10/06/1993

Gudauskas Retires from AU Plant Pathology Department

AUBURN, Ala. - After more than 30 years of helping Alabama farmers identify and control plant diseases, Auburn University Professor of Plant Pathology Robert T. Gudauskas has traded lab and field work for travel and a hammer.

Gudauskas, who retired Oct. 1, was born and reared in Illinois. He earned his bachelor's degree from what is now Eastern Illinois University; his master's and doctorate in plant pathology were both earned from the University of Illinois.

Gudauskas came to Auburn in 1960 after receiving his doctorate. His specialty is plant diseases, particularly viral diseases of field crops.

When he first arrived, much of his work focused on plant response to viral infection, especially corn. "We studied everything from the plant's physiology, respiration, morphology and other responses," he said.

This early work led to the discovery that some of the resistance found in corn plants was due to the restricted movement of the virus after it infected the plant. The information was later used as the basis for breeding resistant corn plants.

Much of his research has involved corn, wheat and peanuts. Because Gudauskas is the only plant virologist conducting research through the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station at Auburn, he also has worked with a number of vegetable crops, such as tomatoes and cowpeas. He is involved in all aspects of the work from identification to treatment and control.

In addition, Gudauskas has been responsible for rating the disease reactions of all small grains involved in Auburn's variety tests. He has taught plant virology courses, diagnosis of disease and several advanced graduate classes. He has directed more than 20 graduate students to either their master's or doctorate degrees.

He has also been interim head of the department: first from 1984 to 1986, when it was the Department of Botany, Plant Pathology, and Microbiology; later, when the department became Plant Pathology, he continued in the position until 1987. "It was a challenging time," he said, "because of the division that occurred. But I certainly had rewarding experiences. I enjoyed the progress, success, and accomplishments of the department and its people."

Gudauskas is a long-time member of the Alabama Academy of Science. He has served as editor of the Academy's journal several years, and has also served as president and on the editorial board and the board of trustees.

He has also been a prominent member of the American Phytopathological Society. At the national level, he has served as both the president and vice president of the southern division. He has been a southern counselor to the national council. He was senior editor for three years of the society's Plant Disease journal. He also has been appointed to a number of committees at the national level--most recently as chairman of public responsibilities, working on the society's professional code of conduct.

Gudauskas said that while he will miss conducting research and teaching and interacting with students, he will have plenty to keep him busy. Though he will stay in Auburn, he and his wife have some travel plans--including several trips to Florida where their grandchildren live. Some unfinished house projects also are on the agenda.

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Auburn, AL 36849
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Contact Jamie Creamer, 334-844-2783 or jcreamer@auburn.edu
by Reginia Broadway

10/06/93