-Magdalen Lindeberg

Congratulations to Breanne Kisselstein and Samantha Bosco, recipients of SUNY Provost Diversity Fellowships for the Spring 2022 semester! The award provides a stipend of $14,327 and tuition for the period of the award.

Kisselstein, a graduate student in Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology is advised by David Gadoury. Her thesis research focuses on powdery mildew caused by Erisyphe necator, a disease that infects grapes around the world.  A particular focus of her work is the identification of genes associated with fungicide resistance. She has also assisted with evaluating the genetic diversity of this fungus in many parts of the world. Better understanding of the genetics of fungicide resistance will help to inform disease management strategies used by Finger Lakes grape growers.

Bosco is a graduate student in in the Field of Horticulture, advised by Marvin Pritts. Her thesis research examines the past, present, and future role of temperate nut trees in both Indigenous and non-native communities through paleoethnobotany, ethnographic literature, archival documents, agricultural experiments, and social science methods. She uses community engaged and participatory methods to develop collaborative projects such as the Skarù:rę Food Forest Project and interactive workshops for ages 5 – 95, and is interested in contributing to the development of decolonial praxis in sustainable agriculture research and education.

The Provost Diversity Fellowship is a competitive one‐term (fall, spring, or summer) dissertation completion fellowship designed to advance the Graduate School’s commitment to diversity, access, equity, justice, and inclusion. It is available to advanced PhD students for whom one or more of the following criteria apply: first-generation college student, member of ethnic and/or racial groups historically excluded from and underrepresented in graduate education, McNair or Mellon Mays undergraduate scholar, and/or other identities and experiences historically excluded from and underrepresented in graduate education.