Speaker 2 0:00 Jim: Hello and welcome back to Plantopia. Plantopia is the plant health podcast at the American Phytopathological Society. I'm the host of Plantopia, Jim Bradeen, a Professor of plant pathology and associate vice president at Colorado State University. And we're recording this episode of plan topia live at the 12th International Congress of plant biology in Lyon, France. Today we are joined by Dr. Yong-Hwan Lee here on one was born in the Republic of Korea, and earned his BS and MS degrees in plant pathology from Seoul National University and his PhD also in plant pathology from Louisiana State University. He worked for two years at Clemson University as a visiting assistant professor before returning to Korea as a senior research scientist at LG Chem Ltd. And in 1995, he joined the faculty of Seoul National University, rising to the rank of distinguished professor in 2020. Yong-Hwan's research focuses on the molecular and genomic basis of race blast disease caused by Bagna fourth RHIC. And he employs multiple research approaches and strategies to dissect infection mechanisms and enable comparative and evolutionary fungal genomics analyses. Yan find is author or co author of a very impressive 231 peer reviewed publications, and he's earned numerous awards. Among his honors in 2016. Yong-Hwan was elected as a member of the Korean Academy of Science and Technology. And APS has recognized his many contributions with the Ruth Allen award in 2013, and the APS Fellow award in 2017. Yong-Hwan also held the honor of keepy chair professor at J. Jiang University in China, and a Finland Distinguished Professorship at the University of Helsinki. Yong-Hwan is committed to service to his institution and our profession. at Seoul National University. He has held several administrative roles including director of the University plant clinic, department head and Associate Dean for Research. He has served on the editorial boards of many prominent journals, and is currently an academic editor for scientific reports. Senior Editor for Phytopathology Research, and senior editor of the APS's Phytobiomes Journal. Yong-Hwan served as the president of the Korean society of plant pathology, and is currently the president of the Asian Association of societies for plant biology. Yong-Hwan, also serves on the council and at the end of this meeting, will be president of the International Society for Plant Pathology, the ISPP. And I should mention the ISPP along with the French Society, Plant Pathology, organize the ICP meeting that we're speaking at today. Yong-Hwan, welcome to Plantopia. Unknown Speaker 3:06 Yong-Hwan: Thank you for inviting me. Yeah. Speaker 2 3:08 Jim: Our pleasure. It's an honor to meet you and have you on the show, you have had such a significant impact on our field. And you work on a very significant disease, a very significant crop. I'm talking of course about blast of rice. So let's actually start at the beginning. Could you tell us a little bit about how you became interested in the field of plant pathology? Unknown Speaker 3:28 Yong-Hwan: Sure. I say really how I got interested in plant pathology. I like to a little bit explain why those economic situation when I was in college today, in the 1970s, South Korea faced the challenge economic situation with a limited resource and difficulties achieving self sufficient in production. Even per capita GNP was only around 2000 US dollars. That now is over 35,000. us now. During this period of time, South Korea received significant support from advanced foreign countries. However, fortunately during this time, we had green revolution at least in rice already leading to the development of corn your diet is made self sufficient of rice as major food. This was achieved by crossing the IndyCar and japonica varieties and despoil varieties had higher resistant to Rice brass. Although the taste and quality of the stronger variety was not as good as Chapnick pyrite we used to, consumes by government push older rice growing farmers to cultivate this variety only to increase harvested at the plant storage point of views. As a result of large scale cultivation, a genetically identical single varieties over extensive area, the race of blasts passed and shipped. In 1978, a major outbreak of rice blast occurred in Tony rice is causing around 50% of loss over the harvest. During this time, exactly. One year next rice outbreak, I entered college of agriculture assimilation universities, and that I had to decide my major. At the second year, I had interest in the beginning in microbiology. But due to this rice plus outbreak in careers, I decided to major plant pathology. As an undergraduate student, I had an internship in the laboratory of Dr. Grace. And I decided to go to graduate school. And then I really studied right philosophy research until then, perhaps Speaker 2 6:03 Jim: An incredibly moving story, we all have our own pathway into the field of plant pathology, few of us have that deep personal connection. And as you mentioned, you've worked on rice blast for a very long time. Unknown Speaker 6:17 Yong-Hwan: I started from 1980s, three bass Korea, and then to now it's still almost 40 years. Speaker 2 6:24 Jim: That's an incredible history. And as I mentioned, you've had just tremendous impact in the field. When you look back at all of the work that you've done, what are some of the projects that stand out as things that you're most proud of? Unknown Speaker 6:37 Yong-Hwan: During the