Join us as we welcome Anna Testen and Erick Martinez Rodriguez on The Science of Bananas: Bananas are a common part of most American's diets, but how did this tropical fruit, grown and shipped thousands of miles away, become so common in the United States? Is there any truth to the rumors that banana may go extinct? Bananas are fascinating with numerous topics that we could delve into, such as their health benefits, their delectable taste, the methods used to cultivate them in fields and greenhouses, and the proper management of banana farms. However, our discussion will center on the origins of the banana and how it became one of the world's most beloved and widely produced fruits. We will examine the impact and significance of banana production on Latin American countries throughout history, as well as the ongoing battle against the Panama Disease, which has proven to be the greatest threat to banana cultivation.

Erick Martinez Rodriguez, a second-year master's student in the Entomology department at Ohio State University's Wooster Campus, hails from Honduras where he earned a degree in Agricultural Science from the Pan-American Agricultural School of El Zamorano. Following his graduation, he pursued research at the Entomology department in Wooster campus as a visiting scholar, focusing on greenhouse and field pest management, as well as mosquito toxicity. Currently, as a master's student, he is investigating the efficacy of natural plant extracts as insecticides and repellents against the yellow fever mosquito.

Anna Testen is a research plant pathologist with USDA-ARS in Wooster, OH where she develops ways to help farmers manage diseases of horticultural crops, including fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals. Dr. Testen toured the Big 10 to learn about plant diseases with a bachelor's in microbiology and horticulture from the University of Minnesota, a master's in plant pathology and international agriculture and development from Penn State, and a PhD in plant pathology from The Ohio State University. Anna has conducted research projects to improve plant health management in Ecuador, Bolivia, Tanzania, and Ethiopia and has enjoyed bananas in each of these countries.