Dr. Chakradhar Mattupalli
Washington State University
I earned a B.S. degree in agriculture and an M.S degree in horticulture from India. I then moved to the U.S. to earn a Ph.D. degree in plant pathology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I am currently an assistant professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at Washington State University (WSU).
Developing high-throughput pathogen detection technologies and better understanding the biology and epidemiology of surface blemish diseases affecting potato has been a major focus of my research and extension program at the WSU Mount Vernon Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center.
Currently, I participate in a multi-state project that focuses on developing cost-effective pathogen detection assays that will benefit the potato industry.
I served as secretary, vice-chair, and am currently serving as chair of the multistate research group focusing on management of potato viruses. I also served as an intern with the American Phytopathological Society’s (APS) Public Policy Board (2016-18).
I have been conducting potato research since 2010, and I intend to contribute to the area of plant protection and further strengthen partnerships between researchers and stakeholders. I am enthusiastic about increasing my participation within the PAA, bringing my ideas and experience from APS to the PAA Director position, and meaningfully contributing to the mission of the PAA.
