My name is Amit Sharma. I am pursuing my doctorate degree in Plant pathology at UW-Madison. My projects aim to comprehensively address key aspects of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum management. These include investigating the population diversity of S. sclerotiorum, evaluating the effective application rates of Contans (Coniothyrium minitans) for disease reduction, and assessing the efficacy of C. minitans in reducing the survival and viability of S. sclerotiorum sclerotia left on the soil surface or buried. Additionally, my research is focused on evaluating the impact of potassium on the growth and germination of both S. sclerotiorum and C. minitans as well as the efficacy of C. minitans to control Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Besides my research, I actively contribute to the academic and professional community. I am a member of What’s Eating My Plants, going to serve as the Plant Pathology representative on the Plant Sciences Graduate Student Council (PSGSC), and mentor fellow graduate students through the Plant Pathology Peer Mentor Program.