast. Wheat Blast Workshop. St. Louis, MO.
Invited Speaker
2014
Insights of wheat blast biology gained in Bolivia, Field tests and
fungicide trials. Wheat and Rice Blast Integrated Project.
Minneapolis, MN. Invited Speaker
Christian D. Cruz, Curriculum vitae
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Potential risk of wheat blast occurrence in the U.S. 35th Rice
Technical Working Group Meeting - Special Symposium: Blast
control - a moving target. New Orleans, LA. Invited Speaker
** Wheat Blast Workshop: Biology, identification, and control.
Bolivian Association of Oilseed and Wheat Producers ANAPO.
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. Organizer and Speaker.
** Wheat Blast Field Day: Biology, identification, and control.
COPERAGRO – Asociación de Productores de Oleaginosas y
Trigo. Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. Invited Speaker
Paraguay Minister of Agriculture Visit: Wheat Blast Research
Project Update. Kansas State University. Manhattan, Kansas.
Presentation
Wheat Blast: Progress in Elucidating its Epidemiology and
Developing Strategies for Control. Department of Plant
Pathology, Kansas State University. Manhattan, KS. Seminar
2013
Success: Rice Blast Research Reveals Details on How a Fungus
Invades Plants / Study Advances Understanding of Wheat
Blast. Kansas State University Research and Extension –
Congressional Assistants Tour. Manhattan, KS. Invited Speaker
** Update on Wheat Blast Research. Bolivian Association of
Oilseed and Wheat Producers, ANAPO. Santa Cruz de la Sierra,
Bolivia. Invited Speaker
Wheat blast: quantitative pathway analyses for the Triticum
pathotype of Magnaporthe oryzae and phenotypic reaction of
U.S. wheat cultivars. Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas
State University. Manhattan, KS. Exit seminar
2012
Wheat Blast: An Emerging Threat. American Phytopathological
Society North Central Meeting. Wooster, OH. Invited Speaker
Wheat Blast Biosecurity. Wheat Blast Stakeholders Meeting.
Kansas State University. Manhattan, KS. Invited Speaker
Probability of Entry and Establishment of Magnaporthe oryzae
(Triticum pathotype) into the United States: A Quantitative
Pathway Analysis. American Phytopathological Society Annual
Meeting. Providence, RI. Poster Presentation
Christian D. Cruz, Curriculum vitae
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2011
** Wheat Blast Pathway Risk Analysis. Agriculture and Food
Safety Risk Analysis Course. Epix Analytics – University of
London. London, UK. Presentation
Resistance among U.S. wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars to
the wheat pathotype of Magnaporthe oryzae. American
Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting. Honolulu, HI.
Invited Symposium Speaker
2010
Resistance among U.S. wheat cultivars to Magnaporhte oryzae
(wheat pathotype) and risk analysis of the wheat blast disease.
USDA Center for Plant Health Science and Technology. Raleigh,
NC. Invited Speaker
2008
Prevalence of Frogeye Leaf Spot caused by Cercospora sojina in
Ohio. American Phytopathological Society. Minneapolis, MN.
Poster Presentation
2007
Soybean yield loss caused by Septoria glycines causal agent of
Septoria brown spot. American Phytopathological Society Norh
Central Division Meeting. Lafayette, IN. Poster Presentation
INTERNSHIPS AND COURSES
2015
International Wheat and Maize Improvement Center
(CIMMYT). Advance Wheat Improvement - Biotechnology
Module. The module covered (1) Overview of molecular
breeding; (2) Application of molecular markers for gene
identification and introgression; (3) Molecular markers,
genotyping systems, genetic maps, and mapping populations;
(4) Molecular data analysis, dealing with different types of
data, data storage, management of data as valuable resources;
and (5) Gene introgression using molecular markers
2011
USDA Center for Plant Health Science and Technology APHISPPQ-CPHST. Raleigh, NC. Learned the most scientifically viable
and practical methodologies used for regulatory and policy
decisions for pest exclusion and detection (i.e. quantitative risk
analysis and climate suitability risk analysis)
Epix Analytics – University of London. London, UK.
