Xiuyan Zhang, University of Maine

WASHINGTON – The Potato Leadership, Education, and Advancement Foundation (Potato LEAF) is pleased to announce Xiuyan Zhang, a Ph.D. student at the University of Maine, as the recipient of the organization’s 2024-25 Academic Scholarship. The $10,000 scholarship award is provided annually to one graduate student with an interest in research that stands to significantly and directly benefit the U.S. potato industry.

Zhang’s research is focused on the dynamic behavior of bacterial species that cause potato blackleg and soft rot disease, as well as the influence of potato storage conditions on pathogen infection. Since 2020, she has gathered over 300 bacterial pathogens within 11 species in Pectobacterium taxa and performed whole genome sequencing on them. These strains will be submitted and preserved in U.S. repositories to facilitate future discoveries that will provide more benefits to potato growers worldwide. Aiming to elucidate the complexity of bacteria-host interactions and lay the foundation for subsequent storage potato soft rot disease control. 

“I am truly humbled and motivated by this selection,” said Zhang after receiving the scholarship. “This not only supports my research but enhances the potato industry and its future. I extend my deepest gratitude to Potato LEAF for their commitment to fostering research, innovation, and development. Together, we will drive meaningful advancements that will greatly benefit potato growers around the globe and ensure a vibrant future for the U.S. potato sector. 

“Since 2020, Potato LEAF has remained steadfast in our commitment to the long-term health of the U.S. potato industry by developing the industry leaders of tomorrow, and we are very pleased to announce Xiuyan as the 2024-25 Academic Scholarship recipient,” said the foundation’s chair Gregg Halverson. “With passionate individuals like Xiuyan, the potato sector has a bright future ahead.” 

Before attending the University of Maine, Zhang earned a Bachelor of Science in Plant Protection from the Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities and a Master of Science in Plant Pathology jointly by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Inner Mongolia Agricultural University. She has extensive experience as a research assistant in the U.S. and China and as a teaching assistant at the University of Maine. She is actively involved with the Potato Association of America, the American Phytopathological Society, and the Northeastern Division of the American Phytopathological Society. 

“My career goal is to become a pathologist, primarily working on potato diseases. For the last 12 years, I’ve pursued a tumultuous love of pathology,” said Zhang in her application. “The growth of potatoes is my main source of research, the truly addictive core of my personal goals.” 

Zhang’s impressive academic track record includes 26 publications in peer-reviewed journals, with 12 as the lead author. She has also presented her research findings 11 times to various organizations related to the potato industry, with five additional projects in the pipeline set to benefit the community. 

“Xiuyan has consistently excelled in her research and other professional endeavors, surpassing my initial expectations. She is a highly self-motivated and productive individual with a clear goal and a deep enthusiasm for plant pathology”, wrote Dr. Jianjun Hao in his letter of recommendation.