Amara Camp
Graduate Research Assistant
Cornell University
Department of Plant Pathology
New York State Agriculture Experiment Station
Geneva, NY 14456

E-Mail: arc55@cornell.edu

2006-present M.S. candidate, Plant Pathology; Department of Plant Pathology, Cornell University.

2001-2005 BS, Biology, Juniata College

Graduate advisor: Helene Dillard, Chris Smart

I am interested in diseases of vegetable crops and in helping growers to manage these diseases better. In New York State, the oomycete Phytophthora capsici causes Phytophthora blight on cucurbit and solanaceous crops, resulting in severe losses during wet growing seasons. More knowledge about the populations which are affecting growers in New York may eventually lead to better recommendations for control of this disease.

To that end, I will be characterizing the genetic diversity of isolates of P. capsici from the major vegetable-growing regions of New York State. Knowing how New York’s populations vary across growing regions and how they are similar to or different from populations in other states will be important as researchers continue to look for better ways to manage this disease.

2006-2007
Teaching Assistant, BIO G 103-104: Introductory Biology Laboratory, Cornell University.

2006-2007
Full-time volunteer, Grow Pittsburgh, through Pittsburgh Urban Leadership Service Experience.

2005
Technical Assistant, The Ohio State University, OARDC, Department of Plant Pathology.

2004
Undergraduate research assistant, The Ohio State University, OARDC, Department of Plant Pathology.

2005 Dr. Andrew B. and Maria F. Brumbaugh Science Prize

2004 Homer C. and Ethel. F. Will Endowed Scholarship Fund in Biology

2001-2005 Juniata College Service & Leadership Scholarship

2006-present New Student Committee (Geneva Department of Plant Pathology)

American Phytopathological Society

Rotenberg, D., Joshi, R., Benitez, M.-S., Gutierrez Chapin, L., Camp, A., Zumpetta, C., Osborne, A., Dick, W.A., and McSpadden Gardener, B.B. 2007. Farm management effects on rhizosphere colonization by native populations of 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol-producing Pseudomonas spp. and their contributions to crop health. Phytopathology 97:756-766.