Sofía Macchiavelli Girón

I’m investigating pathogen detection, character, and host resistance for improved management of potato silver scurf caused by the fungus Helminthosporium solani. Silver scurf is a tuber blemish disease of great and increasing concern to the fresh and processing markets of the U. S. potato industry in the last decade. While blemish diseases affect the tuber periderm, the symptoms result in reduced appearance and quality impacting the marketability and processing of the crop.  Further, the disease can predispose tubers to heightened water loss and secondary pathogen infection in storage.  I’m also interested in improving our understanding of the relationship between H. solani and another economically important blemish disease, potato black dot caused by the fungus Colletotrichum coccodes. My research will generate basic and practical information, which will lend to the development of changes in industry practice to reduce these diseases.

Education:
PhD Plant Pathology – University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2021
B.S. Biology – University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, 2015