Dr. Francesca Hand is an Associate Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at The Ohio State University where she leads a teaching, research, and Extension program in ornamental crop diseases. Previously, she received a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology (2008) from the University of Florence, Italy, and conducted postdoctoral research in the Dept. of Plant Pathology at the University of California, Davis (2009-2013). Her lab studies fundamental and applied aspects of pathogen biology, disease epidemiology, and integrated management of plant diseases, with a focus on specialty woody cuts and cut flower crops. Her team is interested in studying the interactions between pathogens, hosts, and the environments in which they interact, and translating knowledge into practical solutions for growers to implement to prevent crop losses.