Interim leader Scot Hulbert to champion CAHNRS research efforts for safe, sustainable future

Scot Hulbert stands outside the WSU main greenhouse.
WSU plant pathologist Scot Hulbert is leading research efforts at WSU’s Agricultural Research Center.

Plant pathologist Scot Hulbert will oversee research advances toward a safe, sustainable future at Washington State University’s College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences.

Hired May 1, Hulbert is the Interim Associate Dean for Research and Interim Director of the university’s Agricultural Research Center.

As department head and Cook Endowed Chair in the Department of Plant Pathology, Hulbert led research into disease-resistant crop varieties—the key defense against fast-evolving pathogens that can devastate Northwest agriculture.

Now, Hulbert will assist incoming CAHNRS Dean André-Denis Wright, supervising scientific efforts college-wide toward a safe and abundant food supply, energy innovation, better health for families and communities, and strong environmental stewardship.

CAHNRS and its Agricultural Research Center are leading drivers of research at WSU, contributing to more than 40 percent of the university’s extramural funding budget—$83 million in 2016.

“Here at WSU, and at our research centers, field stations and partner sites across Washington, we have amazing opportunities to solve the challenges facing our communities and families, our farms, waterways and forests,” said Hulbert.

“For the past 12 years, I’ve been privileged to work alongside fellow CAHNRS scientists, finding solutions to threats facing our farms, food and environment,” he added. “Now, it’s my pleasure to step up and ensure all of our researchers have the support they need to make a difference for our future. It’s an exciting step, and I look forward to meeting our stakeholders, partners, faculty and staff in the weeks ahead.”

“Scot is a proven leader with more than 35 years of cross-disciplinary research, industry partnership, and national professional involvement in sciences affecting everything from grain to apples to wine grapes,” said Ron Mittelhammer, Dean of CAHNRS.

“He’s also a Coug—a Washington State University graduate who understands the impact that our land-grant faculty, students and Extension professionals have on the farms and businesses of Washington,” Mittelhammer added. “All this makes Scot an outstanding addition to our college’s Office of Research.”

Hulbert replaces former Associate Dean of Research Jim Moyer, who retired from WSU on April 30.

Childhood experiences on a family farm in western Washington led Hulbert to earn a 1980 bachelor’s degree in horticulture at WSU. Advanced degrees followed in vegetable crops and genetics from the University of California-Davis.

Before coming back to WSU as endowed chair in 2006, Hulbert worked, taught and held leadership roles at Purdue University and Kansas State University.

In addition to research and teaching, he has held several public service roles, elected as a Fellow to the American Phytopathological Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Replacing Hulbert at the Department of Plant Pathology is new Interim Chair Lori Carris, a plant pathology professor and previously Associate Dean of the Graduate School.