last four years, I think is the discipline really changed quite a lot. Not necessarily only in climatology, but also around other sciences where and then I started actually, from the beginning, something later we did is molecular aspects, they will really like to understand what is the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis of the rise plus. And then from early days I just to work on past Formation and PRO plus fusions, and then genetics and genomics, and bioinformatics. And then, during last 20 years, and then we combined genomics and bioinformatics to really understand that this is what is really the nature of the mechanism to make a disease or to make resistant in varieties dadless A very green journey. So I have it so far. Speaker 2 7:33 Jim: Incredible. So you're referencing 40 years of work? Where do you think our field will be in another 40 years? And what are some of the the opportunities and challenges that you're looking forward to, Unknown Speaker 7:45 Yong-Hwan: Because why only sick on the rise plus, that was probably due to when I started my work at the master's program in the beginning. But I had a really good opportunity always be supported by the government or industries and with a really exceptionally talented graduate student. But I never think even are the area of my past and on the way out to the pathology. Speaker 2 8:12 Jim: Despite your amazing research career, you've also found time to serve in some really important leadership roles. I'd like to explore a little bit your role as department head and an associate dean, at your university. What motivated you to pursue academic leadership? Yeah, Unknown Speaker 8:30 Yong-Hwan: I bet it's playing the system what our university has probably a little bit different from the US university systems, especially for department head. And then more specifically, say probably we have department chair system rather than head of department by rotating of each faculty members for few years. With few exceptions, I think is almost 50% of the faculty member in the department will do one service during their careers. But I also served as the associate dean for research at the country level that is a little bit different. And that is not 100% of full time or dimension job. But still, we need to really significant for a long time. I need to invest it to manage those kinds of things. But that is that election, our college Dean's election systems. But until 40 Dean is appointed by the President of the universities. So President appointed you shouldn't be an Associate Dean for Research at the College of Agriculture and Life Science then had to decline. So I had to serve two years. Speaker 2 9:45 Jim: I think that's a story that's familiar to many of us that are in leadership roles. I'm curious what challenges or impacts you had in those leadership roles. Unknown Speaker 9:56 Yong-Hwan: When I was in Associate Dean for the rest So I also had the position as the director of PK to anyone agricultural biotechnology graduate program that is hugely supported by the government of the careers. And then by that time, we just combined the five different disciplines together, including Plant Pathology, entomology, and biochemistry in full size, even in animal science to make agricultural biotechnology program. And then we had about 350 graduate student in one single program. And then by that time, I also made the joint Ph. D program where the North Carolina State University is specifically into this program on one of my former PhD student has testified dual degrees, one PhD from NC State, and one PhD from Seoul National universities. Speaker 2 10:51 Jim: In wonderful, curious also, if those leadership roles changed your view of our science or your approach to science, Unknown Speaker 11:00 Yong-Hwan: That's every faculty members are facing these days how much potion they should put in the administration or service and then how much they shoot their own science. But at least somebody shoots like five. And if no one like to be, and then how this buddy or community will be run. If you raise a hand and then that is your turns. Speaker 2 11:27 Jim: I'm sure your colleagues thank you for for your your service and sacrifice. I'm looking at your publication record and the impact you've had in their field. And I very impressed with what you've been able to do while you were in those service roles as well. Now you've you've traveled the globe. And I'm really very interested in the your association with the universities in China and in Finland. Tell us a little bit about what those relationships were. That Unknown Speaker 11:55 Yong-Hwan: Was really excellent. And the memorable journey I had two additional affiliation in China and in Finland, when I was in design University as KP chair professorship for three years. By that time, the level of Chinese Science as good as these days is pretty much a starting point. But these days, what I can see, I think many of agrees and what in 6%, over high quality publication came from China. They invited me to incorporate some of this genomics and bioinformatics work in their own institute. But I did not stay as a full time but I traveled back and forth very frequently. But when I turned 250 And that was another challenge it go to University of Helsinki Academy of a field and the made the one really excellent program is called the Finland distinguished professorships and then University of Helsinki as a host inviting me to be there for five years. And