Home > Person

Person

Bonnie H Ownley

Professor & Assistant Department Head | Entomology and Plant Pathology

Specialization: Biological and Cultural Control of Soil-borne Plant Pathogens

Overview

I joined the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology in 1992, following a Post-doc with the USDA Agricultural Research Service at Washington State University. I studied soil edaphic factors that impact biological control with Pseudomonas and Trichoderma species of take-all disease of wheat. My mentors were Drs. David Weller and R. James Cook. My interest in biological control, plant pathology, mycology, and soil science stems from undergraduate and graduate training with Dr. Lindsey Olive at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Dr. Gareth Morgan-Jones at Auburn University, and Dr. Mike Benson at North Carolina State University.

I hold a strong commitment to equity and diversity, recognizing them as vital assets to research-intensive institutions like The University of Tennessee. I am committed to enhancing educational accessibility, especially for underserved and underrepresented groups. I am currently the Graduate Director of EPP, and I am dedicated to empowering and assisting our students in their academic and professional goals.

Research Focus

My research program is focused on pathosystems involving soilborne plant pathogens, such as Rhizoctonia solani, various species of Bipolaris and Fusarium, Sclerotium rolfsii, and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Outreach Focus

My academic outreach centers on the 'Gadget Girls' program with the Girl Scouts. It actively involves middle and high school girls in STEM activities, aiming to inspire continued education in STEM fields.

Teaching Focus

I teach courses in mycology, soilborne plant pathogens, and phytobacteriology. I've had the privilege of mentoring numerous postdocs and over 45 graduate students. I also actively involve undergraduates in my research projects.

Courses
Below are courses taught during the current or past three academic years. Consult Timetable for the most current listing of courses and instructor(s).
EPP 201 - Impact of Insects and Plant Diseases on Human Societies
3 credit hour(s)

Insects and plant diseases have had a significant influence on human history, culture, and lifestyles. The science of entomology and plant pathology helps humankind understand the impact of insects and plant pathogens on these dimensions of human existence. The development of strategies to capitalize on the beneficial aspects of these organisms will also be explored. Satisfies Volunteer Core Requirement: (NS) Satisfies General Education Requirement through the 2021-2022 academic catalog: (NS)

Other Instructors: Gwinn, Kimberly D

Semesters Offered: Fall
EPP 250 - The World of Fungi: Beneficial, Edible, Medicinal, Hallucinogenic, Pathogenic, Toxic, and Deadly
3 credit hour(s)

The World of Fungi is a comprehensive exploration of the diverse fungal kingdom and the impact of fungi on human societies, plants, animals, and ecosystems, as well as their economic importance in various industries. The topics covered will broaden student knowledge on the benefits (food, medicines, waste decomposition), challenges (disease, toxins, food safety and security), and opportunities (industrial uses, environmental clean-up) created by fungi. This course will prepare students for higher level courses in biology, plant pathology, and microbiology.

Semesters Offered: Spring
EPP 505 - Mycology
3 credit hour(s)

Survey of the fungal kingdom and traditional allies in the context of phyla and taxonomic classes. Topics include: systematics, biology, reproduction, structure-function, physiology, genetics, mycotic diseases of animals and plants, mycotoxins, hallucinogens, and poisons, insect-fungal associations, composting, edible mushrooms, industrial uses of fungi, fermented food and beverages, and fungal ecology.

Semesters Offered: Fall
EPP 512 - Soilborne Plant Pathogens
3 credit hour(s)

Causal agents; host-parasite-soil environment interactions; epidemiology; detection and identification of soilborne plant pathogens; biological, cultural, and chemical control.

Semesters Offered: Spring
EPP 570 - Entomology and Plant Pathology Colloquium
1 credit hour(s)

Will focus on professional development and other essential topics for new Graduate Students, who are enrolled in a graduate academic program in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology.

Other Instructors: Shoemaker, Dewayne

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
EPP 604 - Advanced Topics in Plant Pathology
1 - 3 credit hours

Biological control, disease diagnosis and management, epidemiology, fungal plant pathogens, integrated pest management, molecular plant-microbe interactions, plant pathogenesis, plant pathogenic bacteria, soil- and seed-borne pathogens, and virology.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 12 hours.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level - graduate.

