For more than 20 long time , scientist Lindsey du Toit has helped safeguard many of the Pacific Northwest ’s most valuable crop from damaging diseases . Now , she is the first woman to lead Washington State University ’s Department of Plant Pathology as full chair .
claim over Sept. 5 , 2023 , du Toit replaces straw scientist Tim Murray follow his second tenure in leadership , which begin in 2019 . As chair , she will support WSU research , didactics , and extension body of work that front threats to the world ’s food for thought supply from fungi , bacteria , nematodes , and viruses .
“ We ’re one of the few remaining standalone departments of plant life pathology in the country , ” du Toit said . “ As a squad , we bring expertness in all look of plant life pathology — nematology , bacteriology , virology , mycology — in service of process to Washington first , but also to the keen Pacific Northwest , the U.S. , and the creation . The solvent we work make a huge encroachment on food security , health , and economical viability . ”
Internationally recognized for her work protect vegetable ejaculate crop from diseases , du Toit conjoin the staff at WSU ’s Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center in 2000 . A professor and Extension Plant Pathologist , du Toit studies the origins , spread , pattern , and management of diseases dissemble important vegetable and vegetable seed craw at home and around the globe , include seed crops of spinach plant , carrot , Allium cepa , cabbage , radish , beet , Swiss chard , and sweet corn .
“ Dr. du Toit land a lense of experience that find out every vista of the Department of Plant Pathology ’s missionary station , ” said Wendy Powers , the Cashup Davis Family Endowed Dean of the College of Agricultural , Human , and Natural Resource Sciences . “ She has result research on both sides of the Cascades , take hold the reenforcement and respect of her peers , and make up forward the encouragement and opportunities that she ’s receive . I ’m excited to see how she shapes the time to come of industrial plant pathology at WSU . ”
knock-down shock on peopleGrowing up in the metropolis of Durban , in South Africa , du Toit came to the theatre not from a farm , but through an undergraduate line in plant pathology that open up her eyes to how science can serve people .
“ The teacher took us out to visit farms , forests , and NGOs , ” she said . “ Seeing these disease that were devastating individuals and communities , and see the crossroad of science and community , was really powerful . I switched my John Major to implant pathology because of that course . ”
Dr. du Toit earned her unmarried man ’s degree in works pathology at the University of Natal - Pietermaritzburg , South Africa , and holds advanced degrees in plant pathology from the University of Illinois in Urbana - Champaign . As a victor ’s pupil , she appropriate the chance at a paid university assistantship in the U.S. , gain coincident experience in epidemiology and plant nosology . That led to her doctorate , and then her first occupation out of college , in 1998 , as a pathologist at the WSU Puyallup Plant & Insect Diagnostic Lab .
“ I was one of those students who did n’t have a lot of confidence in themselves , ” du Toit said .
Her teachers and colleagues continually labor her to grow and take fresh office in her field and career . As a professor , and as a confrere , retiring president , and councilor - at - large of the American Phytopathological Society , she has help support peers and her field for more than a decade .
“ It ’s important for me , now that I ’m in this role , to encourage others who are other in their career , and offer them with backup and direction , ” she said .
While prof Lori Carris served as interim chair for two years prior to Murray ’s latest term , du Toit is the first adult female to serve as a full , even chair of the department .
“ The landscape painting is changing , and it ’s a good modification , ” du Toit said . “ woman are more accepted as equals in the scientific force field than in the past , and I am thankful to the women who stand steadfast to get us to this home . It ’s not just a sexuality fairness issue , but other issues of progression as well ; I opine we ’re finally seeing this go on at the levels of professorship and beyond . ”
To immature people who are considering a career in works pathology , du Toit reminds them that scientific discipline is a lot of fun .
“ If you have intellectual curiosity , if you like to understand why thing materialize , if you wish work puzzles , industrial plant pathology might be for you , ” she said . “ You ’re putting the piece of the puzzler together to make a beautiful delineation . ”
Murray , the forthcoming chairwoman , was credited by Powers for his longstanding service and leaders .
“ Tim has done an outstanding job in affirm the section ’s important work of Robert William Service , fundamental and applied breakthrough , and training and intake for the next generation of scientists , ” she say . “ Well done ! ”
author : wsu.edu