they don't have really plant storage department but they rather have Department of forest pathology. If you look here, even including APS or ispcp, we have much less number of forest pathology. So now they go to you Pro is forest to Union Society, and then has their small section of forest pathology rather than really plant pathology platform. So they also like to introduce is genomics and bioinformatics platform in forest pathology. So I stayed there five years. So during summer time and the wintertime I stayed in the Helsinki with another set of graduate student and postdoc and then has another, the laboratories and the spring and fall are in Seoul and Seoul National University. After five years, I completed Edo state. And then I terminated one side and now I'm focusing on the simulation universities. But the experience in really less developed to down University in China, and then quite developed but less developed area over for his pathology compared to plant pathology was a really extremely enjoyable period of time. I enjoy it very much, but I can't do any more. Speaker 2 14:31 Jim: I've heard I've said many times and I've actually heard many times in this ICP meeting that plant pathogens no no boundaries that plant life. ology really is a global field of study. Do you have any advice to students or early career professionals on the importance of international collaborations and international travel? Unknown Speaker 14:53 Yong-Hwan: I think I'm in later I'm going to introduce the what is the role of a SPP International Society of plant pathology why we need this societies? I think it's been during the last whatever 3040 years, if we look back, is most of plant pathology research, this print is becoming deeper and deeper. And it's pretty much independent teacher, then it's not easy to understand what is the holistic view of the plant disease, and how to even collaborate with colleagues, even same department, even certain counties. But as it just mentioned, plant disease is not confined in rock anymore. This is really global. We'd like to see the global views. And then we need to work together with the people from other parts of the world. Of course, we have to make our collaboration together at the national level. But now it's time really cool folder to understand what is the nature of plant disease, scaring us global levels. And then more recently, we have one really nice examples. Rice blast from the past and now is causing weight loss. This is a heavy duty outbreaks, Bangladesh, where they came from. And we believe now and then have some evidence is came from South America from PJ. Although we have this quarantine service, we cannot block under percent. We need to know what's happening. Neighboring countries and even other parts of the world. Otherwise, we cannot protect our own territory. I think it's becoming more and more important than before. We have to work together globally. And then even in during last few days in Leo. And then now we are seeing what is really climate change, right. And this environmental will really threatening is more epidemic, a new disease, more interest in reemerging disease, to integrate all together, or think about the global and comprehensive and better platform to work together. And then also I like to really emphasize most of this community being operated or managed by pretty much advanced countries only. But if you look, some other parts of the world in Asian countries and African countries were really planetology needed. So we have to bring them to our platform and then work together to solve this threatening crisis. We're challenging by working together with the less developed countries and advanced countries together. So we shouldn't be together. That's Speaker 2 17:57 Jim: Really well said, you mentioned aspp, I certainly want to explore the role of this meeting the ICP. Before we get there, though, you are also right now the president of the Asian Association of societies for Plant Pathology, helped me understand what that association is. Unknown Speaker 18:16 Yong-Hwan: It has been now almost 20 years by 22,000 Year 2000. I think a few colleagues from career and in Japan and China and get togethers. And then by that time is traveling to always the western country is not that shapes. And most of this our colleagues didn't have much money to travel it communicate with other parts of the world. And then we decide whether we can make even our own a continental societies by daytime lady they had their role Tara, Australia, Shannon society coming together with the New Zealand and Australia, something like that. So first meeting, we had the 2000 in China. And then every three years, we rotated. And then during my presidency of The Korea Society Plant Pathology, also a hosted Asian conference and pampered salaries. And then I became president of this Asia Society plant pathology 2017 And then my term supposed to be NDT by 2020. But we had a pandemic or COVID nineteen's and then propose that this Asian conference of plant pathology postponed and postponed and canceled so still I'm in office. And then I hope is concluded next year when we have finally Asian conference on plant pathology in China. And then I'll be more focused on ISKP. Yeah, Unknown Speaker 19:52 Jim: You've got a lot going on. Really at the conclusion of the International Congress of plant pathology, the ICP meeting we're at Today, you will assume the role of president of the International Society of Plant Pathology. Tell