Other Instructors: Kelly, Heather Marie

Semesters Offered: Fall
Picture of Bonnie H Ownley

865-974-7138

bownley@tennessee.edu

Curriculum Vitae
414 Plant Biotechnology Building
2505 E J Chapman Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-4560
Education and Training
  • Doctorate, Plant Pathology, Minor in Soil Science, North Carolina State University, 1987
Responsible Area(s)
  • Agriculture and Natural Resources
Lab Members
Mary Dee
Wilson Kihugu Ouma

Bonnie H Ownley

Professor & Assistant Department Head | Entomology and Plant Pathology
Picture of Bonnie H Ownley image

865-974-7138

bownley@tennessee.edu

Curriculum Vitae
414 Plant Biotechnology Building
2505 E J Chapman Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-4560
Education and Training
  • Doctorate, Plant Pathology, Minor in Soil Science, North Carolina State University, 1987
Responsible Area(s)
  • Agriculture and Natural Resources
Overview

I joined the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology in 1992, following a Post-doc with the USDA Agricultural Research Service at Washington State University. I studied soil edaphic factors that impact biological control with Pseudomonas and Trichoderma species of take-all disease of wheat. My mentors were Drs. David Weller and R. James Cook. My interest in biological control, plant pathology, mycology, and soil science stems from undergraduate and graduate training with Dr. Lindsey Olive at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Dr. Gareth Morgan-Jones at Auburn University, and Dr. Mike Benson at North Carolina State University.

I hold a strong commitment to equity and diversity, recognizing them as vital assets to research-intensive institutions like The University of Tennessee. I am committed to enhancing educational accessibility, especially for underserved and underrepresented groups. I am currently the Graduate Director of EPP, and I am dedicated to empowering and assisting our students in their academic and professional goals.

Research Focus

My research program is focused on pathosystems involving soilborne plant pathogens, such as Rhizoctonia solani, various species of Bipolaris and Fusarium, Sclerotium rolfsii, and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Outreach Focus

My academic outreach centers on the 'Gadget Girls' program with the Girl Scouts. It actively involves middle and high school girls in STEM activities, aiming to inspire continued education in STEM fields.

Teaching Focus

I teach courses in mycology, soilborne plant pathogens, and phytobacteriology. I've had the privilege of mentoring numerous postdocs and over 45 graduate students. I also actively involve undergraduates in my research projects.

Courses
Below are courses taught during the current or past three academic years. Consult Timetable for the most current listing of courses and instructor(s).
EPP 201 - Impact of Insects and Plant Diseases on Human Societies
3 credit hour(s)

Insects and plant diseases have had a significant influence on human history, culture, and lifestyles. The science of entomology and plant pathology helps humankind understand the impact of insects and plant pathogens on these dimensions of human existence. The development of strategies to capitalize on the beneficial aspects of these organisms will also be explored. Satisfies Volunteer Core Requirement: (NS) Satisfies General Education Requirement through the 2021-2022 academic catalog: (NS)

Other Instructors: Gwinn, Kimberly D

Semesters Offered: Fall
EPP 250 - The World of Fungi: Beneficial, Edible, Medicinal, Hallucinogenic, Pathogenic, Toxic, and Deadly
3 credit hour(s)

The World of Fungi is a comprehensive exploration of the diverse fungal kingdom and the impact of fungi on human societies, plants, animals, and ecosystems, as well as their economic importance in various industries. The topics covered will broaden student knowledge on the benefits (food, medicines, waste decomposition), challenges (disease, toxins, food safety and security), and opportunities (industrial uses, environmental clean-up) created by fungi. This course will prepare students for higher level courses in biology, plant pathology, and microbiology.

Semesters Offered: Spring
EPP 505 - Mycology
3 credit hour(s)

Survey of the fungal kingdom and traditional allies in the context of phyla and taxonomic classes. Topics include: systematics, biology, reproduction, structure-function, physiology, genetics, mycotic diseases of animals and plants, mycotoxins, hallucinogens, and poisons, insect-fungal associations, composting, edible mushrooms, industrial uses of fungi, fermented food and beverages, and fungal ecology.

Semesters Offered: Fall
EPP 512 - Soilborne Plant Pathogens
3 credit hour(s)

Causal agents; host-parasite-soil environment interactions; epidemiology; detection and identification of soilborne plant pathogens; biological, cultural, and chemical control.

Semesters Offered: Spring
EPP 570 - Entomology and Plant Pathology Colloquium
1 credit hour(s)

Will focus on professional development and other essential topics for new Graduate Students, who are enrolled in a graduate academic program in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology.

Other Instructors: Shoemaker, Dewayne

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
EPP 604 - Advanced Topics in Plant Pathology
1 - 3 credit hours

Biological control, disease diagnosis and management, epidemiology, fungal plant pathogens, integrated pest management, molecular plant-microbe interactions, plant pathogenesis, plant pathogenic bacteria, soil- and seed-borne pathogens, and virology.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 12 hours.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level - graduate.

Other Instructors: Kelly, Heather Marie

Semesters Offered: Fall
Lab Members
Mary Dee
Wilson Kihugu Ouma