The Master’s Program in Phytopathology, Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), successfully organized an online guest lecture for the course Molecular Interactions between Pathogens and Hosts on Wednesday, 13 May 2026. Conducted via the Zoom platform, the event was attended by students of the Master’s Program in Phytopathology as part of the program’s commitment to broadening students’ academic perspectives on recent developments in molecular phytopathology.
The guest lecture featured Aviv Andriani, S.P., M.P., Ph.D. student in Plant Breeding and Genetics at Wageningen University & Research and a researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Genetic Engineering Research Center. During the session, she delivered a presentation entitled “Exploring Effectors: Seeking Resistance from Pathogen,” which discussed recent advances in research on pathogen effector molecules produced during plant infection and their application in identifying and developing new sources of plant disease resistance.
In her presentation, the speaker explained that effectors are essential molecules secreted by pathogens to manipulate plant defense mechanisms, thereby facilitating successful infection. Understanding the interactions between pathogen effectors and plant resistance genes has become one of the most strategic approaches for supporting modern crop breeding programs. In addition to introducing the fundamental concepts of molecular plant–pathogen interactions, she also presented various genomics-, molecular genetics-, and functional biology-based approaches that are currently being employed to discover novel resistance genes in economically important crop species.
The guest lecture was conducted in an interactive atmosphere with enthusiastic participation from the Master’s students in Phytopathology. During the discussion session, participants explored a wide range of topics, including the evolution of pathogen effectors, the dynamics of plant–pathogen interactions, and the potential application of molecular technologies in developing disease-resistant crop varieties. The active discussions and insightful questions demonstrated the students’ strong interest in contemporary research in molecular phytopathology and plant breeding.
Through this guest lecture, the Master’s Program in Phytopathology aims to broaden students’ scientific perspectives while strengthening academic networks with Indonesian researchers pursuing advanced studies at internationally renowned institutions. The event also reflects the Department of Plant Protection’s commitment to providing high-quality education that keeps pace with advances in science and technology, while preparing graduates with strong academic competencies and global competitiveness.
The implementation of this guest lecture also contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) by providing students with access to high-quality learning experiences led by internationally engaged experts. Furthermore, the discussion on plant disease resistance supports SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) through innovations aimed at developing disease-resistant crops that contribute to sustainable agricultural productivity and food security. The event also reflects the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by fostering academic collaboration among Universitas Gadjah Mada, Wageningen University & Research, and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).