us a bit about the society and some of your priorities for the society. Unknown Speaker 20:11 Yong-Hwan: Yeah, let me explain a little bit information on International Society for Plant Pathology. This Society was founded in 1968. Now we have a 63 nation, or reasonable plant pathology or plant protection, society as member. If we think about the individual members, we have about 26,000, the plant pathologist as a member. But as you may guess, and the purpose of this ICP is to promote the worldwide development of plant pathologies, and the dissemination of knowledge on plant disease and plan house management. But what we do actually, as the society's responses International Congress of Plant Pathology at regular intervals, currently every five years, okay, now is 12 is here in Lyon, but will be changed every four years commencing 2032. And then also other international meetings on plant pathology and related subject. But more importantly, aspp establish what we call subject matter committees to investigate and report one special field or problem in plant pathology. And isdp, also published ISTP journal is food security. Food Security journal has a really broad spectrum, even including economics, sociology, even even household during the last 10 years, the journal full security has been really successful is now we have Impact Factor 7.1. And also I SPP, also published Mozilla newsletter, and the sending out more than 2500 individual members and society members. And then also books with the spring girl nature, in the field of plant pathology, many things right. And then ISTP also maintain websites. And more importantly, we support of the funds. We established worldwide, the directorial plant solid, Speaker 2 22:31 Jim: A very impactful society. And we really look forward to seeing where you take it in the next five years, that you'll be president, by the way, congratulations on the presidency. And thank you for for that service. Unknown Speaker 22:45 Yong-Hwan: Thank you very much. But I like to add to just one point how this international society plant pathology is operating and running. And aspp Exact committee is the highest administrative body, because he's still president. We have two present one for subject matter committee. The other one is next congress chair. And then we also had Secretary General, and the treasurer and immediate past president, but I had been learning quite a lot during last few months, and that they really committed for the community. I'm not quite sure how much I can do it. I'm very much scared, even my responsibilities coming bigger and bigger from last even a few days. I really, thank you very much. And we also have another Secretary committees, including the editor in chief of the food security journals, and when manager and one business manager, there Speaker 2 23:44 Jim: There are a lot of people who believe in you, and sounds like you have really great support from the various committees. Yeah. So as president, the next Congress will fall to you. Yes. And tell us a bit about when and where that Congress's next Unknown Speaker 24:02 Yong-Hwan: Congress is going to be five years into British 2028 and the Gulf Coast insolence, in Australia's. So Andrew is now is chairing the next ICP 2028. So we'll have a oldest nice introduction, the ceremony and they have tomorrow. Please join. Okay. Just mark in your calendar. Okay. And the 2020 target list Speaker 2 24:32 Jim: 2028 on the Gold Coast of Australia, let's all be there. I can say as somebody who attended this year's I CPP meeting. It's an incredibly impactful experience. There are more than 2400 attendees at this year's Congress coming from 100 different countries so it's truly let me Unknown Speaker 24:51 Yong-Hwan: correct the one things 101 countries Speaker 2 24:57 Jim: 101 There's a lot of credit here and topia. So it is really truly is a global Yeah. Unknown Speaker 25:04 Yong-Hwan: Groans Yeah. And then we have I think it's 63 concurrent sessions. And 315 by the speakers is pretty impressive. Speaker 2 25:14 Jim: Impressive is correct. We definitely look forward to seeing you in 2028. And is there anything else that you would like to say to the listeners of plant Opia Unknown Speaker 25:25 Yong-Hwan: I actually when I got the requested to be in guest in the plant topia, I went back to the websites. And then I just learned and listened to a few things. And then I was just to chat and then how I can be there. And then what I can say and then all these nice speakers, this looks like all the professional so I'm listening, real broadcasting that is operating by APS as plant pathologist, then I got stressed very much. I had to eat. I don't know how the people thinking about when they listen, the whole conversation. Speaker 2 26:05 Jim: I hope our conversation here, made you a little less stressed about being on Plantopia, Unknown Speaker 26:10 Yong-Hwan: Thank you. Thank you. Speaker 2 26:12 Jim: Plantopia really thrives because people like you are willing to share your stories. And it's a big and diverse field of study. And there are folks all over the world doing amazing things. So thank you so much for taking the time to share your story. Unknown Speaker 26:26 Yong-Hwan: Thank you very much. Speaker 2 26:28 Jim: We have just heard from Dr. Yong-Hwan Lee, Distinguished Professor at Seoul National University and incoming president of the International Society of plant pathology. I'm Jim Bradeen the host of Plantopia. Thank you so much for listening.