I joined the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology in November 2024 as an assistant professor and Extension pathologist. I focus primarily on the pathology of commercially produced fruit and vegetable crops as well as tobacco, hemp, and hops. Before joining UT as an Extension specialist I worked as a postdoctoral researcher at North Carolina State University where my research and outreach focused on understanding how interactions between environmental conditions, pathogens, and insects worked to induce Rapid Apple Decline (RAD), a serious condition primarily infecting young apple trees. My doctoral work was conducted at Texas A&M University where I studied how landscape variation (e.g. changes in soil type, topography, temperature) affects the development and dispersal of pests and pathogens in various cropping systems.

Now at UT I focus my research on the emergent needs of Tennessee specialty crop growers who face strong disease pressure due to environmental conditions that are highly conducive to plant disease.

As an Extension specialist I also work to serve Tennessee growers by communicating with county agents, conducting farm visits, providing educational materials and disease management resources, and providing training in disease identification and management.