Name: Charles C. Block   Title: Plant Pathologist Organization: USDA-ARS-MWA-PIRU Role/Crops/Team: Dr. Block serves as the Plant Introduction Station’s pathologist. He provides support to the curators on plant disease-related issues. His research seeks to identify sources of fungal, bacterial and viral resistance in plant germplasm and to obtain descriptor data for the GRIN database. He has particular interests in seed-borne diseases and seed-borne plant pathogens. He coordinates the seed health testing program and handles phytosanitary issues. Special Interests: Some of Dr. Block’s research interests include using magnetic bead capture systems (antibody or DNA-coated beads) coupled with real-time PCR for detecting seed-borne plant pathogens. He is studying the long term survival of the cucurbit bacterial fruit blotch pathogen, Acidovorax avenae ssp. citrulli, on seeds. Education:   Ph.D. Plant Pathology, Iowa State University, Ames, 1996.   M.S. Plant Pathology, Iowa State University, Ames, 1979.   B.S. Chemistry, Briar Cliff College, Sioux City, IA, 1974. Employment History: 1999-Current: Plant Pathologist, Plant Introduction Station, USDA-ARS, Ames, Iowa.   1992-1999: Assistant Scientist II, Plant Introduction Station, Iowa State University.   1979-1992: Research Associate II, Plant Introduction Station, Iowa State University.   1978-1979: Diagnostician, Plant Disease Clinic, Univ. of Missouri, Columbia.