Graduate Research Assistantship - Thousand Cankers Disease Contingent on available funding, a Master's-level Graduate Research Assistantship at the University of Tennessee will be available in 2013. The project is focused on aspects of the control of thousand cankers disease (TCD) of walnut. TCD is caused by a fungus (Geosmithia morbida) that is vectored by the walnut twig beetle (Pityophthorus juglandis). TCD is recently established in the eastern US and has prompted quarantines on the movement of black walnut wood products. For more information: http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/foresthealth/forestpests/tcd/index.shtml. The project involves collaboration with the USDA Forest Service and APHIS. Research topics include: * Phytosanitary standards development * Beetle and fungus host preference * Infestation potential and persistence of the insect and fungal pathogen in trees, logs and wood products * Prevalence of G. morbida in forest environments The appointment will be in the Department of Forestry, Wildlife & Fisheries (FWF) at the Knoxville campus of the University of Tennessee. Two years of support includes an annual stipend of approximately $17,500 plus tuition and benefits. Information on graduate studies in FWF is available at http://fwf.ag.utk.edu/Academics/msprogram.htm. For additional information, please contact: Adam Taylor Associate Professor Department of Forestry, Wildlife & Fisheries University of Tennessee AdamTaylor@utk.edu<mailto:AdamTaylor@utk.edu> 865-946-1125 This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete the email immediately.