The Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology at the University of California, Riverside is committed to conducting research on the basic biology of plant pathogens and microbes; developing methods for the management of plant and microbiological diseases of organisms; providing a quality education to its students; and, providing expert advice on plant diseases and microbiology to the citizens of California and the world.

Plant pathology and microbiology are multidisciplinary fields. Consequently, represented among our faculty are experts in the fields of genetics, genomics, cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, ecology, evolutionary biology and bioinformatics, as well as more traditional aspects of disease control. Their research programs range from those based primarily in the laboratory to those with substantial field components. Many faculty also have close interactions with agricultural commodities, industry representatives, growers, and farm advisors throughout California and the world. This is critical to applied research for identifying and controlling both emerging and established plant diseases.

Our graduate programs are key components of our department's activities. Many graduate students have been attracted to Riverside by our international reputation. The Department is large enough to provide graduate students with the experience and skills needed to make them successful in scientific endeavors, but small enough for them to form close personal relationships with their professors and colleagues. Graduates may find themselves working for large agribusiness firms developing new fungicides; biotechnology firms using genetic engineering to create disease-resistant plants or microbial factories; universities developing tomorrow's agricultural technology or studying how microorganisms cause diseases, or at governmental agencies or private organizations providing practical advice on control or diagnosis of disease.