JAMES T. BLODGETT
Service/Research/Teaching Experiences:
Plant Pathologist GS-12 - June 2002 -
Present
USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region, Forest Health Protection, Rapid
City, SD.
Interact with land managers and others in areas of forest stewardship,
especially diseases; provide scientific information and training on forest
health issues; diagnose diseases and insects; recommend specific management
activities; assist with forest planning; monitor/survey diseases, insects,
hazard trees, and invasive pests; promote implementation of appropriate
silvicultural techniques to improve/protect forest health.
Supervisor: Kurt Allen. Work number: (605) 716-2781
Research
Scientist (Post Doc.) - June 2000 - April 2002
The
Examined systemic effects of fungal disease on the secondary metabolism of pines
in order to understand factors affecting predisposition of diseased trees to
bark beetle attack/establishment and disease development. Worked with various
analytical techniques (HPLC, GC, etc.). Work involved supervision of an
undergraduate student.
Supervisor: Pierluigi (Enrico) Bonello. Work number: (614) 688-5401
Research
Associate (Post Doc.) - August 1996 - January 1997; July 1999 -
June 2000
1. Course Development
(instructional technology): developing scenarios for Diagnosis, a computer
program to teach students the process of diagnosing disease and insect problems. Involved extensive
work with computer software/hardware including: digital-photo, digital-video,
and digital-sound input/editing.
2. Research on Sirococcus conigenus/Sphaeropsis sapinea
interactions, the effects of host water stress and wounding on latent infection
by S. sapinea, differences in S. sapinea A and B morphotype
aggressiveness on several conifers, developed a selective media for S.
sapinea, histological studies. Work involved supervision of undergraduate
students.
Supervisor: Dr. Glen R. Stanosz. Work number: (608) 265-2863
Plant Pathologist GS-9 - June 1998 -
March 1999
Studied nursery soil diseases and assisted in oak wilt research. Provided
scientific/technical support to lower grade employees, students, and
scientists. Duties included: identification and frequency determination of Fusarium
and Pythium spp. in soils, data management/analysis, graphical
preparation, and ordering, setup, and maintenance of advanced equipment
including: microscopes,
Supervisor: Dr. Jennifer Juzwik.
Post-Doctoral
Fellow - February 1997 - June 1998
University of the
Studied the influence of environmental stress on endophytic and
latent-infecting fungi as they affect Amaranths health. The ecology of
this crop was studied holistically including interaction with an entomologist
colleague. Involved isolations, species identification, histological studies,
insect fungal interaction studies, and use of an image analysis system,
scanning electron microscope, and light microscope. Work involved supervision
of technicians and supervision of the M.S. thesis of Mohammed Islam, involving
population studies of Alternaria.
Supervisor: Dr. Wijnand J. Swart.
Graduate
Research Assistant - May 1992 - August 1996
Studied the effects of host water stress on disease development by Sphaeropsis
sapinea, including: 1) field, greenhouse, and growth chamber stress studies
of Sphaeropsis blight on red pine, 2) differences in A and B morphotype
aggressiveness on red and jack pines, 3) chemical changes in red pine as a
result of water stress and colonization by S. sapinea, and 4) inhibition
of S. sapinea by phenolic compounds and monoterpenes. Included
gas-liquid chromatography and spectrophotometry analyses. Work involved
supervision of undergraduate students.
Advisor: Dr. Glen R. Stanosz.
Teaching
Assistant (Forestry/Entomology/Plant Pathology 500) - Fall 1993
Responsibilities included: teaching of laboratories and three lectures,
laboratory setups, exam writing.
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Insects/Diseases in |
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Biological
Technician GS-5 - crew leader - May 1990 - May 1992
USDA Forest Service, NE Forest Experiment Station, Hamden, CT.
Abundance of rhizomorphs of Armillaria in soil in relation to abundance
on crop trees and subsequent mortality after defoliation by gypsy moth project.
Duties included: severity/quantify frequencies of Armillaria, gypsy moth,
twolined chestnut borer, and beech bark disease, gypsy moth parasite/predator
surveys, insect/small mammal inventory, forest tree inventory, crown
vigor/defoliation determination, measurements of wood starch, nitrogen/amino
acid analysis, isolation/identification of Armillaria spp., maintenance of
fungal stock cultures, data management/analysis, computer instruction/advising.
Work involved supervision of assistants.
Supervisor: Dr. Philip M. Wargo.
Graduate
Research Assistant - January 1988 - May 1990
Studied the ecology of Armillaria species in
Advisor: Dr. James J. Worrall.
Teaching
Assistant (Env. &
Responsibilities included: teaching of laboratories and some lectures,
laboratory setups, writing and grading exams.
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Forest/Shade Tree Pathology |
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General Botany |
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Intro. to Env. Microbiology |
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Diversity of Plants |
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Research
Assistant - Summer 1988, 1989
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY.
Carrier Corporation fungi project; Identity and biology of Armillaria
species in New York project. Responsibilities included: preparation of a review
document on the growth of fungi on inert materials and means of controlling
such growth, seedling inventory, media preparation, Armillaria mating crosses.
Supervisor: Dr. James J. Worrall.
Lab
Assistant - Spring and Fall 1985, 1986, 1987
Utility pole decay project; Acid rain/mycorrhizae project. Responsibilities
included: preparation of seedlings under aseptic conditions, mycorrhizae
inoculation, measuring tree growth and soil/medium pH, film and photograph
developing, media and slide preparations, maintenance of fungal stock cultures.
Supervisor: Dr. Chun-Juan Wang.
Field,
Greenhouse, and Lab Assistant GS-3 - May 1987 - May 1988
Supervisor: Dr. Stephen B. Horsley.
Wildlife
Field Assistant and
Responsibilities included: wildlife survey, construction of deer exclosures,
setting up deer drives, track counts, scat analysis, vegetation tally,
preparation of displays, museum techniques, and forest/property maintenance.
Supervisors: Laurie Renals and Robert Kentile.
Supervised
a term (GS-5) and summer technicians (GS-3-5) in Rapid City. Supervised a
senior forestry student on his senior project and supervised seven
undergraduates at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Other supervisory
experience listed with position.
Served as
Reviewer for Papers Published in: Mycological Research, Phytopathology,
Plant Disease, Forest Pathology.
Grants
Received: 26+
Training Presented: 43+ Forest
Health Management, 13+ guest lectures.
Publications: 26 refereed
publications, 103+ extension publication, 10 cover
photographs, 73+ published
abstracts/proceedings, and various summary reports.
Formal Presentations: 36+ papers and 52+ posters presented at
professional meetings, and several additional presentations at local/committee
meetings, workshops, universities, and training sessions.