José Pablo Dundore‐Arias

    Personal profile

    About

    I am the Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology in the Department of Biology & Chemistry. I received my B.Sc. in Agronomy from the University of Costa Rica, and completed M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Plant Pathology with a minor in Entomology at Iowa State University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, respectively. After completing graduate school, I received a Postdoctoral Fellowship from the National Science Foundation to conduct research related to agricultural microbiomes at the University of Minnesota.

    Research in my lab focuses on investigating the biology, ecology and management of plant-associated microbes, with the ultimate goal of developing practical applications for enhancing plant and soil health, and promoting biological suppression of plant pathogens.

    My goal as an educator is to spark enthusiasm for agriculture, and specifically how plant pathogens impact agricultural production. In the classroom, I strive to make the learning process and concepts interesting, engaging, and ultimately helping all my students apply the concepts learned in the classroom to real-life situations. My current teaching interests center on the development of accessible, adaptable and engaging training opportunities in microbiome research, including Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs), for young scientists from diverse backgrounds and experience.

    As a mentor, my goal is to increase self-confidence, sense of belonging, and science identity among my mentees. My mentoring approach focuses on fostering a growth mindset, creating inclusionary learning environments, and making all individuals feel that their contributions and perspectives are equally valued and respected. In terms of professional development, I value helping mentees explore the diverse scientific career options and cross-training opportunities that their education can provide.

    In addition to my professional accomplishments, I am known for my personal commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in STEM fields, and for my contributions to broadening participation of underrepresented minority scientists in plant and microbial sciences.

    Disciplines

    • Microbial Physiology
    • Plant Sciences
    • Soil Science