Many PEPS faculty were invited speakers for various symposia at the 2025 APS Conference, sharing their expertise and showcasing our Aloha Spirit at the UH APS Alumni table.
PEPS faculty, students, and alumni are widely present during the 2025 APS meeting, showing Tropical Plant Pathology Research in Hawaii and touring APS members at CTAHR experiment stations.
PEPS cherish time to talk story with plant pathologists from North Dakota State University, North Carolina State University, University of Georgia, Ohia State University, Taiwan Agriculture Research Institute, UC Davis, University of the Philipines Dillman, before and after the 2025 APS Plant Health Conference.
At the 2025 Conference in Victoria Island, PEPS students won the Society of Nematologists' Cobb Bowl (Nematology Jeopardy Game) for the third time in the last 4 years.
Jordie Ho received the Ellen M. Koenig ARCS Award for Tropical Agriculture

Benjamin Wiseman received the Helen Jones Farrar ARCS Award for Tropical Agriculture
Apply for Assistantship in Tropical Plant Pathology
Roshan Paudel was awarded the prestigious John M. Webster Outstanding Student Award at the 2023 Society of Nematologists (SON) Annual Meeting at Columbus, Ohio.
Nematology graduate students represented PEPS well at the 2023 Society of Nematologists (SON) Annual Meeting in Columbus, Ohio, actively engaging in society events and organizing a graduate student symposium.
Current and former graduate students of Tropical Plant Pathology attending the 2023 American Phytopathology Society Conference in Denver Colorado with PEPS Plant Pathologis Dr. John Hu
PEPS Graduate students Roshan Paudel, Lauren Braley, and Landon Wong along with Auburn U. grad student Claire Schloemer attended the Society of Nematologists Conference in Alaska. Together they competed in the Cobb Bowl (a nematode jeopardy game) as team “Aloha Nema” aka “Alohanema” and won the Championship!
Graduate Student, Xupeng Wang, is using multiple molecualr tools from RT-PCR, cloning, high-throughput sequencing, Sanger sequencing to rapid amplification of complementary ends (RACE) to identify and characterize a new plant virus, Umbravirus, found on fig trees in Hawaii.
A graduate student, Adriana Larrea-Sarmiento, working in the Plant Virology Laboratory, is studying a new virus that causes large scale ginger dieback on ornamental ginger in Hawaii. Part of the study is also to investigate what insect is vectoring the virus which is important information for the control of the disease. Adriana is also developing a molecular detection assay for diagnostic use.
Graduate students in the Biosecurity Lab accompanied Mike Melzer to visit ornamental farms and diagnose a newly reported virus on ti leaf in Hawaiʻi.
Graduate student in Sustainable Pest Management Lab conducts a field trial to examine how to balance the suppression of plant-parasitic nematodes while enhancing soil health.
Dr. Arifs lab uses CIRCA Plot to decipher bacterial genomes based on gene clusters involved in pathogenicity. Images here show how Clavibacter michiganensis subspecies michiganensis is related to other subspecies of this bacterium.

Graduate Studies at PEPS - Plant Pathology
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Overview
MS Program
PhD Program

Tropical Plant Pathology Graduate Program

Plant pathology is the study of plant diseases, their causes, and the interactions with the environment. The primary thrust in the program focuses on agricultural crops of economic importance; however, opportunities exist for discovery research in natural ecosystems and the laboratory. The field consists of several sub-disciplines including phytomycology, plant virology, bacteriology, nematology, crop protection, and molecular biology of host-pathogen interactions.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Students will communicate effectively through
- writing and defending their thesis of original phytopathological research;
- presenting their research findings in oral and/or poster formats at scientific forums;
- publishing the results of their research in peer-reviewed journals; and
- assisting others in learning plant pathology
Students are competent and knowledgeable biologists. They will have
- basic understanding of molecular biology and genetics;
- a general knowledge of the four major pathogen groups
- understanding of plant disease epidemiology; and
- strong knowledge of their specialized field of study
Students conduct research in plant pathology by;
- proposing and formulating research objectives to address relevant plant pathological questions; and
- conducting research using appropriate design and methods

To apply for the graduate program in Tropical Plant Pathology a student must:

Complete and submit the University Graduate Student application
Complete the Graduate Record Examination and any English language proficiency examinations required by the University, and arrange for the scores to be submitted to the University. A waiver of the GRE requirement will be considered by the Graduate Faculty members, based on adequate research experience of the applicant, or insurmountable circumstances preventing the candidate from writing the exam.
Prepare a statement of objectives that describes the goals for, and interest in, Tropical Plant Pathology.
Arrange for three confidential letters of reference submitted to the graduate program chair.
Identify an advisor from the Tropical Plant Pathology Graduate Faculty.

In order for an applicant to be accepted into the graduate program, a faculty member must be willing and available to serve as the student's Advisor.

Master of Science in Tropical Plant Pathology

The MS degree program is offered under either Plan A (thesis) or Plan B (non-thesis). A total of 30 credit hours are required for each degree option. An advisory committee composed of at least three members of the graduate faculty provides guidance to the student. For a general description of these options, see the requirements for each option below.

The MS degree in tropical plant pathology provides a basic education and understanding of the pathogen groupings. Employment opportunities exist in industry, government agencies, research institutions, consulting, and farm management.

TPP Graduate Student Handbook

MS Plan A (Thesis)

Research: 12 credits in PEPS 700 Thesis Research, with at least 1 credit in PEPS 700 during the semester of graduation, and submission of an acceptable thesis.

Courses: 16 credits in courses approved by the candidate’s committee, including Core: PEPS 605, 606, 615, and 615L. and excluding PEPS 600, 699, 700, and 799.

Seminars: Minimum of 2 credits in PEPS 660, which is required each semester except when enrolled in PEPS 799; 2 credits in PEPS 799 (CR/NC). PEPS 799 credits are not counted towards degree credit requirements.

MS Plan B (Non-Thesis)

Research: 6-9 credits in PEPS 699 Directed Research, preferably taken in 2-3 different laboratories.

Courses: 19-22 credits in courses approved by the candidate’s committee, including Core courses: PEPS 605, 606. 615, and 615L. and excluding PEPS 660, 699, 700, and 799.

Seminars: Minimum of 2 credits in PEPS 660, which is required each semester except when enrolled in PEPS 799; 1 credit in PEPS 799 (CR/NC). PEPS 799 credits are not counted towards degree credit requirements.

PhD in Tropical Plant Pathology

Intended candidates for the PhD program should have earned the MS degree in plant pathology or equivalent from a recognized institution. Those with a BS or BA may petition for admittance into the PhD program only after enrolling in the MS program.

Employment options for PhD graduates are in teaching, research, and extension at universities and in research, consulting or management with private industries and government agencies.