For the full class schedule, descriptions, and to register, please visit the UConn Recreation website (https://recreation.uconn.edu/group-fitness-schedule/).

Improving management recommendations for Alternaria leaf blight and head rot of broccoli using fungicide resistance monitoring and population genetics   Alternaria leaf blight and head rot (ABHR) is a disease of broccoli that appears in the seedling stage and continues up to harvest. Even minimal black spots on the heads make them unmarketable. In the Eastern US, ABHR is mainly caused by the fungal pathogen Alternaria brassicicola. Other species, including A. japonica, A. alternata, and A. brassicae, can also contribute to disease development. Conventional broccoli growers manage the disease with fungicide applications. They mainly use Quinone-outside inhibitor (QoI) and Succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) fungicides. However, recent reports suggest that resistance may be present in Georgia, New York, and Virginia. Resistance to fungicides occurs when a fungus evolves and acquires a heritable reduction in sensitivity to an anti-fungal agent, such as through mutations. In this study, we sought to investigate if resistance exists in Alternaria populations in the Eastern US, as reports suggest. The standard method used to test Alternaria sensitivity is through spore germination assays. This method is laborious and time-consuming, and measurements can be subjective. The process limits its application to small numbers of isolates. To evaluate many isolates from different regions, a high-throughput method is needed. We developed a microplate assay based on optical density measurements to indirectly estimate inhibition of spore germination by fungicides. Primers to amplify and sequence regions with resistance-conferring mutations for SDHI fungicides were also developed and validated. We used the new high-throughput method to screen more than 600 Alternaria spp. isolates collected in Connecticut, Georgia, Massachusetts, New York, and Virginia between 2019 and 2023. Isolates that showed reduced sensitivity to azoxystrobin (QoI) and boscalid (SDHI) in the microplate assay were further screened for resistance mutations. Results indicated that A. brassicicola, the most abundant species in the Eastern US, was sensitive to azoxystrobin, but multiple resistant isolates to boscalid were detected. Most A. alternata isolates were resistant to both fungicides. The G143A mutation, which confers complete resistance to QoIs, was detected in A. alternata isolates. The H143A mutation, which confers resistance to SDHI, was detected in both species. These results partially explain why fungicides failed to control ABHR. They enable us to make more informed management decisions. Organic growers mainly rely on cultural practices to manage ABHR. Understanding the population biology of the pathogen may help us identify effective cultural practices. We conducted a population genetics study to investigate the structure of A. brassicicola populations in organic farms in Connecticut. High to moderate genetic richness and diversity were observed in most fields in 2022 and 2023. No evidence of recombination was observed, suggesting populations are mainly reproducing asexually. Since we found no evidence of sexual reproduction, we wanted to determine if high genetic diversity was due to multiple introductions of the pathogen. Our data suggests that A. brassicicola has a high dispersal ability. This supports the hypothesis that high diversity results from multiple introductions. These introductions may occur through airborne dispersal of spores or human-mediated dispersal of contaminated seed.

Improving management recommendations for Alternaria leaf blight and head rot of broccoli using fungicide resistance monitoring and population genetics Daniel G. Cerritos Garcia PhD Candidate Plant Science and Landscape Architecture Department Major Advisor: Sydney E. Everhart

Students who may benefit from attending a Let's Talk: Mental Health Office Hours session include:Students who want help connecting to resources but are unsure where to begin Students who are looking for advice on a non-clinical issue Students who are unsure about therapy and are curious about what it is like to talk to a therapist Students who may have concerns about the mental health of a friend and seek advice on how to support their friend If a student is not an imminent risk, and is refusing your support in contacting our office, you may also consider contacting the UConn Student CARE Team (https://studentcareteam.uconn.edu/). This session is held by Chelsea Morales, Psy.D (https://studenthealth.uconn.edu/person/chelsea-morales/)

