Seem, Robert Charles
Professor Geneva/Plant
I am an applied plant pathologist who specializes in the epidemiology, biology, and control of fruit and vegetable diseases with emphasis on the development of decision support systems ranging from simple models of disease to sophisticated simulation models. I also specialize in the application of precision agriculture technologies to plant disease management including high resolution environmental monitoring and weather forecasts.
research
research and scholarship focus
I specialize in the fungal diseases of horticultural crops (fruits and vegetables). Most of my research has focused on the apple scab disease, and two major grape diseases (powdery and downy mildew). Recently, strawberry powdery mildew has been added to my repertoire of diseases.
primary investigator of
- FINGER LAKES NEW KNOWLEDGE FUSION: UNIQUE COLLABORATION FOR ECONOMIC IMPACT | Research Grant
- IP AGREEMENT | Research Grant
- LICENSING AGREEMENT FOR OPERATION OF A UV-B MONITORING SITE | Research Grant
- NATIONAL EFFORT TO IMPLEMENT IPM DECISION SUPPORT TOOLS USING SITE-SPECIFIC WEATHER TECHNOLOGY | Research Grant
co investigator of
research areas
- agricultural biotechnology | collaborative research area (CALS)
- biological control | collaborative research area (CALS)
- entrepreneurship | collaborative research area (CALS)
- integrated pest management | collaborative research area (CALS)
- pest management | collaborative research area (CALS)
- plant pathology | collaborative research area (CALS)
submitted impact statement
- Agriculture and food research: An economic development engine | 2007 Impact statement
- Agriculture and food research: An economic development role for State Agricultural Experiment Stations | 2005 Impact statement
- Agriculture and food research: an economic development role for state agricultural experiment stations | 2004 Impact statement
affiliations
faculty appointment in
- Plant Pathology at Geneva | Geneva department
member of graduate field
- Plant Pathology & Plant-Microbe Biology | graduate field
- Plant Protection | graduate field
teaching
teaches
- PLPA 7990 - Graduate-Level Thesis Research (TBA -) | fall 2009 class
- PLPA 8900 - Master's-Level Thesis Research (TBA -) | fall 2009 class
- PLPA 9900 - Doctoral-Level Thesis Research (TBA -) | fall 2009 class
- PLPA 8900 - Master's-Level Thesis Research (TBA -) | spring 2009 class
- PLPA 9900 - Doctoral-Level Thesis Research (TBA -) | spring 2009 class
service
outreach focus
I maintain an extension assignment in economic development to support food and agricultural technology transfer, entrepreneurship, and business development. I work with small businesses, communities and regional organizations to identify needs and opportunities in food and agricultural economic development.
current professional activities
- American Association for the Advancement of Science
- American Phytopathological Society
- International Society for Plant Pathology
background
educational background
- Ph.D., Plant Pathology, The Pennsylvania State University, 1976
- M.S., Plant Pathology, The Pennsylvania State University, 1972
- B.S., Botany, The Pennsylvania State University, 1970
professional background
- Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, Cornell University, 1975-1981
- Associate Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, Cornell University, 1982-1998
- Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, Cornell University, 1998-present
- Associate Director, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, 1990-2003
- Interim Director, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, 2004
awards and distinctions
- Ad hoc reviewer, Canada Foundation for Innovation, 2003
- Cooperative Research Centre for Viticulture (AU), Visiting Scholar Fellowship, 1998- present
- Ad hoc reviewer, New Zealand Science and Technology, 1994-1996
- Senior Editor, PHYTOPATHOLOGY, 1990 - 1993
- Agricultural Research Council of Norway, Senior Visiting Scientist Fellowship, 1989
- Associate Editor, PHYTOPATHOLOGY, 1985-1987
- Peer Review Panel, Competitive Grants Program, USDA, 1985, 1988
- Peer Review Panel, National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program, Task Force F, Agriculture, 1985
- Associate Editor, CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PLANT PATHOLOGY, 1984-1990
featured in
- Cornell receives nearly $850,000 to improve specialty crops | Cornell Chronicle feature
- New federal grant aims to help Finger Lakes region become economic powerhouse | Cornell Chronicle feature
Keywords: apple, disease forecast, disease forecasting, disease management, economic development, entrepreneurship, environmental monitoring, epidemiology, grape, grapes, plant disease, plant pathology, strawberries, systems modeling, vegetable, weather forecasting