My responsibilities include directing the activities of the Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and providing Extension education efforts in the areas of diseases of greenhouse crops, nursery crops, landscape ornamentals, and interiorscape plants.

The diagnosis of plant disease remains one of the most important components in the practice of plant pathology. We strive to provide an accurate and timely plant disease diagnostic service for clients for all types of plants, using modern diagnostic techniques. Distance diagnosis, employing the use of digital imagery and the internet through the use of the Texas Digital Diagnostics System, is utilized to provide rapid diagnostic support of County Extension Agents in the field. Plant disease diagnostic support is also provided to state and federal government agencies on selected problems and projects.

Biosecurity issues have also become important component of my supervisory responsibilities in the Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and I provide plant disease diagnostic representation for Texas and Texas A&M University as a member of the Southern Plant Diagnostic Network.

I work with the Texas ornamentals industry to identify important plant disease problems and conduct both greenhouse and nursery applied research trials in an attempt to identify cost effective and environmentally acceptable disease management strategies.

I also maintain an active contributing role in the Texas Master Gardener program by annually conducting numerous intensive educational sessions on accurate plant disease diagnosis and realistic plant disease management strategies.