In this episode, I talk with plant pathologist, and TikTok scicommer, Sara Stricker about plant fungus, science communication, and agriculture.

• (0:01:19) The Plant Doctor and the PhD defense.
• (0:02:20) The PhD process.
• (0:03:57) Nerves, anxiety and a new job.
• (0:05:42) Why TikTok?
• (0:09:01) Vulnerability and coping with personal disclosures.
• (0:10:45) The importance of visibility and being a role model.
• (0:12:10) Who is your audience?
• (0:13:20) Teaching and the journey to grad school.
• (0:15:23) Advice for scientists joining TikTok.
• (0:17:29) Making partnerships.
• (0:18:50) Research into fungus and onion growth.
• (0:20:24) Weather patterns and fungal spores.
• (0:21:02) Chemical sprays and bacterial resistance.
• (0:23:44) Why study this fungus? Microdochium nivale and mineral oil.
• (0:25:20) The Muck Crops Research Station, The Growers Association and OMAFRA.
• (0:27:42) The areas and origins of the fungus.
• (0:28:21) Asparagus and Pears: Fungal spots.
• (0:30:09) What can farmers do to combat this fungus?
• (0:30:55) Intercropping vs Monocropping and disease.
• (0:32:12) Crop rotation and beneficial bacteria.
• (0:34:32) The micronetwork of fungi and how trees communicate.
• (0:37:20) The grass is screaming.
• (0:38:20) The Guelph Turfgrass Institute, lawns and helping the pollinators.
• (0:40:48) International grasslands and the role of ecosystems.
• (0:43:18) Vaccines and embracing the boring in science.
• (0:46:46) Dealing with repetition: How to combat boredom.
• (0:48:00) MineCraft, Animal Crossing and video games.
• (0:49:16) Twitch.
• (0:50:19) Killing plants and gardening.
• (0:51:29) Woodworking and wood burning.
• (0:53:11) Learning from Dad and small town living.
• (0:54:52) What's next? Teaching, outreach and family.

Follow Sara on Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sciencesaraFollow Guelph Turf on Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@guelphturfFollow Sara on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SaraMStricker

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