More than 25 graduate and Ph.D. students in the Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology (PPEM) wrapped up their summer by presenting their research at the department’s annual Graduate Symposium. The event featured a wide range of topics, with students sharing their work through posters and oral presentations.
The symposium provides an important platform for students to present their findings in a professional setting, gain experience communicating their research, and interact with peers across the department.
One of the attendees was Mayowa Aderoju, a new Ph.D. student in PPEM. Originally from Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria—a region rich in Yoruba culture and known for its cocoa production—Aderoju is currently researching diagnostic and management strategies for seed-borne diseases. His work focuses particularly on Bacterial Wilt of Dry Bean and Bacterial Tan Spot of Soybean, both caused by Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens.
“It speaks volumes about the quality of research here at PPEM and the department’s commitment to creating platforms that showcase student work” Aderoju commented. “It was also an encouragement for us, as graduate students, to confidently build and express our ability to communicate our research to audiences from diverse scientific backgrounds, outside of a formal conference setting.”
He added that the experience also broadened his perspective:
“The quality of research and presentations from both poster and oral speakers was outstanding,” Aderoju reflected. “I learned so much from their work, especially since it spanned specializations like entomology and microbiology, outside my own field of plant pathology.”
By offering students a chance to present their work and engage in meaningful discussions, the Graduate Symposium continues to be a cornerstone of professional development within PPEM.