The Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology's weekly Plant Pathology 250 seminar series is presented this week by Dr. Matthew Kasson from West Virginia University

Seminar Title: Deciphering fungus-arthropod interactions: from ambrosia fungi to cicada-killing “zygomycetes"

Biography: Dr. Kasson in an assistant professor of forest pathology and mycology in the Division of Plant and Soil Sciences at West Virginia University. He also serves as director of INVAM, the world's largest collection of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, which is housed at WVU. His research focuses on fungal biocontrol, canker diseases of trees and shrubs, and arthropod-fungus interactions. His work on arthropod-fungus interactions includes fungus-farming ambrosia beetles, fungivorous millipedes, and entomopathogens of various insects including cicadas. Dr. Kasson is also passionate about #SciComm and is active on twitter (@kasson_wvu) where he discusses mycology, plant pathology, parenting, and does crazy experiments with fungi and holiday candy!

Seminar Host: Dr. Jason Stajich; jason.stajich@ucr.edu