---

Our mission is to provide our members with a platform to develop and discuss topics related to plant pathology, and to explore and promote plant pathology within the Penn State community.

---

Featured PPA Member
Aaron D. Brown

I have always viewed the natural world through the eyes of a biologist. Each interaction with the natural environment has me asking questions about the dynamics dictating the survival or demise of the biological communities observed. The fungal communities found within wooded habitats are the most fascinating to me and are the focus of my doctoral research at The Pennsylvania State University.

The 31.6 acre old-growth remnant forest located on the university campus Arboretum lands is the location for this research. The four main goals of this research are to (1) create a mycofloral database documenting the fungal communities within this site, (2) determine diversity and species richness among these communities, (3) determine the effects the invasive species Allaria petiolata (garlic mustard) may have on existing fungal communities, and (4) publish a web site enabling the distribution of research findings to the public sector. My desire is to stimulate public interest in fungal community structure within similar habitats and to enable the sharing of knowledge between those individuals via the Internet.

For updates on Aaron, visit his blog http://www.PennStateFunGuy.blogspot.com.