Aug 16, 2024University of Maine doctoral student receives $10,000 scholarship
A doctoral student at University of Main has received the Potato Leadership, Education, and Advancement Foundation (Potato LEAF)’s 2024-25 academic scholarship, presented annually to a graduate student.
Xiuyan Zhang will use the $10,000 award to further her research on the behavior of bacterial species that cause potato blackleg and soft rot disease, as well as the influence of potato storage conditions on pathogen infection.
Since 2020, she has gathered more than 300 bacterial pathogens within 11 species in Pectobacterium taxa and performed whole genome sequencing on them. These strains will be submitted and preserved in U.S. repositories for future research into the complexity of bacteria-host interactions and storage potato soft rot disease control.
“I am truly humbled and motivated by this selection,” Zhang said in a news release. “This not only supports my research but enhances the potato industry and its future. I extend my deepest gratitude to Potato LEAF for their commitment to fostering research, innovation, and development. Together, we will drive meaningful advancements that will greatly benefit potato growers around the globe and ensure a vibrant future for the U.S. potato sector.”
Potato LEAF, a 501(c)3 organization, provides tools, training and support to develop potato industry leaders.
“Since 2020, Potato LEAF has remained steadfast in our commitment to the long-term health of the U.S. potato industry by developing the industry leaders of tomorrow, and we are very pleased to announce Xiuyan as the 2024-25 Academic Scholarship recipient,” Gregg Halverson, foundation chair, said. “With passionate individuals like Xiuyan, the potato sector has a bright future ahead.”
Zhang earned a Bachelor of Science in plant protection from the Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities and a Master of Science in plant pathology from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Inner Mongolia Agricultural University. She has extensive experience as a research assistant in the U.S. and China and as a teaching assistant at the University of Maine and is actively involved with the Potato Association of America, the American Phytopathological Society, and the Northeastern Division of the American Phytopathological Society.
She has been published 26 times in peer-reviewed journals, 12 times as the lead author.
“My career goal is to become a pathologist, primarily working on potato diseases. For the last 12 years, I’ve pursued a tumultuous love of pathology,” Zhang said. “The growth of potatoes is my main source of research, the truly addictive core of my personal goals.”
“Xiuyan has consistently excelled in her research and other professional endeavors, surpassing my initial expectations. She is a highly self-motivated and productive individual with a clear goal and a deep enthusiasm for plant pathology,” Jianjun Hao, Maine associate professor of plant pathology, wrote in his letter of recommendation.