Stop by South Campus to connect with Student Health and Wellness's Sexperts & chat about sex and relationships! Sexpert Peer Health Educator Peer Support Drop-In Hours are a free service offered on the UConn Storrs campus. Peer Support Drop-In Hours are a great option for students who have questions about sex and sexual health, are looking for a non-judgmental, laid-back environment to discuss a sex related concern or issue, or are interested in improving their sexual health and personal well-being. The Sexperts are trained to provide education, support, and connection to resources on and off-campus on a wide variety of topics pertaining to sex, sexual health, and relationships.  Fall 2025 Drop In Hours: September 15th – December 5thMonday: 12pm-4pm Tuesday: 9am-6:30pm Wednesday: 11:15am-6pm Thursday: 11am-5:30pm Friday: 10:30am-5:30pm   Sexperts (and supervising staff) are designated confidential employees under UConn's Title IX Reporting Obligations. Peer support sessions are for educational and support purposes only. Peer support visits are not on-call or emergency services, and are not for individualized medical advice, nor are they counseling or therapy. If you can't make the times listed, or would prefer to schedule an appointment with a staff sex educator, please reach out to Program Manager for Sexual Health and Peer Education Initiatives, Cassy Setzler, at cassy@uconn.edu (mailto:cassy@uconn.edu) For more information, visit: studenthealth.uconn.edu/sexperts (https://studenthealth.uconn.edu/sexperts) or email cassy@uconn.edu (mailto:cassy@uconn.edu)

For the full class schedule, descriptions, and to register, please visit the UConn Recreation website (https://recreation.uconn.edu/group-fitness-schedule/).

For the full class schedule, descriptions, and to register, please visit the UConn Recreation website (https://recreation.uconn.edu/group-fitness-schedule/).

Structural variation mechanisms and their rates in inbred mice

Structural variation mechanisms and their rates in inbred mice

For the full class schedule, descriptions, and to register, please visit the UConn Recreation website (https://recreation.uconn.edu/group-fitness-schedule/).

Students who may benefit from attending a Let's Talk: Mental Health Office Hours session include:Students who want help connecting to resources but are unsure where to begin Students who are looking for advice on a non-clinical issue Students who are unsure about therapy and are curious about what it is like to talk to a therapist Students who may have concerns about the mental health of a friend and seek advice on how to support their friend If a student is not an imminent risk, and is refusing your support in contacting our office, you may also consider contacting the UConn Student CARE Team (https://studentcareteam.uconn.edu/). This session is held by Fumi Sowah, LCSW (https://studenthealth.uconn.edu/person/olufumilayo-sowah/)

In this introductory workshop, we will provide an overview of instructional design, a systematic process for planning a course. You will begin to build a course design framework and walk away with tools and resources to customize your course plan. Please come prepared with a course or instructional topic to work on during the session.Objectives: As we discuss five key elements of course design, you will begin to:*Recognize how ID can help you and your students.*Identifysituational factorsimpactingyour course.*Write your learningobjectives.*Plan your assessments.*Plan your learning activities/instructional materials.*Check your design plan for alignment. Register - https://fins.uconn.edu/secure/workshops/switch_details_tab.php?serial=3647&tab=2 (https://fins.uconn.edu/secure/workshops/switch_details_tab.php?serial=3647&tab=2)

Is there a topic that you believe demands discussion but that you fear will prove too polarizing for civil conversation? Do you avoid organizing such a discussion because you are unsure of how to ensure meaningful engagement across difference? Are you interested in honing your skills of engaging in conversation with people who think differently from you? If so, please join us for this workshop which will focus on the following subjects:basic theories of, and approaches to, conflict resolution-based dialogue; facilitating difficult conversations in a structured-dialogue setting; creating and hosting dialogues (focusing on the Encounters dialogue model) role-playing practice your new dialogic skills This event is hosted by the Democracy & Dialogues Initiative (https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fhumanrights.uconn.edu%2Fareas-of-focus%2Fdemocracy-dialogues%2F&data=05%7C02%7Csaah.agyemang-badu%40uconn.edu%7C953ee6b997094d834d6e08dcc381c68d%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C638600209347679652%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=%2By%2BOqmfnYORQdebt94d7V4p0C%2Bdl%2B88Dtb659DqfanY%3D&reserved=0), a program of Dodd Human Rights Impact.

For the full class schedule, descriptions, and to register, please visit the UConn Recreation website (https://recreation.uconn.edu/group-fitness-schedule/).