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Washington State University
WSU Puyallup Ornamental Plant Pathology

PPO Community

Welcome

Welcome to the webpage about our community in the Ornamental Plant Pathology Program!

The PPO community is dynamic and full of diverse interests. We have many projects to advance knowledge and meet the needs of our stakeholders. Visit the PPO website to learn more about our research.

You are welcome to contact us individually or use the webform at the bottom of the page to send a broader inquiry.

Gary et al at the farm

Personnel

Principal Investigator

Gary Chastagner with Christmas Trees

Dr. Gary Chastagner

Professor and Extension Specialist
Department of Plant Pathology
253-445-4528
Email
Faculty Profile

Lead Research Associate

Marianne inspecting a Pacific madrone leaf

Dr. Marianne Elliott

Research Associate
253-445-4596
Email
Research Projects: Pacific madrone, Sudden Oak Death management and education, Phytophthora biology and biocontrol, steam sanitation, stream monitoring, citizen science, and more.

Postdoctoral Scholars

Joey Bio Picture

Dr. Joseph ( Joey ) M. Hulbert

USDA-NIFA Postdoctoral Fellow
253-445-4601
Email
Personal Website
Research Interests: forest health, climate change, indigenous-plant pathology, Phytophthora diversity, citizen science, and public engagement.

Field and Lab Technicians

Full Time

Carmen Barkley Bio Pic

Carmen Barkley

Research Technian
253-445-4601
Email

Stephen Harvey

Stephen Harvey

Plant Technician 2
Email

Part Time

Heather Jeffreys Bio Pic

Heather Jeffreys

Service Worker
Email

Image coming soon

Maddie Drennen

Technical Assistant
Email

David McLoughlin Bio Pic

David McLoughlin

Service Worker
253-445-4510
Email

Image coming soon

James DeNeui

Service Worker
Email

Image coming soon

Don Sherry

Professional Worker
Email

Travis Bonnette Bio Pic

Travis Bonnette

Service Worker
253-445-4623
Email

Image coming soon

Allison Casciola

Technical Assistant
Email

Program Alumni

Below is a list of previous members of the PPO Community

Former Students under primary mentorship from Dr. Chastagner

  • Anna Leon
  • Andrea Garfinkel
  • Katie McKeever
  • Lucy Rollins
  • Norman Dart
  • William Hammer
  • Ellen Goheen

Research Staff

  • Katie Coats

Technicians (since 2020)

  • Allison Bachner
  • Baley Porter
  • Kaitlyn Shrader
  • Kristin Wenzen
  • Brit Maguire

Postdoctoral Research Associates

  • Dr. Thomas D. Whitney

Visiting Scholars

  • Information coming soon

Join our Community

Interested in joining our program?

Visit our Jobs, Internships, and Volunteer Opportunities webpage for information about the available positions.

Support the PPO Program

Gary leading educational activity

Increase our impact

You can help support our program by making a tax-deductible gift to our WSU Foundation Account. Find out more here.

Contact Us

Interested in connecting with us? Send us a message to start the conversation.
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