Matthew's Journal

I'm retiring the use of this software to run my journal and I've switched to Wordpress. The transition is still a work in progress, but, for the moment, you should use the URL millercommmatt.com/wordpress. Eventually, you'll just be able to use millercommamatt.com to view my journal, photos, and anything else I put up.

I was a plant disease forecaster for about 2 years before I started graduate research full time. We used a combination of weather forecasting techniques, numerical weather prediction, and knowledge of plant pathology to predict the spread of 3 different plant fungi (tobacco blue mold, cucurbit downy mildew, and soybean rust). The North American Plant Disease Forecast Center, under the direction of Dr. Charles Main, provided me with a job and the income I needed while I was still in graduate school without an adviser or an assistantship. I became good friends with Dr. Main and his lead forecaster Thomas.

I've been away from the forecasting office since May 2006 when I started research full time and was unable to juggle both jobs. The forecast office was funded entirely through grants and the budget was dependent on how much various organizations were willing to give to support the center. I found out yesterday that the last of the grant money has been spent and that there are no new sources of funding expected. This means Dr. Main will finally fully retire from NC State and it means that Thomas is looking for a new job after about 12 years at the forecast office. I spent this morning doing a few things to help complete any remaining tasks that needed to be done and to help see that our data is available for any interested researchers.

It's all kind of sad. I'm sad to see the place that got me through the slowest part of my graduate career come to an end. I'm sad to see Thomas scramble to find a new job that will allow him to continue to support his family. I'm sad to see the end of a center that provided a valuable and unique service to the agricultural community. I wish everyone who is leaving the NAPDFC the best of luck. I also wish good luck to those who will carry on its legacy in the research community.

Follow up note for readers: I recently found out that the NAPDFC is still continuing on, although in a more limited capacity.