I feel fortunate to have found the field of plant pathology. For me, it is a perfect blend of my love for plants, developed while growing up on a small potato farm, and an affinity for conducting research, discovered during my undergraduate studies at Brigham Young University-Idaho. Since graduating with my undergraduate degree in biology, I have worked for a plant pathologist conducting private agricultural research. I am thrilled that instead of an office and a cubicle I am able to spend my day in the field and in the lab. I enjoy interfacing with growers. I have deep respect for the challenge they face: finding the line between economic feasibility year-to-year and environmental sustainability over the decades. I am excited for the opportunity to study the pathogens that present a significant challenge to both of these goals.