Plant pathogen expert to speak in Washington

David Hodson is a senior scientist at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center.
David Hodson is a senior scientist at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center. | Contributed photo

The “Pathogens Without Borders” session of the American Association of the Advancement of Science annual meeting will include a discussion from David Hodson, a senior scientist at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center who is based in Ethiopia.

His discussion, "Building Plant Pathogen Surveillance Networks in Sub-Saharan Africa," will focus on the challenges faced and progress made in coordinating surveillance, early detection and control methods of new crop disease threats across large geographic regions. 

Pathogens can be blown by wind or spread by travel and trade, posing a large threat to global food security. Hodson will discuss Rust Tracker, a web-based surveillance network he operates that covers all major wheat growing countries in Africa, South Asia and the Middle East. It is supported by the Durable Rust Resistance in Wheat project, led by Cornell University and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as part of the Borlaug Global Rust Initiative. 

He will also touch on the subject of Borlaug Rust and the Borlaug Global Rust Initiative which has made progress against the disease.

Hodson’s discussion will take place Feb.14 from 8-9:30 a.m. in the Marshall Ballroom East of the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.