By BZ Zuniga

Jose Pablo “J.P.” Dundore-Arias, assistant professor of plant pathology in CSUMB's biology and chemistry department, is the recipient of the American Phytopathological Society’s Excellence in Teaching Award, to be presented at their annual Plant Health 2023 Conference in August. It is awarded to one APS member per year for effective active teaching and outstanding pedagogical research.

He was also invited to participate in the June 2023 Linton-Poodry SACNAS Leadership Institute at the Maryland headquarters of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. 

“As a migrant, first-generation Hispanic/Latinx individual from a low-income background, I feel particularly motivated to share my experiences and knowledge with my students,” said Dundore-Arias. And the students are his favorite part of working at CSUMB.

Dundore-Arias became interested in phytopathology, the study of plant diseases, while pursuing his undergraduate degree at the Universidad de Costa Rica. He took a plant pathology class where he learned about diseases and global plant epidemics affecting bananas, pineapples, coffee, and other tropical plants critical to the local economy. 

“The diversity of plant pathogens, the intimate nature of plant-pathogen interactions, and the complexity of their management fascinated me,” said Dundore-Arias. “Later, I had the opportunity to pursue a master’s and PhD at the most prestigious plant pathology departments in the U.S.”

During this period, he met some of the most influential plant pathologists in the country working in a field with broad and local implications. 

“Plant diseases cost the world economy more than $220 billion per year,” said Dundore-Arias. “There are two major plant diseases threatening the lettuce industry in the Salinas Valley: a viral disease known as INSV (impatiens necrotic spot virus), and Pythium wilt, a root rot disease caused by an oomycete pathogen.” 

Dundore-Arias has been actively engaged with the American Phytopathological Society for the last 15 years. At the Plant Health 2023 conference, he will be joined by his students and lab researchers, who will present their research. His colleagues from other universities nominated him for his work leading the Agricultural Plant and Soil Science program at CSUMB, which trains members of the next generation of agricultural scientists and plant pathologists. 

Dundore-Arias believes making content relevant to students is critical to effective teaching. He provides both historical and locally relevant examples of plant disease epidemics and their consequences in his courses to help students understand how local and global food security and environmental sustainability affect their lives.   

For over a decade, Dundore-Arias has been a member of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), the motto of which is to “Transform the culture of STEM and empower our members to grow academically, professionally, and personally.” He has encouraged the incorporation of the agricultural sciences and more plant biology STEM symposia into the society's annual program. 

Dundore-Arias and others were selected to attend the SACNAS leadership institute, which he believes “demonstrates SACNAS’ investment in building a more inclusive community with representatives from diverse professional fields … [as well as its] support for the CSUMB campus chapter.”

Andrew Lawson, dean of the College of Science, said the college is proud of the work Dundore-Arias has done since joining CSUMB in the Fall of 2019. 

“As the Bob & Sue Johnson Professor in the Agricultural Plant and Soil Science program, he has distinguished himself as a researcher, student mentor, and teacher,” Lawson said. “Dr. Dundore-Arias has developed numerous connections with our local agriculture industry and has leveraged them to enrich the curriculum and connect students to promising careers."