New honorary member of the <scp>BSPP</scp>

I was born and grew up in the village of Gözne, Mersin, a rural area Turkey Eastern Mediterranean. With self-subsistence farming occurring all around me, studying plant protection natural choice, so enrolled at Faculty Agriculture, Çukurova University Adana, Turkey. As an undergraduate student, particularly impressed by lectures practicals given Kemal Koç on horticultural diseases. came to UK for MSc Applied Plant Sciences Wye College, London with scholarship from Turkish government. Lectures John Mansfield were enjoyable unforgettable us foreign students. During this time, became fascinated plant–pathogen interactions. However, learn more about molecular biology, started PhD genetic transformation yam, funded research council TÜBİTAK, during which learnt tissue culture techniques biology skills my supervisors Sinclair Mantell Charles Ainsworth. In those days it took 2–3 just isolate some DNA! Following PhD, joined Jim Beynon's group work mapping Arabidopsis genes conferring resistance downy mildew. This BBSRC-funded project collaboration Ian Crute Eric Holub, then based East Malling Research Station. My learning curve still steep, but time gene mapping. RFLP markers, CHEF gels YAC contigs buzzwords days. mapped three R-genes established them. From moved Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey, take lectureship position fulfil obligations required TÜBİTAK. The post teaching heavy, 28 hours per week, allowed me develop motivational skills. Although laboratories not well-equipped, region had active agriculture industry, used that as opportunity start ‘Plant Clinics’ session. students once week fields, glasshouses, orchards, nurseries seed companies see disease problems environment gain experience diagnostics. Talking growers helped them understand economic social impact also first funding. After 3 years, returned Horticulture International, Wellesbourne, map Colourless non-ripening (Cnr) mutation tomato Graham Seymour. Three years later, pathology, working Holub. interests broadened into receptor mediated-defence signalling, PAMPs effector-triggered immunity. Subsequently, small mildew effectors Warwick-HRI, collaborating sharing authorship many outstanding scientists fields animal innate lot am grateful each every one. 2010, Worcester, lecturing continuing plant–microbe interactions grants Leverhulme Trust BBSRC. has gradually expanded. Recently, university establish unit Molecular Microbial Biosciences, enabling increase fundamental translational activities. have been national international levels, running workshops, academics serving BBSRC responsive mode panel part multiple ad hoc grant committees agencies UK, Europe BSPP board 2017, Treasurer until 2022. It excellent how Society promotes pathology throughout world. would like express sincere gratitude feel privileged be chosen honorary membership.