The Irving E. Melhus Graduate Student Symposium is a prestigious annual event that takes place as part of the annual meeting of the American Phytopathology Society (APS) and is co-sponsored by the APS Epidemiology Committee and the APS Foundation. The I.E. Melhus symposia feature graduate students competitively chosen to present their thesis research results. Criteria for selection include an evaluation of the significance of the contribution towards improving our understanding of plant pathology, their communication skills, and letters of nomination.