Vahideh gets an award for her work on improving food security

Vahideh will be acknowledged during the award ceremony in Vancouver, Canada, in June this year during the 17th International Cereal Rusts and Powdery Mildews Conference. In her research, Vahideh investigates how we cen protect cereal crops from fungal diseases to ensure global food security. By identifying genetic resistance traits and understanding how pathogens interact with their hosts, her work helps with breeding more resilient wheat varieties.

–  In Vancouver, I also look forward to networking with leading scientists, engaging in discussions on wheat research, and exploring potential collaborations that could further enhance my work on cereal disease resistance, says Vahide.

Understanding a devastating pathogen

Vahide’s research focuses on Fusarium head blight, a devastating disease affecting cereal crops, particularly wheat and barley. At SLU she lead projects supported by the Swedish Research Council (FORMAS) and King Gustaf XVI 50th’s Anniversary Fund.

– My work aims to understand the pathogenicity mechanisms of Fusarium species, identify resistance genes, and develop sustainable disease management strategies. Additionally, my collaborations with scientists at the USDA Cereal Disease Lab contribute to advancing wheat disease resistance on a global scale.

A passion for sustainable food production

Vahideh got her PhD in 2018 from Cornell University (USA) and Shiraz University (Iran).

– Following that, I held a tenure-track assistant professorship in Iran before transitioning to a postdoctoral position at SLU in 2020. Since then, I have secured highly competitive grants and established an independent research program focusing on cereal-pathogen interactions.

Vahideh’s passion for research began early in her academic journey. The complexity of plant diseases and their impact on agriculture fascinated her, and she realized that through scientific discovery, she could contribute to sustainable food production.

– This motivation has guided me through my career, from my PhD studies to my current leadership in wheat disease research, concludes Vahideh.