As a plant pathologist, I am studying the interaction between fungi and their host plants, and working to find or improve disease resistance to important fungal pathogens of alfalfa and forage legumes. In my laboratory we also evaluate newly discovered or highly virulent pathogenic species and races of fungi, and assess their potential destructiveness to crops. In addition to plant pathology, the research requires expertise in plant pathology, biochemistry, plant physiology, genetics, molecular biology, and mycology.