Barry M. Pryor Assistant Professor Department of Plant Pathology University of Arizona Tucson, AZ 85721 Current position: My research interests include applied and basic aspects of plant pathology and mycology. My primary focus on crop disease in Arizona is broad, and is responsive to disease pressures that challenge the diverse agricultural industry of this State and other arid agroecosystems. Biological- and cultural-based strategies for disease management are developed from basic research in disease epidemiology, molecular characterization and detection of plant pathogens and biocontrol agents, and investigation of plant-microbe interactions. An emerging area of focus within my research program investigates Alternaria-induced respiratory disease and mechanisms of interaction between fungi and human immune systems. How the IPM program helped me get where I am now: The UC Davis IPM program was the foundation of my post-graduate education and was uniquely instrumental in preparing me for my current position. The strengths of the IPM program are in its breadth and the quality of education that the students receive; a combination that cannot be attained elsewhere at the same caliber that is provided at UC Davis, probably the premier agricultural school in the nation. The graduate programs contributing to the IPM curriculum are world-class and the faculty participating are leaders in their respective fields, not to mention some of the most inspirational persons I have had the pleasure of meeting. I entered the IPM program from the food processing industry and my intentions were to obtain a MS in Pest Management that would advance my career opportunities in industry. However, I was so inspired and energized by the professors in the program and the research environment I encountered, that my career path was redefined after only one quarter of study. The IPM program uniquely prepares students to excel in a variety of agriculture-related careers, whether in industry, government, or academia, and provides them a decisive edge in an increasingly competitive job market. For myself, the program was a critical factor in my decision to pursue an academic career, and was one of the most influential experiences in my post-graduate education. Photos: (click to enlarge)

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