Introduction to risk analysis, software, stochastic processes
and their modeling. Learned basic principles of risk
Christian D. Cruz, Curriculum vitae
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assessment and where it fits into the risk analysis process.
Examined resources, strategy and communication issues in
risk assessment, and modeling principles. Learned hands-on
skills to effectively use a risk modeling software environment.
GRANTS AND AWARDS
2015 – 2017
Biotrigo Genética Wheat Blast Grant ($80,000)
2013 – 2014
Rotary International Ambassadorial Grant ($30,000)
2012
Tillman Family Agriculture Graduate Student Award ($6,000)
Kansas State University Student Council Travel Grant ($300)
2009
Kansas State University Bluemont Grant ($2,000)
2000
Ecuadorian Ministry of Agriculture Scholarship ($5,000)
1998 – 2000
Pan American College of Agriculture Scholarship ($9,000)
1994 – 2000
Alfons-Goppel-Foundation Scholarship ($10,000)
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
2015
Third Symposium of Zamoranos – U.S. Chapter. Organized by
the Zamorano Alumni Association at Kansas State University.
Logistics Committee
Journal of Plant Breeding. Manuscript reviewer
2014-Present
Served as reviewer for the USDA APHIS New Pest Response
Guideline (NPRG) for wheat blast
2014
Journal of Plant Disease. Manuscript reviewer
New Pest Response Guidelines (NPRG) – Wheat Blast. Invited
to review document produced by the United States Department
of Agriculture - Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Plant Protection and Quarantine.
Christian D. Cruz, Curriculum vitae
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Wheat & Rice Blast Integrated Project. Helped with English,
Spanish, and Portuguese versions of the video Wheat Blast: An
Emerging Threat to Wheat Production.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_pCMbaY2io
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FshZQZ-MgaA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV-9c3FIYxs
2013
American Phytopathological Society North Central Meeting.
Manhattan, KS. Symposium arrangement committee.
Journal of Plant Disease. Manuscript reviewer
Wheat Blast Recovery Plan Committee. Invited to review
document produced as part of the National Plant Disease
Recovery System (NPDRS) called for in Homeland Security
Presidential Directive Number 9 (HSPD-9).
2012
Ecuadorian Government Official Mission to Kansas State
University. Manhattan, KS. Collaborated to the Mission’s
purpose with discussions for potential future collaboration.
2009 – Present
Biosecurity lab tour guide. Tours offered to invited speakers
and scientists including Dr. Andreas Von Tiedemann
(University of Göttingen, Germany), Dr. Ethyene Duveiller
(CIMMYT, Mexico), Dr. Anne Dorrance (The Ohio State
University, USA), Dr. Gary Peterson and Dr. Kerry Pedley
(USDA-ARS, USA), Dr. Simon McKirdy (CRC Plant Biosecurity,
Australia), and Dr. Muricio Fernandes (EMBRAPA, Brazil), Dr.
Jordan Bailey and Dr. Brendan Radoni (CRC Plant Biosecurity,
Australia).
ELECTED AND APPOINTMENT OFFICES
2011 – 2012
President, Zamorano Alumni at Kansas State University
2010 – 2011
Treasurer, Plant Pathology Graduate Students Association
(GSA). Kansas State University.
2010
Mentor Award Committee, Plant Pathology Graduate Students
Association (GSA). Kansas State University.
Christian D. Cruz, Curriculum vitae
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PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES AND WORKING GROUPS
2009-Present
Wheat Blast Project (Kansas State University in partnership
with Asociación de Productores de Oleaginosas y Trigo ANAPO,
Fundación CETABOL, USDA-ARS, and EMBRAPA-Brazil)
2007-Present
American Phytopathological Society (APS)
2008
APS-Tropical Plant Pathology Committee
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