By Sean Nealon, OSU release – CORVALLIS, Ore. – Three Oregon State University graduate students will talk about their research on Douglas-fir trees and fungi, habitat restoration in the Willamette Valley and pest management in vineyards during Oregon State University’s Science Pub event at 6 p.m. May 3. The free event, which can be attended in person at the Old World Deli in Corvallis or viewed online, will feature short overviews by Abbey Neat, Julia Metzler and Alex Wong, all graduate students in the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology. Neat’s talk is titled “Exploring Douglas fir-fungal symbioses across the Oregon Cascades.” Fungal symbionts can be beneficial, harmful or might have no effect on their associated tree host and she studies how these plant-fungal associations change at different elevations in the Cascades. Metzler’s talk is titled “Assessing plant community responses to conifer removal. It will focus on the importance of habitat restoration in the Willamette Valley, native plants and biodiversity, and her research on plant community responses to conifer removal. Wong’s talk, “It’s lit: The potential of using UV-C light to manage vineyard diseases,” will focus on sustainable pest management strategies, and the feasibility of using ultraviolet light to manage powdery mildew of grapes in Oregon. Registration is required to attend Science Pub in person or to view it online. The Old World Deli is located at 341 SW 2nd St., Corvallis. Sponsors of Science Pub include the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Old World Deli, Oregon State’s Research Office and Oregon State University.
