PULLMAN, Wash. – Debra Inglis, professor and plant pathologist at Washington State University’s Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center, is the newly elected president of the Pacific Division of the America Phytopathological Society.
“APS is the largest professional organization of plant pathologists in the world, with over 5,000 members, and the Pacific Division is the largest of the divisions within APS,” said Hanu Pappu, chair of the WSU Department of Plant Pathology. “This is very prestigious and a great recognition for our faculty.”
Steve Jones, professor and director of the NWREC at Mount Vernon, said Inglis is perfect for the position. “Dr. Inglis has a professional approach and the intellect that is critical for this type of position,” he said. “She will do an incredible job.”
Inglis joined the WSU faculty in 1993. From 2004 to 2008, she served as the interim director and assistant dean at the WSU Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center near Mount Vernon. A prolific scientist and Extension educator, Inglis focuses her research on biology and management of fungal and oomycete diseases of fresh and processing vegetables. She also is the project director of a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crops Research Initiative to develop and test biodegradable fabric mulch for use in agricultural production.
The Pacific Division of APS includes members living in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming as well as the Canadian provinces of British Columbia Alberta and Saskatchewan.
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