General information on Forest Pathology Student Travel Award

The Forest Pathology Student Travel Award was established in 2004 to support and encourage the participation of exceptional Forest Pathology students at the APS annual meetings. Since Robert Hartig’s first writings on Forest Pathology in 1874, the interchange among professionals in multiple disciplines, such as Phytopathology, Genetics, and Forestry, has been indispensable to the study of Forest Pathology. This award will promote interaction with diverse students of Forest Pathology, while fostering creative approaches to research and/or teaching. In addition, this award is designed to encourage oral and/or poster presentations that enable defense and discussion of research methods, results, and conclusions. This participation will better prepare Forest Pathology students for future research, teaching, or practice.

The approaches and perspectives of Forest Pathology are unique because of the lifespan of the host, the dynamic nature of the forest stands, and the complex interactions within diverse forest ecosystems. Long-term growth and production periods promote diverse values, such as wood/fiber production, recreation, or ecosystem sustainability. Strategies for managing forest pathogens under various environments and objectives are dependent on interaction among basic and applied scientists. Concepts and philosophies exchanged at international meetings enrich participants’ understanding of Forest Pathology principles. Travel to APS annual meetings allows Forest Pathology students to present their work and interact with other plant pathologists in an international arena, thereby offering substantial long-term benefits to their future careers.

More specific information on Forest Pathology Student Travel Award

The American Phytopathological Society “Named Student Travel Funds” has been established in honor of many plant pathologists and several disciplines, including Forest Pathology (more information: http://www.apsnet.org/foundation/special.asp). At the 2000 APS Annual Meeting, we (APS Forest Pathology Committee members and other Forest Pathologists) established a Forest Pathology Student Travel Award, because it is important to encourage student participation in Forest Pathology. For this process, the Forest Pathology Committees contacted the APS Foundation and set up an account for the Forest Pathology Student Travel Award. As of today, the balance for the account is approximately $8,700 (thanks in particular to one very generous benefactor and several other major contributors). Many forest pathologists (and others) have donated money at the APS meeting on-site or through the mail - We greatly appreciate your participation and generosity.

We are very close to reaching our goal of $10,000 that will allow us to give away the award every year. We invite all of you to join us in this fund raising effort for the future Forest Pathologists and the future of Forest Pathology. Please help in any way that you can. Here is how you can contribute to the Forest Pathology Student Travel Award Account. - If you plan to attend the 2010 APS Annual Meeting (August 7-11, Nashville, TN): please visit the APS Foundation booth near the APS Registration, and make sure to designate your donation for the Forest Pathology Student Travel Award if this is where you want to contribute. - If you don't plan to attend the 2010 APS Annual Meeting: please visit the following website (specify your donation to Named Student Travel Fund - Forest Pathology) http://www.apsnet.org/foundation/donationform.asp

Also, we can also consider establishing other student travel awards that bear the name of especially influential forest pathologists (living or deceased). To do this, we need volunteers to spearhead the funding drive for each named award.

See the original announcement of this award in Phytopathology News by clicking here.