ISRC affiliate Alison Robertson is a professor of plant pathology and microbiology at Iowa State University. She is part of the ISU Extension and Outreach Crops Team and provides extension education on the diagnosis and management of corn and soybean diseases, efficacy of seed treatments and foliar fungicides and best management practices for cover crops.

Robertson received her BS in plant pathology from the University of Kwazulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Following graduation, she worked as an extension plant pathologist at Kutsaga Research Station in Zimbabwe, where she developed an interest in working with farmers and agricultural professionals. Several years later, she came to the U.S. to pursue a PhD in plant pathology at Clemson University in South Carolina. She joined the faculty at Iowa State in 2004.

“The best part of my job is working with farmers and ag professionals,” says Robertson. “I love sharing my passion for plant pathology and teaching them how to diagnose and manage various crop diseases. I also love to hear about their experiences and get their thoughts on certain things. Most of my research ideas come from talking with those who are out there on the frontline.” 

Robertson’s research focuses on issues in the disease management of corn and soybean production including oomycete (water mold) pathogens. Currently, she is leading a multistate field trial experiment as part of a large USDA-funded Coordinated Agricultural Project (CAP) project to include cover crops into crop production systems and to ensure the sustainability of U.S. agriculture. They are evaluating how cover crop termination timing affects seedling disease, insects and weed populations in 16 states. She is also coordinating another multi-state, federally funded project that monitors pathogen populations and disease development with the goal of creating prediction tools to improve disease management decisions.

In addition to research, Robertson co-teaches a summer class in alternate years – Experience in Plant Science Extension and Outreach. The goal of the class is to introduce extension programming to graduate students who are interested in pursuing a career that includes extension. In 2018, she received the ISU Award for Outstanding Contribution to Extension or Professional Practice.