Recent Funding for Research in the Schmale Lab
This NSF-funded project offers undergraduates hands-on
international research experiences studying ice nucleation
at the interface of water, soil, vegetation, and the
atmosphere. In collaboration with Dr. Hinrich Grothe at the
Technical University of Vienna, students engage in
interdisciplinary field and lab work, supported by training,
mentoring, and post-trip presentations. The program explores
how global research experiences influence student
perspectives on collaboration and career pathways.
This NSF ETAUS-funded project is developing a novel
fiber-optic multiparameter sensor (FOMS) to monitor key
carbon cycle components in lakes, including carbon dioxide
and methane, as well as indicators of lake health such as
temperature, pH, salinity, and dissolved oxygen. Designed
for long-term, under-ice deployment, the FOMS will operate
across stationary and mobile platforms to collect
high-resolution, year-round data. Machine learning
techniques will guide sensor calibration and enable
intelligent sensing that accounts for environmental noise
and sensor variability. The project also includes a strong
educational component through a partnership with the Museum
of Science in Boston, fostering inclusive STEM learning with
a focus on women and girls. The resulting technologies and
frameworks will support better understanding of carbon
cycling and inform future monitoring strategies for
freshwater ecosystems.
This USDA-funded project aims to better understand the
population dynamics ofFusarium graminearum, the fungal
pathogen responsible for Gibberella Ear Rot (GER) in maize
and Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) in wheat and barley. While
decades of investment in FHB have led to advances in
forecasting, fungicide use, and host resistance, GER remains
poorly understood despite causing greater losses in recent
years. This research will develop new tools to study and
trackF. graminearumstrains in maize, with a focus on
identifying genetic markers linked to traits such as
aggressiveness, stress tolerance, and fungicide resistance.
By integrating these findings into disease forecasting
models, the project will improve early detection and support
more effective management of both GER and FHB, reducing
mycotoxin contamination and crop losses across cereal
systems.
With support from the U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative
(USWBSI) and the Virginia Small Grains Board (VSGB), this
project provides high-throughput diagnostic testing for
deoxynivalenol (DON), a mycotoxin that threatens wheat and
barley production. The work supports breeding programs by
delivering accurate DON data for thousands of samples
annually and helps generate insights to improve cultural and
chemical strategies for reducing contamination. By advancing
analytical methods and engaging stakeholders, this effort
contributes to lowering DON levels in small grains and
addressing the broader impacts of Fusarium head blight on
food safety and crop quality.
Funded by CALS and ICAT at Virginia Tech, this project investigates how microplastics (MPs) may transport and enrich plant pathogens in agricultural systems. Field studies at Kentland Farm will examine the role of MPs in moving pathogens through soil, water, and air, and assess whether they create favorable conditions for pathogen persistence. The project also includes outreach to high school students through a hands-on lesson at the Roanoke Virginia Governor’s School. Results will offer new insight into the intersection of plastic pollution and plant disease, with potential applications in pathogen detection and environmental monitoring.