Alison Blundell, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Entomology and Nematology at UC Davis, was named the recipient of the 2025 John M. Webster Outstanding Student Award from the Society of Nematologists. This marked the first time a UC Davis student received the award, established in 2007 to recognize graduate students demonstrating exceptional achievements and scholarly excellence in nematology.
As the awardee, Blundell received a $1500 prize and will deliver a 30-minute oral presentation on her research at the Society of Nematologists' 64th annual meeting, scheduled for July 13-17 in Victoria, British Columbia. The evaluation committee commended Blundell for her personal qualities, accomplishments, academic achievements, leadership, and dedication to the field of nematology.
Blundell, who joined the UC Davis doctoral program in 2020, focused her dissertation on "Trade-Offs Between Virulence and Evading Resistance in Root-Knot Nematodes." Her research investigated how root-knot nematodes overcome Mi-1 mediated resistance in tomatoes and involved testing for isolates exhibiting resistance. Mi-1 is a critical gene in tomato plants that confers resistance against root-knot nematodes, significant parasites capable of causing substantial crop damage.
Her work involved collecting root-knot nematode (RKN) isolates from affected fields and developing single egg mass cultures. She applied whole-genome sequencing to identify genetic signatures associated with resistance and its breakdown. Simultaneously, she explored whether resistance-breaking RKNs experienced fitness costs on non-host crops—an approach with potential implications for nematode management strategies for growers.
Beyond her scientific research, Blundell actively participated in professional services, including oral and poster presentations and serving as vice chair of the SON Graduate Student Committee. She engaged in teaching, mentoring, and public outreach on the UC Davis campus. Her activities included promoting science education and agricultural awareness by volunteering at the annual UC Davis Picnic Day and the UC Davis Biodiversity Museum Day.
Previously, Blundell achieved first place in the Three-Minute Thesis Competition at the 2022 SON meeting. At the 2024 SON meeting, judges awarded her second place in the 12-Minute Best Student Paper Award Competition.
Blundell, formerly Alison Coomer, holds a bachelor of science degree in biology and a bachelor of arts in chemistry (2020) from Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska, where she also received the Outstanding Graduate Student in Biology Award.
Source: California AG Today
Photograph: California AG Today
