Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Unless noted, digital media are not available online. Copies of unrestricted digital files will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request. Access will be provided to use copies of unrestricted digital files rather than carrier media, such as CDs, DVDs, and floppy disks. Some or all electronic files may be unavailable or restricted due to privacy reasons, agreement with the donor, software is not available to interact with files, or because files cannot be retrieved from original media.
The Jean Ristaino Papers, 1896-2025, include research materials relating to the plant pathogen Phytophthora infestans, global food security, and plant diseases. Also included are teaching materials, correspondence, research photos, awards granted to Ristaino, seminar notes and pamphlets, and various journals and publications.
Jean Ristaino is a former William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at North Carolina State University. Her research focuses on plant diseases, mainly Phytophthora infestans, the cause of the 1840s Irish potato famine. This research assesses global food security issues.
Collection is primarily in English; includes materials in German and Spanish.
Jean Beagle Ristaino is a former William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor in the North Carolina State University Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology. She also served as the Director of Emerging Plant Disease and Global Food Security Cluster. Her research centers on Phytophthora infestans, which caused the Irish Potato Famine, and its effects on global food security.
Ristaino's grandparents immigrated to the United States from Italy, and the family later moved to Washington D.C. where Ristaino was born. She earned her undergraduate degree in biology in 1975 and her masters of science degree in 1982 from the University of Maryland. She then earned her PhD in 1987 from the University of California Davis, and she joined the Department of Plant Pathology at North Carolina State University that same year.
Ristaino first began researching Phytophthora infestans during her undergraduate studies, when she worked for the United States Department of Agriculture. These plant diseases have had major outbreaks throughout world history and continue to threaten food security. Throughout her career, Ristaino has studied the causes of 19th century outbreaks, monitored contemporary outbreaks, and developed diagnostic tools. Another important piece of her work is the development of USAblight.org, an online program that tracks food disease outbreaks.
Ristaino also led study abroad programs for her students at North Carolina State University. She took groups to Costa Rica to research tropical plants and collaborate with her former students from the Universidad de Costa Rica.
Ristaino was selected as a Jefferson Science Fellow by the National Academy of Sciences in 2012. She has also served as a science advisor for the Bureau for Food Security under the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), as a member of the Borlaug Higher Education Agriculture Research Development Program, and as a member of the Interagency Working Group on Plant Genomics. She has worked with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the USAID Partnership for Enhanced Engagement in Research. In 2014, she led the "Emerging Infectious Plant Diseases of Africa in the Context of Ecosystem Services" conference in Italy. American and African scientists strategized on topics of African plant diseases and worked towards improving the research capacities of Sub Saharan Africa.
The Jean Ristaino Papers, 1896-2025, document the research and teaching activities of Ristaino during her employment at North Carolina State University's Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology. Research materials include written data, notes, photos, and reports. The collection also holds correspondence between Ristaino and other faculty members, notes and pamphlets from seminars and workshops, faculty reports, awards, and course outlines. Subjects include the plant pathogen Phytophthora infestans, global food insecurity, and the United States Department of Agriculture.
This collection is arranged in series: Publications by Jean Ristaino; Other Publications; Correspondence; Funding Proposals and Grants; Research Notes and Planning; United States Department of Agriculture Bulletins; and Workshops, Courses, Conferences, and Organizations.
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.
[Identification of item], Jean Ristaino Papers, MC 00796, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
Gift of Jean Ristaino, 2025 October (Accession 2025.0145)
Finding aid created by: Ella Mayfield, 2025 December; Preliminary processing by Ella Mayfield, 2025 December; Finding aid updated by Ella Mayfield, 2026 February; Finding aid updated by Ella Mayfield, 2026 September.
The collection is organized into seven principal series:
This series contains publications written by Jean Ristaino, either individually or in collaboration with other scholars. Many articles are in final form, but others are working drafts or submissions. Also included are publication abstracts and planning materials for Ristaino's book Pioneering Women in Plant Pathology.
Files are arranged in alphabetical order. Correspondence is included in this series if it is contained in a file that is majority publications.
Publication includes "Once underway, a pandemic is difficult to control," by Jean Ristaino.
This series includes publications not written by Jean Ristaino.
Files are arranged in alphabetical order.
This file was in a binder titled "Press."
This file was in a binder titled "Press."
This file was in a binder titled "Press."
This file was in a binder titled "Press."
This file was in a binder titled "Press."
This file was in a binder titled "Press."
This file was in a binder titled "Press."
This series includes correspondence, mainly emails, between Jean Ristaino and her colleagues. Many of the files are compiled according to the subject being discussed. Others are not defined by subject.
Files are arranged in alphabetical order.
This series includes funding and grant proposals by Jean Ristaino. These proposals often include project descriptions and budget justifications.
Files are arranged in alphabetical order.
A sticky note on the front of this folder stated, "First grants funded a Herbarium on [?] DNA!"
This series includes lab notes, research progress reports, project outlines, and lab photos. Some of the research notes included come from collaborations between Jean Ristaino and graduate students. This work centers on Late Blight and Phytophthora infestans.
Files are arranged in alphabetical order. Correspondence is included in this series if it is contained in a file that is majority research notes and planning.
Contains 2 Floppy Disks
A note on the original folder stated, "Jean - I was throwing out old Phyto files and thought you might want these. - Marge."
This series includes bulletins from the United States Department of Agriculture, written by Erwin F. Smith.
Files are arranged in alphabetical order. Bulletins of the same category are arranged according to issue number.
This series contains all files relating to Dr. Ristaino's coursework, conference and workshop attendence, and various other involvements with organizations within and outside of North Carolina State University.
Files are arranged in alphabetical order. Correspondence is included in this series if it is contained in a file that is majority conference, course, or organization materials.
Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Unless noted, digital media are not available online. Copies of unrestricted digital files will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request. Access will be provided to use copies of unrestricted digital files rather than carrier media, such as CDs, DVDs, and floppy disks. Some or all electronic files may be unavailable or restricted due to privacy reasons, agreement with the donor, software is not available to interact with files, or because files cannot be retrieved from original media.
For more information contact us via mail, phone, or our web form.
Mailing address:
Special Collections Research Center
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Phone: (919) 515-2273
[Identification of item], Jean Ristaino Papers, MC 00796, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.